How good can things be second, third or even fourth time round?
In the coming weeks thousands of people will be packing their bags and heading for their holidays.
Many will be returning to previously discovered locations hoping for a repeat dose of relaxation in slightly familiar surroundings.
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It’s a strange phenomenon that, in an age when we have more opportunity to chose from more holiday destinations than ever before, so many or us decide to return to old haunts.
Until, that is, things change or we return home with anticipation and expectation unfulfilled and high hopes dashed.
Then the misgivings set in and holiday planning is never so simple again.
Similar thoughts came to my mind at the weekend when the week’s TV guides trumpeted the return of Dragons’ Den to the BBC schedules.
Like many others, I was gripped by the first series – fascinated and horrified in about equal measure by the quality of the entrepreneurs parading their wares before the Dragons, and the reaction of those same, sometimes snarling beasts.
The programme has many attributes. It provides an insight into the minds of the contestants (lest we forget that that is what they are) and, of course, it allows the Dragons pretty wide scope to display themselves as nasty, intimidating bosses.
Whether viewers find the programme captivating this time round will depend to a very large extent on the calibre of individuals on both sides of the Den.
The entrepreneurs need to display bucket loads of innovation, flair and determination.
The Dragons need to be tough, uncompromising and ruthless if the programme is to be a ratings hit.
And that, in some respects, is the rub.
Nurturing entrepreneurship throughout the country is a serious business with serious opportunities and equally serious rewards.
Ask anyone who is struggling to gain recognition and support for their business idea whether a series like this will help or hinder their chances.
I’d guess some may be encouraged, others disheartened by the fall out from Dragons’ Den.
According to the publicity handouts, viewers are in for an entertaining time, with Dragons apparently sniping at each other as well as their helpless interviewees.
If you are watching when that happens, remember, it’s prime time TV entertainment. And that can be a world away from the cut and thrust of everyday business in the SME sector.
Whatever else the new series of Dragons’ Den does it must not undermine the efforts of our next generation of entrepreneurs.
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