Churchill Downs Undercover Boss
Last night’s Undercover Boss featured the COO, Bill Carstanjen, of Churchill Downs. Once again, we are shown a very prosperous COO driving away in an expensive car from his lavish home to go undercover to see how the “other” side lives. What really surprised me were the successful racetracks that Churchill Downs own. Headquarters are in Kentucky, racetrack in Florida and another in Illinois.
Although this is a different type of business from previous shows, the theme is the same. The poor workers are working hard and the boss is not understanding where they are coming from. I really think that they are planting these workers for the show. One gal needed more horse stalls in order to make money, another one is a hard working cleaning lady that is afraid of walking through a dark parking lot at night by herself – I don’t blame her. Then there is a story of a young woman who is eager to do more than just PR and clean horses. Finally, the heart retching story about a father who is an energetic valet wanting to memorialize his daughter who passed away.
At the end of course, Mr. Carstanjen “fixes” everything for these employees and promises to continue to be in touch with his employees.
At first I thought this series would show real problems and real solutions. But a one hour fix of problems really doesn’t cut it. It is just putting a band aid on a massive bleeding wound. I really think these people are “plants” just to make the show a tear jerking show. Yes, they are real people with real stories, but come on, this is getting really old.
Next week the Undercover Boss is Michael Rubin, CEO of GSI Commerce, an e-commerce and interactive marketing services for retailers.
Until later,
Linda
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