I was surprised by the depth of poverty in some of these countries.
I was confused by how some of these poverty programs are supposed to function.
I would ask the author what their personal experience in some of these poor countries has been. I would also ask some of the more effective poverty policies that are used around the world.
I did not disagree with anything in the reading.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Final Reflection
The most formative experience was the free money exercise. I definitely looked like I was trying to hit on people. I think it was a really informative experience and taught me a lot about how different approaches can determine the outcome of a scenario. I really enjoyed my last explanation of my project. I thought it was awesome because I really became more comfortable on the camera and was able to explain my big idea much more clearly. I am most proud of all the random interviews that I completed successfully. It was such a fun way to get myself acclimated to the class.
I think I definitely am more of an entrepreneur now. I think that I certainly have more confidence and feel like I have some of the more essential tools to put together a business venture.
I would suggest that the future students of this class don't procrastinate. Most of these assignments you can do late at night. It's hard to walk around and do random interviews super late at night. You look pretty scary approaching people in the dark.
I think I definitely am more of an entrepreneur now. I think that I certainly have more confidence and feel like I have some of the more essential tools to put together a business venture.
I would suggest that the future students of this class don't procrastinate. Most of these assignments you can do late at night. It's hard to walk around and do random interviews super late at night. You look pretty scary approaching people in the dark.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Elevator Pitch 4
I altered my video this time by making it a bit more interactive. I think my movement really draws the viewer in, and drives the focus to my face because it keeps disappearing when I turn around. We want what we can't have. I think this video was a lot of fun and
Venture concept 2
It's difficult to find a way to travel on campus and I have a solution. My product is a service to drive college students onto campus and nearby campus for a monthly fee at their beck and call. People get tired of paying per use through various taxi services. I think the typical fee will be up to $40, and will change the way students get to and from campus. They won't have to ride on a bus, and they will just hit a button on an app that gets them to where they are going. I think this will create a market for people who are willing to pay for a taxi service but don't want to pay every time. I think this will meet peoples need for a way to get around often. We all need a way to get around near campus.
I have innovated a way for students to get to campus by way of a monthly fee that will be much less frustrating than finding parking on campus. I think that no one else will be using this service because it will be so difficult to break into the market once someone has the entirety of the market share. No one else will be offering this service and I think there is an adequate opportunity that will meet my need.
Last time I posted the thoughts were overwhelmingly to offer rides to places close to campus. I think this is a great idea and definitely will be doing that. We would be able to add so much value for so little there. I think the other point was the $40 was a bit expensive, but my suggestion would be to allow the price to remain at $40. I think it's fair and for people willing to pay for a cab, I think they would be willing to pay $40 for the entirety of the month.
I made several edits to my idea to reflect the fact that I was going to offer services close to campus and on campus. I added that the typical fee will be "up to" $40.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Week 14 Reading Reflection
1) I was surprised what really comprises the particular types of innovation. I had no idea the intricacies or the passion required.
2) I was confused by some of the specific differences between the two types of innovation. It seemed like it could all really fall into a grey area somewhere between the two.
3) Which type of innovation tends to be most successful in what environment?
4) There was nothing I disagreed with.
2) I was confused by some of the specific differences between the two types of innovation. It seemed like it could all really fall into a grey area somewhere between the two.
3) Which type of innovation tends to be most successful in what environment?
4) There was nothing I disagreed with.
Google Gold
1) By titling everything specifically what the post was supposed to be called, I thought I would be able to drive traffic because people in my class would make the page more popular by reading it easily.
2) The titles for each post were my keyword, I thought that was really a great way to get people to view it. By using common titles, I thought more people would click on it because it was familiar.
3) I did not use social media to enhance my post. I should have posted my blog on different forms of social media to reach more of an audience. I don't think it was a good idea to just keep it to myself, I should have not trusted that people would just get on my blog because they would see it on google.
4) My most viral post with 15 views was the elevator pitch number one. I thought it was because it was the first one of me behind the camera.
5) I did not make it on the first page of google, but I should have. I don't understand why I didn't. I could not find my blog anywhere in the google results no matter what I googled.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Very short interview part 2
I remember being distinctly scared that he would think I didn't know what I was doing. There was something so humbling about being such an obvious underdog in that interview. I'm realizing how I came into the interview thinking that creating a business or idea was such an abstract thing, but in reality it's all very tangible and realistic. Doing what you love and being paid to do it is such an obvious reason to start a business. I'm wondering why I spent so much time in this class thinking up businesses that I didn't enjoy in the least. I should have decided to only consider things I'm passionate about.
How did you fall in love with woodworking?
Family reasons. When I was younger my family always made things together. That was our thing. We were a do it yourself family.
Why did you end your business?
Because sometimes when you feel like your business has reached maximum capacity and you can't go any further you have to let it go. At the end of the day you have to make enough money.
What was the biggest change in direction for your business?
The way we marketed. Eventually I had to expose myself to more people and then I was accustomed. Sometimes the people that are already around you won't be enough to keep your business afloat or growing.
Like I said earlier, I never thought up venture ideas about things I loved. I really think I held myself back from progressing a measurable amount due to that. I think Danny approached me as a more experienced entrepreneur, but I still believe there is a lot to learn from him.
How did you fall in love with woodworking?
Family reasons. When I was younger my family always made things together. That was our thing. We were a do it yourself family.
Why did you end your business?
Because sometimes when you feel like your business has reached maximum capacity and you can't go any further you have to let it go. At the end of the day you have to make enough money.
What was the biggest change in direction for your business?
The way we marketed. Eventually I had to expose myself to more people and then I was accustomed. Sometimes the people that are already around you won't be enough to keep your business afloat or growing.
Like I said earlier, I never thought up venture ideas about things I loved. I really think I held myself back from progressing a measurable amount due to that. I think Danny approached me as a more experienced entrepreneur, but I still believe there is a lot to learn from him.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Week 13 Reading Reflection
1) I was surprised by the emotional bias that sellers tend to have when they have nurtured and raised a company. I would think they would be more inclined to sell their business.
2) I didn't understand the big layout of expenses in buying a company. Was that just to budget? How do living expenses factor in to budgeting for buying a business?
3) What are the most common divergent goals in the business world? Are intangible book values often different from normal values?
4) There was nothing I didn't agree with.
2) I didn't understand the big layout of expenses in buying a company. Was that just to budget? How do living expenses factor in to budgeting for buying a business?
3) What are the most common divergent goals in the business world? Are intangible book values often different from normal values?
4) There was nothing I didn't agree with.
Celebrating Failure
During the giving out a dollar exercise in this class, I failed to give out any money. People said it looked like a weird pick up line, which is totally true. It was so bizarre. I think the actual assignment was difficult, and for some reason I was not very well equipped for it. I tried several times to give out the dollar, and failed to do so. Every time.
I learned that you can't just walk up to people on the street and try to give them money. It's strange, but people don't want handouts really. Not nearly as much as you would think they do.
I learned that failure is hard, but I disagree with the idea that I need to change something about myself. Why, because I can't accomplish something, do I need to change? If I were failing something that was important, then yes, I would need to change; however, this isn't the case with giving out money on the street. Giving out money is, in my opinion, a mix of generous and unethical. So to say I have much to change because I was unable to give someone a dollar doesn't seem apt.
