Final Reflection (Week 15)

1) This semester was certainly a roller-coaster of staying organized and learning to balance. I can't say that this was my favorite class I have ever taken, but it definitely taught me a lot about perseverance. Sometimes you just have to buckle down and get the job done. 

2) I will definitely remember the "Free Money" assignment for years to come because it was so far out of my comfort zone. That was probably my most formative experience because it showed me that I was capable of doing things that were outside of my comfort zone. I am proud of myself for developing a venture and planning out the steps for bringing it to life; this was also my most joyous experience because it gave me the opportunity to identify a practical way that I could make a difference in the world.

3) In a way, I guess I have become more open to an entrepreneurial mindset by redefining the way I think of entrepreneurship. I have expanded my definition of entrepreneurship to essentially include any venture that allows people to turn their passion into a business that supports their lifestyle.

4) In order to be successful in this course, I would recommend that students figure out a system of organization and make sure they stay on top of their assignments. It is easy to do well in this class if you schedule everything ahead of time. In order to develop and foster an entrepreneurial mindset, my recommendation is not to think of your venture as a business, but rather as a way to turn your interests/passions into a livelihood, that way you will be committed to the success of your venture because it supports your chosen way of life.

Google Gold (Week 14)

1) I didn't really have a SEO strategy, but I'm glad that my blog can still be found by searching keywords on google!

2) I would say the most commonly used keyword on my blog was "entrepreneurship." I couldn't even count the number of times I've used that word this semester. Other keywords included: volunteer, giving back, make a difference, etc. As I started further developing my venture, however, a new primary keyword emerged: "Giving with Purpose" (the name of my venture).

3) The only form of social media I used to enhance my blog efforts was YouTube. I used YouTube to share the videos of interviews and other assignments we were asked to record. I did notice that the posts that included videos had a much higher traffic rate than posts that were just text. 

4) My "Free Money" post from week 7 got the most page views (34 total). This is probably because students were more curious to view other students' videos of this assignment, since it was so awkward and strange.

5) I searched "giving with purpose entrepreneurship by isa" on google and links to my blog and posts showed up on the first page of google results. However, I had a difficult time finding my blog when I searched anything less specific. 

Venture Concept No. 2 (Week 15)

Opportunity There is so much need in this world. Issues such as hunger, suffering, illness, maltreatment, homelessness, injustice and so many more more are prevalent across a variety of demographics both within our local communities and in faraway countries. However, it can be easy for the average person to become overwhelmed when faced with the amount of true need in the world; even if they really want to make a difference, they are often unsure of how and where to start, or are doubtful of their ability to make a significant impact on their own. Those who do get involved tend to identify one or two causes that hit close to home for them, and offer their support by volunteering their time, money or other resources. Due to the flaws of human nature and the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities in the world, there has always been and will always be a need for people to step up and help those less fortunate. This presents a huge opportunity for every single person to strive to make our world a better place.

Innovation Giving with Purpose will essentially be an online database/ networking forum that allows users to connect with local individuals, as well as national and international organizations, who are interested and/or involved in the same causes that they are passionate about supporting. This resource will provide people with opportunities to get involved by giving of their time, talent and treasure to whatever extent they feel comfortable. Through this database, people would be able to browse and actively search for ways to get involved by location, causes/organizations, time frames, etc. People would also be able to match with organizations and/or causes who could put their personal and specific skill set to good use. It would also act as a forum which would also allow organizations to post information about involvement opportunities and actively seek volunteers, and make it possible for individuals to connect, coordinate and plan. This venture is not about making money; it’s about making a difference. Therefore, it would be run as a not-for-profit resource by myself and a team of volunteers with the singular goal of empowering people to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate and make the world a better place to live. The cost of running this project would be extremely low; the money we would make from allowing advertisements on our Web site would most likely cover any costs we would have to pay. However, it might be exciting to host different events in partnership with various organizations. Attendants could make a small suggested donation to go to the event;, and these proceeds could go towards funding the resource.

