Assignment 30A - Final Reflection

Me at the 2019 Southeast Regional ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) Symposium at the University of Central Florida.

In reflecting on my ENT3003 posts, I would say that my most formative experience was initially coming up with what was lacking within the University of Florida; it allowed me to not only become hyperaware of this issue, but also develop the skill of identifying other issues that may be present in my everyday life. An experience I will remember years later is probably reading the assigned books for this course; I will never forget the story behind Mary Kay Cosmetics, as well as the benefits of having a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset. My most joyous experience was finally completing the cupcake quizzes, as I didn't have to go through the hassle of watching the lengthy (yet enjoyable) lectures anymore and dedicate more time to my other courses. I am most proud of accomplishing a larger network of people in the industry I am personally interested in, as I know these connections will allow me to go far in life and in my career.

At the end of this course and semester, I do see myself as an entrepreneur. While I may not want to be one right off college, I do see myself becoming a CEO one day, after I've established myself and am able to start my own company. 

I would recommend that future students actually read the books assigned in this course. They are extremely eye-opening and can actually contain a lot of knowledge that can be applied to any facet of life. To perform best in this course, I suggest students stay on top their assignments and watch the lectures. To foster this mindset, you must remain organized and practice good time management.

Assignment 29A - Venture Concept No. 2

OPPORTUNITY

1. Who? Students who are bored with their routinely-structured classrooms.
2. The nature? Lack of advanced technology within classrooms make class structures and therefore the material being taught to be mundane and less retainable to the modern student.
3. Forces, changes? Technological advances that have the potential to enhance classrooms are being made daily, yet aren't being used to their full advantage.
4. How a) geographically? b) demographically? a) This market is defined geographically by initially being tapped within the Alachua County region, then branching out to other 'college-towns' around the nation. b) This market is defined demographically by targeting students of fairly larger public universities.
5. Currently satisfying? How loyal? Currently, students are bringing in their own technology into classrooms as a substitute. They are usually very loyal to them, as most pay for them out-of-pocket and even decorate their respective products.
6. How big? This is a pretty big opportunity, as it could increase student engagement within classrooms and increase student performance. This could then result in a domino effect in increasing the ranking and credibility of the University of Florida.
7. How long? This "window of opportunity" will only be open until the implementation of advanced technology becomes the norm across the nation.

INNOVATION

• What? The technology brought into classrooms would enhance the learning experience of the consumers (students). Such technology would include VR headsets, use of Biometric technology, and much more.
• How? VR headsets would provide in-field interactions without the need of going out in the external environment. Biometrics measures the disposition of students within a given classroom and tailors the course to those deficiencies.
• How much? I am selling the key to the future. Gone are the days of staring at professors write sloppy notes on decaying chalkboards; now are the days of interactive learning that uses all aspects of a classroom and allows the student to physically feel themselves absorbing the material being taught. For this kind of pioneering venture, I would ask for around $10 million to implement it within classrooms across UF.

VENTURE CONCEPT

1. Solve, address? This innovation would address the boredom students face within their classrooms by engaging them within interactive and attractive technological tools.
2. Why buy? Customers will buy this product because they care about their education and will try out anything that would make the process of learning easier and fun.
3. Why switch? How hard? Consumers will switch because they no longer have to purchase their own technological complements for their courses. It may be hard at first, but once students realize how valuable it is to have this technology readily available to them everyday, they will make the switch.
4. Competitors? Weaknesses, vulnerabilities? Competitors include other universities across the nation. Their weaknesses are not enough funding going towards the enhancement of their classroom learning experiences, not-as-eager students, and not-as-willing faculty. Their vulnerabilities would be to not invest in this pioneering market venture.
5. Roles? Packaging, price points, distribution, customer support, the customer experience, and the business location all play the roles of being what ultimately sells the product the consumer. It defines my business concept in making sure that each component reflects the deficiencies met by each student within their classrooms.
6. How organized? Roles? I would organize my business into departments. Each department would have their own role and market focus. However, we would all have the mutual goal of implementing advanced technology within today's modern classrooms.

The most important resource for this particular venture would be the precise structuring of it to UF's classrooms. In having a Gator-specific composure, it would benefit Gators entirely and ensure that each consumer is aware that this product is produced with Gators in mind. The next opportunity for this current innovation would be a national expansion within public universities. A product extension could also be considered. In five years, I would like to have implemented this technology in at least 25 public universities. In ten years, I would like to have implemented it in 75-100 universities, with some being international. This first venture helps me achieve my vision by allowing me to create a foundation for the ultimate potential of this project. A change I would make is adapting the technology used to fit within each culture of the institution of implementation; because this could have international applications, it would be wise to implement the technology in ways that reflect our personal appreciation of the environment it is to be implemented within. For example, in technology-sensitive communities, the technology would not be implemented in a way that would be deemed inappropriate or invasive. Rather, I would make sure that the installation of this technology reflects an amicable and accepting culture between my firm and the community receiving the technology.

