Sunday, May 29, 2016
My Solution
My problem for the past week was attempting to find solutions or alternatives to cable cutters. I found many viable solutions that could possibly work for cable companies in the future. One thing is clear, cable companies will need to adapt to not having a monopoly and minimizing their products in the future. One of the solutions that I came up with, that I chose as my main opportunity would be cable companies offering only channels that the consumers would want to watch. So essentially, the consumer would pick the channels they want to have for a month to month basis. This would help cable companies compete with cable cutting businesses that have taken a lot of viewership from cable. I also offered the fact that cable companies could create partnerships with streaming services, in an attempt to unify viewership. There are many other ideas that could help cable companies stay afloat, a few of them mentioned by the individuals I interviewed. Overall, I think that letting the consumers pick what they want to watch would be a great idea, and it would bring a lot of business back to cable.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1
My opportunity idea is to have a cable company that offers individuals the chance to pick the channels and networks that they would like to have, rather than forcing them to have certain channels. Cable today lets you pick channels and networks you would like to add to their already basic lines that they have, making you pay for some channels that you may not want. Thus, this would lower the price that individuals would have to pay for cable. This could be the future of cable because so many people are switching from having cable to not having cable at all with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc. Why a company would do this is to get a head start against the other companies that will have to move towards this in the future. It would also attempt to break the monopolies that many cable/internet companies have set up in different areas of the United States.
During my interviews I will ask about the changes that this potential opportunity should make. Along with those changes should come additions to the opportunity. I have some ideas of my own that I believe can be added to the opportunity. These ideas include adding Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. as partnerships with the programs. This would help the company compete against the other cable companies that have monopolies in certain areas. Along with modifications to the opportunity I will ask basic questions regarding their use of cable, what channels they watch, if they have to pay extra for them, if they would switch to something like this opportunity, etc.
Interview #1: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-1
Interview #2: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-2
Interview #3: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-3
Interview #4: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-4
Interview #5: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-5
During my interviews I will ask about the changes that this potential opportunity should make. Along with those changes should come additions to the opportunity. I have some ideas of my own that I believe can be added to the opportunity. These ideas include adding Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. as partnerships with the programs. This would help the company compete against the other cable companies that have monopolies in certain areas. Along with modifications to the opportunity I will ask basic questions regarding their use of cable, what channels they watch, if they have to pay extra for them, if they would switch to something like this opportunity, etc.
Interview #1: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-1
Interview #2: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-2
Interview #3: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-3
Interview #4: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-4
Interview #5: https://soundcloud.com/user-856452611/interview-5
Friday, May 27, 2016
Looking for Opportunity
1. Consumer spending could fuel economic growth
Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucemccain/2016/01/03/five-key-economic-trends-to-watch-in-2016/#18b9a4345f17
This opportunity presents a very important idea for the US economy and the world. I believe this opportunity might exist because it is logical. If consumers feel more confident in 2016 due to the factors mentioned of lower energy costs and improving household cash flow, then it is most likely to happen. The customer for this is all of the United States, as this is the economy being talked about. I think that companies in the US will exploit this if they do see the economic trend taking place within early 2016, so it should be exploited later in 2016.
I believe I saw this opportunity because of my interest in business, which has led me to take business courses. Thus, I have developed some sort of logic thinking about these sort of opportunities for an economy.
2. India will become the new growth king
Source: http://fortune.com/2015/12/28/global-economy/
This opportunity regards the global economy and talked about different trends that could happen globally. IMF expects that the Indian economy will grow at 7.3% clip, which means it would be faster than the Chinese government's numbers. I think this is possible because India has been growing steadily so, they are bound to have a turning point, and with the IMF expectations it leads me to believe that this is possible. The opportunity is there for the Indian consumers and the population to contribute to their economy. I think that this will be mildly difficult to exploit as it will be the first time their economy sees a boom, so there may be an adjustment period for India.
I believe I saw this opportunity due to my interest in economics. My interest in economics has been fulfilled by a few classes in the business school and online research.
3. New Rules Will Bring on a Pile of Overtime Lawsuits in 2016
Source: http://fortune.com/2016/01/06/overtime-lawsuits-rules/
This opportunity leads me to believe that there will be many changes in the future of overtime laws. I think this opportunity is almost guaranteed to happen because individuals are bound to find aspects of the laws that are wrong. If not that, companies will still be taking advantage of some employees through overtime laws. The customers for this are Americans that work on hourly schedules, and get taken advantage of when they work overtime and don't get paid for it. I don't think that this will be difficult to exploit because overtime abuse is rampant.
I believe I saw this opportunity because I have worked hourly schedules before for a corporation and got taken advantage of when I worked overtime and didn't get considered it. Companies find loopholes to not consider you working overtime and frame it a different way. This made me angry when I saw this regulation change, I was very happy for the future of most hourly workers.
4. Employee Pay - Minimum wage increases
Source: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7671-regulatory-issues-changes.html
This opportunity is not good for the Americans that are working jobs that could be taken over by robots or automated machines. This opportunity is specifically for the industry of fast food chains in New York since they just got new regulations on minimum wage. I think that this is very possible to happen because some of the employment positions in fast food right now could be done by automated machines/robots. The opportunity is clear for the corporations behind these fast food chains to implement technology and not have to abide by having to pay higher minimum wages. I don't think that this will be difficult to exploit for fast food corporations, as they will have to find different options if they don't want to pay for higher minimum wages.
I believe I saw this opportunity just because I have thought of it before. It is clear that corporations won't want to shell out more money than they already do and they are looking to save money wherever they can. So, they can save money by implementing technology. It is just a matter of who will do it first and how will they do it. I think that it's bad for the economy of jobs, but hopefully more jobs open up elsewhere for those individuals that may lose their jobs because of this.
Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucemccain/2016/01/03/five-key-economic-trends-to-watch-in-2016/#18b9a4345f17
This opportunity presents a very important idea for the US economy and the world. I believe this opportunity might exist because it is logical. If consumers feel more confident in 2016 due to the factors mentioned of lower energy costs and improving household cash flow, then it is most likely to happen. The customer for this is all of the United States, as this is the economy being talked about. I think that companies in the US will exploit this if they do see the economic trend taking place within early 2016, so it should be exploited later in 2016.
I believe I saw this opportunity because of my interest in business, which has led me to take business courses. Thus, I have developed some sort of logic thinking about these sort of opportunities for an economy.
2. India will become the new growth king
Source: http://fortune.com/2015/12/28/global-economy/
This opportunity regards the global economy and talked about different trends that could happen globally. IMF expects that the Indian economy will grow at 7.3% clip, which means it would be faster than the Chinese government's numbers. I think this is possible because India has been growing steadily so, they are bound to have a turning point, and with the IMF expectations it leads me to believe that this is possible. The opportunity is there for the Indian consumers and the population to contribute to their economy. I think that this will be mildly difficult to exploit as it will be the first time their economy sees a boom, so there may be an adjustment period for India.
I believe I saw this opportunity due to my interest in economics. My interest in economics has been fulfilled by a few classes in the business school and online research.
3. New Rules Will Bring on a Pile of Overtime Lawsuits in 2016
Source: http://fortune.com/2016/01/06/overtime-lawsuits-rules/
This opportunity leads me to believe that there will be many changes in the future of overtime laws. I think this opportunity is almost guaranteed to happen because individuals are bound to find aspects of the laws that are wrong. If not that, companies will still be taking advantage of some employees through overtime laws. The customers for this are Americans that work on hourly schedules, and get taken advantage of when they work overtime and don't get paid for it. I don't think that this will be difficult to exploit because overtime abuse is rampant.
I believe I saw this opportunity because I have worked hourly schedules before for a corporation and got taken advantage of when I worked overtime and didn't get considered it. Companies find loopholes to not consider you working overtime and frame it a different way. This made me angry when I saw this regulation change, I was very happy for the future of most hourly workers.
4. Employee Pay - Minimum wage increases
Source: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7671-regulatory-issues-changes.html
This opportunity is not good for the Americans that are working jobs that could be taken over by robots or automated machines. This opportunity is specifically for the industry of fast food chains in New York since they just got new regulations on minimum wage. I think that this is very possible to happen because some of the employment positions in fast food right now could be done by automated machines/robots. The opportunity is clear for the corporations behind these fast food chains to implement technology and not have to abide by having to pay higher minimum wages. I don't think that this will be difficult to exploit for fast food corporations, as they will have to find different options if they don't want to pay for higher minimum wages.
I believe I saw this opportunity just because I have thought of it before. It is clear that corporations won't want to shell out more money than they already do and they are looking to save money wherever they can. So, they can save money by implementing technology. It is just a matter of who will do it first and how will they do it. I think that it's bad for the economy of jobs, but hopefully more jobs open up elsewhere for those individuals that may lose their jobs because of this.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Forming an Opportunity Belief
There is a problem any online shopper encounters and that is sizing. Sizing is always different from brand to brand, and even in the same brand there can be differences. My opportunity is to make some sort of universal sizing guide to help individuals when ordering online. Companies would have to forward their dimensions to the database of the sizing guide, which would then assist the consumer to attain the correct size regardless of the company. This need has existed since online shopping became popular. People have to return and reorder items currently to meet this need, this is quite inefficient for both the consumer and the seller. Not only because it requires the consumer's time but also employee time to process the returns. Not having to return so many items could in turn increase the productivity of a company. I'm 99% sure this opportunity exists, just because I haven't heard of a universal sizing guide that exists for all brands online.
The prototypical customer to a universal sizing guide can be any age that spends money online to buy a product that requires a proper fit or size. The questions I'll be asking the prototypical customers are those regarding online shopping, products, size charts, fits, etc.
Iteration #1: First, without mentioning the idea of a universal sizing guide, I asked about their online shopping habits. She mentioned the fact that she doesn't shop online too often, perhaps once every few months for a few items. I continued the conversation by asking if she ever has trouble using size charts. She explained that she has trouble using the size charts, since she isn't tech savvy and has to do conversions on some of them. I asked if this leads to having items come in sizes that don't fit correctly. She explained that it is not often, but it does happen that an item comes in the wrong size and she'll have to return it. I inquired about the return process and she explained that it differs from company to company, but it is always a hassle. I then introduced the idea of a universal sizing guide, and she explained that this could really help her while online shopping; because she wouldn't have to do conversions on the sizes. She said that she would be very satisfied with this type of solution.
Iteration #2: I started the conversation by asking how often she shops online. She explained that she shops online multiple times per month. I then asked how she feels about sizing charts that are presented by different sites. She explained the fact that some sites have great sizing charts that are useful and never give much trouble, but some other sites give trouble in how they present their sizes. She also mentioned the fact that some sites don't even include sizing charts. I asked her how often she has to return items because of sizing. She said more often than not since she is constantly buying things, she has to return things. I then told her about my idea for a universal sizing guide that would eliminate most sizing issues across the board with all brands. Asking her what she thought of the idea, she explained that it would be great because it could help for sites that list minimal information or sometimes have different sizing for different model lines.
Iteration #3: I started the conversation by asking how often he shops online. He told me he shops online once or twice a month. I asked what he normally shops online for, and he told me that a lot of the times it is golfing apparel or shoes. Since this was a different answer than the previous two females, I asked if he ever runs into problems when looking for or ordering shoes. He explained that only a few times in his life has he ran into problems such as sizing when ordering shoes. I told him about my idea of a universal sizing guide that could assist individuals when making decisions on shoes. He brought up that sometimes when ordering from different companies he has to go check what size he is in another company to compare the sizes. He mentioned the fact that sometimes some of the conversions he attempts to make he can't complete because the sizes aren't all listed in the different amounts he is looking for. Based on his enthused answer I asked if he would be satisfied with this type of solution for the problem, and he eagerly answered that it could definitely help a lot of people to know their sizes in all the different companies the shop.
