Hey, We All Make Mistakes!

Because entrepreneurs understand that no one learns without making mistakes, we present a special April Fool's edition of the Inc. Quiz.

By Patrick J. Sauer | 
 

1. Mike Michalowicz, founding partner of PG Lewis & Associates, wanted to hire extraordinary "do what it takes" salespeople for his data forensics company, based in Whitehouse Station, N.J. What was his scheme?

  1. Have candidates face off in games of chess, Trivial Pursuit, and poker.
  2. Hire 10 people. After a week, the two with the most sales stay, the rest go home.
  3. Test the candidates' hunger and desire by scheduling interviews for 4 a.m.

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2. Today, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is a junk-removal company based in Vancouver, B.C., that has 140 franchises, 373 trucks, and annual revenue of $38 million. But the company took a big hit several years ago because CEO Brian Scudamore neglected to check the background of:

  1. A CFO who claimed to have a Harvard M.B.A.
  2. A VP with a litany of sexual harassment charges
  3. A truck driver with a sketchy driving record

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3. Select the two true I-wish-I-could-have-that-back choices made by Barry Becher and Ed Valenti, founders of the company that sold the late-night staple Ginsu knives.

  1. Pricing the knives at $19.95 instead of $19.99 for no good reason and forfeiting thousands over the years
  2. Turning down Ted Turner's offer to get in on the ground floor of CNN because "who the hell will watch news 24 hours a day?"
  3. Failing to register a trademark for the catch phrase "But, wait! There's more!"

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4. Anne-Marie Faiola, CEO of make-your-own-soap company Bramble Berry, based in Bellingham, Wash., had to take an emergency 10-day buying trip. While away, she left her company in the capable hands of:

  1. Her husband (assuming he wouldn't make any major changes)
  2. Her ex-husband (assuming that her former partner knew how to fulfill orders)
  3. A part-time employee who had been fired (assuming she would try very hard to impress)

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