1.Lap top-This is the foundation for my startup idea because it is social media based app so I would need my laptop to start the coding process. This resource is pretty run of the mill and is not rare or anything so its a normal resource.
2.GatorTech-This is a great resource to me because it a tech club that has people who have coded big projects before and can be critical to the success of my code. This is very valuable, pretty rare because not everyone has access to a large group of people with coding experience. This is a non-substitute.
3.Small startup investment-Currently right now, I have a small amount of money set a side that if I was truly invested in this idea, I would invest it in my idea. This could cover costs such as paying people to help me with my coding project. This is pretty valuable because every company needs money to start. So this another run of the mill resource that is easy to copy because like I said every company needs it.
4.UF ISOM department-This is a great resource just like GatorTech, however these are professors who have worked in the tech industry and can give me advice of how to build apps. This is also beneficial because they can give advice of how to be professional and how to act in a tech company, which I can foster and take into my company and use that as a basis for my company culture. This is extremely rare and not many people have. This wouldn't be too hard to copy because anybody can go and ask for help, but it is extremely valuable to have and I think something that helps me stand out.
5.Determination-This is a self trait that I think would be a resource. I am a hard worker who has great determination and a will to do something and finish things I start. This is a valuable resource to have and I don't think everyone has it. It's hard to copy because people can say that they have the determination and drive but that doesn't mean they actually do.
6.Local Entrepreneurs- This is a resource that I have locally that I can get start up advice about, particularly about starting a business in a college town. Many of the local businesses know a lot about the market of selling to college students which is crucial to my business idea. This idea is extremely valuable as it helps me get to know my market better and also get start up advice and how to run a small business.
7.My dad- He is a great resource as he owns his own business and can be a helping hand in starting a business. He owns a pharmacy, which is clearly different than what I want to do, but he still is there to lend advice and be a helping hand on how to run a small business. This is very valuable to have and not everyone has this resource available to them. It is easily copiable but having a personal relationship with someone who owns a business is kinda rare I feel like.
8.Randy Hunziker- This is a great resource to me as he is a lawyer and can help me and give me legal advice if need be in starting a business. This is helpful when starting a business to make sure you jump through all the legal hoops correctly. This is very valuable and somewhat rare to have a personal relationship with a lawyer. Other people can copy this but it would be hard.
9.Family for investment- If I needed more money to help the startup, I would ask my family to see if they would be able to help me out. It costs a decent amount of money to own a business and I could use as much money up front as I can. This is pretty valuable to have but there's no guarantee that I would get any money. This is copiable because most people can do the same.
10.Social Media-This is my marketing tool that I would use to get the word out about my product. My market would be college students and most of them already use social media, so to reach out to them, I would utilize sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. This is valuable because thats a major way I would get my name out there and my product. This is copiable and can be substituted with out marketing techniques, but I feel like social media is the best route.
I think the best resource I have is GatorTech. This is so because it helps me with the technical side of my business idea which would be the hardest part. At the same time, I would be surrounded by a group of people, always ready to help and lend a helping hand whenever need be. Some of them have also seen what it's like to work in a star up and a small business, so they would be a great resource for that as well.
Friday, March 30, 2018
22A-Elevator Pitch 3
https://youtu.be/FpvlB_bFjwg
For this third elevator pitch, I tried to take the feedback that I got last time and the time before and make this one even better. To start, I stood up and was more comfortable in front of the camera which I think helped a lot. The more we move on with this class and the more we flesh out our business idea, I am getting more comfortable with the material I am talking about and I think I portrayed that in this pitch. I know what my business idea consists of and can talk about it comfortably now. I was also told to try and memorize more of my content and that stood out as impactful to me. Simply because if this was a real world situation, you need to have your pitch memorized and ready to go no matter where you are. I tried to focus on the positives of my idea which I believe are the true selling point to any service or idea. So I think the main take aways from this pitch is that I am getting more comfortable with my business idea and getting more comfortable in front of a camera giving a pitch to present my business idea.
For this third elevator pitch, I tried to take the feedback that I got last time and the time before and make this one even better. To start, I stood up and was more comfortable in front of the camera which I think helped a lot. The more we move on with this class and the more we flesh out our business idea, I am getting more comfortable with the material I am talking about and I think I portrayed that in this pitch. I know what my business idea consists of and can talk about it comfortably now. I was also told to try and memorize more of my content and that stood out as impactful to me. Simply because if this was a real world situation, you need to have your pitch memorized and ready to go no matter where you are. I tried to focus on the positives of my idea which I believe are the true selling point to any service or idea. So I think the main take aways from this pitch is that I am getting more comfortable with my business idea and getting more comfortable in front of a camera giving a pitch to present my business idea.
