27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

Book Chosen: Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson

1) You read about an entrepreneur:


What surprised you the most?

I've seen the movie "Silicon Valley" that explains a little how Apple and Microsoft were created, what surprised me then was how stubborn Jobs was. But the biography explained more how he had some other issues in life and why he was the way he was. He had to struggle to find the way back to Apple because at the time he wasn't "CEO material", but the fact that he did, surprised me the most.

What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?

What I admire the most about Steve Jobs was his huge passion and determination. I considered that these two traits were essential in making Jobs the successful man he was. Additionally, I admire his cleverness, intelligence, and innovation. He was able to combine these three traits, merging two worlds: creativity and technology. Lastly, I highly admire Jobs' spirituality; without a doubt, this distinguished him from many other businessmen and entrepreneurs. I admire his commitment to his spirituality and beliefs, as well as his ability to disregard other people's opinions on them.


What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?

I think that what I least admire from Steve Jobs were some of the personality traits attributed to him by people that used to work closely with him. He was known as obsessive, compulsive for control and perfectionist. He seemed to have problems regarding his soft skills as he often had issues with peers and employees, and even with some of his relatives such as his first daughter. Additionally, I also think I least admire his arrogance and stubbornness as I said earlier. He was described as a man that sometimes lack humbleness and was very stubborn, even with highly important matters such as cancer, family, and friendship (Wozniak).


Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?


Like almost every other entrepreneur Steve Jobs did encounter adversity and failure. His strong personality caused him a variety of problems along the way leading him to be fired from his own company at a point. In my opinion, this was Job’s main failure. He coped with the situation by creating NeXT and investing in Pixar. The first company also added to the adversity and failure he experienced, as this company was unsuccessful requiring high amounts of money without providing returns. However, being fired and his mishappens with NeXT did not stop him. With his determination and his unique set of skills, Jobs was able to greatly contribute to Pixar creating Toy Story, a very successful movie that launches the Pixar to the public.

2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited?

Overall, I think Steve Jobs had many competencies, as a result, he was very successful. Among these, we can find his perfectionism, accuracy, and attention to detail. Although being a perfectionist has its pros and cons, I consider that Jobs’ attention to detail is what allowed him to be as successful as he was with the design of his products. Additionally, I consider that Jobs was very innovative and revolutionary, two aspects that provided him with a competitive advantage in regards to other competitors. For example, he was very clever in pushing towards an integrated system. Even though this idea was risky at the time, I consider it was a good decision as it created sort of “Apple Families” who owned a variety of products from the company. This attribute also distinguished Apple from its main competitors such as Microsoft and Google who encourage open systems and intercommunication. Without a doubt, the competencies that made Steve Jobs unique was his “sense of design, simplicity, and aesthetics.”

3) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

Overall, in my opinion, the book was simple to understand. However, what was confusing at times for me was the comparison between what I was reading and my previous knowledge. I always thought Steve Jobs had attended Stanford for his undergraduate. Nonetheless, this book allowed me to realize I was mistaken as he actually attended Reed College. Additionally, I was also kind off confused with my understanding of Jobs relationship with Wozniak, and what explained in the book.

4) If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

How did you handle problems with the competition?

Why?: In the book, they narrate how Steve Jobs was able to make a deal with its “biggest rival Microsoft ending a decade of legal battles.” Dealing with competition is very important therefore is a highly delicate matter. I am curious to know how throughout his professional career and while being CEO of Apple, Jobs was able to mediate with these types of conflicts.


How did you overcome failure and the feeling of frustration?

Why?: One of the things I struggled the most with is the feeling of frustration when things don't go my way. I would like to know how to overcome this feeling as it is important in becoming an entrepreneur.

5) For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?

One of the book quotes that stood out to me the most was the one concerning how no matter the odds or challenges if Jobs would decide that something had to happen he would bend reality to his will to make it happen. Even though this is related to his view of the "reality distortion field," I think it greatly relates to the meaning of hard work. Even though he speaks about realities, I think that this quote could also be interpreted as no matter how many one falls or fails, you have to keep working until you find a way to succeed. This portrays his view of hard work and its importance.

28A – Your Exit Strategy

1) Identify the exit strategy you plan to make. Do you intend to sell your business in the next 5 years for a large return? Do you intend to stay with the business for several decades and retire? Do you intend to protect the venture as a family business, and pass it down to your children?