From my opportunity I learned the fact that individuals do run into the same problem that I do when ordering different items, and not knowing the right size to order. The most surprising thing that I learned from my opportunity was that it could help in different ways. Such as the conversions from company to company, and just the general help for not tech savvy people.
Most of my original opportunity is still there. My new opportunity is definitely more accurate than when I started. Just by talking to people I would be thinking of small changes and tweaks that could be made to the universal sizing guide, in order to adjust for different people. I think that even thought of the idea that companies could create a space on their sites with their sizing charts, and then the universal sizing guide so that they could compare measurements with their favorite brands a lot easier.
I think entrepreneurs should adapt their opportunities based on costumer feedback. In my experience I thought of different things that I could be changing just by talking to people. Talking to people could just be a way of testing their opportunity's model, and getting opinions would allow for entrepreneurs to make their products better and more feasible for customers.
The prototypical customer to a universal sizing guide can be any age that spends money online to buy a product that requires a proper fit or size. The questions I'll be asking the prototypical customers are those regarding online shopping, products, size charts, fits, etc.
Iteration #1: First, without mentioning the idea of a universal sizing guide, I asked about their online shopping habits. She mentioned the fact that she doesn't shop online too often, perhaps once every few months for a few items. I continued the conversation by asking if she ever has trouble using size charts. She explained that she has trouble using the size charts, since she isn't tech savvy and has to do conversions on some of them. I asked if this leads to having items come in sizes that don't fit correctly. She explained that it is not often, but it does happen that an item comes in the wrong size and she'll have to return it. I inquired about the return process and she explained that it differs from company to company, but it is always a hassle. I then introduced the idea of a universal sizing guide, and she explained that this could really help her while online shopping; because she wouldn't have to do conversions on the sizes. She said that she would be very satisfied with this type of solution.
Iteration #2: I started the conversation by asking how often she shops online. She explained that she shops online multiple times per month. I then asked how she feels about sizing charts that are presented by different sites. She explained the fact that some sites have great sizing charts that are useful and never give much trouble, but some other sites give trouble in how they present their sizes. She also mentioned the fact that some sites don't even include sizing charts. I asked her how often she has to return items because of sizing. She said more often than not since she is constantly buying things, she has to return things. I then told her about my idea for a universal sizing guide that would eliminate most sizing issues across the board with all brands. Asking her what she thought of the idea, she explained that it would be great because it could help for sites that list minimal information or sometimes have different sizing for different model lines.
Iteration #3: I started the conversation by asking how often he shops online. He told me he shops online once or twice a month. I asked what he normally shops online for, and he told me that a lot of the times it is golfing apparel or shoes. Since this was a different answer than the previous two females, I asked if he ever runs into problems when looking for or ordering shoes. He explained that only a few times in his life has he ran into problems such as sizing when ordering shoes. I told him about my idea of a universal sizing guide that could assist individuals when making decisions on shoes. He brought up that sometimes when ordering from different companies he has to go check what size he is in another company to compare the sizes. He mentioned the fact that sometimes some of the conversions he attempts to make he can't complete because the sizes aren't all listed in the different amounts he is looking for. Based on his enthused answer I asked if he would be satisfied with this type of solution for the problem, and he eagerly answered that it could definitely help a lot of people to know their sizes in all the different companies the shop.
From my opportunity I learned the fact that individuals do run into the same problem that I do when ordering different items, and not knowing the right size to order. The most surprising thing that I learned from my opportunity was that it could help in different ways. Such as the conversions from company to company, and just the general help for not tech savvy people.