Venture Concept I believe people will utilize this resource because it is a unique resource that enhances and builds on the capabilities of existing organizations and individuals. Because nothing as efficient or comprehensive as this resource exists, it should not be difficult to attract users. This resource is unique, so there are no definitive competitors, but it is possible that time and awareness may prevent people from utilizing this resource, just as time and awareness prevent so many from helping make a difference in the world. However, time and awareness are no match for the passion and determination that so many people have for making this world a better place. Anyone who is actively looking for ways to get involved would surely be quick to try Giving with Purpose, and as a result word would quickly spread about this resource and the opportunities it provides. Thanks to the widespread reach of the World Wide Web, this resource can be managed and utilized from anywhere with a network connection. Price points and distribution will play a miniscule role in this venture. The most packaging that will be done is really the presentation of the material on the Web site. Customer support and experience will be a key factor in the development and maintenance of the Web site because it will be crucial to understand how the resource is being used and to make sure it is effectively and efficiently serving its purpose of improving lives. In many ways, this venture is self-sustaining, because it simply connects existing organizations with each other and provides individuals with a way to network and coordinate.

Resources The multi-functional nature of this venture is its own most important resource, because it is what sets it apart from anything else like it. While this venture may share similarities with other resources, no existing resource acts as a one-stop shop that offers such comprehensive services.

Next Steps: The Venture The wonderful thing about this venture is that there will always be a need for it, and therefore, it will never be done growing and expanding. There will always be a need for those who are able to help those less fortunate than themselves to do so. New problems will arise and old issues will resurface. As these opportunities to provide aid come about, Giving with Purpose will be able to adapt along the way to ensure that it is still serving those who are most in need. It could easily be expanded to offer more comprehensive and in-depth tools and resources to users, whether they want to be more proactive about seeking volunteers or provide more information about involvement opportunities. 

Next Steps: My Goals I truly hope that this resource could be utilized around the world in order to make this world a better place to live. Within the next five years, I would like for this venture to be fully implemented and to have users on every continent on the globe. I would also like to have established a trusted and reliable core team of volunteers who believe in the project as much as I do and will help me maintain this resource. My primary goal as an entrepreneur- and as a human- will always be to use my skills and strengths to improve the lives of the people around me and make this world a better place to live. This venture has given me the opportunity to empower others to strive towards the same goal in their own way. The greatest reward I could have as an entrepreneur would be to create and sustain a venture that allows me to make this desire to do good a part of my everyday life, and I believe this venture could be a great way to achieve this.

Summary of Feedback The feedback I received in comments on my first Venture Concept was overwhelmingly positive. Thanks so much to everyone for the support! It is so encouraging to know that there are so many people out there who would utilize this resource. The only question I got was how I would fund the cost of running and maintaining the resource, so I tried to address that in this post by adding some more information to the "Innovation" section.

Very Short Interview Part 2 (Week 14)

For this assignment, I got back in touch with Lisa Rubinstein, who has served at her public relations and communications company for nearly 12 years. Looking back on our first interview, I think her definition of entrepreneurship as "being clever and aware of how best to use your skills to create a business that can support your lifestyle" still rings true. 

I contacted Ms. Rubinstein last week in anticipation of this assignment, and I asked her the following questions: Has the way you think about entrepreneurship changed over time, and if so, how? Please describe the first time you knowingly practiced entrepreneurship or utilized an entrepreneurial skill/technique? How can entrepreneurship be applied to not-for-profit organizations? Unfortunately, I was unable to record the interview, but I so appreciated her willingness to help. 

In our first interview, Ms. Rubinstein said, "Don't hesitate to ask for help or call on people who have offered to help. They mean it." Therefore, I felt very comfortable arranging this follow-up interview. It may be that I felt comfortable communicating with her because I already knew her before reaching out to her for this class, or it could could be a result of my growth as a student and an entrepreneur this semester. 

Celebrating Failure (Week 13)

1) This semester, I took on a part-time volunteer job with a local non-profit organization. I was tasked with coordinating publicity efforts for the organization's latest campaign. One of my primary responsibilities was to arrange opportunities for the organization to be featured on local radio stations. At first, I was so excited to be a part of this project; it seemed like a valuable learning experience and a great way to add to my resume. However, as the semester got underway, I quickly began to realize that I had over-committed and put way too much on my plate. I started to feel like I was drowning in work. I was so nervous to tell the organization that I couldn't keep up with all the work they were giving me, but I knew I just didn't have enough time to do everything that was being asked of me, and I needed to re-prioritize. They were so nice when I told them; they completely understood my situation and were grateful for the work that I had already done, and even helped me re-arrange some things on my plate so that I could still be involved in their organization.

