Image: CBC Television
About This Quiz
"Dragons' Den" was one of the great reality television brainwaves. It was one of the first reality shows intended for an intelligent audience interested in the insights successful businessmen and women have for the budding business barons of tomorrow. This essential pitch for the show was only the beginning. The quintessential element of "Dragons' Den" that makes the show so watchable is its cast — the dragons.
No two dragons are quite alike. Each dragon comes from a unique business background, giving them different instincts borne of coming up through different corporate cultures. The dragons are not all of the same class, ethnic background, or educational background. Some are confrontational, while others are sly, teasing out confessions of vulnerabilities through verbal sleight of hand. Simon Woodroffe did not invest in anything in his stint as a dragon, whereas Peter Jones has remained on the show in part because he makes so many strong agreements to invest. Some dragons are beloved; others are despised.
In the many seasons of "Dragons' Den," many a dragon has passed judgment in the den. Which one are you? Gather your piles of cash, choose your outfit for the season, and make sure you have plenty of room in your notebook because you're about to enter the den as a dragon.
I wear my best sour poker face.
I try not to convey emotion, so as to allow the presentation to go on unmolested by my indirect influence.
I try to look relaxed, so the presenter will relax.
I remain businesslike, poised to take notes.
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There's no way I'd invest.
I might invest if I can assert sufficient control over the business.
I would invest if another dragon went in with me on the investment.
I wouldn't touch it at all unless I was given nearly complete control of the business side of the business.
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I do this as often as I can since they are frequently in my thoughts.
Very rarely
I do this occasionally, but only in passing and only when I am very emotionally involved
Never
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60%
40%
51%
70%
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Four
Three
Two
Five
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No, not in 1,000 years
I would invest if the situation was the result of factors that would have ruined anyone's efforts, given the business.
If I believe in the entrepreneur, I'll do it.
It's possible that I would invest, provided that the business will, if properly run, erase the debt in three years or less, while still turning a profit.
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A solid balance sheet
Trustworthy, clever owners
Passionate owners who know the market, if not how to run an actual business
A business I wish I'd thought of
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I'd want to be on a survival-type of reality show.
Something akin to "Kitchen Nightmares," only about businesses, not restaurants
I would want to be a presenter and interviewer on a sport programme.
I would want to do something to inspire young people to take control of their own destiny, whatever that is.
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Technology ... Everyone thinks they understand it, but no one does.
Entertainment ventures like theatre shows and the like
Shipping holds little interest to me.
Party planning ... It's just too easy to become just the flavour of the month.
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Fitness devices
Logistics
Adventure businesses
The restaurant business
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When someone just assumes I'll share their passion for nonsense
When it's clear that someone is hiding something from me
When someone leaves out an important detail that comes up during due diligence
Rudeness about my opinions
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I have a team work on them, a focus-group test them, and then prepare them for me.
I just come up with them on the spot and refine the ones that work best.
I improvise all of them on the spot.
I don't believe in one-liners. I prefer authenticity.
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Boredom
Once my profile is sufficiently raised, I'm out.
I just can't imagine leaving the den.
I would go if I felt I needed to spend more time with my family.
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They're soft.
None of them worked as hard as I did.
They don't know how to handle big risks like I do.
They're smart, driven and worthy of me.
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Deborah Meaden
Peter Jones
Theo Paphitis
James Caan
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I would need a lot of control over the business, so it would be about 50-50.
The person is the asset in which I prefer to invest.
If they proposed another business in which I was the least bit interested, I would invest.
I would not invest if the business was that weak.
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Profits, profits, profits
The growth vector of the business
Accrual accounting
Cost to run the business versus expected growth
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If I feel someone hasn't answered my questions, I'll let them have it.
I would have to catch someone in a lie.
I would have to find out that there was some sort of double-dealing going on.
I would do it if I felt the business itself were unethical.
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I bully them.
I try to catch them out on their numbers and then ask a disarming question.
I drill down on all the details surrounding the suspected lie.
I innocently ask about things until I get a soft truth and then compare it to the lie.
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It's all a stunt to become famous.
I think I might find s great new business, but if not, it will be fun.
I'm definitely interested in finding a future business in which to invest.
I'm only here to find a new opportunity.
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I want a title.
I will use the experience to inform my other ventures.
I'll retire.
I'll spend more time away from work, though I'm not retiring.
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No, they're all pathetic.
Yes, but not all of them
Most of them, yes, even the silly ones
Yes, all of them
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I know everyone in the hotel business.
If it ships, I know who does it.
I know people in just about every area of business.
When it comes to food, I know everyone.
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I elbowed my way to the top of my industry.
I have put it all on the line for my dreams.
I started early and worked hard my entire life building my dreams.
I've started businesses and turned businesses around.
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Oh, yes
Some, perhaps, but I shouldn't be feared unless they're being dishonest with me.
No, unless they're afraid of everyone
No, never
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I'd tell them to shut up.
I'd use a polite colloquialism to describe my annoyance.
I would make a joke at their expense but not a one-liner.
I would frown and politely tell them to stop, perhaps also raising my voice.
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About 10 years, give or take
Just a year or two
As long as it's on television
A year or two, unless life intervenes
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Physical intimidation
Power
Dignity
Respect
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I have to live down the fact that I was a sucker.
I lose my investment.
I waste my time on it.
I fear investing in the future, which could mean passing on a wonderful opportunity.
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You Got:
