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Shark Tank



I love Shark Tank. I think I've mentioned that before, even on this blog. Indeed, now that I've checked ... I wrote a post here that discussed the structure of the show. Today, I'll say something about the personalities.

Kevin O'Leary is the hostile stereotype of a capitalist, come to life and played at least somewhat for laughs. When Kevin decides that he has no use for a particular entrepreneur, he says "you';re dead to me." Not "I'm out" (the phrasing shared by all the other sharks in the same situation) but "you're dead to me."

Yet there is sometimes a "tough love" aspect to Kevin's snarkiness. I remember an episode in which two young men, who could not or would not offer many business plan specifics, were trying to sell equity in their computer password-protection system. Kevin (and Mark Cuban as well, IIRC) were interrupting them with hostile or sarcastic seeming questions. The two ladies on the panel, Lori Greiner and Barbara Corcoran, were trying to throw them lifelines, and criticizing Kevin's harshness.

But ... as the presentation would down, Lori and Barbara declared themselves out. Kevin was the last shark still "in" and the only one who offered them a deal.

The point? If you want someone to invest in you, you may have to perfect your shit-eating grin.

The two men with the password protection system turned down Kevin's offer, and exited the tank with their heads held high but sans working capital.

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