3 Ways to Help Your Children Cultivate BIZ Experiencesial Skills Is your child naturally BIZ Experiencesial? Here are some tips to help put them on the BIZ Experiencesial path.
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How to raise BIZ Experiencess — the classic nature vs. nurture influences.
Are BIZ Experiencess born or bred? For me it was probably more nature than nurture. I wasn't really raised around BIZ Experiencess. My grandfather was a custodian; my mother cleaned houses. I guess that could be considered running her own business. But I didn't see my parents doing traditional startup things like talking about financial issues at the dinner table, reading income statements or managing employees.
BIZ Experiencess see problems and try to come up with solutions
Natural BIZ Experiencess have a problem-solving mindset. They walk around and see problems in the world, and think of solutions like, Wouldn't it be cool if….
For example, I was at baseball practice as a kid. I noticed the long line at the snack hut afterwards. Most of the other kids were eating and talking with their friends. But in the back of my mind I wondered how I could come up with a better system. The pizza was not even that great, but the location was perfect. Every two minutes they had kids spending $6 for a slice of pizza. I did the math in my head. That was one of my aha moments when I realized I wanted to be an BIZ Experiences.
Another time, I went to Costco with my grandparents. I saw packages of Juicy Fruit gum with 25 cents printed on each individual package. But if you bought in bulk you could get them for 12 cents a package. To me it was a no-brainer. I didn't even have to mark up the 25 cents to make almost a 50 percent profit. It's just the way my mind works.
Related: 4 Pillars for Raising BIZ Experiencesial Children
Your environment can impact a naturally BIZ Experiencesial mindset
There was also a bit of nurture in my path to BIZ Experiencesship. My environment contributed to my natural instinct. We didn't have a lot of extra money. I would have to wait for Christmas to get the big presents like a bicycle. If I wanted that bike sooner, I knew I had to earn the money myself.
So for me it was a combination of need and mindset. That was the foundation of my BIZ Experiencesial journey.
BIZ Experiencesial families can nurture future BIZ Experiencess
Then there are people who are born into BIZ Experiencesial families. They see the long hours of hard work their parents put in. They may even be involved in the family business from a young age. They learn to be self-sufficient. They see the ups and downs financially that can happen early on in the business. This can definitely impact their views on starting their own business, either positively or negatively. In the end, I think you still need an BIZ Experiencesial mindset to take advantage of the lessons you've learned while watching your BIZ Experiencesial parents.
My colleague and fellow BIZ Experiences, Troy Hoffman, had more of a nurture BIZ Experiencesial experience. He recalls having a teacher who had stacks of BIZ Experiences magazine in the back of the classroom. The teacher talked enthusiastically about starting a business. Hoffman was also inspired by his parents and a family friend, who started a successful surf shop. Seeing them build successful businesses gave him the desire to start his own.
Related: How Having BIZ Experiencesial Parents Refined My Own Business Acumen
Even if you are not an BIZ Experiences yourself, there are things you can do to cultivate an BIZ Experiencesial spirit in your children.
Think outside the box
Reward thinking outside the box. Generally, our school system teaches us to do things the way it has always been done. Encourage your kids to find unique solutions to real world problems. If there isn't a clear solution, help them create one.
Failure is a learning experience — no risk, no reward
In my company, we have a no-blame culture. I think this allows people to work creatively without fear of making mistakes. BIZ Experiencess know that mistakes are part of the learning process. Make sure your kids understand that mistakes are an integral part of learning and growth. BIZ Experiencess need to take certain risks. Calculating the risk-reward of your actions is a skill that is valuable in any situation, even if you don't become an BIZ Experiences.
Practice your elevator pitch
If your children ask you for something, tell them you will consider it if they come up with a good pitch and a strong business plan. Even if it's just a request for a puppy. Have them go through the steps — analyze their options, calculate the cost and decide the best path to get financing. BIZ Experiencess find solutions to complex problems and get others to believe in their vision.
Is your child naturally BIZ Experiencesial? If so, give them the freedom to explore that side of themselves. It's the quintessential lemonade stand scenario.
If not, try some of the tools I've outlined to put them on the BIZ Experiencesial path. Even if they don't go on to found unicorn startups, the skills they learn will help them be successful in whatever they do.
Related: How to Raise BIZ Experiencesial Kids