2) Through this experience, I learned that I have a tendency to spread myself too thin. As much as I want to be involved in everything that sounds fun or interesting, I learned that I need to focus on the few things that are most important to me. I learned that balance is key, and that it's okay to say no sometimes.

3) It seems like my perspective on failure is constantly changing, and this semester has proved no different. Historically speaking, I don't handle failure well; and really, who does? It's frustrating and embarrassing and discouraging. However, I am realizing more and more that as cheesy as it sounds, it's only failure if you quit, but if you regroup and keep going, then it becomes a small bump in a long road. It's okay to take a break, or change direction, but don't give up entirely.

Elevator Pitch No. 4 (Week 15)

1. Below is the video of my fourth elevator pitch:

2. The majority of the comments I received were fairly positive. Most of the comments suggested that I go into a bit more detail about my entrepreneurial venture.

3. As was requested in the comments on my third pitch, I tried to be more in-depth about the specifics of my venture in my fourth attempt.

Your Exit Strategy (Week 13)

1. I intend to continue working on this project for as long as I am capable before handing the reins over to my most trusted volunteer. As it is a volunteer-run non-profit organization, I would not be able to sell it for a large return. It wouldn't necessarily be a family "business," but I hope that my family will see the value in its purpose and want to continue serving the world in this way. 

2. I have chosen this particular exit strategy because this is a very unique sort of venture. I believe it can only be properly and successfully run by someone with the same passion for service. Therefore, I would want to personally know and trust the person who would take over the management of this project. 

3. I believe my exit strategy is a natural extension of the way that I would run this project. While it wouldn't necessarily influence the way I made decisions and distributed resources, I think my exit strategy is consistent with the way I would do business.

Venture Concept No. 1 (Week 12)

Opportunity

There is so much need in this world. Issues such as hunger, suffering, illness, maltreatment, homelessness, injustice and so many more more are prevalent across a variety of demographics both within our local communities and in faraway countries. However, it can be easy for the average person to become overwhelmed when faced with the amount of true need in the world; even if they really want to make a difference, they are often unsure of how and where to start, or are doubtful of their ability to make a significant impact on their own. Those who do get involved tend to identify one or two causes that hit close to home for them, and offer their support by volunteering their time, money or other resources. Due to the flaws of human nature and the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities in the world, there has always been and will always be a need for people to step up and help those less fortunate. This presents a huge opportunity for every single person to strive to make our world a better place.

Innovation

            Giving with Purpose will essentially be an online database/ networking forum that allows users to connect with local individuals, as well as national and international organizations, who are interested and/or involved in the same causes that they are passionate about supporting. This resource will provide people with opportunities to get involved by giving of their time, talent and treasure to whatever extent they feel comfortable. Through this database, people would be able to browse and actively search for ways to get involved by location, causes/organizations, time frames, etc. People would also be able to match with organizations and/or causes who could put their personal and specific skill set to good use. It would also act as a forum which would also allow organizations to post information about involvement opportunities and actively seek volunteers, and make it possible for individuals to connect, coordinate and plan. This venture is not about making money; it’s about making a difference. Therefore, it would be run as a not-for-profit resource by myself and a team of volunteers with the singular goal of empowering people to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate and make the world a better place to live.

Venture Concept

I believe people will utilize this resource because it is a unique resource that enhances and builds on the capabilities of existing organizations and individuals. Because nothing as efficient or comprehensive as this resource exists, it should not be difficult to attract users. This resource is unique, so there are no definitive competitors, but it is possible that time and awareness may prevent people from utilizing this resource, just as time and awareness prevent so many from helping make a difference in the world. However, time and awareness are no match for the passion and determination that so many people have for making this world a better place. Anyone who is actively looking for ways to get involved would surely be quick to try Giving with Purpose, and as a result word would quickly spread about this resource and the opportunities it provides. Thanks to the widespread reach of the World Wide Web, this resource can be managed and utilized from anywhere with a network connection. Price points and distribution will play a miniscule role in this venture. The most packaging that will be done is really the presentation of the material on the Web site. Customer support and experience will be a key factor in the development and maintenance of the Web site because it will be crucial to understand how the resource is being used and to make sure it is effectively and efficiently serving its purpose of improving lives. In many ways, this venture is self-sustaining, because it simply connects existing organizations with each other and provides individuals with a way to network and coordinate.

Resources

The multi-functional nature of this venture is its own most important resource, because it is what sets it apart from anything else like it. While this venture may share similarities with other resources, no existing resource acts as a one-stop shop that offers such comprehensive services.

