This summer, I stepped out of my comfort zone and put up a drink stall at the local beach. It was a great learning experience that taught me so much more than what I would have learned in the classroom. Here are 5 valuable lessons that I’ve taken away from my Beyond the Classroom experience.
1) Self-discipline is key
Running your own business requires a lot of discipline, from setting up the stall each day to making sure you have enough stock. Every day, you have to wake up, get ready and open your shop at the exact same time.
You have to open up a little before business hours to tidy up your shop and get all your tasks in order. On top of it, you have to stock up on new items while sending requests for the items that are out of stock. Missing out on a chore is not an option, as that may interfere with catering for your customers with what they need.
2. Patience is a virtue
Being patient with customers is essential, especially when you are busy or when someone wants to change their order. It is a big challenge if you are a first timer. Not all customers are the same, and not everyone will treat you well. But you still have to put on your game face and serve with a smile.
No matter how many different errands you have to run, you can NEVER take it out on a client. If it’s too much, you have to take a few deep breaths, ask yourself to calm down and continue to serve with patience.
3. Adaptability is essential
When you run a business, you will develop a lot of problem-solving skills beyond the classroom that will help you keep on a game face no matter the obstacles. You never know what situation you could find yourself in, and it’s important to be able to adjust quickly and efficiently.
For example, if it suddenly starts raining and all your drinks are getting splashed by rainwater, you have to come up with a temporary tight wrap technique, so your drinks remain intact. If you suddenly run out of items, you might have to find a way to influence your customers to try on something else on the menu.
4. Communication is vital
No classroom can teach you how to communicate. Everyone has their individual role, but you are the show master. So, you have to give proper instructions to your suppliers on exactly what you need. Your employees need to be trained on how to run the shop and cater to the customers.
Over the day, you will see many colourful characters coming your way. Each of them has different preferences and expectations. They may not even know what they want. So, you have to understand what your customers want and serve them accordingly.
5. Have fun
Lastly, don’t forget to have fun. You may think you won’t enjoy running a stall or any business, for that matter, but it may turn out to be a really enjoyable experience. Finding the balance between work and play is a great lesson in itself.
Doing something out of your comfort zone will prepare you for the future. You will be ready on your toes and handle problems with creative solutions that can only be learnt beyond the classroom.
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