Week 4 Reading Reflction

What Surprised Me

I was intrigued by the segment in this chapter on opportunity trends. I liked how they analyzed social interests and needs, and then created general ideas based on those. I also thought it was odd how the person's name was Faith Popcorn.

What Was Confusing to Me

Again I wasn't really confused by any of the sections.

Questions for the Author

I'd really like to know how they were able to research the different types of innovation and how they came up with mudding mindsets. It must have taken a long time researching these and then being able to condense it all into a short few paragraphs within the text

Did I Think the Author was Wrong About Anything

Not necessarily wrong, but I don't really like the segment on probability thinking. This is just my own personal mindset of not trying to overly worry about chance. It also may be because I dont' like to think I'm actively taking a gamble on an action.

Interviewing Customers No.1

The Unmet Need

Many people are unable to dine out with others due to food sensitivities. This forces them to either skip out on the opportunity or simply not be able to eat along with them.

The Opportunity

This unmet need would be met by creating a website where people with food sensitivities and allergies would be able to search for restaurants dine at, by using search filters of different sensitivities and allergies. This would also apply for those looking for vegan, vegetarian, or other choice diets.

The Main Questions

1.) Do you like to dine out often?

2.) Do you have any food sensitivities or any specific diets that would hinder upon your ability to dine out?

3.) What are any issues you encounter trying to find somewhere to dine?

4.) What would you say about someone creating a way to be able to find a restaurant to accommodate your needs?

Interviews

Customer 1:

1.) I usually go out to eat about once a week. Maybe more if I have family or friends over.

2.) I don't really have any food sensitivities, but my father is diabetic so we have to make sure restaurants have low-sugar options for him.

3.) We don't really have any.

4.) I'd say that for people who have more severe food sensitivities that it would be very helpful, but our family probably wouldn't make much use of it.

Customer 2:

1.) I only eat out whenever my family is in town.

2.) I am actually vegan at the moment. I just recently switched over from being vegetarian.

3.) I really dislike how th5.e only option for me at most restaurants is a salad. And even then I have to ask the waiter to check that there are no animal products in the dressings for me. It can be a hassle for both me and the restaurant staff, which is why I don't eat out very often.

4.) I'd love it! It would give me the chance to be able to hang out with my friends more if i knew where we'd all be able to get something we like. And I wouldn't be stuck eating salads all the time when I'm not home.

Customer 3:

1.) I almost never eat out, even if my parents are over we usually just cook at my house.

2.) No one in my family has any food sensitivities or allergies. I'm not sure if any of my friends do either.

3.) Not necessarily.

4.) It would hep some people out I know that.

Customer 4:

1.) I love to go out to eat because I just love food.

2.) Not really. I have high cholesterol, but I don't adapt my diet to it.

3.) Finding the place with the shortest line. I can't stand waiting on a table.

4.) I'm not sure how many people that would really help. Don't people with those problems already know where to eat? Or just make their own food?

Customer 5:

1.) I try to dine out as much as my wallet lets me. I feel food is a sort of experience.

2.) I am severely allergic to shellfish. To the point where I can't even be too close to it.

3.) Trying to find a place that served no shellfish is really difficult, but I still manage to be able to do so.

(couldn't ask question 4, as the customer had to leave after being exposed to shellfish at the event)

What I learned About the Opportunity

I found out that the opportunity was really hit or miss as far as its helpfulness. The people I interviewed let me know also that not all people with food sensitivities would necessarily benefit from such a product.

What I Learned About Interviewing Customers

I learned the hard way not to interview customers at large events (like the food truck rally I was at). I also found out that people generally don't like being confronted about anything unless they've already initiated conversation. Also most people are generally socially awkward, and don't even want to be looked at in public.

Top 5 World Problems

They're Making me Edit the Last List

This post is a continuation of my post about The Worlds Biggest Problems. In this post, I'll be whittling those 10 problems down to the top five most important of the ten, as well see the top five most attainable solutions for these problems.