Friday, March 23, 2018
21A-Reading Reflection 2
For this reflection, I chose "The art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users". I first picked this one because I really love social media and it is such a huge part of our culture and generation now, I was very interested to read this book. I am also basing my idea for this class off of social media so that goes hand in hand with this book. The general theme of this book was how to use social media to better your business and also how to use your personal social media and to make sure you are not looking bad online. The book is filled with tips on how to treat social media and how to treat your social media like a business. This book helped enhance my experience in this class because we take social media for granted now a days and put everything online and this can come back and bite us if we are not careful. This book made me want to become more aware of what I do on social media to make sure I am not perceived in a bad way. This book also gave great tips on how to grow your business through the use of social media which is great in todays society because like I said, it is just apart of everyone's daily life. In order to reach a broader market, you have to have a positive social media presence for brand awareness and then you can also use it as a selling tool. I would design an exercise for class to try and set up or have an experiment where you try to use social media and sell a certain product. Then define things like your market that you would sell to, or what type of stuff would you publish or what specific social media would you use. My biggest "aha" moment was when I made that the connection that you should treat your social media almost like a business and treat it seriously. Everyone can see what you are posting and what you post can be critical to you and how other perceive you. Then when you are on social media for a business, taking the right steps and planning for action is crucial, just like planning for success in a business requires planning and taking the right steps.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
20A- Growing Your Social Capital
1)The first person in my new social capital experiment is a friend of mine named Steven Malanati from a club called GatorTech here at UF. Here is a very hands on technical person with a background in coding and tech. He has coded many websites and even an app for a small company here in Gainesville. This person is my domain expert in the field I want to go in. He is able to give me advice and technical help on building my app. I had his phone number and contacted him and I had actually talked to him before about my idea and said he was always up to help me with technical problems. Then I contacted him again this week and he told me the most relevant stuff that I would need to start an app as far as data and information. This is my way of getting technical help which would be one of the hardest parts of starting this business idea.
2)Another person who is now in my social capital experiment is a person named Landon Everitt. He works at Study edge and works closely with the owner on many aspects of how the business is run. He sees hundreds of students a day, all flocking to this business to get help on their classes. Which in part, is my goal for my app. So he sees this unmeet need of students wanting to get more help outside of the classroom. Landon is my expert on the market that I am trying to get in. I have known him for a long time and I just contacted him and we had a conversation about the market that comes to study edge and how he thinks I could capitalize on that market. He offered good tips about what he hears students complaining about or what other tutoring places lack which is very helpful in starting a business. Landon is a great tool to get me closer to my target market and gives me an inside to the people that I want to sell to before I sell to them.
3)My last person in my social capital experiment is my new friend Ryan from the UF Heavener IT help desk. He is another very technical, hands on person who helps deliver technical support to other start up apps just like mine. Even though these apps my not be directly in my market, he is offering the same "supply" or advise to make these apps better. He has hands on coding experience and is very knowledgeable when it comes to coding. I tried to think of someone who would give hands on technical help and someone referred me to him and he just so happens to work at the help desk. He is a very nice guy always willing to help. He said he would help me get started by supplying helpful advise when it comes to tech. He is just another great tool that I can use when it comes to developing and starting an application.
This one was different because you had to go out of your way to find the people you needed to network with. While other networking events I have been to, they were all people that I could talk to because they were there for that reason. Plus these you have to go out of your way and explain yourself and you ideas while with networking in the past, I just had to kind of sell myself. This gave me confidence to go into a room and just start talking to anybody about mostly anything.
2)Another person who is now in my social capital experiment is a person named Landon Everitt. He works at Study edge and works closely with the owner on many aspects of how the business is run. He sees hundreds of students a day, all flocking to this business to get help on their classes. Which in part, is my goal for my app. So he sees this unmeet need of students wanting to get more help outside of the classroom. Landon is my expert on the market that I am trying to get in. I have known him for a long time and I just contacted him and we had a conversation about the market that comes to study edge and how he thinks I could capitalize on that market. He offered good tips about what he hears students complaining about or what other tutoring places lack which is very helpful in starting a business. Landon is a great tool to get me closer to my target market and gives me an inside to the people that I want to sell to before I sell to them.