Personally, I don't think it is has a family business frame, but it can be a start to other kinds of ideas. I could hang on to the business even after it reaches a good value, but it depends on how my career is going throughout time. I've no intention of attaching myself to the business unnecessarily since I want this idea to help people, not to use its benefits for my personal gain. This means if someone has a better way to run it and I agree with that way, I would sell it. Otherwise, I would stay with it and let it be a platform of credibility for other apps or programs that I could create in the future.

2) Why have you selected this particular exit strategy?

As I said, I want it to be run properly, like many other ideas I might develop in the future. I want to be for the best benefit of the people, not for myself. The money behind it might be a bonus but is not my priority.

3) How do you think your exit strategy has influenced the other decisions you've made in your concept? For instance, has it influenced how you have identified an opportunity? Has it influenced your growth intentions or how you plan to acquire and use resources.

Most of the decisions were made taking into account that it could save lives. My exit strategy and why I found the concept at the beginning are made under the same thought, this means that the way I use resources and find opportunities have to be surrounding that idea. 

26A – Celebrating Failure

This semester I failed in my programming class twice. There are projects throughout the semester that are worth a lot in the final grade, they are worth more than tests. It was the first time I was learning Java in detail, but I've always been confident about my skills as a programmer. The problem was that I was wrong about how easy it was supposed to be. When the first project was due,  my program wasn't running fully, but I thought they were going to grade in base of what was actually working. I was wrong, they put me a zero because it didn't run fully. I thought I could fix it myself, I just needed to take more time to work on a project. Nevertheless, for the second project, I couldn't translate some images from one code to another successfully but the program ran, so I got a 75.

I identified that the problem was that I am a proud person, and I've known this for a long time. I don't like asking for help but I knew that will fall on me eventually. As a consequence,  I decided to ask for help from my TA (who didn't help at all), so I continue with the department resources, the tutoring center. After that, I finally completed the project 3 fully and 100% working. After that, I've been asking every single thing.

Personally, I still hate asking for help, but at least I force myself to do it for my own benefit. I connect this behavior with the risk-taking this class is trying to teach. If we don't risk we'll never know what would've happened, hence why I risk more to do little things that I don't like to see what good outcomes come with it (of course under good decision making of what I should or shouldn't do).

25A – What’s Next?

Existing Market

• I think what is next in my venture would be to associate the app with other apps. In order to keep the idea that the app won't interfere with daily driving, we need to act on the background while the user is doing their activities. This means that we need the user to be at all times in our platform so in case of an accident we can be easily accessible. Now, for convenience purposes, the best way to ensure that would be to have music streaming apps and GPS apps associated with our app. Take for example Apple Carplay or Android Auto, both of those platforms take control of the cellphone while having only necessary apps on screen for the driver. 
• The customers weren't that far off my main idea. One argued the association with Waze, an app where you can already report things like accidents, the problem is that Waze is an app that warns people for possible places where you can't do recklessness. Hence an involvement with the police could affect Waze customers. Another mentioned being also traffic-related because some times Waze or Google is still not as accurate. But this is a very different and more ambitious venture that might happen but not in a 5-year range.
• I'd consider using some existing platforms to expand their range of applications, apps like Spotify, Deezer, Google Maps can be implemented on the app structure with the purpose of maintaining the user at hand reach of reporting an incident. This would require some networking and more resources, but it can be done.

New Market

• Even though I'm planning a B2C market, there is an alternative, the B2B market. We can offer our services to companies with a structure already in place, like Google with Google Maps. ore even more Car related apps like Apple and Apple Carplay and Android with Android Auto.
• Another target could be pedestrians, I think the way to approach security and pedestrians using a similar idea of background data, is to have triggered GPS tracking, and footage recording. Let's say it is late at night and you are walking through a dark street, someone is following you and you are too afraid to confront it. With easy access to the function of the app, like if you press twice the lock button, the phone contacts the police, shares GPS and video footage with them. 
• The two interviewees talked about how dangerous can be walking alone in the dark in almost any country. They argued that even with the applications and the easy emergency access of campus, people get away with raping inside a college dorm. Although they thought the idea could help, it might have privacy problems if it is not approached correctly. I think privacy is something that everyone should have power on, but if something is done outside the law, then it becomes a lost privilege. Other than that, of course, such a button pattern has to be unique so it can't be done by accident. The problem with doing it through an app is that it can take a lot of time to open it, time that the victim might not have.
• I think this market is tougher, it involves a direct competition with existing apps and might have some ethical issues on the way. Nevertheless, I believe that the idea can still help other kinds of people, which was my main reason why I thought of the reckless driver's app. I think both of the markets are appealable, but for now, the test should be with a simpler one. 
  