Assignment 28A - Your Exit Strategy

I intend to stay with the business for several decades and retire. I am the type of person to become very attached to any project I work on, so it becomes quite difficult to leave things that I put so much energy into. It is essentially "my baby", meaning I won't leave until I know for sure it can run on its own. The idea of protecting my firm as a family business is very interesting! I never thought about that. Sure, I can see it being a family business. However, I wouldn't want my children to not do well in school just because they think they have a career already secured within my firm. They would have to earn the "throne", a la Game of Thrones.

My exit strategy has influenced other decisions I have made in my concept in ensuring that it is durable, adaptable, and something that I know will have a long life within the market. It has influenced how I identify an opportunity, as they have to be something that I know will last a long time and will be demanded for that time, too. 

Assignment 27A - Reading Reflection No. 3

Assignment 26A - Celebrating Failure

1. A time I failed this semester was actually yesterday. I failed my Survey of Calculus Exam 3. It was mainly on me, however, as I did not study as much as I told myself I would. This was mainly due to a busy schedule, poor time management skills, and personal conflicts that distracted me from studying.
2. I learned that I have to accept my failures as they come and just try harder next time. It isn't healthy wallowing in one's self pity, as that can seriously affect your mental health. As someone who already struggles with their mental health, I did everything in my power to refrain from being super harsh on myself about this failure.
3. Failure is necessary for success. If we always succeed, we will never realize what could be done differently, how we must adapt to new situations, or if something simply is not for us. This class has taught me that in order to avoid failure, it is okay to reach out to friends for help. They don't want to see you fail, so they'll do their best to mitigate that. I am more likely to take risks now. I am more open to putting myself out there, because if I don't someone else will and get the opportunities I was too scared to go after.

Assignment 25A - What's Next?

Existing Market

• What's Next? Next, in terms of my products and services, is the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology within classrooms. It is already being widely used in hiring processes, so why not introduce it to the individuals being hired's learning settings as well?
• Interviews
• My interviewees agreed that AI would be on the rise for a venture like mine. Out of those I interviewed, 2 out of 3 were aware of such technology when doing 'HireVue' interviews or similar technology that emphasized how today's companies are using AI tech to facilitate interviewing processes.
• The interviewees suggested that I research what kind of technology is already being used within UF and other universities, to gauge the level of advance technology use in everyday settings.
• When asked about my ideas, I said that customers want something that will capture their attention and want them to actually come to class and learn. I think we have really lost that passion for education due to there being a sense of 'FOMO' (Fear Of Missing Out) in today's social media craze, so I want students to leave that feeling outside of the classroom and really engage with the material they're being taught.
• For my venture, in order to grow its market I would have to come with an immediate-action based plan that would solidify UF as a pioneer in the technology-heavy public university market. While I understand that UF is not a tech-focused university, it would set a precedent to other public universities in proving that it puts students' needs first in providing them only the best quality technology/learning experiences regardless of their fields of study.

New Market

• A potential new market could be B2B, or selling sponsorship spots within UF for companies to implement their own products within the university.
• I could create value to this product in selling it to this new market by showcasing how much exposure their brand could get by students, faculty, and visiting alumni.
• Interviews:
• In interviewing my two interviewees, I was able to determine that companies are always looking for new places to showcase their brand, so getting across my idea as to how this business venture would be valuable to them was very easy. One of the interviewees suggested displaying ads on the technology they sponsor prior to a class or after a class, as a means of getting exposure time while students are preparing or exiting a class.
• This new market surprised me when I learned how viable they are to showcasing their brands to students, faculty, and alumni alike. My assumptions were correct when predicting that businesses would be willing to sponsor the technology being brought in to classrooms. This market does seem as attractive as my initial market focused on.

Assignment 24A - Venture Concept No. 1

OPPORTUNITY

1. Who? Students who are bored with their routinely-structured classrooms.
2. The nature? Lack of advanced technology within classrooms make class structures and therefore the material being taught to be mundane and less retainable to the modern student.
3. Forces, changes? Technological advances that have the potential to enhance classrooms are being made daily, yet aren't being used to their full advantage.
4. How a) geographically? b) demographically? a) This market is defined geographically by initially being tapped within the Alachua County region, then branching out to other 'college-towns' around the nation. b) This market is defined demographically by targeting students of fairly larger public universities.
5. Currently satisfying? How loyal? Currently, students are bringing in their own technology into classrooms as a substitute. They are usually very loyal to them, as most pay for them out-of-pocket and even decorate their respective products.
6. How big? This is a pretty big opportunity, as it could increase student engagement within classrooms and increase student performance. This could then result in a domino effect in increasing the ranking and credibility of the University of Florida.
7. How long? This "window of opportunity" will only be open until the implementation of advanced technology becomes the norm across the nation.

