I loved working at the greengrocers (my Saturday and after school job) – it had it all. This was way before fancy electronic tills and bar coding. We had to memorise all the prices and, if you were working outside, add up everything in your head – which when I think back, was pretty impressive stuff.
I learnt so many things there. Most importantly how to confidently throw fruit and veg into brown paper bags and spin them emphatically around to seal. It gave you a real sense of power.
I also learnt pretty much everything I would ever really need to know about business:
- Good presentation
- Strategic product placement
- Tactical promotions
- And good old sales banter
Who needs a business degree, with work experience like that.
LESSON: ALL BUSINESSES ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME – DON’T OVERCOMPLICATE THINGS.