Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

Economic and Regulatory Opportunities 

1.) The house market is facing a potential problem (economic)

https://www.businessinsider.com/falling-home-sales-could-signal-us-recession-2019-1?utm_source=reddit.com

  

      According to Business Insider headline, "Americans stopped buying homes in 2018, mortgage lenders are getting crushed, and an economic storm could be brewing," the housing market could experience a serious problem. In 2008, the United States of America saw a serious crash in the housing market. In this case, the amount of homes bought in 2018 decreased, especially in the final economic quarter. This event has impacted mortgage lenders hard. Opportunity arises with the potential for potential homeowners to see houses being sold for lower prices, as houses are estimated at lower values. This opportunity could be difficult to exploit because houses are major purchases. I saw this opportunity because I personally am looking for houses frequently, and I have noticed the trend identified in this article through my own research.

2.) Why a carbon tax won’t cause a recession (regulatory)

https://www.macleans.ca/opinion/why-a-carbon-tax-wont-cause-a-recession/

 

      The Canadian publisher, "Macleans" identifies the reasons why a federal tax on carbon will not cause economic recession. Opportunity lies in the aspect of clean air for the benefit of the planet. Carbon tax would push energy firms to switch to cleaner energy. The customers of this opportunity would be energy firms and residents that switch to renewable energy. This opportunity will be easy to exploit because the changes towards renewable energy are evidently and morally beneficial. I identified opportunity here because the use of carbon fuels is old-fashioned and illogical. 

3.) Italian economy slowly on the brink of recession (economic)

https://listenitaly.com/2019/01/25/italian-economy-slowly-on-the-brink-of-recession/

      The Italian economy is facing an economic crises as their public debt increases and GDP decreases. Opportunity for the Italian economy can come from technological innovation and higher levels of export. This opportunity could be easy for Italy because they have very notable positions specialized markets. I identified this opportunity because Italy is a historic country that is capable of obtaining resources to potentially be a world superpower.

4.)  Google Is Fined $57 Million Under Europe’s Data Privacy Law (regulatory)

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/21/technology/google-europe-gdpr-fine.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FRegulation%20and%20Deregulation%20of%20Industry&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection

      

      Tech giant Google has been fined heavily for failing to comply with Europe's data privacy laws. Opportunity for this event lies with increase implementation of cyber security and internet safety to meet regulatory standards. This change could be easily done by Google as they have the financial capital and resources. I noticed this opportunity because the field of information technology is growing rapidly around the world. 

Identifying Local Opportunities

Sun-Sentinel Current Events

Presented here is a list of problems from my hometown news that have the opportunity to be solved.

1.) Delray Beach street will keep its trees but will not get bike lanes

https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASFLB%21Sun%2BSentinel%2B%2528Fort%2BLauderdale%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0123%21January%2B23&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171213D714C959A0

      The residents of Delray Beach have made their voices heard by voicing their concerns regarding a proposed plan by the city to remove 110 trees for the addition of new bike lines. Delray Beach's city commission made proceedings for the act through approved funding from the state government. Once the word was made clear to the locals in the community, they were not pleased. The city commission was bombarded with protest following their plans, causing the mayor to personally comment on the matter; regarding the initial lack of coordination with the residential community "quite embarrassing." 

2.) Do more driving to pass emissions test? Well, yes - Motormouth

https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASFLB%21Sun%2BSentinel%2B%2528Fort%2BLauderdale%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0124%21January%2B24&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171268F1D42EC750

      Included within this article is a motor vehicle questionnaire. One specific question presents a woman with her car's fuel efficiency and how it is not performing up to the vehicle's standards. The auto expert responds and basically tells her to drive her car on the highway more, due to the fact that the car needs to be activated in multiple driving situations so that the engine can be fully activated. The woman is concerned because she has a hard time believing that driving the car more frequently makes the fuel consumption work more efficiently. 

3.) Mental illness affects spouses too

https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASFLB%21Sun%2BSentinel%2B%2528Fort%2BLauderdale%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2019%212019/mody%3A0121%21January%2B21&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/171169974CD98D00

     A spouse writes to the Sun Sentinel columnist "Dear Amy" about her personal problem with coping with her mental illness. She engages with the difficulty between her and her spouse identifying and not being ashamed of the mental illness. The columnist gives kind words of encouragement and proceeds to reference resources for people going through the same difficulty.

4.) Study: Florida student loan debt on the rise

      The new calculated amount of student debt in the state of Florida is dangerously near the $90 billion dollar mark. Students in Florida are faced with substantial education costs for both private and public colleges and universities. According to this value, Florida has had 5th largest increase in student debt over the course of the last ten years (9/2008-9/2018)

5.) Oasis of - the Seas' outbreak among worst

      The cruise ship "Oasis of the Seas" has experienced an outbreak of a viral illness that spread to 277 people on-board. This is a very surprising event considering we live in an age where sanitation is readily available. The cruise ship was clearly not prepared for the outbreak, as it was the second worst illness spread in history. 

Alex Arnau's Opportunity Belief

Our Earth’s Opportunity

      There is a strong opportunity that is growing stronger every single day on our earth.

This opportunity is directly related to the interactions between humankind and the planet.

I believe that this opportunity is specifically about the conservation of natural resources.

