The Firm: Season 2 - Episode 2

Client: Easy Pha-max

The task: To conduct an effective and engaging seminar for potential franchise holders from the English-speaking communities. The judging will be done by a panel of executives from the brand.

Team Asset
Team leader: Chris
In the boardroom meeting, Terence caused a ruckus when he put forward his intent to leave The Firm, citing the rift between team members and the amount of backstabbing he faced as reasons. Immediately it is apparent that there are two camps in Team Asset: The first consisting of Kian You, Salasiah and Yuen Wai; and the second consisting of Ain, Joo Lee and Chris.
With Terence gone, Ain is given a bigger space to exert her opinions, which are often more harsh and demeaning, especially on the members from the other camp. She is also seen as being the one running the show although Chris is team leader.
Following the audition for whom should be speaker, it was decided that Yuen Wai will be the emcee, Joo Lee the first speaker and Kian You the second speaker. While Yuen Wai received much criticism from Ain and Chris for his inexperience in conducting a presentation - which leads to Yuen Wai pointing out that at least he volunteered to do the job while Ain only knew how to criticise, Chris was very happy with Kian You's speaking skills and was optimistic that the team was on the "right track".
Unfortunately, things turned out badly during the seminar. Joo Lee caused a major boo-boo when she described the Easy Pha-max wheatgrass drink product as a "disgusting green drink" and worse, while off-stage, Kian You has a flair for talking, on stage he was just terrible! The audience weren't amused and it is obvious that Team Asset was in big trouble.

Team Equity
Team leader: Jennifer

It seems that Anoop has backed off from hogging the limelight this time around but the next matter to plague the team was Ridzuan's diva act. Throughout the show, it was all about Ridzuan bitching about his dissatisfaction at being put aside and not being able to speak at the seminar. He accuses his team mates of being "prejudiced" and firmly believed that he is the perfect man for the job due to his background as a motivational speaker (in the show, his official title is corporate trainer) although Masami pointed out that motivating people and selling them a product are two different things. He even went on to say that he was willing to risk his position in The Firm should the team lose but the team would not hear anything of it - they were not keen on losing and eventually, Ridzuan ended up as the floor manager on task day.
Meanwhile, the team was pleased with Boon Yew's performance - a fact clearly supported by the look of enjoyment on their audience's and panel of judges' faces. Ridzuan was not convinced though, insisting that Boon Yew was not able to create an "emotional connection with the audience".

Verdict: It was quite clear cut that Team Asset lost. In the boardroom, the speakers were blamed for their bad presentation skills. However, two people ended up in the hot seat - Ain and Salasiah. Ain's camp brought up that Salasiah had contributed the least and that there was not much use for her in the team while Salasiah's camp maintained that there was no space for a negative, disruptive team member in Team Asset.
For a moment, it seemed as if Ain will be eliminated as Chan Boon Yong seemed quite against her as well. However, it was Salasiah who had to leave as Chan Boon Yong maintained that The Firm was about leaders and not followers. Before exiting, Chan Boon Yong warned Ain that she will be team leader for the next task and that if the team failed, she will be held responsible for the loss and will be terminated.
Salasiah leaves with the parting words that unless the team was able to control Ain, the rift between the team members will never disappear.

Next episode spoiler hint: A TV commercial on mineral water. Anoop appears in a wheelchair.