Ferocious Mr Fix-It

15 Nov, 06

Ferocious Mr Fix-It | News

In companies around Britain there are office monsters making people's lives a misery; an incredible one in three people have considered resigning because their lives have been made hell by a monstrous colleague.

Glaswegian tough-guy Alasdair Jeffrey is on a mission to sort out Britain's nightmare workers, flushing out the office trouble-makers who are stopping others from getting the job done.

Thursday 30 November, 9.30pm, TV One

Alasdair's approach is unconventional - he installs secret cameras to reveal exactly what's going on, then he shows the video evidence of bad behaviour to the misbehaving staff, and then the boss. Only when they face up to their bad behaviour can Alasdair start to fix it. And his fixes are unconventional too, he's not above handcuffing an office bully to their rival.

After 10 years successfully working the corporate consultancy circuit, The Ferocious Mr Fixit is Alasdair Jeffrey's first television project and what happens on screen is a variation on how he has operated as a consultant to a range of companies.

"I've always gone undercover to find out the real story before I started working inside a company," he says. "If you declare yourself right away then all you get is resistance and bullshit."

Jeffrey thinks it is about time that business programmes addressed ordinary workers' problems. "So many programmes look at the top of the business world, but most of us are never going to be billionaire entrepreneurs," he says. "People need to know they are not alone in having to work with people that can't be arsed or with bosses who bully."

Comments

Eric Richards

Hi I am thinking expanding my web site
http://www.dubdubdub.net.nz and doing a employment section

I have had a G***ful of the crap from my foreman at work and since "Ferocious Mr Fix-It" can not come to work (I am NOT in a position to offer him a episode) & the receptionist tells me she going home in tears sometimes because of the boss.

I just thought I would do a write-up on "What makes a good supervisor" where to go for help when you need it. and a few other stories, What people need to watch out for when taking on a job.

Maybe a real forum might be the answer totally nothing to do with Throng, I believe they are made to order,

if you put in "tune in TV" my web site is
#1 out 43,700,000

Now the web site is a bit basic, but it works.
to send a email from the web site try this URL
http://www.dubdubdub.net.nz/main/email.html

2 years ago

Thank God for digital television over here in The Netherlands so I was able to watch the 'Ferocious mr fixit' series on BBC3, over the last couple of months. I can't wait for Alasdair's new program to be broadcasted on BBC3, coming season. Does anybody know when that starts, I heard it would be winter/spring 2007?

I absolutely love Alasdair's approach and his way of thinking, he is totally objective and to the point, no bullsh*tting, much like my own way of thinking and you don't meet many people like that in life. It's a shame some employees Alasdair works with don't recognize that, I'd jump at the chance of working with him! The closer the better..... oops, I'm going astray now. I have a small webshop in handmade jewellery and just wish I had the slightest bit more of his Scottish toughness and tenacity; as a shy Dutch girl I lack the killer-business instict and - much to my regret - am often to soft and insecure to turn my shop into the successful multi-thousand (-million would be even better)-euro business I'd like it to be.

So, while I wait for the unlikely chance Mr. Fixit calls on me to 'turnaround' my business, I'll make do with the BBC, hoping Alasdair's 'lessons' will rub off on me and bring me success......

Alasdair, thanks for showing me (and a lot of other viewers) a refreshing approach to tackling business's and life's everyday problems. It was a pleasure watching you, hope to see you again soon!

Kind regards,
Marie-Louise

3 years ago

Dangermouse

ROTFLOL! Regarding your name, Mr Principal, I didn't think any parent could be quite so cruel. (Although when I met a boy called Max Cockburn the other day, I did begin to wonder...)

And the last show was the best, I agree. Everything seemed to work brilliantly for all concerned. I wonder if any businesses in New Zealand would be willing for the Fix-it treatment? Or - the inevitably spawned copy-cat shows that are never quite as incisive as the original. (I think of that celebrity singing show that was on some time back....part of an international syndicate.)