Next Steps: The Venture

            The wonderful thing about this venture is that there will always be a need for it, and therefore, it will never be done growing and expanding. There will always be a need for those who are able to help those less fortunate than themselves to do so. New problems will arise and old issues will resurface. As these opportunities to provide aid come about, Giving with Purpose will be able to adapt along the way to ensure that it is still serving those who are most in need. It could easily be expanded to offer more comprehensive and in-depth tools and resources to users, whether they want to be more proactive about seeking volunteers or provide more information about involvement opportunities.

Next Steps: My Goals

I truly hope that this resource could be utilized around the world in order to make this world a better place to live. Within the next five years, I would like for this venture to be fully implemented and to have users on every continent on the globe. I would also like to have established a trusted and reliable core team of volunteers who believe in the project as much as I do and will help me maintain this resource. My primary goal as an entrepreneur- and as a human- will always be to use my skills and strengths to improve the lives of the people around me and make this world a better place to live. This venture has given me the opportunity to empower others to strive towards the same goal in their own way. The greatest reward I could have as an entrepreneur would be to create and sustain a venture that allows me to make this desire to do good a part of my everyday life, and I believe this venture could be a great way to achieve this.

Amazon Whisperer (Week 11)

 

Image credit: http://www.chop.edu/giving/promotions-that-give#.VvFnSWNlnR0

• My "product" is more of a non-profit service (it's an online resource that connects volunteers and organizations in support of the causes they are passionate about). So, I don't really have any typical revenue drivers, unless you count fundraising opportunities that could be organized through the Web site...
• I think next customers might want this resource to expand so it includes a forum for organizations such as The Little Market to sell their products directly through this Web site.
• This kind of resource expansion could improve "customer"experiences while still making a difference, because the profits from the product sales would go back to the artisans around the world who make their livelihood this way.
• Amazon has a "giving back" program called AmazonSmile, which donates a portion of the proceeds from all sales made through the site to various charity organizations.
• One of the biggest criticisms of AmazonSmile is that the customer isn't actually the one giving to the charities, Amazon is. So when customers make a purchase, only a very small percentage of that purchase is going to a charity. The customer isn't actually giving a percentage of their payment to charity instead of Amazon; rather, Amazon is donating a minuscule percentage of their profits. It takes the personal connection out of it.
• I would change the way that the AmazonSmile page is laid out so that it stays consistent with my Web site.
• An addition like AmazonSmile could help the resource I plan to create give back even more.

My Unfair Advantage (Week 11)

• Creativity
• While most people are able to channel creativity in some way or another at some point, I believe that true creativity must be born, not bred. Therefore, I feel blessed to have been given this trait; the desire to live creatively will be a huge influence on my future career and entrepreneurial pursuits.
• Organization
• This venture will require a constant attention to detail, I have a natural instinct for organization which I think will be extremely beneficial when trying to connect various volunteers around the world. 
• Passion
• Not everyone has a passion for service, so since I do I feel a responsibility to be a force for good in this crazy, messed-up world. This translates perfectly to my entrepreneurial venture, which will hopefully empower others to make the world a better place.
• Will
• When I believe in something, I see it through. My belief in the importance of volunteer work will be a major motivating factor that will ensure my success in sustaining this venture.
• Experience
• I have a lot of experience with both doing volunteer work and organizing volunteer events. Experience is not something that can be faked or duplicated. Only by getting in on the ground floor can people truly understand what a particular need is and how it can be fulfilled.
• Global relevance 
• I think one of the reasons my venture will be successful is that it will be relevant literally everywhere in the world. No matter where you live, there is someone who needs help or someone who is capable of offering help. 
• Global impact
• This is similar to global relevance in that my venture will enable people to give and receive aid literally everywhere in the world. Wherever you are and whatever your need is, this resource will find a way to provide you with what you need.  
• Builds on existing entities
• I think the fact that I'm not re-inventing the wheel will help me be successful in this venture. At its most basic, this is a resource that connects people with other people and organizations with other organizations in order to fulfill a need.
• Personal connection
• Based on the popularity of social media such as Snapchat, Instagram, etc., I think it is safe to say that people want to feel a personal connection to whatever they're involved in. The fact that this resource fulfills that desire and gives it purpose will help ensure its success.
• Multi-functional
• There are already other Web sites out there that feature opportunities for people to get involved. However, as far as I know, there is no other resource as comprehensive as this will be. This will essentially be a one-stop shop.
• I think the multi-functional nature of this venture is the most important resource, because it is what sets it apart from anything else like it. While other resources might exist that offer opportunities that are similar to some extent, nothing currently exists that will offer the comprehensive services that this one will. As a one-stop shop, volunteers can find opportunities, organizations can find volunteers, donors can determine who to give their money to, people can fine-tune their searches to find the cause that they are most passionate about supporting and match their skills to specific volunteer opportunities, etc.

