From the Archives | First published May 2014
THE PRESENTATION YOU WEREN’T SUPPOSED TO ATTEND
Just before my eldest son started school, we were invited to an Open Evening, our first glimpse of “big school” life. In recognition of the logistical gymnastics of modern parenting, the school thoughtfully laid on a crèche so mums and dads could listen to the Head Teacher while the small people were entertained elsewhere.
There was a clear divide.
Parents in one space.
Children in another.
Boundaries firmly drawn.
Unless you are my son.
Four-year-old optimism in human form was deposited in the room of delights (late-night painting! New friends! Snacks!) and told, “Mummy won’t be long. Have fun and be a good boy.”
“I don’t want to be here,” he said. “I want to be with you.”
“The presentation won’t be as much fun,” I explained patiently, “but it’s important. It helps Mummy understand what’s going to happen when you start big school.”
He paused. Considered this. Then asked, “If the presentation isn’t much fun, why don’t you stay here and play with me?”
A reasonable question.
With gentle persuasion, and a little help from the teacher, I was eventually released from a remarkably strong small grip and made my way to the hall.
Ten minutes into the talk, there was a knock on the door.
“Mrs Beach, your son would like to see you.”
Slightly flustered, I stepped outside, explained again that the presentation was for parents, and returned to my seat.
Ten minutes later, another knock.
“Mrs Beach, he’d like to see you again please.”
Back out I went. Same explanation. Back into the hall. By now wearing an expression that could probably be seen from space.
Five minutes later, another knock.
All heads turned.
“Mrs Beach… he STILL needs a word.”
This time, instead of repeating myself, I stopped and asked,
“Do you really want to come into the hall?”
He nodded.
And in that moment, I realised it was far easier to let him in than to keep telling him no.
THE LESSON WE MISS
We’ve all seen the posters of Winston Churchill declaring: “Never, ever, ever give up.”
But here’s the interesting bit: most of us wouldn’t even have knocked on that door once. We’d have assumed we weren’t allowed. We’d have accepted the boundary. We’d have stayed where we were put.
My son didn’t.
He didn’t give up because it simply didn’t occur to him to stop trying.
And how often do we do the opposite in business?
We dismiss a marketing channel before testing it properly.
We assume something “won’t work for us.”
We decide it’s not worth the effort.
Sometimes the difference between growth and stagnation isn’t persistence after failure — it’s having the courage to try in the first place.
OVER TO YOU
Have you ruled out a marketing approach simply because you assumed it wouldn’t work?
If you’re ready to stop standing outside the hall and start knocking on doors, get in touch. I’ll help you explore what genuinely works for your business.
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