3)My last person in my social capital experiment is my new friend Ryan from the UF Heavener IT help desk. He is another very technical, hands on person who helps deliver technical support to other start up apps just like mine. Even though these apps my not be directly in my market, he is offering the same "supply" or advise to make these apps better. He has hands on coding experience and is very knowledgeable when it comes to coding. I tried to think of someone who would give hands on technical help and someone referred me to him and he just so happens to work at the help desk. He is a very nice guy always willing to help. He said he would help me get started by supplying helpful advise when it comes to tech. He is just another great tool that I can use when it comes to developing and starting an application.
This one was different because you had to go out of your way to find the people you needed to network with. While other networking events I have been to, they were all people that I could talk to because they were there for that reason. Plus these you have to go out of your way and explain yourself and you ideas while with networking in the past, I just had to kind of sell myself. This gave me confidence to go into a room and just start talking to anybody about mostly anything.
19A- Idea Napkin 2
1) I am a third year student here at UF majoring in information systems and operations management. I love tech and the way it is revolutionizing our world, specifically in the business world. I also find it fascinating how much social media has shaped our world in such a short time frame. Everyone's phone is attached to their hip no matter where they go and I have always wanted to create an app that utilizes this market. I just think it would be a cool idea to start and get some background in the technical aspect of the app for my potential career plans.
2) My product is a social media based app that connects students to their fellow classmates. This is an area where students can search for tutors, or post on a class way about homework assignments or problems they are having, or a way for students to form study groups while they are at the library.
3) I would be offering this to either students individually or potentially selling my products in schools that then would use them in their classrooms. This would be a great opportunity for teachers to use this product for their students to use and be able to connect with their classmates in an almost effortless way that so many people in our generation are used to. Most of my customers I feel would have this mindset that they want to get help, but they don't know how or are too afraid to ask for help either directly to the teacher or in person to other classmates. This app would take the stress out of this and potentially give kids a little more confidence to ask more questions or get help outside of the class room where they generally wouldn't before.
4) They should care because it would be an easy way for them to meet friends and at the same time have a chance to better in their classes. Most people tend to do better when learning material in two different ways. One would be the traditional route of the learning in the class room then while connecting outside of the class and learning and reinforcing what they learned in a different environment would be beneficial to them even more.
5) I think I know my market very well and can pinpoint the types of students or classrooms that I would want to pinpoint. This is a fun and unique way for people to get out their and potentially get better grades while at the same time potentially meeting new people and friends.
-I think most of the elements fit together however, the one that definitely lack the most is trying to get people to care about my product. Initially, I could see a huge challenge of trying to get people to try this idea, but once people would start to see results of higher grades in the classroom and then a potentially better social life outside as a side bonus, I think it would start to sell better. People are always hesitant to things they are unsure about, but after time has gone by and results start to show, I think the business would start to grow.
-Two main points I incorporated in this idea napkin from feedback was the idea of the new potential wider market of selling into classrooms. With teachers and universities having this product available in the classroom, it would make it more accessible for students and there for would potentially be used by more students. The idea was trying to focus more on why students would want to care. With this, if my idea started to show results, students would care because then it would mean their grades would improve in a new, fun way.
2) My product is a social media based app that connects students to their fellow classmates. This is an area where students can search for tutors, or post on a class way about homework assignments or problems they are having, or a way for students to form study groups while they are at the library.
3) I would be offering this to either students individually or potentially selling my products in schools that then would use them in their classrooms. This would be a great opportunity for teachers to use this product for their students to use and be able to connect with their classmates in an almost effortless way that so many people in our generation are used to. Most of my customers I feel would have this mindset that they want to get help, but they don't know how or are too afraid to ask for help either directly to the teacher or in person to other classmates. This app would take the stress out of this and potentially give kids a little more confidence to ask more questions or get help outside of the class room where they generally wouldn't before.
4) They should care because it would be an easy way for them to meet friends and at the same time have a chance to better in their classes. Most people tend to do better when learning material in two different ways. One would be the traditional route of the learning in the class room then while connecting outside of the class and learning and reinforcing what they learned in a different environment would be beneficial to them even more.
5) I think I know my market very well and can pinpoint the types of students or classrooms that I would want to pinpoint. This is a fun and unique way for people to get out their and potentially get better grades while at the same time potentially meeting new people and friends.