Reading Reflection (Week 15)

1) I was surprised that the author included using the latest technology a a way to cut costs. I would think paying for the newest technology would be very expensive. 

2) I was confused by the author's statement that customers are central to his success. I don't know how you can serve your customers to the best of your ability if you are consumed by making a profit.

3) I am interested in the author's personal experience with the subject matter he has written about. So, two questions I would ask are: How do you maintain a balance between your commitment to customer service and maximizing profit? How have your company's intentions and ethical guideline changed and/or stayed the same since you founded it a decade ago?

4) I disagree with the author's approach to entrepreneurship by focusing on maximizing profit. I don't think starting an entrepreneurial pursuit should be all about making money; to me, that is not an innovative purpose.

Reading Reflection (Week 11)

1) I was surprised that only senior leaders can set innovations strategies, because it seems to me like the employees they are leading will be the ones implementing the strategies on a practical daily basis.  

2) I was confused about the difference between routine and disruptive innovation. 

3) I would to get a professional's perspective, so I would ask the author the following questions: How have you personally implemented innovation strategy in your life? Is there anything you recommend all entrepreneurs consider when developing an innovation strategy?

4) I disagree with the author's view that lack of strategy is the reason so many innovative ventures fail. I believe it is because the business world that society has creative is not necessarily conducive to supporting such innovative ventures. 

Reading Reflection (Week 14)

1) I was surprised by the amount of study and research that has been done on social enterprise and the ethical responsibility a company has to society.

2) I found myself confused on the section about middle managers in corporate entrepreneurship; I don't really understand why they are necessary or what their role is.

3) Two questions I would like to ask the author, in order to get the perspective of an experienced professional, are: What decisions have you been faced with that involved a trade-off between ethics and economics? What has been your personal experience with the challenge of social enterprise?

4) I disagree with the section on creating a climate for in-house entrepreneurship. I don't think entrepreneurship is something that can be forced, and I think it would be difficult for a company that wasn't begun with an entrepreneurial approach to adapt to a new mindset like that.

Reading Reflection (Week 13)

1) I was surprised that there were so many different ways to valuate a company financially; I thought the process would be more rigid.

2) I am terrible at all things math and finance related so I was confused by most of this chapter. One thing in particular that I had a hard time understanding was the section on valuating a company based on stocks and shares.

3) Two questions I would like to ask the author, in order to get the perspective of an experienced professional, are: Which method of valuating a business do you think is best? How can business owners add value to their business? 

4) In my opinion there is a difference between entrepreneurship and business, so I disagree with the amount of emphasis the author places on evaluating a business. I think there is too much importance placed on monetary value on and not enough placed on turning a passion or lifestyle into a career.

Reading Reflection (Week 12)

1) I was surprised that the life cycle of a typical venture could be so basically simplified down to five stages. I assumed the stages of the life cycle would be different for each venture, depending on what it is and how it comes about.

2) I found myself confused as to why some people choose not to use strategic planning. I would think anyone starting a new venture would want to do anything possible to ensure it's success.

3) Two questions I would like to ask the author, in order to get the perspective of an experienced professional, are: Have you personally used strategic planning? How have you personally maintained a balance between entrepreneurial and managerial approaches?

4) I somewhat disagree with the section on tolerance of failure. I think the word failure is thrown around a lot more frequently than is necessary. While it is important to understand that not everything will go the way you planned, it is important to differentiate between setbacks and failure. It's only failure if you give up and don't try to learn from the experience.

Elevator Pitch No. 3 (Week 10)

1) Below is the video of my third attempt at an elevator pitch.

2) The most common feedback I got was that there was an issue with the audio quality of my last video. However, people seemed to like the idea based on what they were able to understand.

3) I'm not sure what went wrong with the last video, but I tried to fix the problem in this video by speaking louder and more clearly and filming in a quieter setting.