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27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky The general theme of this book is about how creativity is at an all time high thanks to the modernization of the internet and connectedness. Shirky shows us that in the last decade our culture has shifted into an age of more free time and a better use of cognitive surplus in that time. Where we were once an ever rising society of television watchers, we now are able to direct our energy to collaborative projects through the connected world of technology. This has enhanced what I have learned in the class, because he shows how we can use common technology to move an issue or product, in the case of this class into action. By simply using a platform to expel our ideas into the world, the nature of human generosity can work with connectedness to get a lot done. If I had to design an experiment for this class, based on the book I would have the class come up with a problem and work to find a solution that could take advantage of the knowledge and wisd...

28A – Your Exit Strategy

I plan to exit my venture in around 10 years. I will sell the company and then invest in other companies and even my own in hopes of never working again. I have selected this exit strategy because I really see ventures as a very stressful and tiring process and as a young adult, I do not want to spend my early years growing grey hairs, I want to be able to enjoy life. So after ten years of constant work, it would be nice to take a break and use my acquired knowledge of businesses and entrepreneurship to invest in companies that I think will profit me in the end rather than competing with industries that have already been established. This exit strategy has influenced my current decisions by making me more eager to get out. I want to establish my company fast even if that means tirelessly working to get it running and worthy of selling. As a result, I have had to be creative and seek the opportunity that is in the best interest of my venture. I want to waste as little time as possib...

26A – Celebrating Failure

This semester i was really good at failing at a lot of things. Specifically, for example, I was really good at forgetting to do assigned reading from my mentor. This is a common thing in my life, Forgetting. I have tried to combat it with lists and calendars but nothing seems to work. And like I said, this is a thing I have battled more than enough times. I would always try to set aside time in the week to sit and read a chapter, but would always get caught up in other things and would subsequently... forget. I learned that I need more than just a reminder on my phone, or a calendar, but actual accountability from a friend or mentor. I learned also that it is best to do things as soon as they come to mind, or at least address them. If I actively work with whatever comes into mind, something I need to remember, I am more likely to do something with it later. Failure is, in fact, Hard and Embarrassing, but there is a good way to handle it. I have a life philosophy that would stress ou...

25A – What’s Next?

Existing Market The next thing that I see in the future of my product is providing a version that is for the average working person. Based on feedback the best plan of attack is to reach as many opportunity groups as possible without having to invest too much in the changing of what I already have established. As far as growing in the excising market the consensuses was that I need to focus on how I am going to dig deeper and deeper into the different ways the a company can be taken advantage of from the inside. An idea that I had was maybe implement a visa card that is provided by my company to those who would normally receive one in the company. This would make it to were even transaction cards could be followed and assigned making it easier to find out were money is being spent inappropriately. It was also discussed that the idea of being personal and growing along side other businesses is a great idea. However to capitalize on those partnerships would be to provide favors in ex...

SecureU 24A – Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity: My target customers are those who own or are in charge of businesses. These business owners are in need of a form of financial security that tracks of the flow of their money. This need comes from an exchange of financial records and numbers between workers, and even the distribution of company cards. This market is geographically located anywhere with businesses large enough to fear financial security, and demographically encompasses all who have businesses. Potential customers satisfy this need through honor systems and basic accounting to track company finances. Potential customers are relatively loyal to this system, it depends on what they are whiling to spend to secure their finances better than an already faulty system of plug and chug accounting. This opportunity is relatively big, and the window of opportunity is always bigger when the customer is just starting out but will stays at least cracked as the company grows. Innovation: My company provides a product ...

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

Human Capital: This Class and what  I have learned through It V- Yes, The things that I have practiced in this class will directly translate into the field R- No I- Yes N- No Human Capital: Psychology background V- Yes, Knowing how people work and how to support and work with them will allow me to better understand business partners and customers R- No I- Yes, A basic understanding of Psychology can be the foundation of a similar background. N- Yes, Because no one else has the experience I have because mine is personal. Social Capital: An old supervisor that oversaw aquatics for the city of Clearwater V- Yes, He is directly involved with government policies and can work with me to network to other departments to sell my product. R- Rare I- Yes N- No Social Capital: My friend Evan V- Yes, He has the financial social capital that can be a major investment into my company and therefore help it grow into more networks other than my own R- No...

22A – Elevator Pitch No. 3

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I only received one comment of feedback on the last elevator speech but it was very helpful. They pointed out that I am a victim of the "uhs" and "ums" and I think we all are at some point in our lives. I took this pretty seriously given it was our last one and really wanted to fix that. So for my final pitch I focused on being confident. I did not want to stumble over my words or use fillers like uh and um. I wanted to be as confident as possible so I dressed up to get into the real pith mindset. I spoke with an "umph" and made sure to be as clear and cool as I could. I even worked on my posture. In the last couple of videos I worked on being relational but this time I worked on my appearance. I had my shoulders back and projected my pitch to the consumers with force that could only be met with respect, even if the consumer did not need m product I wanted them to at least think that they needed a partner like me.