3 years ago

Richard Principal

30th November to 11th January = seven episodes,
Yes and I had to miss the first 1/4 hour of what I thought was the best show.

By the way Richard Principal stands for Dick HeadTeacher
A name I made up some 10 years ago now for some strange articles I wrote for the electronics industry.

3 years ago

Anonymous

That man drives a *HOT* car. And I saw the final too - thought it was good. Dangermouse, you should be happy, there was some karate in it. Kind of.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Did anyone see the final last night? Brilliant, just brilliant. The enthusiasm spread by inches, although I found the whole 'touching fix'a bit painful. (As I'm sure that the manager did as well)
Still can't believe that it was the final ep.
How many shows were there in total? 6 or 8? And yet other (American) series run for four times longer. As a point of interest, does anybody know how this show was recieved in the UK? I used to work there and I can't imagine the hierachy being v. impressed with our Mr Fixit, their management style is definitely listen to the old boy at the top and mind your manners.

3 years ago

Dangermouse

Cheers, Mr Principal. The last show on Thursday? *sighs* Feels like it only just began.

3 years ago

Richard Principal

The web site is http://www.alasdairjeffrey.co.uk/

A word of warning the picture at
http://www.alasdairjeffrey.co.uk/id2.html
a 200*300 pixel JPG picture takes for ever to download at 1000.79 KB (1024805 bytes) in file size on 56K dialup.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Balls. It's the final episode on Thursday, 11th January. Balls, balls. BBC series are always too short. Will miss the show.

3 years ago

Dangermouse

I am not a great fan of reality TV, but this one's caught my attention. I agree with Anon, it makes you think, and surely the cerebellum and television shouldn't be mutually exclusive??
The only complaint I'd have is that Channel One seems to pack in the adverts, and considering that they put it on at nine-thirty on a Thursday night, that's a bit on the nose.
I do have to say though, that after watching the Idle Rocks ep, I was itching to take the manageress out to teach her some karate. It's great for the self-confidence, and you have to face bullies all the time.

3 years ago

Anonymous

So enjoy this show. Anyone see last night's? I thought that 'Bully' bloke had considerable bottle to tell the world he was unable to read or write. Also thought that Mr F. Fix-It dealt with the matter effectively - I've worked with adult literacy students and the shame is such a block to their lives.
Here to Channel One.

3 years ago

Anonymous

I'm a late-comer to the show but thoroughly enjoy it. In fact, I recently converted my husband to watching it every Thursday along with me, and he very rarely watches television!
The circumstances in each show are relevant to nearly all businesses. Also, the premise is more genuine than many other reality television programmes. It prompts a weekly discussion between my husband and I that gets carried over into our work places. Best of all - it makes us think.
Incidentally I'm a teacher and some of the communication philosophies work with both students and grown-ups! Staff rooms are rife with internal power struggles. Cheers for a great show.

3 years ago

Alasdair

So far I have received hundreds of emails from NZ. The primary objective in doing this program was to make people want to take action to make their own changes for the better. I'm still find it hard to believe that it works on the other side of the world!!

Does anybody have any contacts that I could approach to make a visit to NZ worthwhile for all concerned?

Maybe I could do something to support the program? or it's objectives?

Thanks for watching.....no I don't mean that...Thanks for taking action having watched!!

Best wishes
Alasdair

3 years ago

Richard Principal

Hi just a quick check to see how many people are still watching this program, for me it is the highlight on TV1, Thursday night.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Ferocious Mr Fix-It
I got the feeling this was a half hour program streched into a one hour one.

3 years ago

Anonymous

I too am bullied at work, it makes me miserable and i have considered resigning. This is in Palmerston North, the person at my work has managed to form a clique with our other four colleagues, so mine is me against five, considering you spent forty hours a week with these people sometimes you wonder if it isn't worth resigning!

3 years ago

Anonymous

The sad reality it is alive and working in Auckland, I have been a victim for many months now, TEAM EFFORT the only team effort in the company is three against one putting me down.

I think maybe there was even a doze of it today.

3 years ago