I learned that you can't just walk up to people on the street and try to give them money. It's strange, but people don't want handouts really. Not nearly as much as you would think they do.
I learned that failure is hard, but I disagree with the idea that I need to change something about myself. Why, because I can't accomplish something, do I need to change? If I were failing something that was important, then yes, I would need to change; however, this isn't the case with giving out money on the street. Giving out money is, in my opinion, a mix of generous and unethical. So to say I have much to change because I was unable to give someone a dollar doesn't seem apt.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
My Exit Strategy
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I think that my plan to exit in a timely manner has not influenced me largely. The biggest effect that knowing I would leave early may have would be spiking downwards the profitability of my company through gimmicks. Since this is a college town, I think there is a real temptation to lower prices significantly and to let the buyer handle the profit loss.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
What's Next?
Existing market:
1) I think what is next is some sort of way that people could drive and get discounts on their services or perhaps traveling to and from places on campus other than library. Perhaps different pricing models where you can be guaranteed pickup in a certain timeframe.
2)
3) I think based on my existing market, the next move for me is going to be to learn how to further capitalize on the market I already have. I need to create different price points for people who are trying to work with different time frames concerning arrival or departure times.
I think this will allow me to grow my existing market into more of a luxury product. I don't necessarily believe that the service I have will create great avenues of growth. The growth may be in building a scope of services that can cater to any individuals needs.
New market:
1) I think a new realm of the industry could be offering bulk contracts to employees at universities. In this way, we could offer regular scheduled shuttle services to and from congested areas on campus and we could help universities get their important employees to work in a timely and convenient manner. The big sell here would be that this daily transport would be an expensive luxury service for this who were higher up at the university. This future target audience would be small, but we would be able to charge a large fee which would allow us to risk reaching only a handful of individuals.
2) People in this market would be able o offer their employees an incredibly convenient service to make the university or position a more appealing idea.
3)
4) This does not sound as appealing as one would think because the truth is that the market is so small that it appears it would be difficult to get someone to and from the university at a decent price point every day. I wonder how practical this would be on a bulk scale for a university.
1) I think what is next is some sort of way that people could drive and get discounts on their services or perhaps traveling to and from places on campus other than library. Perhaps different pricing models where you can be guaranteed pickup in a certain timeframe.
3) I think based on my existing market, the next move for me is going to be to learn how to further capitalize on the market I already have. I need to create different price points for people who are trying to work with different time frames concerning arrival or departure times.
I think this will allow me to grow my existing market into more of a luxury product. I don't necessarily believe that the service I have will create great avenues of growth. The growth may be in building a scope of services that can cater to any individuals needs.
New market:
1) I think a new realm of the industry could be offering bulk contracts to employees at universities. In this way, we could offer regular scheduled shuttle services to and from congested areas on campus and we could help universities get their important employees to work in a timely and convenient manner. The big sell here would be that this daily transport would be an expensive luxury service for this who were higher up at the university. This future target audience would be small, but we would be able to charge a large fee which would allow us to risk reaching only a handful of individuals.
2) People in this market would be able o offer their employees an incredibly convenient service to make the university or position a more appealing idea.
3)
Week 12 Reading Reflection
1) It surprised me that a lot of entrepreneurs don't partake in strategic planning due to lack of time and effort. It seems as if this would be the most important stage, so I was very surprised that they would take on a greater risk by not putting a lot of thought into the planning.
2) The reading this week was very straight forward and educational and I felt I understood everything in the text. I was not confused about a certain topic but I would of loved even more elaboration and real life examples in some parts of the text.
3) How can you better help entrepreneurs with the strategic planning step? How would you advise companies to sustain themselves instead of naturally declining?
4) I did not find anything I disagreed with in the text.
2) The reading this week was very straight forward and educational and I felt I understood everything in the text. I was not confused about a certain topic but I would of loved even more elaboration and real life examples in some parts of the text.
3) How can you better help entrepreneurs with the strategic planning step? How would you advise companies to sustain themselves instead of naturally declining?
4) I did not find anything I disagreed with in the text.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Venture Concept 1
My opportunity is that college campuses all over are becoming less and less spacious. Students are moving into campus areas as the young population grows and the typical student is living further and further from campus. There is a need for students who are unable to make their way to campus. They need to get to campus for things like studying. I think that as more and more students are getting further and further from campus the student needs a better way to get to campus. This opportunity will last for awhile into the future until for some reason fewer people start going to college. Students are satisfying this need by biking to campus and taking the bus. This will not be satisfactory for long.
My product is a service to drive college students onto campus for a monthly fee at their beck and call. I think the typical fee will be $40, and will change the way students get to and from campus. They won't have to ride on a bus, and they will just hit a button on an app that gets them to where they are going. I think this will create a market for people who are willing to pay for a taxi service but don't want to pay every time.
I have innovated a way for students to get to campus by way of a monthly fee that will be much less frustrating than finding parking on campus. I think that no one else will be using this service because it will be so difficult to break into the market once someone has the entirety of the market share. No one else will be offering this service and I think there is an adequate opportunity that will meet my need.
My product is a service to drive college students onto campus for a monthly fee at their beck and call. I think the typical fee will be $40, and will change the way students get to and from campus. They won't have to ride on a bus, and they will just hit a button on an app that gets them to where they are going. I think this will create a market for people who are willing to pay for a taxi service but don't want to pay every time.
I have innovated a way for students to get to campus by way of a monthly fee that will be much less frustrating than finding parking on campus. I think that no one else will be using this service because it will be so difficult to break into the market once someone has the entirety of the market share. No one else will be offering this service and I think there is an adequate opportunity that will meet my need.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Amazon Whisperer
My revenue driver is the single transportation fee for a monthly or annual service of unlimited rides to and from the library. I don't believe there would be a next product, but perhaps it would be that you could be a driver and get a discount on getting rides to and from. I'm not sure how my next product would be any better, which reinforces the point that I don't think I would necessarily have a next product. There aren't similar products on Amazon because my service isn't super tangible.
If I were to improve a product on Amazon it would be this one:
I would make it rechargeable and add a way that it could clip onto your clothing. Customers wish it was a bit more functional and a little less of a hassle. It can also be difficult to suspend in the water well. This product would not be a good addition to my current product line because they are unrelated.
Week 11 reading reflection
1) I was surprised that so many innovation things are not well supported after their creation. I assumed that they would be.
2) I was confused by how separating different departments would hinder the whole innovative process.
3) What made Corning so different from the other companies? How does investing in basic research differ from investing in advanced research?
4) There was nothing I disagreed with.
2) I was confused by how separating different departments would hinder the whole innovative process.
3) What made Corning so different from the other companies? How does investing in basic research differ from investing in advanced research?
4) There was nothing I disagreed with.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
My Unfair Advantage
1) Hardwork
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: no
2) Perserverence
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: no
3) Quality
V: yes
R: yes
I: yes
N: no
4) Loyal to customers
V: yes
r: yes
I: no
N: no
5) Loyal to suppliers
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
6) Loyal investors
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
7) Ethical
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
8) Good marketing
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: yes
9) Financially responsible
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
10) Educated
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: no
The most important resource we have is being financially responsible because without this you will never be able to start and keep a business open long enough to show the other resources.
