Selling a Project Idea

Growing up, I was involved in Boy Scouts. In high school, I finally reached the point where I was striving to reach the Eagle Scout rank. Part of achieving the Eagle Scout rank is completing a project for a local non-profit organization. My project was the creation of a permanent outdoor story-time area for a local play house for children. The process of project approval requires the selling of your idea. I had to sell my idea to both the non-profit organization and a committee of executives in my Scout troop. I had to convince the president of the Hands-on House (the non-profit) that I, as a sixteen year old, was capable of executing a project that costs him thousands of dollars in equipment. This sales pitch required me to sell myself as a capable and responsible young man. Selling the Scouting side the project idea is a much more difficult process. This pitch was done in PowerPoint form. Before I was able to present to a committee for approval, I had to convince my Scoutmaster of the project’s validity. I wasn’t able to fully convince him my project was adequate till the third time that we met up. Lastly, I had to present to the committee. I had to present my case to a panel of 7 adults in Scouting. Naturally after presenting, I was required to successfully endure lots of questioning. Overall, the sales pitch and questioning took around two hours. This grueling sales process was my first ever experience in any form of sales. I had to sell myself and vouch for an idea in a way that I was never required to before. I am super grateful for this selling experience. I believe that I was able to capture the true nature of the project. The project is meant to develop interpersonal skills in scouts all while doing good in the community.