Where in our work and business can we embed stretch goals and why should we?
Well, if you think about it positively there are always opportunities that have a chance to be discovered when take the time to improve, exceed, stretch and succeed. When we set a stretch goal, (an activity, event that is outside the business-as-usual norm) and when we stretch the team, we have a chance to get the best out of them. The team gains the chance to find out what ‘super powers’ and additional skills they may have hidden inside. Selecting a few options to see what the team will enjoy trying out and also selecting a few options to throw at the team and see how they go is part of the process. As a leader we can guide our team. As a leader we can also see where there is room for our customers/clients too, for them to want more, speak up and ask for more and be part of your vision more. These opportunities to stretch ourselves, can present themselves in the form of feedback, product tryouts, product innovation feedback sessions, providing a service & asking the clients to test out if the service has fulfilled thier needs.
Classe Petit, a local Melbourne kids art studio, have done just this!
Classe Petit takes young students on an art journey each week, teaching them about art and nurturing their creativity selves to grow. The girls have been painting for the last 8 months in class on a weekly basis, exploring themselves and encouraging each other as they go. They also like to test out their teacher on occasion as all good students must do!
SET THE GOAL: The goal was to take all the girl’s art work, carefully select, prepare and get excited about spending a day outside the classroom and in the sunny Melbourne air.
SET THE STRETCH GOAL: The stretch goal encouraged the girl’s to not only display their selected work, but to share and practice talking about their art work with anyone who came along to visit the local market stall. This was a chance for them to describe to stall attendees their work, answer questions, be polite, patient and learn to handle themselves when they were not sure how to answer a question asked.
Focus Now visited the stall and asked the girls what their business success tip was:
“You need to let people know what you are offering! We made a big sign that said “Art by Kids” and put that where people could see. Then we said hello to everyone who walked by, and those who stopped to look we told them all the art work was done by us. Most of these people enquired about the postcards we had on display. Also now we know which postcards are the most popular so we’ll print more of those next time.”
PROUD MOMENTS: Sheng, the artist, designer, teacher and founder behind Classe Petit had her “proud moment” when when the older student encouraged the younger student to lead the conversation with the stall attendee and gently helped her to answer her questions rather than answering them for her. This moment was a small act of leadership!
SEE WHAT HAPPENS – (THE RESULT): For most of us, who are waiting til our websites are ready, content is word perfect, Instagram followers have increased, products, client testimonials are all in line and ready to go, we are superceded by young ones who spend little time wondering if the world will love thier ideas or not. Instead they go out and simply do, speak and live with passion. They are happiest with the knowledge that they had a go at something ‘bigger’ than themselves and go home proud and feeling older and wiser for it. Classe Petit shows us how providing a well-thought through, structured and safe environment for testing and growth is important, relevant and can even be done with the most precious commodity in business – the client itself. Well done Classe Petit – this was also a growth for your business too! We wish you and the girls all the best in your future events, inspiration, growth and learnings!