The Top Five Problems

5.) The Problem of the "Bystander"

4.) Public Interest in the Sciences

3.) Inner-City Congestion

2.) Poor Living Conditions in Low-Income Areas

1.) High Education Prices in Developed Countries

The reason educations prices hit the top of this list is simple: Academic education causes a educated view of the world. This allows for people to better come to terms with why certain things occur in the world around them, and how to react to situations that would normally cause people to go into a blind rage. The more educated person is able to make decisions based on logic instead of emotion or affiliation, which is what is greatly needed of people in turbulent times.

The Top Five Solutions

5.) Providing low-cost housing for low-income areas

4.) Dispersing tuition among citizens to lower costs per student

3.) Integrating more physical activity into schools and organizations

2.) The creation of flexible commuting options for large cities

1.) Placing bans on harmful preservatives and other chemicals used in foods

Placing bans on harmful chemicals in foods made the top of the solutions list because many countries have already done it successfully. European countries have completely banned most preservatives that the US and other countries use in the production of their foods. The only real setback for this (in the US at least) would be the lobbyists in charge of keeping these chemicals in use.

Identifying Local Opportunities

Tampa Bay Problems

Hurry Up and wait on I-275

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-hurry-up-and-wait-on-i-275/2262462

This story in the Tampa Bay Times is about traffic delays caused by the ongoing construction of a local portion of Interstate 275. The piece goes on to talk about major problems in travel times and congestion, along with the length of the construction itself. The main problem presented here is that commuting time between Hillsborough and Pinellas county has been extended dramatically, and people forced to commute between counties because of work are wasting time and money because of it. 

MOSI Move Downtown Makes Sense

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/ruth-mosi-move-downtown-makes-sense/2261352

Hillsborough county is currently considering moving the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) from its location across the street from the University of South Florida, into downtown Tampa. The location would be close to the Florida Aquarium and would give the museum a chance to remake its name. The move would allow for MOSI to gain more foot traffic, as well as allow USF to build an on-site football stadium.

One Allegiant Air Plane had Four Emergency Landing Within Six Weeks

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/airlines/allegiant-air-appoints-new-coo/2262384

One Allegiant Air plane has recently had multiple emergency landings departing from and travelling to Florida airports. Each time, the emergency landing was dues to smoke buildup within the passenger and captain cabins or the plane. This buildup was cause by faulty air conditioning within the plane, but it has had to be repaired multiple times. This is now causing a concern within the FAA over the reliability of the airline's mechanics and overall safety regulations.

Hernando Planning Commissioners Turn Thumbs Down on Ridge Manor RV Park

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/hernando-planning-commissioners-turn-thumbs-down-on-ridge-manor-rv-park/2260862

Due to complaints about falling property values from potential nearby residents, Hernando county voted against zoning an RV park in between two residential neighborhoods. Most residents were concerned about stay regulations in the area, as well as potential off-roading visitors and possible flooding in the area. The main reasoning for the proposed RV park, was to allow the commissioner to bring more customers into the local golf course. He is currently still trying to convince local residents to allow the zone change with accommodations tailored to them.

Residents Say Mining Boom Supplants Their Peace and Quiet

http://www.tampabay.com/news/residents-say-mining-boom-supplants-their-peace-and-quiet/2262213

In Pasco county, multiple residents in rural areas are unhappy with the recent uprising of lime rock mines near their homes. Residents say that since the mining boom, that their overall quality of life in the area has declined, and that the constant blasts from the nearby mines shake their homes. County hearings are to be held in the future over the multiple mines in the area, and residents plan to see the mining projects abandoned soon.

Week 3 Reading Reflection

What Surprised me in this Reading?

I'd have to say I didn't expect there to be type A people, in regards to how a person handles stress and their personality type. It was interesting seeing a breakdown of why these people have a large amount of entrepreneurial stress. This small segment of the reading also surprised me with how far int detail it went on what causes stress in entrepreneurs, and how said people can cope with the high stress of being an entrepreneur.

