Dragons Fire (Dragon's Den)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Dragon's Den
Date:	06/10/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great format, Dragons

Disadvantages: Evan Davis?

**Introduction**

I had been thinking about doing a review of Dragons Den for a while but had not decided how to do it. Now having decided the way to go I set about writing the review. So here goes. Dragons Den is one of those programs that may help you during this economic climate when many people are losing their jobs through absolutely no fault of their own. I have been watching Dragons Den since the start and anyone watching it is bound to pick up something about how to run their own business.

**The Format**

Dragon's Den is a BBC program presented by Evan Davis which gives members of the public the chance to gain investment from five of the UK's most well known Business Experts. The budding Entrepreneurs have their "pitch" which they are looking to gain investment for, It can be anything from around £50,000 all the way up to the £200,000 mark and on occasion beyond. The amount often depends on what kind of business they are bringing to the Dragons and also how much equity they are looking to give away.

**The Dragons**

The current Dragons are Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Theo Paphitis and James Caan. Here's a little bit about each of them.

Duncan

The ageless Scot is my favourite Dragon, He started his empire with an Ice Cream Van and via Nursing Homes he is now one of the biggest names in the Health Club world with Bannatynes which is now the largest independent chain of health clubs in the UK. He has an estimated wealth of around £320m. He is very quick to say if he sees any potential in the business which budding entrepreneurs company. And he doesn't mince his words if he thinks the people should go back to their day job and forget the business thing.

Peter Jones

He started out with his own Tennis Academy at just sixteen and has since gone on to a number of Computers Businesses. He is also very quick to let someone know when he thinks they don't have a hope with their business plan. "I don't think you've thought this through at all" being one of his most common phrases when he does not see any potential in the business. He has offered people jobs in the Den when he has really been impressed by the person and not their product.

Deborah Meaden

Deborah is currently the only female Dragon taking over that position from Rachel Elnaugh. Deborah made her money in the West Country with Leisure and Retail. She tends to be quite harsh on the women who come into the Dragons Den when they make out that the reason they haven't made it yet is because of sexism. If someone does not no their figures Deborah is very quick to say "Well you've lost me" and can get quit angry.

Theo Paphitis

The Ex Millwall Chairman earned his fortune property and corporate finance, setting up his own company aged just 23. He moved onto transforming the fortunes of struggling businesses like Ryman, La Senza Lingerie (UK), Contessa Lingerie, Partners the Stationers and Stationery Box. He has a great working relationship with Deborah and if he invests in something it is not that surprising if Deborah does as well.

James Caan

James Caan is seen as a thinker and he's known for stroking his beard when he's thinking about whether to offer the money to the budding entrepreneur. Caan is involved in private equity firms and the way he acts in the den can be strange as he looks like he's going to offer the money and then for some reason he doesn't. He shows real enthusiasm for the people and products he likes in the Den.

**The Pitch**

This is where the budding business men and women come on and give a short presentation about what their product or company is about and then they will answer the Dragons questions, sometimes it's clear from the presentation that they will not get any investment, some people are incredibly nervous and can't get out what they are saying or forget their figures and revenue. The good thing about the Pitches is the variety of things that people come on with. Some good, some really bad.

**The Haggling**

There is very rarely a time in the Den when a transaction goes through when there is no Haggling regarding the price or equity of the particular business opportunity, Often the Dragons will be very interested but will try and get the percentage of the company to be a bit more in their favour so they are getting more of their money's worth, This often happens when the business has great potential but has not performed to it's best.
Sometimes a couple of Dragons will invest together as they both have interest in it and rare occasions the whole den will invest. That has only happened a couple of times.

**Overall**

This is one of my favourite shows on Television and gives normal people a shot at becoming Rich from their own business. Although it does give some people the wrong idea who maybe should not be doing that as they really have a terrible product as you will sometimes see on Dragons Den. I like watching it to see what each Dragon thinks about a particular product or investment as sometimes they are quite shocked when one invests and the others can't believe it as they thought it was terrible.

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