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: no
2) Perserverence
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: no
3) Quality
V: yes
R: yes
I: yes
N: no
4) Loyal to customers
V: yes
r: yes
I: no
N: no
5) Loyal to suppliers
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
6) Loyal investors
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
7) Ethical
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
8) Good marketing
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: yes
9) Financially responsible
V: yes
R: yes
I: no
N: no
10) Educated
V: yes
R: no
I: yes
N: no
The most important resource we have is being financially responsible because without this you will never be able to start and keep a business open long enough to show the other resources.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Week 10 reading reflection
I was surprised by how important accounting was.
Most of the material wasn't confusing
I would ask what the most common system of budgeting was and if companies usually do their own accounting or outsource
I did not disagree with anything, other than the importance of accounting.
Most of the material wasn't confusing
I would ask what the most common system of budgeting was and if companies usually do their own accounting or outsource
I did not disagree with anything, other than the importance of accounting.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Idea Napkin No. 2
1) My name is William. I have strong interpersonal skills, and a strong business evaluation ability. I would like to run my own business, or work in an environment where I have strong incentive to perform well like in a sales job. I would like to eventually have drivers run my service so that I don't have to.
2) I'm offering a taxi service specifically to libraries so that people could always get to a library without any concerns about parking. At most big universities, parking at libraries is limited. For a flat monthly fee, people could guarantee a ride to and from the library.
3) I'm offering it to students but more importantly I am offering it to students who need a ride due to lack of car or lack of parking. I think there are many students that would fit this category, especially at universities that have limited parking for students so they can't keep cars with them.
4) Students should value this because they would finally be able to get a ride to and from their places without worrying about parking. Stressed students really would appreciate not worrying about parking.
5) I would charge a flat rate, which nobody else does. The assumption is that people would be use the service heavily, or sparingly. They would offset one another.
I believe that these elements tie together very well. It's my belief that all of these things have common strengths and appeals that will help them mesh together in the mind of the consumer. I think my pricing platform may not be my strength necessarily, and that is dangerous because it's really the only thing I have going for me here.
Feedback memo:
1) My idea is costly to implement.
2) People wouldn't inherently trust my service.
3) Lack of consideration of my target audience.
4) Pricing that isn't competitive.
5) Free services available.
I believe these ideas can be addressed by introducing a duration use discount and a pricing platform low enough to bring the people who often use free services.
2) I'm offering a taxi service specifically to libraries so that people could always get to a library without any concerns about parking. At most big universities, parking at libraries is limited. For a flat monthly fee, people could guarantee a ride to and from the library.
3) I'm offering it to students but more importantly I am offering it to students who need a ride due to lack of car or lack of parking. I think there are many students that would fit this category, especially at universities that have limited parking for students so they can't keep cars with them.
4) Students should value this because they would finally be able to get a ride to and from their places without worrying about parking. Stressed students really would appreciate not worrying about parking.
5) I would charge a flat rate, which nobody else does. The assumption is that people would be use the service heavily, or sparingly. They would offset one another.
I believe that these elements tie together very well. It's my belief that all of these things have common strengths and appeals that will help them mesh together in the mind of the consumer. I think my pricing platform may not be my strength necessarily, and that is dangerous because it's really the only thing I have going for me here.
Feedback memo:
1) My idea is costly to implement.
2) People wouldn't inherently trust my service.
3) Lack of consideration of my target audience.
4) Pricing that isn't competitive.
5) Free services available.
I believe these ideas can be addressed by introducing a duration use discount and a pricing platform low enough to bring the people who often use free services.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Week 8 Reading Reflection
1) I'm surprised that there has been $37 billion dollars raised in IPO's. That seems like a massive sum of money.
2) I was confused by the private placements. Is this just raising money through a couple of wealthy investors?
3) How many people end up actually dealing with rule 506? Additionally, how many people are sophisticated investors out of all investors?
4) I disagree that Muslims are driven to terrorism by a lack of enconomic opportunity. I think it's driven by an intense religious fervor.
2) I was confused by the private placements. Is this just raising money through a couple of wealthy investors?
3) How many people end up actually dealing with rule 506? Additionally, how many people are sophisticated investors out of all investors?
4) I disagree that Muslims are driven to terrorism by a lack of enconomic opportunity. I think it's driven by an intense religious fervor.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Halfway reflection week 8
1) I have learned a lot about being bold in the face of adversity. Pretty much every assignment has been hard, and the skill I've learned to be necessary is that you must dare to ask awkward questions.
2) I feel like during the free money excersize I felt so awkward that I thought about skipping the assignment. I was able to persevere by reminding myself that many people will have to do similar tasks that are just as uncomfortable.
3) I think that the traits I want to encourage people in is to start to ask more tough questions before the class begins, to anticipate being pushed, and to use other people in the class and their ideas to your advantage.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Free Money
I will ask some individuals as they walk by while I eat dinner and I will ask some people in a coffee shop.
I will approach people at random, which should give me a better view of the general market.
I think the best way to start the conversation is to be direct. There's a chance people will stop if you just offer free money.
My plan is to just follow through however they respond. I think it will be hard to say no to free money.
I think I will give away at least 3 dollars.
My predictions ended up being correct, that on the whole people were relatively willing to accept free money. They thought it was strange and they didn't understand why, but they weren't so unwilling that they didn't take the money.
I will approach people at random, which should give me a better view of the general market.
I think the best way to start the conversation is to be direct. There's a chance people will stop if you just offer free money.
My plan is to just follow through however they respond. I think it will be hard to say no to free money.
I think I will give away at least 3 dollars.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Week 7 Reading Reflection
1) I was surprised to hear just how driven we are by demographics. I always thought the research would be based on many other things, but it would appear that it was all solely based on demographics for a long time.
2) It's confusing how we can be so broad in the way we segment our buying market. Do we really just fall into a couple categories? I feel like we should be able to segment with a fine tooth comb, why would we really want to put people into a couple categories? How do we cater to big groups?
3) I would ask the author where he first saw flaws in the way that society was segmenting the market. At what point did he realize that the way it was being split up wasn't working?
4) I don't think there are as many issues with the demographic method of splitting up the market as the author does.
2) It's confusing how we can be so broad in the way we segment our buying market. Do we really just fall into a couple categories? I feel like we should be able to segment with a fine tooth comb, why would we really want to put people into a couple categories? How do we cater to big groups?
3) I would ask the author where he first saw flaws in the way that society was segmenting the market. At what point did he realize that the way it was being split up wasn't working?
4) I don't think there are as many issues with the demographic method of splitting up the market as the author does.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Elevator Pitch No. 2
3) I capitalize on that here by making my pricing less than competitors. Nobody will mind doing the extra work themselves, and I think people would pay less for it. That's going to be my selling point and that's how I implemented my last comments.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Customer interviews no 3
Week 6 reading reflection
1) I was surprised by how the whole idea is totally driven by the need for a large profit margin. The whole time I was reading I was wondering how this applies to industry's that operate with a relatively low profit margin, and work mostly with a large number of sales model.
2) I'm confused as to how the threat from new people entering the market once the key players in the industry are established. Do new people continue to enter markets even once the markets are well established and grounded?
3) I would ask the author about his personal experience running a company. Are all of these thoughts from 3rd party analysis on his part looking in at other companies? What would people actually running the companies say about the major threats?
4) I didn't have many major disagreements, but in many cases I don't believe the buyer has lots of bargaining power. Once a price has been established, it often is accepted and remains concrete.