-I think most of the elements fit together however, the one that definitely lack the most is trying to get people to care about my product. Initially, I could see a huge challenge of trying to get people to try this idea, but once people would start to see results of higher grades in the classroom and then a potentially better social life outside as a side bonus, I think it would start to sell better. People are always hesitant to things they are unsure about, but after time has gone by and results start to show, I think the business would start to grow.
-Two main points I incorporated in this idea napkin from feedback was the idea of the new potential wider market of selling into classrooms. With teachers and universities having this product available in the classroom, it would make it more accessible for students and there for would potentially be used by more students. The idea was trying to focus more on why students would want to care. With this, if my idea started to show results, students would care because then it would mean their grades would improve in a new, fun way.
Friday, March 16, 2018
17A- Elevator Pitch 2
https://youtu.be/cyuA7SK3s1o
In this pitch, I received feedback stating that I need to include facts or other selling points in my pitch to hook the listener a little bit more and I think I did that by stating the positives of studying in a group. I was also told that I should memorize more of the pitch which I did, instead of trying to go off the top of my head like I did last time which seemed okay at the time but looking back, it was not the best. So I tried to make these changes and hopefully came out with a better pitch.
In this pitch, I received feedback stating that I need to include facts or other selling points in my pitch to hook the listener a little bit more and I think I did that by stating the positives of studying in a group. I was also told that I should memorize more of the pitch which I did, instead of trying to go off the top of my head like I did last time which seemed okay at the time but looking back, it was not the best. So I tried to make these changes and hopefully came out with a better pitch.
18A-Customer Avatar
If I had to make my customer avatar, I would start simple and say that they are more of an introverted type person. They are using my app to branch out and hopefully meet other people to try and help with their school work. They are college level aged ranging from 18-22. I would say they drive a decently new car, but nothing fancy. I think they would prefer and stay inside on a Friday night and not go out or if they did, it would be something low key with a small group of friends. On the other hand, the other side of the market could be out going side and want to go out and do some fun stuff on a Friday night. I think they would enjoy funny comedies like The Office, or Parks and Rec. I think they want to feel older, but they don't know how yet. These would also be students that have semi decent grades to the point where they are okay, but they just want another way to get help to hopefully bump up their grade and get the grade they are hoping for. I say this because the really smart students don't need to go and get help and they student's who are doing poorly probably don't care and don't want to get help. I think I have more in common with the out going side of the market. I like going out and doing things on Friday nights and meeting new people. I am also on the side of the market with okay grades. If I got a little more help, they would be really good, but for now they are pretty good. I also drive a decently new car and then love the shows The Office and Parks and Rec. I think this is not a coincidence as many people try and look for problems in the world and try and capture problems that you your self are facing. Then when trying to branch out and think of a market, you kind of see your self in that market as I do with my study buddy app.
16A-What's your secret sauce
5 Ways that I think I am unique.
-Blake: He stated that I was a very compassionate person who cares for others and will go out of the way for other people. He likes my sense of humor on situations and thinks I'm a good leader.
-Kyle Horner: We were teammates in high school and he said he always liked my positive attitude in situations. "If we were down in a game, Austin would be there to bring us back in it with his attitude and not let us keep our heads down and keep us in the game."
-Kyle Hunziker: Kyle stated that he has known me since middle school and has seen my work ethic inside and outside of the classroom."Austin was always the 'nerd' who showed up to class early and was the last one to leave, but that work ethic is paying off and his success is showing because of it."
-Sean Ahmadzadeh: Sean stated that I always was one to make friends anywhere I went. "He is extremely outgoing and can really make friends anywhere he goes."
-Jackson Mckaig: "We were teammates in high school and Austin was always a leader on and off the field. He took initiative when other people wouldn't and other players always looked up to him cause he took charge."
Reflections:
I think me and my interviewers have the same points and thoughts of my "sauce". I think we both have the same mind set that I am a hard worker and my outgoing attitude and draw towards people set me apart from others.
- I am very much a people person! I love meeting new people and connecting with new people on a regular basis and a lot of the time, I am not afraid to go out of my way and meet new people.
- I think my drive in anything I do sets me apart. Once I get my mind set on something, I make sure it gets done in the best of my ability. Whether it be in my schooling or work, I always strive to be the best.
- I am also not afraid to take the lead on things and be the first person to try something. I think a lot of people look up to other people who aren't afraid to take the first leap, and in most things, if it means that other people will follow, I will take that first leap.
- My organization skills are another thing that I think set me apart. I am always on top of my school work and things outside of school that need to get done, and I am very rarely ever late on anything.
