It\u2019s the most wonderful time of the year \u2013 Girl Scout Cookie Season. The $700 million Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country. As the parent of a motivated entrepreneur\/Girl Scout, I\u2019ve guided my daughter as she\u2019s worked toward her goals and achieved success. I\u2019ve learned a few things along the way that apply to any business endeavor. Here are 6 Tips from a Girl Scout Cookie CEO who\u2019s learning how to run a business, one box of Thin Mints at a time.<\/p>\n
Every business has a goal (or goals), but chances are you won\u2019t succeed without a plan. Girl Scout Cookie Season is a short one, so every day counts. A busy Girl Scout is like any other overscheduled business person \u2013 she needs to set her priorities, decide what steps to take to achieve her goal, and carve out time to complete those steps (in addition to the many other tasks on her to-do list). Work the plan.<\/em> The plan works.<\/em><\/p>\n When you\u2019re running a business, you can\u2019t go it alone. For a Girl Scout, a partnership might mean Mom or Dad taking the cookie order form to work, her future filmmaker older brother directing her latest sales pitch video for social media, or the local grocery store allowing the troop to set up a booth and sell cookies to their customers for two hours. No matter your industry or business, building partnerships<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re offering products, services, or both, your message matters. What\u2019s your story? Why should your customers buy from you and not the Daisy down the street? How<\/em> and where<\/em> you tell your story impact the effectiveness of the message, too. Be prepared, be creative, and sell<\/em> a good story<\/a>.<\/p>\n In today\u2019s fast-paced world, snapping a photo and uploading it to Facebook is an easy way to get the word out.\u00a0 Sometimes, though, you\u2019ve got to pick up the phone. A personal phone call \u2013 to new or returning customers \u2013 can make a big difference.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned at the many cookie booths I\u2019ve supervised, it\u2019s this: Not every Girl Scout is like my daughter, excited to approach strangers and ask if they\u2019d like to buy cookies. Everyone has different strengths and skills. While we want our Girl Scouts to step outside their comfort zones, sometimes you\u2019ve got to sit back and let the extroverts do the talking. Surround yourself with a well-rounded team<\/a> and let them do what they do best.<\/p>\n A small gesture of gratitude can go a long way. At a recent cookie booth at our local grocery store, the cashier closest to our table enthusiastically sent customers our way. My daughter waited for a break in his line and asked him which cookie was his favorite (Thanks-A-Lots, as it turned out). She bought him a package and thanked him for helping her troop reach their goal. A few minutes later, he came over to the booth and bought five more boxes, including a box for his manager. Day made \u2013 for the cashier, the manager, and my daughter, who saw how a simple act of kindness impacted her business.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re selling cookies or custom cabinetry, the experienced team at Prime Advertising & Design offers clients a unique blend of business savvy, the latest technology, and marketing expertise to help you meet your goals. We approach every project<\/a> with energy and creativity as we help you sell your story. Contact us<\/a> to get started today.<\/p>\n2. Build Partnerships<\/h2>\n
3. Deliver a Message that Matters<\/h2>\n
4. Pick Up the Phone<\/h2>\n
5. Play to Your Strengths<\/h2>\n
6. Make Someone\u2019s Day<\/h2>\n