2) I'm confused as to how the threat from new people entering the market once the key players in the industry are established. Do new people continue to enter markets even once the markets are well established and grounded?
3) I would ask the author about his personal experience running a company. Are all of these thoughts from 3rd party analysis on his part looking in at other companies? What would people actually running the companies say about the major threats?
4) I didn't have many major disagreements, but in many cases I don't believe the buyer has lots of bargaining power. Once a price has been established, it often is accepted and remains concrete.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Idea Napkin No. 1
1) My names William. I've got experience working in sales and finance, but few entrepreneurial ventures. I am a strong written and spoken communicator, and I am a firm believer that you must have confidence in yourself before you can swing an idea. My aspiration is for there to be an affordable way to get people to a great place to study. I think this could have the opportunity to spread to many campuses, with a huge customer bank at every school.
2) I'm offering customers a service to take them to and from the library at all hours for a monthly fee. They will never have to worry about parking, walking to their cars late at night, or having money to pay a cab.
3) I'm offering this to students who have a need to get to and from places at an affordable price. I think that plenty of students need a ride to the library, including people without their own cars, scooters in winter, or people who can't get decent parking.
4) People care because its a recognized need. Nobody needs to be explained to that parking at the most demanded building at large universities can be difficult.
5) My core competency is that I will charge a monthly fee. Many people will forget to turn off the service, and many people will forget to turn it off. Many people won't use the service, or may leave it running for all of college. The core competency is that most people will keep it running and perhaps not even use it all the time.
I think all of these items line up relatively well. I think it's important to remember that no plan is foolproof and things don't always line up perfectly. I think that this is an important service offered at a pretty good price, and it's going to be different from Uber because it's not a pay per use. It's a monthly subscription, and you can use it as many times or as few times as you would like.
2) I'm offering customers a service to take them to and from the library at all hours for a monthly fee. They will never have to worry about parking, walking to their cars late at night, or having money to pay a cab.
3) I'm offering this to students who have a need to get to and from places at an affordable price. I think that plenty of students need a ride to the library, including people without their own cars, scooters in winter, or people who can't get decent parking.
4) People care because its a recognized need. Nobody needs to be explained to that parking at the most demanded building at large universities can be difficult.
5) My core competency is that I will charge a monthly fee. Many people will forget to turn off the service, and many people will forget to turn it off. Many people won't use the service, or may leave it running for all of college. The core competency is that most people will keep it running and perhaps not even use it all the time.
I think all of these items line up relatively well. I think it's important to remember that no plan is foolproof and things don't always line up perfectly. I think that this is an important service offered at a pretty good price, and it's going to be different from Uber because it's not a pay per use. It's a monthly subscription, and you can use it as many times or as few times as you would like.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Interviewing customers no. 2
1) For this time, I understood that fine tuning my opportunity must start with coming up with a more specific questions that will prevent me a clearer view of my opportunity. Last time I asked if people were willing to pay to park, but this time I asked a more specific question.
2) I found that interviewing people who actually go to Starbucks will offer me a much clearer picture of the market I'm looking to capitalize on.
3) Tweaking my interview questions meant getting more specific. Last time I asked for vague answers, but this time I asked for quantifiable answers.
4) My discussion with my interviewees was pretty similar to my one before, with the same twinge of anxiety on my part. This time I was a little more bold.
5) I'm starting to wonder how I take the information from these interviews and put them into worthwhile ventures that make this all a bit simpler. It's hard to turn these interviews into actual actionable information.
6) I would say that the three tips are 1) don't be afraid to interview students, they really are in no hurry and do this occasionally 2) find a place where there is a concentration of people that you need information from 3) head into the interviews with questions that will leave you with something actionable.
2) I found that interviewing people who actually go to Starbucks will offer me a much clearer picture of the market I'm looking to capitalize on.
3) Tweaking my interview questions meant getting more specific. Last time I asked for vague answers, but this time I asked for quantifiable answers.
4) My discussion with my interviewees was pretty similar to my one before, with the same twinge of anxiety on my part. This time I was a little more bold.
5) I'm starting to wonder how I take the information from these interviews and put them into worthwhile ventures that make this all a bit simpler. It's hard to turn these interviews into actual actionable information.
Week 5 Reading Reflection
1) The most surprising thing in the reading was how far in the future entrepreneurs have to look ahead and how long it can take to develop a product. I was shocked that in 1982 the demand for a cell phone was only 400,000, compared to the extreme demand for smart phones there is now.
2) I'm confused by the idea of a product not being available at the time the venture begins. How would you begin a venture without the finished product?
3) Is there a perfect time to launch your venture? What does the process of getting a proprietary permit look like? How long would it take?
4) I did not find anything in the text I disagreed with.
2) I'm confused by the idea of a product not being available at the time the venture begins. How would you begin a venture without the finished product?
3) Is there a perfect time to launch your venture? What does the process of getting a proprietary permit look like? How long would it take?
4) I did not find anything in the text I disagreed with.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Elevator Pitch No. 1
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Week 4 Reading Reflection
1) I was so surprised by the returns that companies in Africa are seeing. That's an incredibly hearty return, where are these companies finding these profits in foreign countries? Where does one go about finding a return like that? I think that emerging markets really can prevent some interesting opportunities for investors, but I don't think I knew the opportunity was in Africa.
2) I'm confused on why security hunting is such a bad thing. I feel like there are plenty of low risk decision that could fall into remaining secure, so this idea that security hunting has no risks seems confusing. There is risk taking in security, because nothing can be so sure that you have to take no risks. Security hunting without taking any risks seems paradoxical.
3) I would ask for the author to clarify the four areas of innovation. What are the distinctions, and where does one start? Are you supposed to know which area you are before you go in, or do you just begin innovating and see which area you fit in?
4) I don't know if I would reward heroic behavior. I think I would more say that it's important to really reward logical decision making that pushes you toward your milestone goals. You want to be pushing towards your goals, not heroic decision making. Heroic decision making gets companies killed.
2) I'm confused on why security hunting is such a bad thing. I feel like there are plenty of low risk decision that could fall into remaining secure, so this idea that security hunting has no risks seems confusing. There is risk taking in security, because nothing can be so sure that you have to take no risks. Security hunting without taking any risks seems paradoxical.
3) I would ask for the author to clarify the four areas of innovation. What are the distinctions, and where does one start? Are you supposed to know which area you are before you go in, or do you just begin innovating and see which area you fit in?
4) I don't know if I would reward heroic behavior. I think I would more say that it's important to really reward logical decision making that pushes you toward your milestone goals. You want to be pushing towards your goals, not heroic decision making. Heroic decision making gets companies killed.
Customer Interviews Number 1
1) My opportunity came about pretty organically, as I considered some things that hinder me often. The opportunity that presented itself for me was that I often am stuck waiting for parking spots at Starbucks on 13th Street. There is room for additional parking across 13th street and I was wondering if people were frustrated with the parking at Starbucks and if people would be willing to pay to park nearby.
2) I was looking for people who I knew used coffee shops as study areas, and possibly the Starbucks on 13th street. That was mainly college students.
3) My questions were to ask for age, name, and major. I then asked how many times a week they went to the starbucks on 13th street, how they felt about the parking situation, and if they would be willing to pay to park.
