American Chopper & Apprentice: The Next Generation In Family Business Makes Its Debut
If you’re wondering what the difference is between a Boomer’s approach to work and a Generation Xer’s approach to work, check out American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior on Discovery Channel.
If you’re wondering what the difference is between a Boomer’s approach to work and a Generation Xer’s approach to work, check out American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior on Discovery Channel.
American Chopper originally debuted in 2003. The series centers on Paul Teutul, Sr. and his son Paul Teutul, Jr. (also known as Paulie or simply Junior), who manufacture custom motorcycles and co-operate Orange County Choppers in Newburgh, New York.
The contrasting attitudes of the two generations often led to fiery exchanges. After continuous arguments, the series took a turn when Paul Jr. was fired from the shop by his father in late 2008. In 2009, Paul Jr. started his own design firm, Paul Jr. Designs. Paul Sr. then exercised a contractual option to purchase Paul Jr.’s 20% share in OCC, and subsequently filed a lawsuit to force the buyout.
The show is now titled American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior and features both OCC and Paul Jr. Designs –and the in-fighting continues.
From Paul Sr.’s perspective, his son is lazy, disrespectful, and ungrateful. From Paul Jr.’s perspective, his father is demeaning, pushy, and a workaholic.
It’s a textbook Boomer vs. Gen Xer workplace debate.
Whose side are you on? Check out the Team Junior and Team Senior videos and share your opinions with us.
On a related note, on The Apprentice finale, when finalist Brandy was asked by Donald Trump why he should hire her over Clint, she wowed him with her request to get hired to learn from the next generation of Trumps. Brandy impressed Trump with her observation that the next generation of Trumps will be the ones to carry on the brand name and the company he started. Trump wholeheartedly agreed and appointed her as his next apprentice.
The Trump organization has a page on its web site dedicated to its next generation. We look forward to seeing other ways the organization puts its next generation front-and-center!
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