Most of my original opportunity is still there. My new opportunity is definitely more accurate than when I started. Just by talking to people I would be thinking of small changes and tweaks that could be made to the universal sizing guide, in order to adjust for different people. I think that even thought of the idea that companies could create a space on their sites with their sizing charts, and then the universal sizing guide so that they could compare measurements with their favorite brands a lot easier.
I think entrepreneurs should adapt their opportunities based on costumer feedback. In my experience I thought of different things that I could be changing just by talking to people. Talking to people could just be a way of testing their opportunity's model, and getting opinions would allow for entrepreneurs to make their products better and more feasible for customers.
Identifying Local Opportunities
1. Beware, beer drinkers: Craft labels are not as they seem
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFC486CAA44610?p=AWNB
Essentially, an author by the name of Fred Grimm explains the fact that craft labels are really just to confuse and trick the American audience. These "craft labels" such as Blue Moon are owned by MillerCoors and other giant Beer corporations. By making it seem like they are craft labels they are able to market to a certain audience and sell to a different market. The problem is the fact that this is deceiving the public. It could become a legal battle or just making those that drink these fake "craft labels" move to another brand that may be more authentic. The American public other than Fred Grimm are having this problem.
2. THE EVERGLADES - Nile crocs found in Glades likely related, study finds
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFF47B396A6128?p=AWNB
Three Nile crocodiles have been found in the South Miami-Dade county marshes since 2009. The story consists of UF biologist Frank Mazzotti explaining that the according to the DNA tests that they have ran, the Nile crocodiles that have been captures are from the same area. This presents a problem to not only tourists, the wildlife, and the environment around the Everglades if more Nile crocodiles were to appear.
3. Number of South Florida million-dollar homes nearly doubled since 2012, report says
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF70285171B6A8?p=AWNB
This is not necessarily a problem, rather it is an opportunity. I chose to include this since we are seeking out opportunities. The story explains that the market for million-dollar homes has nearly doubled from 3.3 percent in 2012 to 6.3 percent in 2016. This report is according to Trulia, if the report happens to be true it could present an opportunity. The opportunity being for those investors or individuals involved in the real estate business to get more stakes within the Miami metro area, since it could reap serious benefits according to the numbers given by Trulia.
4. Hurricane insurance scam driving up Florida premiums
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF4B534ADD1120?p=AWNB
In this story Michael Carlson explains how insurance companies and repair vendors are scamming the people of Florida. The scam consists of the repair vendors being able to abuse Assignment of Benefits. AOB are costing consumers more money, which threatens the state's property insurance market. Although Florida has gone a decade without a major hurricane, at any moment the next one could strike. AOB abuse is looming and it could potentially destroy the Florida insurance markets. Not only would it damage the insurance market, but it would essentially be stealing money from the people.
5. Transportation - Uber getting special zone at Miami International Airport
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CEF9792F448278?p=AWNB
For a long time Uber and Lyft drivers would be fined immediately if they were noticed by Miami International Airport inspectors. This is due to the fact that Uber and Lyft take away money from the Taxi services that airports may have a partnership with. Uber and Lyft are now getting their own zone at MIA. This is the first part of legislation passed for a major airport that allows Uber and Lyft to do this. This is a problem for all of the users of these apps, not only when arriving at MIA, but arriving in many other airports. I have had to deal with the fact that Uber and Lyft are not allowed at some airports, or they are fined if they are caught picking individuals up. This problem is limiting a business just to make sure that their kickbacks and partnerships with taxi companies stay alive. MIA has taken a step in the right direction and I hope other places follow this.
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFC486CAA44610?p=AWNB
Essentially, an author by the name of Fred Grimm explains the fact that craft labels are really just to confuse and trick the American audience. These "craft labels" such as Blue Moon are owned by MillerCoors and other giant Beer corporations. By making it seem like they are craft labels they are able to market to a certain audience and sell to a different market. The problem is the fact that this is deceiving the public. It could become a legal battle or just making those that drink these fake "craft labels" move to another brand that may be more authentic. The American public other than Fred Grimm are having this problem.