24A – Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity

• Among the group of people that may need my solution are included pedestrians and drivers in Gainesville.
• During the first stage, we will be addressing a B2C market by addressing everything directly to the costumers.
• The opportunity we are currently addressing is the following: Every year, one of the main reasons that people find themselves in a life-endangering situation is that someone committed a reckless move while driving a motor vehicle.
• The nature of my need and opportunity is the lack of security on the road. Individuals that are not careful while they drive can cause a lot of accidents. Because of this, there is a need for restraining their available space to do said reckless activities. The mistake of one can cause the loss of someone's life.
• The forces or changes in the environment that create this opportunity are the increasing number of accidents due to a reckless move.
• Some of the demographics and geographic include living in the Gainesville area and be a smartphone user.
• I predict most of the costumers to be within ages 18-40 yrs old, because of technology proficiency.
• Customers are satisfying the need by taking part in the way of justice, most of the time, there are people on the road causing accidents that other people saw and couldn't do something about it because they are not the police. Also once the police arrive, you and other witnesses are already gone and the police end up not punishing the one responsible.
• Most of my potential customers are not relying on any source of justice other than the traditional phone call.
• This opportunity could change significantly the number of accidents observed on the road since, over time, everyone will be scared of other people being able to whistle-blow over an illegal action they might perform.
• This window of opportunity is available up until someone comes with a similar idea, it is impossible to predict when is that going to happen.

Innovation

• My innovation here is an app. This app is a direct contact between you and local police, just as the security apps that are already placed by UF and Santa Fe College. The difference is that you can report illegal and reckless activities you see on the road and send it with video footage and time stamp to the appropriate authorities. The app would have the camera running on command by the user while all other apps are still functioning. This can be accomplished with background permissions just as Google apps have (GPS, Microphone). We understand that sometimes staying for the police can mess with our schedules, so by only the press of a button you can send the report with video footage of what happened, when it happened, and where it happened. 
• The idea of the app is to be completely free for the user, but that doesn't mean it is non-profitable. Each time a police officer issues a ticket, the state and county gain the money of that ticket, my idea is to get a percentage of said amount of money if the ticket was issued with the report provided by the app.

Venture Concept

• This idea would decrease recklessness significantly because it involves in a way taking justice to your own hands. Which is also why customers would acquire the app, a lot of people suffer while driving due to irresponsible actions done by other drivers. This is why if given the chance to indirectly punish those who deserve it, they would do it by sending the evidence to the police.
• I don't find direct competitors since there are not platforms that contact the police other than the campus security apps developed by UF and Santa Fe. But these apps are not traffic-related or focused so that's their disadvantage.
• In order to keep a sharp and robust app, we need servers and software debuggers. Once the app can generate some profits, the hiring of a couple of software developers and the purchase of servers can increase the security of the app.

Extra sections:

• In my opinion, our most important resource will be the network of people and contact with potential consumers. This resource will not only allow us to develop our solution at a less cost by relying on people that had be referred but will also serve as a marketing function by promoting our solution. 
• As of right now, our core competencies is that we are pioneers, meaning that there is no one else in the market that offers this solution.
• Another core competency that we could have in the future could be contracts with whole states, or even internationally.
• In five years, I will like to be already be expanding by catching up with technology like AI, so that everything can be reported automatically. Maybe getting into GPS traffic tracking, where a report could be sent easily.
• As an entrepreneur, I just want to have the opportunity to develop something I am passionate for and that will allow me to have a balance between work and my family.

23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

Resources in venture.