What Confused Me?

I honestly didn't have any segment of the reading stump me (which is surprising). I feel that I comprehended most everything within the assigned reading.

What Would I Ask the Author?

I'd probably ask them about the other personality types other than type A. I'm really interested in how each personality type affects how someone interacts with opportunities, and how each type plays out within entrepreneurship. 

I'd also ask for more of an elaboration on the points about what makes an entrepreneur. The topic interested me and I feel like if I knew more about each individual point, that I would be able to better tailor myself towards an entrepreneurial mindset.

Do I Think the Author was Wrong About Anything?

I don't agree with the author's point on the risking family life for an entrepreneurial venture. I fee; that unless there is already something wrong with a family structure, that any family would be able to adapt. The stress of a new venture simply amplifies pre-existing problems within a family structure, which could cause excess stress within the family.

Very Short Interview No.1: Local Training Outside of the Gym

Who is the Entrepreneur?

The entrepreneur I interviewed is a family friend named Stephanie Grabon, who we've known for almost since I was born. For almost 11 years, she has run her own personal training business out of her home in Gainesville, FL named Defined Body LLC. At the moment she takes in only a few clients a day in order to be able to teach her son. What makes her an entrepreneur is the fact that she was able to see a lack of training facilities for people who wanted to be fit in the area, and manage to make an opportunity out of Gainesville's already active community

The Interview Outline

Q: What do you wish was taught to you in school that would've helped you to start your business?

A: I wish they had taught us to form a business in the best way in order to legally protect ourselves. I personally found that LLC insurance was the best route for my own company

Q: What are some negative aspects of entrepreneurship that I should expect to encounter while taking a course on it?

A: You need to understand that income can be unstable while cash outlays tend to be steady, which increases your overall risk. All of the income is dependent on you to be produced when your run your own business.

Q: What do you believe should be one thing that anyone taking an entrepreneurship course should focus the most on?

A: Really focus on networking and effective low-cost marketing techniques. Both always help a business out in the long run and help to build a stable customer base for your company.

My Own Reflection

It was honestly a little surprising what some of the answers to these questions were. It was interesting hearing her talk about how important it was to secure the longevity of a business, as well as its own general security in relation to being the owner. I also didn't really expect her to be as much of an every-day sort of person as she turned out to be. It was nice hearing exactly how important networking was when it comes to starting a business, and understanding the amount of risk taken in a start-up. I can say that I'm looking forward to being able to interview Mrs. Grabon again in the near future.

The World's Biggest Problems: According to a College Student

There are too Many Problems

Kind of an obvious topic, but there's a lot wrong with the world. A LOT. Seriously, the amount of things wrong today are staggeringly huge. Here I'm going to show a relatively short list (about ten items) on some of the bigger things I think are wrong with the world today.

1.) High Prices for Education in Developed Countries

Higher-level education in most countries is exceedingly expensive. In some countries, it is even restricted as to which citizens are about to access this education, such as in some Middle-Eastern countries. Countries are already starting to implement procedures that involve adding a tax to the population in order to cover the cost of higher education, but in other countries there are social reforms needed in order to give access to this education to more citizens. Each country would have to solve the problem of high-level education in a way which suits their specific cultural and economical situations.

2.) Poor Living Conditions in Low-Income Areas

This one is really only noticeable if you've ever lived near an area in which people have low household incomes. Oftentimes, low-income districts have small living areas in poor conditions for the people living in them. The areas will often have poor heating and water quality, similar to the situations in Detroit and now Flint. Many of these problems would be solved by creating ways to provide low-cost housing and by governments finding ways to provide better amenities to the area;s citizens.