2. THE EVERGLADES - Nile crocs found in Glades likely related, study finds
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFF47B396A6128?p=AWNB
Three Nile crocodiles have been found in the South Miami-Dade county marshes since 2009. The story consists of UF biologist Frank Mazzotti explaining that the according to the DNA tests that they have ran, the Nile crocodiles that have been captures are from the same area. This presents a problem to not only tourists, the wildlife, and the environment around the Everglades if more Nile crocodiles were to appear.
3. Number of South Florida million-dollar homes nearly doubled since 2012, report says
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF70285171B6A8?p=AWNB
This is not necessarily a problem, rather it is an opportunity. I chose to include this since we are seeking out opportunities. The story explains that the market for million-dollar homes has nearly doubled from 3.3 percent in 2012 to 6.3 percent in 2016. This report is according to Trulia, if the report happens to be true it could present an opportunity. The opportunity being for those investors or individuals involved in the real estate business to get more stakes within the Miami metro area, since it could reap serious benefits according to the numbers given by Trulia.
4. Hurricane insurance scam driving up Florida premiums
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF4B534ADD1120?p=AWNB
In this story Michael Carlson explains how insurance companies and repair vendors are scamming the people of Florida. The scam consists of the repair vendors being able to abuse Assignment of Benefits. AOB are costing consumers more money, which threatens the state's property insurance market. Although Florida has gone a decade without a major hurricane, at any moment the next one could strike. AOB abuse is looming and it could potentially destroy the Florida insurance markets. Not only would it damage the insurance market, but it would essentially be stealing money from the people.
5. Transportation - Uber getting special zone at Miami International Airport
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CEF9792F448278?p=AWNB
For a long time Uber and Lyft drivers would be fined immediately if they were noticed by Miami International Airport inspectors. This is due to the fact that Uber and Lyft take away money from the Taxi services that airports may have a partnership with. Uber and Lyft are now getting their own zone at MIA. This is the first part of legislation passed for a major airport that allows Uber and Lyft to do this. This is a problem for all of the users of these apps, not only when arriving at MIA, but arriving in many other airports. I have had to deal with the fact that Uber and Lyft are not allowed at some airports, or they are fined if they are caught picking individuals up. This problem is limiting a business just to make sure that their kickbacks and partnerships with taxi companies stay alive. MIA has taken a step in the right direction and I hope other places follow this.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Bug List
Here are 20 of the things that bug me:
1. Complaining. I don't like when people complain when in reality they are in a great situation compared to many others in the world. I think complaining exists because at times people want something to point out that is bad in their life. This may be because they want others to help them fix what they are complaining about. There are many reasons why people complain and I don't think any are good.
2. The sound of people chewing with their mouths open. This bugs me at my core. I really can't explain why, I think it's just a more of a rudeness and respect for others factor that bothers me.
3. People showing up late. I think this bugs me because showing up on time is part of showing responsibility and caring for whatever the occasion may be.
4. Deceptive advertising. Things as simple as companies advertising a product that is far superior to what they are actually selling. This bugs me because it is disrespectful to the consumers and the market to do such a thing.
5. Losing a sock while doing a load of laundry. This happens to me so often, I don't know why. It bugs me just because how often do people have to buy socks? I have to buy a ton of socks when I do buy them because it seems like I lose one in every load of laundry.
6. When people at baggage claim at an airport crowd the edge of it basically boxing out half the other people. If people could just step back a few steps and grab their bag once they saw it so much time could be saved rather than being anxious and greedy over having to beat people at getting bags. This bugs me because it's just inefficient.
7. People that interrupt conversations. This is something that bugs me because a lot of the time it shows a lack of respect for someone else's thoughts.
