Uncategorized February 7, 2017

Lessons from Girl Scout Cookie Sales

Girl Scout CookiesMy daughter Gwendolyn loves Girl Scouts and looks forward to cookie selling season every year. this year was no exception and she managed to hit her goal and setting a personal best by selling over $10,000 in Girl Scout cookies this year.

I invest a lot of time taking her around to businesses and door to door because there are so many wonderful lessons wrapped up in cookie sales.

First and foremost she learns the rewards that are earned from making an earnest effort. She earned her way to camp which is one of her favorite Girl Scout activities. She will spend a week horseback riding, swimming, hiking and crafting with a group of girls who for a week will be her new best friends. She also got her top prize of a handheld video game console and one of her favorite prizes which is a Girl Scout picnic with the top sellers.

Math is also an important lesson. She learns to multiply quickly and count out the correct change.

Another great lesson is learning to give a great presentation. While many people love Girl Scout cookies so much they purchase automatically, the majority of customers need to be given reasons to support Girl Scouts, and she puts together quite a presentation on the cookies themselves as well as where their donated dollars will go. When she is selling cookies, she is recognizes she is really selling Girl Scouts, and customers react favorably to her presentation.

And, how about the lesson on taking “no” gracefully. She has learned the importance of thanking everyone, particularly when they say “no.” A graceful thank you often opens the door to further conversation that often allows her to supply more reasons to change their “no” into a “yes.”

In addition to all the wonderful lessons she learns, she also earns money for her individual troop so they can engage in all kinds of activities, as well as supply money to National Girl Scouts to improve the camps and the program.

It has been wonderful seeing her grow in her ability to communicate effectively with people. She is in 5th grade and has been doing this since Kindergarten. Every year she gets better and better. This was the first year she beat her brother who has been the top popcorn seller for the Boy Scouts year after year. I am very proud of my kids.