INNOVATION

• What? The technology brought into classrooms would enhance the learning experience of the consumers (students). Such technology would include VR headsets, use of Biometric technology, and much more.
• How? VR headsets would provide in-field interactions without the need of going out in the external environment. Biometrics measures the disposition of students within a given classroom and tailors the course to those deficiencies.
• How much? I am selling the key to the future. Gone are the days of staring at professors write sloppy notes on decaying chalkboards; now are the days of interactive learning that uses all aspects of a classroom and allows the student to physically feel themselves absorbing the material being taught. For this kind of pioneering venture, I would ask for around $10 million to implement it within classrooms across UF.

VENTURE CONCEPT

1. Solve, address? This innovation would address the boredom students face within their classrooms by engaging them within interactive and attractive technological tools.
2. Why buy? Customers will buy this product because they care about their education and will try out anything that would make the process of learning easier and fun.
3. Why switch? How hard? Consumers will switch because they no longer have to purchase their own technological complements for their courses. It may be hard at first, but once students realize how valuable it is to have this technology readily available to them everyday, they will make the switch.
4. Competitors? Weaknesses, vulnerabilities? Competitors include other universities across the nation. Their weaknesses are not enough funding going towards the enhancement of their classroom learning experiences, not-as-eager students, and not-as-willing faculty. Their vulnerabilities would be to not invest in this pioneering market venture.
5. Roles? Packaging, price points, distribution, customer support, the customer experience, and the business location all play the roles of being what ultimately sells the product the consumer. It defines my business concept in making sure that each component reflects the deficiencies met by each student within their classrooms.
6. How organized? Roles? I would organize my business into departments. Each department would have their own role and market focus. However, we would all have the mutual goal of implementing advanced technology within today's modern classrooms.

The most important resource for this particular venture would be the precise structuring of it to UF's classrooms. In having a Gator-specific composure, it would benefit Gators entirely and ensure that each consumer is aware that this product is produced with Gators in mind. The next opportunity for this current innovation would be a national expansion within public universities. A product extension could also be considered. In five years, I would like to have implemented this technology in at least 25 public universities. In ten years, I would like to have implemented it in 75-100 universities, with some being international. This first venture helps me achieve my vision by allowing me to create a foundation for the ultimate potential of this project.

Assignment 23A - Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

1. Network of students
1. Valuable? Large untapped market that are willing and eager to use these products.
2. Rare? It is rare to have such a large group of willing consumers.
3. Inimitable? Can be found at other colleges/universities.
4. Non-substitutable? The technology is specifically for the students, so the network cannot be substituted for any other group.
2. Network of faculty
1. Valuable? Have years of experience with outdated classrooms.
2. Rare? Rare to have so many faculty members on board.
3. Inimitable? Can be found at other unis/colleges
4. Non-substitutable? Yes.
3. Connections with potential sponsors
1. Valuable? Can be another source of funding for technology implementation.
2. Rare? Yes, as many might not be in compliance with idea.
3. Inimitable? Could only sponsor UF and not other unis/colleges
4. Non-substitutable? No.
4. Connections within Student Government
1. Valuable? Leverage in getting funding for technology into classrooms.
2. Rare? Yes.
3. Inimitable? No.
4. Non-substitutable? Yes.
5. Adaptable
1. Valuable? Yes, must be able to adapt to any and all technology introduced within classrooms.
2. Rare? Yes.
3. Inimitable? No.
4. Non-substitutable? Yes.
6. Structure unique to UF classrooms
1. Valuable? Tailored specifically to deficiencies within UF classrooms versus a "one-size-fits-all" method.
2. Rare? Yes.
3. Inimitable? Yes.
4. Non-substitutable? Yes.
7. Potentially large budget
1. Valuable? Needed in order to realize this project to its full potential.
2. Rare? No.
3. Inimitable? No.
4. Non-substitutable? No.
8. Existing technology within other aspects of UF
1. Valuable? Yes as we have experience using potential technology to be implemented within classrooms.
2. Rare? No.
3. Inimitable? No.
4. Non-substitutable? No.
9. Potential for university ranking improvement
1. Valuable? We would get more accolades, students, and funding as a result.
2. Rare? No.
3. Inimitable? No.
4. Non-substitutable? Yes.
10. Connections with President of university
1. Valuable? Directly pitch idea to him, see what he could do within his power.
2. Rare? Yes.
3. Inimitable? No.
4. Non-substitutable? Yes.

The highlighted option was the resource I found to be the most valuable, as it is the core purpose of this very project: to bring tailored technology into classrooms, for Gators, by Gators.