- My positive attitude in anything I do also sets me apart. I really try to go into any situation with an open mind and try to stay positive for the duration of the situation. Even when things get tough and I can't stay positive, I catch myself thinking positive in a short time frame and rebound quickly back to my positive mind set.
-Blake: He stated that I was a very compassionate person who cares for others and will go out of the way for other people. He likes my sense of humor on situations and thinks I'm a good leader.
-Kyle Horner: We were teammates in high school and he said he always liked my positive attitude in situations. "If we were down in a game, Austin would be there to bring us back in it with his attitude and not let us keep our heads down and keep us in the game."
-Kyle Hunziker: Kyle stated that he has known me since middle school and has seen my work ethic inside and outside of the classroom."Austin was always the 'nerd' who showed up to class early and was the last one to leave, but that work ethic is paying off and his success is showing because of it."
-Sean Ahmadzadeh: Sean stated that I always was one to make friends anywhere I went. "He is extremely outgoing and can really make friends anywhere he goes."
-Jackson Mckaig: "We were teammates in high school and Austin was always a leader on and off the field. He took initiative when other people wouldn't and other players always looked up to him cause he took charge."
Reflections:
I think me and my interviewers have the same points and thoughts of my "sauce". I think we both have the same mind set that I am a hard worker and my outgoing attitude and draw towards people set me apart from others.
Friday, March 2, 2018
15A-Figuring out buyer behavior 2
For this week's assignment, after conducting my three interviews with my friends Hunter, Jackson, and Cassidy, I believe I have been able to define a clearer picture of my buying decisions for my customers. With my app idea, customers would seek help or assistance with homework needs, it also provides away for students to connect with other students and try to form study groups based on the classes they are taking or help find students tutors who are looking to help other students. When it comes to alternative solutions, the answers were mostly the same across the board. With RJ, he get his study help from Study Edge, however he pays the monthly fee of 50 dollars a month. At that point, he is willing to pay a fee to get help that he is confident will work. Jackson also uses Study Edge and pays the 50 dollar fee. Cassidy on the other hand just relied on normal study methods and visiting teachers office hours. However, sometimes the professor can only help a certain bit and he said she thinks he would benefit from another person tutoring her and teaching her in a different style than the professor. The factor that stuck out the most was just the availability of resources that each person had. Study edge is an easy alternative that you pay a fee for and every professor holds office hours. When it comes to actual transactions, Cassidy prefers to buy things in person and then the other two prefer online shopping, while all three mainly use their cards for transactions. Jackson said he feels like he made the right purchase if he doesn't feel buyers remorse after a purchase like sometimes he will buy product and pay to much money for it and then not use it as much as he intended. Cassidy said she knows she made the right purchase or wants something when money isn't a deciding factor and at that point, she knows she will be making the right choice. RJ said he knows he made the right choice when he actually use the product more than anticipated. My market for this product would be defined as people who want something on the go with an easy and fast method of payment. Plus my alternative would be cheaper and just another way that students can get access to getting help in school.
14A-Halfway Reflection
To start off, I have really enjoyed taking this course so far. It has been an interesting class unlike many of the other business classes we are all almost required to take. As far as behaviors I have used in this class is to stay organized and stay on top of the work. The work in it self is not that difficult and the material isn't hard to pick up, but if you get behind, it can be rough to try and catch back up. I would also say that I look at the assignments at the beginning of the week to give them some thought of how I want to approach them. Then about mid-way through the week, I try and knock them out and then take time to reflect back on them and try and turn them in by Friday.
As far as experiences that I have felt like giving up on, would include my search for a summer internship this summer. It has been a struggle and I have put a lot of time and effort into my searching and nothing has panned out yet. But I know, it is just the hoops we all have to jump through and when I finally land that summer internship, I know it'll all be worth it. This has helped me in my classes to just keep going and keep pushing because in the end, I know it will all work out and be worth it in the end.
3 Tips:
As far as experiences that I have felt like giving up on, would include my search for a summer internship this summer. It has been a struggle and I have put a lot of time and effort into my searching and nothing has panned out yet. But I know, it is just the hoops we all have to jump through and when I finally land that summer internship, I know it'll all be worth it. This has helped me in my classes to just keep going and keep pushing because in the end, I know it will all work out and be worth it in the end.
3 Tips:
- Stay on top of your work and always try to be a step ahead.
- If you are over stressed or times seem tough right now, just know it gets better and it is all worth it in the end.
- Stay focused and determined in anything you do.
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