4) Talking was pretty uncomfortable, and most of the people I asked to interview were far more comfortable than I was.
5) I learned that you can't just assume what the general public believes. You really learn the views of people so much better by asking them.
6) I learned that interviews are not just a write off. It's hard to come up with an interview that will tell you something useful, and it's hard to execute it. Interviews are no super easy, and can also give you a mixed bag of information.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Top 5 World Problems
Problems:
1) Dirty water is everywhere. People in developed and undeveloped nations are unable to get to clean water. In developed nations, often the issue can be one of personal greed opposed to an inability to provide clean water in an easy way. In undeveloped countries, it can often be an issue of transporting water to an area that can't find it themselves.
1) Dirty water is everywhere. People in developed and undeveloped nations are unable to get to clean water. In developed nations, often the issue can be one of personal greed opposed to an inability to provide clean water in an easy way. In undeveloped countries, it can often be an issue of transporting water to an area that can't find it themselves.
2) Americans are no longer saving as responsibly as they should. The numbers are staggering. No one considers retirement with the weight that Americans used to. The future is hard to read when Americans are unwilling to take care of themselves. It will fall on us to cover the publics butt when they retire.
3) Racism is an ongoing structural issue around the world. People are affected in every region of every nation. It's a far cry from defeated. This is especially important because often the world believes that because we are running out of enslaved populations, we are no longer racist.
4) Tuition costs are globally on the rise. It's of the highest importance for students to be able to enjoy an affordable education. Affordable education is how we ensure a self sufficient working class. If the majority of people don't have some form of higher education, it's much easier for society to ask for others to support them.
5) Honey bee numbers have been on a horrendous decline over the last few years. This is globally a big issue because honeybees are the reason so many of our plants get pollinated. Without bees pollinating many of our flowers, we would be watching so much of the nation and worlds floral beauty crumble.
Solutions:
1) If you can't bring the water to the people, it can often be pretty simple to find a way for the people to clean the water themselves.
2) One way to combat this is to talk about racism in public ways that brings it to everyones attention.
3) One way to offer more affordable education is by asking the government for increased funding.
4) We can help to change this by informing people of the importance of retirement and saving.
4) We can help to change this by informing people of the importance of retirement and saving.
5) We can help the bee population by providing them more habitat and providing minimally invasive means to control their predation.
Justification:
I believe that a lack of clean water is one of the most crippling problems the world is facing today. I think finding a way for people to bring water to themselves is pretty simple, and its relatively easy to issue some sort of vehicle to bring water to and from villages in undeveloped country. I believe the honeybee population is far from the most important issue, and it's difficult to find a solution that is practical all over the world. It's easy to say we should grow habitat but much harder to actually do it.
Justification:
I believe that a lack of clean water is one of the most crippling problems the world is facing today. I think finding a way for people to bring water to themselves is pretty simple, and its relatively easy to issue some sort of vehicle to bring water to and from villages in undeveloped country. I believe the honeybee population is far from the most important issue, and it's difficult to find a solution that is practical all over the world. It's easy to say we should grow habitat but much harder to actually do it.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Identifying Local Opportunities
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160124/ARTICLES/160129831/1139?Title=Crapo-s-bold-steps-come-with-legal-bills
A) Crapos bold steps come with legal bills
B) Crapo has been seeking unpaid property taxes over the last few years from high profile organizations, some with nonprofit or charitable status.
C) The problem is that organizations are seeking charitable status just to avoid taxes, despite the fact that many of them shouldn't actually remain untaxed.
D) The problem lies with the government, which is allowing companies to go tax free and is also not collecting a fair amount of tax.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160124/ARTICLES/160129827/1182?Title=Driver-unhappy-with-synching-of-traffic-lights
A) Driver unhappy with synching of traffic lights
B) The light at 16th and 43rd is only long enough for 8-10 cars to go through, created a substantial back up for the drivers going through the light.
C) Area drivers are becoming increasingly frustrated with traffic lights that are much shorter than their demand merits.
D) The problem lies with both the government and the people who use the light. The government will probably see mounting frustrations as the town continues to spread westward, and more traffic goes through the light.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/23/teachers-speaking-legislature-listening/79244348/
A) Teachers speak out, but is the legislature listening?
B) Teachers protested the legislator in a fiery way that made their views clear on standardized testing, bonuses for standardized testing, and the way that politics are polluting the classroom.
C) The problem is that our best teachers really are fighting against policy infighting tension between the government and schools.
D) The problem lies in the middle of the gridlock between policy makers and teachers. This will also affect students.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/01/22/calhoun-liberty-hospital-serving-shoestring/79128894/
A) Calhoun Liberty Hopsital Serving on Shoestring
B) There is a limited budget for small hospitals like this one, which can be so important when someone needs emergency medical attention. The story highlights a young snakebite victim in 2015.
C) The problem is that these area hospitals are so important for people who desperately need help. Other care can be hours away by ambulance, and that can be the difference between life and death.
D) The problem is in the hands of both the government, and those who are in need of emergency medical care in the area.
http://www.tallahassee.com/longform/money/2016/01/24/rise-assisted-living-facilities/79124882/
A) Rise in Senior Assisted Living Facilities
B) A sharp increase in senior care assisted living facilities in the Tallahassee area may lead to increased competition and cost comparison, at the end of the day possibly deeply decreasing benefits and services provided to people in facilities.
C) The problem is that if the competition gets fierce enough, the facilities will begin to cut amenities and that will hurt the people staying in them.
D) The problem will lie with the companies that have lost their ability to make strong profits, and the old people who will be losing their quality of living.
A) Crapos bold steps come with legal bills
B) Crapo has been seeking unpaid property taxes over the last few years from high profile organizations, some with nonprofit or charitable status.
C) The problem is that organizations are seeking charitable status just to avoid taxes, despite the fact that many of them shouldn't actually remain untaxed.
D) The problem lies with the government, which is allowing companies to go tax free and is also not collecting a fair amount of tax.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160124/ARTICLES/160129827/1182?Title=Driver-unhappy-with-synching-of-traffic-lights
A) Driver unhappy with synching of traffic lights
B) The light at 16th and 43rd is only long enough for 8-10 cars to go through, created a substantial back up for the drivers going through the light.
C) Area drivers are becoming increasingly frustrated with traffic lights that are much shorter than their demand merits.
D) The problem lies with both the government and the people who use the light. The government will probably see mounting frustrations as the town continues to spread westward, and more traffic goes through the light.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/23/teachers-speaking-legislature-listening/79244348/
A) Teachers speak out, but is the legislature listening?
B) Teachers protested the legislator in a fiery way that made their views clear on standardized testing, bonuses for standardized testing, and the way that politics are polluting the classroom.
C) The problem is that our best teachers really are fighting against policy infighting tension between the government and schools.
D) The problem lies in the middle of the gridlock between policy makers and teachers. This will also affect students.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/01/22/calhoun-liberty-hospital-serving-shoestring/79128894/
A) Calhoun Liberty Hopsital Serving on Shoestring
B) There is a limited budget for small hospitals like this one, which can be so important when someone needs emergency medical attention. The story highlights a young snakebite victim in 2015.
C) The problem is that these area hospitals are so important for people who desperately need help. Other care can be hours away by ambulance, and that can be the difference between life and death.