3.) Inner City Congestion

Many cities within the US and worldwide have major congestion issues involving the working populations. Cities such as New York have alternate transportation options such as subway and rail transportation. However, there are cities such as St. Petersburg, Florida, that only allow for vehicle transportation. These cities don't allow for flexible commute options for citizens within the city and commuting workers. These areas have to allow room within their infrastructure budgets, via taxes or outside donations, to create different modes of transportation and possibly alleviate congestion.

4.) The Technological Learning Curve of Older Generations

Not many people would think of this off the bat as a "global problem", but with today's technological advancements many older generations are having trouble keeping up. Everyone has that grandparent that greatly struggle with simply accessing the internet or making a phone call from a smartphone. What's needed is a way to educate older generations on new technology at a steady pace, but in a hands-on environment. I myself have noticed that when you show someone how to perform a task and then allow them to complete it, is that they better understand what it is they're doing exactly. This would be an excellent way to get rid of the technological learning curve between generations.

5.) Public Interest in the Sciences

At first this may not seem like to huge of a problem, but remember that public interest in projects cause the best thing for a project: funding. Without funding, projects will wither away and cease to be. NASA is a perfect example of this, because as the general public became disinterested in their projects and ideas, funding was cut  more and more until it was defunded altogether. Clever marketing and education of the general public (in a way they understand) will create interest, which will most likely lead to funding. In order for scientific projects to happen, people need to know that they exist in the first place.

6.) Lack of Environmental Sustainability

With all of the recent advances in technology in regards to energy and manufactured goods, most countries still find it difficult to practice environmental sustainability. Between the lumber industry and the growing demand for fossil fuels, governments have tended to put concerns for the environment on the back-burner in order to continue making revenue for the state. While there are some advocacy groups for environmental awareness, not many people in the world seem to care about it. These groups need to try to make the consequences of a deteriorating environment hit a little closer to home for others, and better explain ways in which it can be prevented to the general public.

7.) Products with Rushed Development and Distribution

This one seems a bit odd at first but here me out. I've noticed many things I use in my day-to-day life that seem as though they were slapped together last minute and thrown on the shelves as quickly as possible. Too many consumer goods are rushed to be distributed today and one obvious example would be the auto industry. Many cars are simply pushed onto the lot without little concern over problems farther down the road, but oftentimes many of these vehicles will have a large number of recalls that pop up for at least a decade after production. Companies guilty of this need to better test their products for the long-term, and need to spend the extra dime for research and development in order to prevent these problems.

8.) Access to Healthy Foods

Unfortunately with today's growing fast food industry, many people across the world are eating food that could barely be considered food in the first place. While many countries have already created bans against many preservatives and artificial colorings or flavors, the US still has a rampant problem with all of these. The main reason for this is simple: its cheaper to feed people fake food. It has been shown multiple times that fast foods create a huge amount of health problems in people that regularly eat them. One of the first steps to be taken to prevent these problems from occurring more than they already are, is to create awareness for people. Then there are bans that need to be placed, along with better ethics within food service companies regarding consumer health.

9.) The Problem of the "Bystander"

Just about everyone in the world has been guilty of this at least once. We see something happen that shouldn't be happening, and we either stare at the event waiting for someone else to come along and stop it or we take out our phones and record the whole thing mockingly almost. Not many people today will willingly help out a stranger; be it due to fear of a scam, social anxieties, or just plain not caring. Organizations need to be in place in order to educate the public to help in such situations, as opposed to being the "bystander". This could ultimately bring people together socially, and prevent complications within societies.

10.) Human Health

This ties into the previous point about healthy foods, but on a broader scale. Due to the amount of hours the average person works throughout the week, not many have time to be active as much as they should be. The majority of these people end up working office jobs where they are sitting at a desk for hours on end, with few opportunities to even get up. The same issue comes into play in many public schools, where teens are only required to take ONE physical exercise course throughout their four years in high school. Many organizations and companies need to implement health programs as a part to their benefit plans or their scheduling. Multiple researches have proven that when people are able to exercise, that their overall performance improves greatly, along with their mental well-being.