• R1: Human Capital.
• V: I am relentless, curious, and disciplined. This characteristics help me to don't give up  until I have an answer for my problem.
• R: These are not possessed by everyone, as a consequence can be considered rare.
• I: No traits are the same in two people, hence, inimitable.
• N: I don't consider that other resources provide this same benefits because another resource is not going to be equal, which is why it cannot provide the same highlights.
• R2: Bilingual
• V: I understand and speak English and Spanish. In addition, i understand both French and Italian. This can help develop different versions of the app.
• R: I don't think this resource is rare, a lot of Hispanics living here know both languages.
• I: Translations can vary depending on the term and slang, but this is why it can bring advantages to have it on the table.
• N: This resource can be substitutable,but it would involve the change of benefits of the programmer.
• R3: I have coding skills
• V: I have practical and theoretical experience in software development. This is important for the 1st stage of the app development. 
• R: Even though there are more people that have this knowledge, I think is somehow rare to have it mixed with actual developed platforms and not just theoretical information on how to develop something.
• I: This is considered a creative material, since is unique and inimitable.
• N: Not all materials are the same, they cannot have the same benefits.
• R4: Experience
• V: I have experience in how to develop a software and launch it free through knowns platforms.
• R: It is rare that someone my age has had the same experience.
• I: Experience cannot be inimitable.
• N: Experience provides benefits all the time.
• R5: Network and Social Relations
• V: Being that my father-in-law is an entrepreneur, throughout his life he has met different people with a variety of skills that could greatly contribute to my project without requiring financial resources. Among these people are individuals are found website developers, app developers and experts on social media. 
• R: Not everybody is capable of connecting with others hence it is rare. 
• I: Nobody knows the same people hence the social circles and connections cannot be inimitable.
• N: Depending on the social circle, the benefits you will obtain will vary. 
• R6:Support team.
• Valuable: I am grateful to have a support team surrounding me hence I know I can count on them. These people will be my support system and will motivate me to achieve my goals and keep pursuing my idea. 
• Rare: This can be rare, as no everybody have a support system they can count on. 
• Inimitable: No support systems can be the same. 
• Non-substitutable: Benefits will vary depending on the greatness of the support circle. 
• R7: Having human resources easily available. 
• Valuable: On the early stages of the project I will have a variety of people I can count on who will offer a variety of human resources that can help me develop my solution. 
• Rare: Having available a variety of human resources can be very rare.
• Inimitable: Human resources vary across people hence they cannot be the same. 
• Non-substitutable: Since these human resources will be different they won't provide the same benefits. 
• R8: Access to financial resources
• Valuable: This is highly beneficial as this will provide leverage to develop the solution. 
• Rare: Having financial resources can be rare and hard to obtain. 
• Inimitable: Not all financial resources are the same, however, on some level they are inimitable. 
• Non-substitutable: All financial resources will provide different benefits as they provide different amounts of financing. 
• R9: Having a good knowledge about what startup entails 
• Valuable: This is important to know as it provides enough information of what building a business entitles. 
• Rare: Not everybody has experience this so it is rare.
• Inimitable: Not everybody has the same experience hence it cannot be inimitable. 
• Non-substitutable: Since all experiences are not the same, they can not provide the same benefits. 
• R10: Future organizational culture
• Valuable: My having a strong organizational culture we will have a strong team to develop a good solution.
• Rare: Having a good organizational culture can be highly rare and difficult to obtain.
• Inimitable: All cultures are different hence not easy to imitate. 
• Non-substitutable: Because all cultures are different, they do not provide the same benefits. 
• Top Resource: Network and Social Relations
• Because in order to get an idea developed, you need leverage and networking. They can also help you with potential costumers and maybe marketing strategies.

21A - Reading Reflection No. 2

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

The general theme of the book is the achievement of success and how this may be influenced by the beliefs of individuals. In the book, fixed and growth mindsets are further analyzed to determine the aspects that affect how successful a person can become. 

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

In ENT 3003, we have learned that to become a successful entrepreneur, hard work, perseverance, and persistence are required. We further explore how a current debate exists concerning entrepreneurs and the theory that they are born with qualities that differentiate them from the rest. This will correlate with the book as this will be considered a fixed mindset as the person thinks he or she is born with a certain quality. On the other hand, a growth mindset believes that people are capable of developing and improving their skills over time. This will correlate to the belief that Dr. Pryor supports in class, thinking that entrepreneurs are individuals capable of developing certain skills over time. 

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

I would create an exercise that consists of a test involving different questions that typically represent both individuals with fixed and growth mindsets. The questions would be developed based on the characteristics explained in the book so that the students in the class can determine which type of mindset they have. 

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

My 'aha' moment was when I realized that I had some of the attributes characterized to a person with a fixed mindset and some of a growth mindset. I was not previously aware of the existence of these two mindsets so I was surprised that somehow you could fall within these two categories and even share characteristics of the two. So while reading as I read the different descriptions I was able to relate to some of the descriptions concerning each type. 

22A - Elevator Pitch No. 3

I noticed that people complimented the formality back from the start, so I kept it. Basically the feedback complimented the good things that I said plus the implicit frase of "practice makes perfect".

What I changed from my other videos is to try look more confident by speaking more laud and clear. Also added more emotion to what I was saying with the effort to catch better the attention of the public.