Derry feels force of Jedi Jim

The man dubbed the "World`s Greatest Salesperson" by global tycoon Alan Sugar has addressed business leaders in Derry.

Apprentice star and Cookstown man, "Jedi" Jim Eastwood, delivered a lecture on his five point strategy for success - "Believe in yourself, Be inspired, Be Inspirational" - to members of the city`s Chamber of Commerce at the Beech Hill Hotel on Friday.

Chamber CEO Sinead McLaughlin, said the address was "lively and engaging". "He shared at length his experiences as An Apprentice, indicating at the outset that he was just "an ordinary person, who had an extraordinary experience". Over 90 Chamber members were in attendance and they were left in no doubt that Jim had the gift of the gab combined with oddles of charm and warmth which made him the salesman extraordinaire that was recognised and valued by Lord Sugar", she added.

Chamber President Padraig Canavan said that the greatest standout of the 2011 Apprentice was Jim Eastwood`s "honest performance".

The 32 year-old Apprentice runner-up earned his `Jedi` nickname for his powers of manipulation but the sales and marketing manager missed out on Lord Sugar`s investment in the hit show. He was however named the "World`s Greatest Salesperson".