D) The problem is in the hands of both the government, and those who are in need of emergency medical care in the area.
http://www.tallahassee.com/longform/money/2016/01/24/rise-assisted-living-facilities/79124882/
A) Rise in Senior Assisted Living Facilities
B) A sharp increase in senior care assisted living facilities in the Tallahassee area may lead to increased competition and cost comparison, at the end of the day possibly deeply decreasing benefits and services provided to people in facilities.
C) The problem is that if the competition gets fierce enough, the facilities will begin to cut amenities and that will hurt the people staying in them.
D) The problem will lie with the companies that have lost their ability to make strong profits, and the old people who will be losing their quality of living.
My Week 3 Reading Reflection
1)
I learned that
there are several views on risk in the mind of the entrepreneur. I assumed the
mentality was to always minimize risk and maximize profit. I’m understanding
some will actually take on ventures that offer little profit but lots of risk,
because the task is meaningful. Some will take on medium profit tasks with low
risk, because they are risk averse. Every investor has a different approach to
risk and profit motive.
2)
I don’ t
understand why running is related to all the positive results measured, but
weightlifting is only related to two. I think the results would be the same
across many exercise areas. It’s an interesting theory that it would be
different for one exercise than another.
3)
I would ask the
author how the overriding need for success mixes with entrepreneurs who are low
risk and low profit oriented. What does that coexistence look like?
4)
I don’t think
that unrealistic optimism is a bad trait. I think that unrealistic optimism can
be a good trait, because often it inspires people to reach a big vision and
that will move people to hit other goals, even if they are smaller. So I would
say unrealistic optimism isn’t a bad thing.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Very short interview No. 1
This is my interview with Danny, a man who began making furniture during college from cheap lumber and sold it through different e-commerce sites.
How did this get started?
I realized I could make money off of something that I thought was really fun. I know I enjoyed woodworking, and after awhile I realized that I could sell it and turn a profit off of it. Plus, I had too much spare time on my hands.
What should I hope to get out of an entrepreneurship class?
Practical skills to go it on your own, if you so choose. Lots of people are able to cast a vague dream of something they would like to do, but they know is impractical. Entrepreneurs aren't dreamers. They are very down to earth.
What do you wish you had known before you started selling your woodworking?
Your business won't take care of itself. You have to push it forward, you have to promote it, you have to get your product out there. It's not something that just happens, it takes tons of hard work. I thought my product would do the work for me, but that's not the case.
I was surprised, again, at how entrepreneurs aren't quite as abstract as I once thought. I always picture them as big dreamers. I continue to realize being an entrepreneur is a science, and it takes a business mindset to look for companies that will work and ones that won't. Danny reminded me to start by doing something you love, because no one wants to get into a business only to watch it flop because you weren't interested. It's important to realize that once you have gotten into something that isn't interesting to you, you have already lost, even if the business succeeds.
How did this get started?
I realized I could make money off of something that I thought was really fun. I know I enjoyed woodworking, and after awhile I realized that I could sell it and turn a profit off of it. Plus, I had too much spare time on my hands.
What should I hope to get out of an entrepreneurship class?
Practical skills to go it on your own, if you so choose. Lots of people are able to cast a vague dream of something they would like to do, but they know is impractical. Entrepreneurs aren't dreamers. They are very down to earth.
What do you wish you had known before you started selling your woodworking?
Your business won't take care of itself. You have to push it forward, you have to promote it, you have to get your product out there. It's not something that just happens, it takes tons of hard work. I thought my product would do the work for me, but that's not the case.
I was surprised, again, at how entrepreneurs aren't quite as abstract as I once thought. I always picture them as big dreamers. I continue to realize being an entrepreneur is a science, and it takes a business mindset to look for companies that will work and ones that won't. Danny reminded me to start by doing something you love, because no one wants to get into a business only to watch it flop because you weren't interested. It's important to realize that once you have gotten into something that isn't interesting to you, you have already lost, even if the business succeeds.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Worlds Biggest Problems
Hey internet,
This is a list of the worlds 10 biggest problems, according to me.
1) Dirty water is everywhere. People in developed and undeveloped nations are unable to get to clean water. In developed nations, often the issue can be one of personal greed opposed to an inability to provide clean water in an easy way. In undeveloped countries, it can often be an issue of transporting water to an area that can't find it themselves. If you can't bring the water to the people, it can often be pretty simple to find a way for the people to clean the water themselves.
2) The growing wage gap in America is making it more and more difficult to develop a middle class. This really perpetuates a cycle where a large number of people aren't thriving. One of the easiest ways to combat this is to provide affordable housing to more people, and to provide housing that caters to the general public. The wage gap is a difficult item to tackle.
3) Pollution is ripping the ozones fragile heart to pieces every day. It cries over smog. Industrial nations are producing harmful toxins at a rate that the world cannot repair at. One of the easiest ways to battle pollution is to encourage mass transit. It's a small step to continue putting mass transit into the nations biggest cities.
4) Racism is an ongoing structural issue around the world. People are affected in every region of every nation. It's a far cry from defeated. This is especially important because often the world believes that because we are running out of enslaved populations, we are no longer racist. One way to combat this is to talk about racism in public ways that brings it to everyones attention.
5) Americans are no longer saving as responsibly as they should. The numbers are staggering. No one considers retirement with the weight that Americans used to. The future is hard to read when Americans are unwilling to take care of themselves. It will fall on us to cover the publics butt when they retire. We can help to change this by informing people of the importance of retirement and saving.
6) Social security is going to run out. People are no longer going to be receiving the money that they have been pitching towards all of their life. As we continue to put money in, we will eventually find that we don't receive it back. It's going to be a large issue. One way for us to fight this is to push for social security reform.
7) Honey bee numbers have been on a horrendous decline over the last few years. This is globally a big issue because honeybees are the reason so many of our plants get pollinated. Without bees pollinating many of our flowers, we would be watching so much of the nation and worlds floral beauty crumble. We can help the bee population by providing them more habitat and providing minimally invasive means to control their predation.
8) the divorce rate in the US is around 50%, which has been harming our youth and hurting our nation. Divorce is expensive and damages our most important resource: our future citizens. Divorce is also expensive, robbing spouses of their financial security. Few societies thrive when the sanctity of marriage falls apart. We can fight this by providing help to struggling married couples in an affordable way.
9) Public schools are underfunded because home values are not what they used to be. Because of poorly funded schools, our children receive poorly funded education and thus are less prepared for higher education and ultimately the workforce. The way we can fight this is by keeping a flat tax amount that won't fluctuate with property values, so we can ensure our schools have certain resources.
10) Tuition costs are globally on the rise. It's of the highest importance for students to be able to enjoy an affordable education. Affordable education is how we ensure a self sufficient working class. If the majority of people don't have some form of higher education, it's much easier for society to ask for others to support them. One way to offer more affordable education is by asking the government for increased funding.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Week 2 Reading Reflection
1) The thing that surprised me the most is that entrepreneurs aren't always inventors. I think I would almost disagree. I believe that a new delivery method, a new way of thinking, or a new way of doing things is a type of invention. Perhaps though we are able to just capitalize on existing opportunity. I suppose sometimes we do it one way, and other times we do it another way. Sometimes entrepreneurs come up with a new product, and other times they merely change the way it is presented, or provide capital to get something off the ground. I'm sure entrepreneurs from time to time aren't creating, but escalating a good idea into the realm of the public eye.