8. People who are "too nice" on the road. In specific those that have the right of way while driving and attempt to wave you ahead of them. This bugs me because it's dangerous. The people behind them now have to break unexpectedly because they are waving the right of way for you.
9. Strangers who stand or walk too close. This is one of those things where I can't really explain it, it bugs me just because I don't like people standing or walking on top of me. I see it as not respecting someone's space.
10. Littering. I enjoy the outdoors and it bugs me when people ruin the outdoors by littering. It's simple to just pick up what you have left behind and not disrespect what we have in the world.
11. Having to repeat something because someone wasn't paying attention to me yet demand the upmost attention when they're talking to you. This bugs me because I expect the same respect to be given to me as I give to others.
12. Intrusive advertisements. Advertisements that pop up randomly of a product that you have recently looked up. It bugs me because I don't like the idea of a database storing every single thing that I may look up and then spamming me with that.
13. People playing music too loud. This bugs me because you never know what people may be doing and what they're focusing on, so a lot of the time it can be very disrespectful.
14. People scanning their phones in the middle of a conversation. This bugs me because a lot of the time it shows no respect to the party that is speaking in the conversation.
15. Using correct grammar during conversations. It bugs me when people that clearly have been educated at higher levels of education don't use proper basic grammar skills. Part of it is because they went through a lot to attain an education, yet they carelessly make basic grammar mistakes.
16. People talking loudly at the library. This is again something that bugs me just because it is disrespectful to those that may be reading or studying around you.
17. People that don't wash their hands when they leave the bathroom. It bugs me because it's just unsanitary.
18. People that treat waitstaff poorly. It shows a lack of respect for people that are just trying to do their jobs. Not to mention that it shows poor character for the individual that does that.
19. When someone interrupts a lecture to ask a question that has previously been answered. This bugs me because it shows that the person that asked the question wasn't paying attention. It's also just disrespectful to interrupt with something like that.
20. When people don't put a turn signal on and create a dangerous situation. This bugs me just because it's careless and potentially harmful to those around.
Reflection:
It seems as though a lot of my bugs tend to be because of a lack of respect. This blog post was overall pretty enlightening. I can say that I definitely learned a lot about what bugs me. The part that was challenging was thinking about what bugs me towards the end of the list.
1. Complaining. I don't like when people complain when in reality they are in a great situation compared to many others in the world. I think complaining exists because at times people want something to point out that is bad in their life. This may be because they want others to help them fix what they are complaining about. There are many reasons why people complain and I don't think any are good.
2. The sound of people chewing with their mouths open. This bugs me at my core. I really can't explain why, I think it's just a more of a rudeness and respect for others factor that bothers me.
3. People showing up late. I think this bugs me because showing up on time is part of showing responsibility and caring for whatever the occasion may be.
4. Deceptive advertising. Things as simple as companies advertising a product that is far superior to what they are actually selling. This bugs me because it is disrespectful to the consumers and the market to do such a thing.
5. Losing a sock while doing a load of laundry. This happens to me so often, I don't know why. It bugs me just because how often do people have to buy socks? I have to buy a ton of socks when I do buy them because it seems like I lose one in every load of laundry.
6. When people at baggage claim at an airport crowd the edge of it basically boxing out half the other people. If people could just step back a few steps and grab their bag once they saw it so much time could be saved rather than being anxious and greedy over having to beat people at getting bags. This bugs me because it's just inefficient.
7. People that interrupt conversations. This is something that bugs me because a lot of the time it shows a lack of respect for someone else's thoughts.
8. People who are "too nice" on the road. In specific those that have the right of way while driving and attempt to wave you ahead of them. This bugs me because it's dangerous. The people behind them now have to break unexpectedly because they are waving the right of way for you.
9. Strangers who stand or walk too close. This is one of those things where I can't really explain it, it bugs me just because I don't like people standing or walking on top of me. I see it as not respecting someone's space.
10. Littering. I enjoy the outdoors and it bugs me when people ruin the outdoors by littering. It's simple to just pick up what you have left behind and not disrespect what we have in the world.
