We love The Great British Bake Off in our house. We tune in every week. Reportedly, more than 10.8m viewers watched the first episode of the 11th series when it aired in September (6.9m viewers watched it live, the rest caught it on, erm, catch-up). It was Channel 4’s biggest broadcast since 1985.
The BAFTA-winning show was produced for the BBC before moving to Channel 4. And in case you’re not a fan, it stars no-nonsense master baker Paul Hollywood and fellow judge, food writer Prue Leith (who replaced British cookery royalty Mary Berry). Comedians Noel Fielding and new boy Matt Lucas provide the laughs.
Competing over ten weeks for the much coveted “UK’s Best Amateur Baker” crown are 12 non-professionals. Each week they attempt different baking styles and methods, creating “Signature”, “Technical” and “Showstopper” bakes along the way. One contestant is named “Star Baker” by the judges, while another must leave the show, until one wins the final episode.
Smutty innuendo is a key reason why viewers love Bake Off. But among the “soggy bottoms” and bun and bap double entrendres, the GBBO offers many valuable lessons for business owners. Such as…
1 Good time management is essential
Not a single minute can be wasted when you have just a few hours to create a show-stopping Croquembouche or Flaouna to pass a tough technical test. The same is true in business. To maximise your productivity and profitability, you must make every second count.
2 You must be able to handle pressure
Whether you’re in the Bake Off tent or running your own business, some pressure is inevitable, at least some of the time. If you can manage that pressure so it doesn’t turn into stress, you can overcome challenges and achieve great things.
3 Proper planning pays off
Executing a well thought-out plan is essential to wowing the Bake Off judges. Contestants are often to be seen ticking off lists while working their way through highly challenging recipes. Similarly, sticking to a sound business plan strategy can ensure that you stay on track and achieve your ambitions.
4 Simplicity is usually best
Complexity often leads to disaster on the GBBO. Leave yourself far too much to do within your available time is setting yourself up for failure. And while pushing yourself is a good thing, setting impossible objectives isn’t. Better to keep things simple and do the basics well.
5 Success is built on consistency
Quality matters in baking and business, but you’re only as good as your last bake, task or job. Even star bakers and businesses can come unstuck if they fail to deliver quality time after time.
6 Everyone makes mistakes
Even those who have won the Bake Off have had mishaps along the way. Sometimes mistakes can be rectified, sometimes they can’t, but no one gets it right all the time. Making mistakes is acceptable – not learning from them isn’t.
7 You should listen to expert advice
There’s no doubting Paul Hollywood’s expertise. When things go wrong on Bake Off, he provides an immediate explanation, based on his deep knowledge and decades of experience. Bake Off shows that constructive criticism and advice from others can help us to improve.
8 Your personality should shine through
Your personality can help to set you part from other businesses, which is vital. Whether they’ve been tasked with making a macaron, bread roll or tea cake, successful Bake Off contestants put something of themselves into their creations. Being who you are can help to fuel your success. Viewers and customers like authenticity.
9 Appearance isn’t everything
On Bake Off we frequently see outwardly beautiful creations picked apart for lacking flavour or crunch. Sometimes they’re over or under baked. Similarly, an impressive business website can be undermined by poor customer service. Substance is more important.
10 Who dares (usually) wins
Sometimes you must be prepared to think outside the box and do things differently if you are to triumph. Whether that’s spicing up teacakes with masala chai or adding cream soda flavouring to your cheesecake topping, in business and the Bake Off – fortune favours the brave.
• You can watch the series so far on catch-up or by visiting the Channel 4 website. Blog written by Dead Good Content founder, Mark Williams.