2) I'm confused by the strategic formulation school of thought. It takes a big shotgun approach to what it takes to be successful, and really never identifies any specific traits that someone should have. Obviously, entrepreneurs should have many traits, but what are those?
3) I would ask the author what their experience with entrepreneurship is. I would like to know their background, what their major was, and what they actually ended up doing. Do they speak from experience? Have they been researching all of this for years?
4) If you look back at my first point, I think I believe that entrepreneurs must be inventors at some capacity. They must be able to present something new, because successful entrepreneurship really doesn't come to fruition by picking fruit somebody else successfully already picked.
2) I'm confused by the strategic formulation school of thought. It takes a big shotgun approach to what it takes to be successful, and really never identifies any specific traits that someone should have. Obviously, entrepreneurs should have many traits, but what are those?
3) I would ask the author what their experience with entrepreneurship is. I would like to know their background, what their major was, and what they actually ended up doing. Do they speak from experience? Have they been researching all of this for years?
4) If you look back at my first point, I think I believe that entrepreneurs must be inventors at some capacity. They must be able to present something new, because successful entrepreneurship really doesn't come to fruition by picking fruit somebody else successfully already picked.
Bug List
Bug list:
1) When "artisan coffee" actual tastes like dirt, but we all pretend it is just highbrow.
Why: I'm thinking this is groupthink, or some variation of it. Once something is deemed nice, and you don't like it, suddenly you have bad taste.
2) When athletic apparel is pretty impractical, like Nike Fly knits.
Why: A couple people indorse something and suddenly it's the bees knees. People will get hurt because celebrities decided that they are pushing fashion over safety and practicality.
3) When FaceTime fades out because of poor connection, and you know it won't recover, but it makes you wait anyways.
Why: This is maddening. It's an issue because you are just stuck in technical limbo. I wish it just switched to FaceTime audio.
4) When you can't download things onto your phone so you can watch them even when you don't have wifi, like on a plane.
Why: Because if Netflix would let you download, then you would never have to go on their website etc. You would also eventually be able to share the content you downloaded, probably.
5) The fact that academic libraries never have anything interesting to read. Where's the Harry Potter, Marston?
why: I understand it's probably a space thing, but honestly most of our school libraries are packed with books no one will ever read. You can read anything online.
6) When people read things online instead of reading an actual book.
why: For some reason, we are moving away from books. Maybe it's to save a rainforest, but honestly there just seems to be a lack of power in online books. I just never feel like it's the same. But I'm sure, again, we do it to save space, money, and convenience.
7) When online books are really close to the price of the actual book.
why: This happens because companies have overhead even when there is no paper in the book. The overhead can't be that of the company that has to actually print the book though, how can they be similar in price?
8) List articles. List articles are the 2014 version of cliff notes. The internet has been dominated by the "too long, didn't read" versions of actual thoughts. Instead of taking the time to read through something heavy, we simply get to skim the 10 reasons something happens according to one pre-teen author. It's dumb.
why: this happens when people are starting to lose a solid attention span. We can't focus on anything. Nobody wants to have to put thought into anything anymore.
9) The corner of Archer road and 34th street. The traffic is the worst.
why: No one expected Gainesville to reach out west like it has. Gainesville used to be so heavily oriented to the east side of town, and now we have the overcapacity issue at this corner.
10) Gross mass transit, for example, Gainesville's gross bus system.
why: Imagine if the bus was something everybody did. Imagine if clean people rode the bus. It has been stereotyped as the way the poor travel, and really doesn't receive any attention from the government to make it a practical means of travel for the middle class.
11) Abortion pictures in Turlington.
why: It's not the way people fighting abortion should be fighting abortion. It's too graphic for the public eye, and I can't imagine being someone who has had an abortion walking through Turlington.
12) Donald Trump.
why: The man is about as obnoxious and asinine as it gets. He has no sense of tact, no sense of diplomacy, and it bothers me that he would try to seat himself with me on the Christian right when the only belief we share is that he is good at business.
13) Parking on campus being such a hassle. Especially near library west. How do we not have more parking there?
why: I think this happens because campus can't expand north anymore. Like what can UF do, buy out midtown? It's really hard for them to find space, it's honestly just so cramped on the north side.
14) Individuals who jack up pharmaceutical drug prices. It's not ok.
why: Where there is a profit to be made, people are so quick to gauge it. This is more an issue with corporate greed than anything else, honestly.
15) Coffee cups that are way to hot
why: Many places want you to just put the sleeve on yourself or only if you want one. Why don't we build in a sleeve? What if a cup had a manufactured bulge there to help protect from the heat?
16) Impractical emotional advice in some online forum that has no applicability for you, from someone who knows nothing about you.
why: This happens because everybody who has a keyboard wants to be the most wise person you have ever met. I don't think it's right for people to just throw their thoughts out there on the internet. It's bizarre to me, the frequency with which I see articles about your one true love or whatever.
17) The gradual flight of tuition costs. They grew wings and took off.
why: Tuition is blasting upwards at a rate that is hardly tied to inflation. This is happening because schools, it would appear, are being poorly funded and are placing the cost on the students. I understand this is how business works, but it seems that the individuals who can't afford school will leave for some type of online education. As students leave, schools bleed money, and therefore we place more of an economic burden on students.
18) The fact that there is no public money for missions that serve the greater good.
why: If your church can go to another country and do a lot of good things for them, and yet they are tied to a religious purpose, why can't they receive public money? Has the country gotten to the point where they are unable to get any money, just because they are tied to a faith?
19) When homeless animals get the attention that homeless people or orphans deserve.
why: animals aren't people. This happens because people want the altruistic feel of taking in something homeless, but not the work of taking in an actual child or person.
20) The price of a shirt doubling because it has a quail on it.
why: I'm so interested to know why something becomes so crazily expensive because somebody put a quail on a shirt. This happens because the trend is obviously the deep south plantation vibe, but can I get the shirt with no bird on it, or maybe a crow, for $30?
This was pretty difficult. It was strange though, at the end, to look back on this list and find a lot of things that really did bug, and I knew bugged me, all in the same place. It was strange to see all the things that irk me sitting together in the same pew. As I look at the list, I think one big thing I struggle with is a lack on intelligence in your typical consumer. Or maybe, this is a list of things I dislike about myself being vomited onto a page. Probably the latter.
1) When "artisan coffee" actual tastes like dirt, but we all pretend it is just highbrow.
Why: I'm thinking this is groupthink, or some variation of it. Once something is deemed nice, and you don't like it, suddenly you have bad taste.
2) When athletic apparel is pretty impractical, like Nike Fly knits.
Why: A couple people indorse something and suddenly it's the bees knees. People will get hurt because celebrities decided that they are pushing fashion over safety and practicality.
3) When FaceTime fades out because of poor connection, and you know it won't recover, but it makes you wait anyways.
Why: This is maddening. It's an issue because you are just stuck in technical limbo. I wish it just switched to FaceTime audio.
4) When you can't download things onto your phone so you can watch them even when you don't have wifi, like on a plane.
Why: Because if Netflix would let you download, then you would never have to go on their website etc. You would also eventually be able to share the content you downloaded, probably.