11. Having to repeat something because someone wasn't paying attention to me yet demand the upmost attention when they're talking to you. This bugs me because I expect the same respect to be given to me as I give to others.
12. Intrusive advertisements. Advertisements that pop up randomly of a product that you have recently looked up. It bugs me because I don't like the idea of a database storing every single thing that I may look up and then spamming me with that.
13. People playing music too loud. This bugs me because you never know what people may be doing and what they're focusing on, so a lot of the time it can be very disrespectful.
14. People scanning their phones in the middle of a conversation. This bugs me because a lot of the time it shows no respect to the party that is speaking in the conversation.
15. Using correct grammar during conversations. It bugs me when people that clearly have been educated at higher levels of education don't use proper basic grammar skills. Part of it is because they went through a lot to attain an education, yet they carelessly make basic grammar mistakes.
16. People talking loudly at the library. This is again something that bugs me just because it is disrespectful to those that may be reading or studying around you.
17. People that don't wash their hands when they leave the bathroom. It bugs me because it's just unsanitary.
18. People that treat waitstaff poorly. It shows a lack of respect for people that are just trying to do their jobs. Not to mention that it shows poor character for the individual that does that.
19. When someone interrupts a lecture to ask a question that has previously been answered. This bugs me because it shows that the person that asked the question wasn't paying attention. It's also just disrespectful to interrupt with something like that.
20. When people don't put a turn signal on and create a dangerous situation. This bugs me just because it's careless and potentially harmful to those around.
Reflection:
It seems as though a lot of my bugs tend to be because of a lack of respect. This blog post was overall pretty enlightening. I can say that I definitely learned a lot about what bugs me. The part that was challenging was thinking about what bugs me towards the end of the list.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
My Entrepreneurship Story
My entrepreneurship story goes back to my sophomore year of high school. This story involves two of my friends. We were just hanging out one night watching basketball and were intrigued by the fact that shoes are such a big deal for individuals that are interested in basketball. So we decided to look up the limited edition shoes that come out constantly. That night we really found out how crazy these limited edition shoes that come out are, shoes ranging anywhere from $150 to the thousands of dollars. From there we had the idea of looking at eBay to see how much the resale price is for a shoe that was around $200, it ended up being a rare shoe that had a lot of spark behind it, and I don't remember the exact price but it was more than $150 in profit people were getting. We thought this was insane, little did we know, that wasn't much compared to some other resale profit margins. So we thought, how can we get in on this profit. We researched for the next few days and found the websites that track which shoes are coming out and which sites they would be sold on. This gave us our starting point for which we thought would be a fun little business. Next we found out how we would gather the money and how we would split the work load, because it was definitely a work load. I had a good amount of money saved up to buy a few pair of shoes myself if I wanted to, which gave us a good starting point since my friends did too. So we looked at the schedule for the shoes that would be coming out in the near future and we would track whether they would be very sought after or not. This gave us an idea of what our resale margins would be, which also would let us know if it was worth it to buy and ship the item. We divided up the job three ways: shipping and selling, research, and buying. All of these being key points to the business that we had just started. Buying was definitely the most intricate part of the business, because you are literally competing against others to see who can buy the shoes the fastest. Over a few months we turned a very good amount of profit but it was definitely a hard business with a lot of boom and busts throughout it. Through the months, each of us had preferences on the shoes that we were attracted to, many of the shoes had a story behind being released. My favorite one of these was the Jordan True Blues, which had a cool story about Michael Jordan wearing them. Here is a picture of them:
I hope you enjoyed my entrepreneurship story. The reason that I am enrolled in ENT 3003 is because I wanted to delve deeper into the side of business within my major of Sport Management. In the future I hope to be able involve myself in some sort of business along with wherever my career may lead me. I felt as though ENT 3003 would help me in establishing some good cornerstones to what entrepreneurship is and how an individual can be a better one.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
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