FSD Quarterly | Q1 2024

K12 THE BUSINESS MIND VS THE CREATIVE MIND: WHICH ARE YOU?

HOW THE BUSINESS-MINDED INDIVIDUAL CAN LEAN INTO THEIR CREATIVE-MINDED SIDE IF YOU... THEN DO THIS...

Struggle with taking risks in your programs

Remind yourself of the famous quote by Thomas Jefferson, “with great risk, comes great reward.” Every successful idea started with risk! You may be asking, “what if my idea fails?” Failure is simply a lesson providing you in- formation that will lead you to your next best idea! Remember that the financial aspect of our programs is only one piece of the puzzle! Connecting with your team, your students, school staff, and parents can tell you invaluable information that numbers don’t! Don’t start from scratch! Ask a fellow SNP if you can use their marketing ma- terials as a template. Reach out to your industry partners who have amazing marketing materials that they would love for you to use. Lastly, make digital programs with premade templates (ie: Canva) your best friend! Remember that it is the people that make our programs successful, so by investing time into those you work with, you are ultimately investing in the quality of your programs. Unless you plan on working with robots (never say never!), working with other people will always be messy, complex, and filled with different personalities and emotions. Phone a friend! If there is someone you work alongside who really enjoys creative tasks and projects, don’t hesitate to lean on them for their creative skills and passion!

Only focus on the numbers when making decisions (ie: food cost, labor cost, etc)

Aren’t confident creating mar- keting visuals

Find the “people aspect” of your job exhausting and a waste of valuable time

Struggle with feeling creative in your job

HOW THE CREATIVE-MINDED INDIVIDUAL CAN LEAN INTO THEIR BUSINESS-MINDED SIDE IF YOU... THEN DO THIS...

Are intimidated or confused by the financial aspect of your programs

Ask questions! There really is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of your programs. Knowledge is power, and it is important you seek out more knowledge!

Lack interest in numbers and data

Think how gathering numbers and data allow you to be more effectively creative in your programs! This information will help guide your creativity when problem-solving, designing change programs, and creating your latest innovations. Talk it out with your team! The best way to become comfortable speaking on a topic, is to talk your thoughts out loud among individuals whom you feel safe and free of judgment. You will come to find that talking your thoughts out loud with another individual will actually help you dissect a topic and point out gaps of information you are missing. Give yourself grace! Sometimes the best lessons are the most painful. Even the most experienced SNPs make mistakes. No one is perfect, so don’t let a mishap make you feel less confident in your abilities. The best thing you can do is learn from the mistake and take what you have learned to not only avoid the mistake in the future, but to help others also avoid making the same mistake.

Lack confidence when speak- ing on the business aspect of your programs

Made a poor financial decision with the best of intentions

FSD QUARTERLY

Q1 2024

20

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