5) The fact that academic libraries never have anything interesting to read. Where's the Harry Potter, Marston?
why: I understand it's probably a space thing, but honestly most of our school libraries are packed with books no one will ever read. You can read anything online.
6) When people read things online instead of reading an actual book.
why: For some reason, we are moving away from books. Maybe it's to save a rainforest, but honestly there just seems to be a lack of power in online books. I just never feel like it's the same. But I'm sure, again, we do it to save space, money, and convenience.
7) When online books are really close to the price of the actual book.
why: This happens because companies have overhead even when there is no paper in the book. The overhead can't be that of the company that has to actually print the book though, how can they be similar in price?
8) List articles. List articles are the 2014 version of cliff notes. The internet has been dominated by the "too long, didn't read" versions of actual thoughts. Instead of taking the time to read through something heavy, we simply get to skim the 10 reasons something happens according to one pre-teen author. It's dumb.
why: this happens when people are starting to lose a solid attention span. We can't focus on anything. Nobody wants to have to put thought into anything anymore.
9) The corner of Archer road and 34th street. The traffic is the worst.
why: No one expected Gainesville to reach out west like it has. Gainesville used to be so heavily oriented to the east side of town, and now we have the overcapacity issue at this corner.
10) Gross mass transit, for example, Gainesville's gross bus system.
why: Imagine if the bus was something everybody did. Imagine if clean people rode the bus. It has been stereotyped as the way the poor travel, and really doesn't receive any attention from the government to make it a practical means of travel for the middle class.
11) Abortion pictures in Turlington.
why: It's not the way people fighting abortion should be fighting abortion. It's too graphic for the public eye, and I can't imagine being someone who has had an abortion walking through Turlington.
12) Donald Trump.
why: The man is about as obnoxious and asinine as it gets. He has no sense of tact, no sense of diplomacy, and it bothers me that he would try to seat himself with me on the Christian right when the only belief we share is that he is good at business.
13) Parking on campus being such a hassle. Especially near library west. How do we not have more parking there?
why: I think this happens because campus can't expand north anymore. Like what can UF do, buy out midtown? It's really hard for them to find space, it's honestly just so cramped on the north side.
14) Individuals who jack up pharmaceutical drug prices. It's not ok.
why: Where there is a profit to be made, people are so quick to gauge it. This is more an issue with corporate greed than anything else, honestly.
15) Coffee cups that are way to hot
why: Many places want you to just put the sleeve on yourself or only if you want one. Why don't we build in a sleeve? What if a cup had a manufactured bulge there to help protect from the heat?
16) Impractical emotional advice in some online forum that has no applicability for you, from someone who knows nothing about you.
why: This happens because everybody who has a keyboard wants to be the most wise person you have ever met. I don't think it's right for people to just throw their thoughts out there on the internet. It's bizarre to me, the frequency with which I see articles about your one true love or whatever.
17) The gradual flight of tuition costs. They grew wings and took off.
why: Tuition is blasting upwards at a rate that is hardly tied to inflation. This is happening because schools, it would appear, are being poorly funded and are placing the cost on the students. I understand this is how business works, but it seems that the individuals who can't afford school will leave for some type of online education. As students leave, schools bleed money, and therefore we place more of an economic burden on students.
18) The fact that there is no public money for missions that serve the greater good.
why: If your church can go to another country and do a lot of good things for them, and yet they are tied to a religious purpose, why can't they receive public money? Has the country gotten to the point where they are unable to get any money, just because they are tied to a faith?
19) When homeless animals get the attention that homeless people or orphans deserve.
why: animals aren't people. This happens because people want the altruistic feel of taking in something homeless, but not the work of taking in an actual child or person.
20) The price of a shirt doubling because it has a quail on it.
why: I'm so interested to know why something becomes so crazily expensive because somebody put a quail on a shirt. This happens because the trend is obviously the deep south plantation vibe, but can I get the shirt with no bird on it, or maybe a crow, for $30?
This was pretty difficult. It was strange though, at the end, to look back on this list and find a lot of things that really did bug, and I knew bugged me, all in the same place. It was strange to see all the things that irk me sitting together in the same pew. As I look at the list, I think one big thing I struggle with is a lack on intelligence in your typical consumer. Or maybe, this is a list of things I dislike about myself being vomited onto a page. Probably the latter.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
My Entrepreneurship Story
Throughout my internship, I've come to understand that most people in wealth management run their own small businesses. It's interesting how everyone is, in one way or another, being innovative in how they create and retain business. My entrepreneurship story isn't over, but it has started in the office. I've come to understand what it takes to run your own business, and make yourself into someone that is successful. It's not easy.
I had no idea how many people would fail. The people in the office who have succeeded explained to me that it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of reaching out, and a lot of overcoming intense obstacles to make a name for yourself. The great thing is that once you get off the ground, business perpetuates business if you do it well.
I signed up for this class because I want to better understand how to operate my own business, and the attitude that it takes. I've understood that it requires passion, and I have that, but it also requires some type of refined skill. It requires a mentality that is a mix of innate and trained talents. It's something you're born with, but few people are born with a functional entrepreneurial spirit.
I know I'm not. That's why I signed up for this class! I want to take what I have and turn it into what it takes. I think this class offers a really cool opportunity to see where you need to direct your skills for the long run if you want to make it in business on your own.
Introduction
Hi there, internet!
My names William. I'm from Tallahassee, Fl. If you need directions, just head north until you smell it and west until you see it. I come from a pretty typical suburban home and life on the north side of town.
I'm a finance major and I intend to stick with it through graduation. If you don't have a major to stick with by your junior year, you're in trouble. Am I right? I enjoy finance, but I really enjoy working with people. Financial advising has always felt like the best of both worlds, and my experience in Wealth Management offices has shaped and reinforced this view.
I work at Merrill Lynch here in Gainesville. I got the job here after completing an internship with Merrill Lynch in Tallahassee. I have enjoyed my time at both of these place immensely. I also used to work part time at the Hyppo, Gainesville's premier gourmet ice pop shop. Merrill Lynch is interesting, but the Hyppo is tastier.
I'm also active in Younglife here in Gainesville. Younglife is a ministry that focuses on reaching high school, middle school, and college age individuals. It has been a fundamental piece of my late childhood and now young adulthood. It's one of the most welcoming and pleasant places to be, ever.
I hate cats, they are no good. Get a dog.
My names William. I'm from Tallahassee, Fl. If you need directions, just head north until you smell it and west until you see it. I come from a pretty typical suburban home and life on the north side of town.
I'm a finance major and I intend to stick with it through graduation. If you don't have a major to stick with by your junior year, you're in trouble. Am I right? I enjoy finance, but I really enjoy working with people. Financial advising has always felt like the best of both worlds, and my experience in Wealth Management offices has shaped and reinforced this view.
I work at Merrill Lynch here in Gainesville. I got the job here after completing an internship with Merrill Lynch in Tallahassee. I have enjoyed my time at both of these place immensely. I also used to work part time at the Hyppo, Gainesville's premier gourmet ice pop shop. Merrill Lynch is interesting, but the Hyppo is tastier.
I'm also active in Younglife here in Gainesville. Younglife is a ministry that focuses on reaching high school, middle school, and college age individuals. It has been a fundamental piece of my late childhood and now young adulthood. It's one of the most welcoming and pleasant places to be, ever.
I hate cats, they are no good. Get a dog.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
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