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6 key ingredients for success from Bake Off 

Business-lessons-from-Bake-Off

It’s one of the UK’s most iconic TV shows and, after a turbulent year so far, it’s fair to say we’re delighted it’s returning to our screens tonight for some much-needed comfort viewing. 

In honour of the much-loved series, we thought we’d uncover six valuable lessons Great British Bake Off can offer to entrepreneurs in search of success:

1. Practice makes perfect

Before we see the baked masterpieces on our screens, there’s been plenty more blood, sweat, and tears behind the scenes. Hours of trial and tribulation have gone into the recipes of the contestants’ signature bakes & showstoppers in their own kitchens before appearing on the show. The contestants will have spent time perfecting their recipes, gathering feedback, and adjusting ingredients along the way to hit that all-important sweet spot!

As entrepreneurs, it pays off to plan. Dedicate time to experiment with different ideas and don’t be afraid to ask others for feedback. Whether it’s a marketing campaign, a product launch, or an event – make a note of what worked last time and what components need strengthening or removing altogether, to make next time more successful.

2. Stay cool under pressure

Bake Off Panic GIF by The Great British Bake Off - Find & Share on GIPHY

From binned Baked Alaskas to collapsing cakes, high-pressure moments are an inevitable part of the show. And of course, some pressure is unavoidable when it comes to the world of business too. Being able to effectively manage stress as a business owner is a key ingredient to success and it’s important to explore different ways to ease potential pressure so that it doesn’t become an unbearable burden.

Often, a heavy workload or a tight deadline can cause us to crumble! Use digital tools & tech to your advantage and turn to others for flexible support as and when it’s needed.

3. Appearance isn’t everything

Whilst a show-stopping design has the power to captivate viewers, it will fall apart if what’s on the inside doesn’t match up. On Bake Off, we often witness stunning creations being picked apart for a lack of flavour or even needing more time in the oven.

Likewise, in business, it’s important to back up a great web or product design with the customer service to match. After all, it’s ultimately your people and professionalism that will carry your brand image.

4. Consistency is key

Whether it’s baking or business, quality is an essential ingredient. Not delivering it consistently enough can be detrimental to your bake or your brand. Make sure to be attentive to detail at all times and put a quality control procedure in place to make sure the end product always exceeds expectations.

5. We all make mistakes

Fail Season 6 GIF by BBC - Find & Share on GIPHY

Even Bake Off champions will encounter mishaps on their journey to winning. It would be impossible for anyone to get it right all of the time. For contestants, there’s no time to dwell on mistakes – if they can’t be rectified, then it’s simply time to move on.

For business leaders, one of the biggest learning curves is accepting that mistakes happen and not letting the fear of failure stop you in your tracks. In fact, some of the best success stories come off the back of learning from our biggest mistakes.

6. Who dares wins

While it’s true that less is often more, it’s taking risks and thinking outside the box that will usually earn the best and most memorable reactions. Getting creative and stepping away from the typical rulebook is one way to go down in Bake Off (or business) history. Playing it safe all of the time can stunt your growth, so it’s important to take a leap of faith from time to time. After all, what’s the worst that could happen?!

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