      At the current rate of human development and industry; the people on this planet will foresee rapid and extreme changes of Earth's environmental quality. We are on the track to experience detrimental climate change, unbearable atmospheric conditions, and a huge loss of vital biodiversity. Every living thing that exists on our planet is at risk. Our own selfish desires, and never-ending cravings for living standards that are way passed basic comfort will continue to speed up this process. I am absolutely sure that positive changes in our interactions with the Earth, specifically within the development of natural energy systems will drive beneficial opportunity. In this case (Solar Cars).

     Prototypical Costumer #1: An automobile factory for gas-consuming vehicles

     Iteration #1:

     - Where can you benefit most by switching to solar power and who can benefit most?
     - How much waste is disposed by your company and is it disposed properly?
     - How much marginal and opportunity costs will change if the energy is switched to clean?
     - How much of the surrounding area is affected by pollutants before and after the switch to clean           fuel?

     Reflection: There is a clear demand for new 'green' technologies and its uses today and in the future. The automobile industry is one of the main contributors to global pollution, and it is solely revolved around the power and energy use to fuel the vehicles. The majority of people in our country own their own car, and if every single car was switched away from gasoline, we could see tremendous benefits to our environmental quality.

     Prototypical Costumer #2: A physical charcoal power plant

     Iteration #2:
   
     - Where can you benefit most by switching to solar power and who can benefit most?
     - How do you typically handle changes in the coal and natural gas market?
     - Who is most negatively affected by the consumption of fossil fuels
     - Who benefits the most from the consumption of fossil fuels?
     - What are you currently doing to satisfy an over-demand or an under-demand of your service?

     Reflection: Between the interaction with my first and second costumers, I have noticed that the opportunity of change that I have presented has a broad purpose that can certainly help even the people who are damaging the Earth the most. This is something that excites me and makes me want to pursue the opportunity to everyone who can be positively affected.

      Prototypical Consumer #3: Tesla Automobiles

     Iteration #3:

      - Where can you benefit most by switching to solar power and who can benefit most? 
      - What is the projected outlook in the future of barrels of oil saved by switching to electric motor?
      - What are the biggest obstacles in the process of overtaking the gas and auto industries?
      - What percentage of your employees are critically concerned about their carbon emissions and             when did they realize it?

      Reflection: There are like-minded corporations and industries that are immensely concerned about the future of our planet. Companies with like-minded goals as such should definitely work together to make a substantial environmental profit before they focus their attention on the money profit.

Summary: The overall need for the opportunity of conserving natural resources is still present and is actually growing larger every day. I attest that the opportunity is indeed accurate and evident. The ozone layer is depleting, seasonal temperatures continue to fluctuate, and natural disasters are becoming more common than they were in the past. There is definitely a substantial cost associated with switching the clean energy and it is scaled large enough that it could potentially affect entire economies and trade agreements around the entire world. These practices should certainly be adapted because the cost will be exponentially higher when it becomes too late to make a difference.

Alex Arnau's Entrepreneurship Story

The Motive to Make Change

      One of my fondest experiences throughout my entire academic career has been my involvement in unique invention projects. I have participated in a total of three interactive projects that required both inventing and entrepreneurship. The objective for these projects were to identify common problems and devise original inventions to serve as feasible solutions.
     My first engagement in the realm of inventing was during the sixth grade 'Invention Convention.' In this convention, students had to make an invention as well as create a video commercial for their product. I managed to plan, draw, and assemble a working prototype of my original invention, the  "Two Way Cleaning Spray." This invention was a spray bottle with multiple working triggers that activated different cleaning detergents. An example of my product's application would work in the following scenario: A customer has just stepped in dog feces and has really dirty boots that requires both a premium leather polish and an antibacterial cleanse. That same customer would then be inclined to purchase the "Two Way Cleaning Spray: Shoe Edition." The spray includes all necessary liquids to clean his shoe with multiple triggers that would spray the desired cleanser. The product and the included commercial were actually rated very highly in the overall 'Invention Convention,' and it made me very excited to do more inventing and entrepreneur projects in the future.
      The second invention of mine was with the Apollo Aeronautics Program, and this event was definitely more serious than the first. This invention was an original prototype of a deployed spacecraft landing system. Our landing modules were to enclose an egg and keep it unharmed after multiple drops from 10 meters high. My prototype, was a clear winner, and passed every single landing test at the event. I was inspired by sneakers for my module invention, and used features similar to the 'Air Max' systems on Nike shoes for the bottom cushion. Additionally, Nike sneakers served as another inspiration as I included a ground stopping herringbone traction pattern, which served as a halting mechanism once the pod hit the floor, similarly to how to bottom of sneakers do an excellent job at keeping feet from sliding. Coincidentally enough, the dimensions, shape, and buoyancy features that were eventually used on the actual landing system engineered by Boeing were strikingly similar to the features that I included on my own prototype, around a decade ago! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0FSeF2jNuI)
       Most recently, during my college career, I had the opportunity to work within a group to invent a children's' toy. This was an assignment within my course, 'Creativity in Context' for the Innovation Academy at the University of Florida. Ultimately, this was a very fulfilling project, and I really enjoyed the critique and the suggestions made from the panel of judges.

Two-Way Cleaning Spray

ENT3003:

        Principles of Entrepreneurship struck me as a very interesting and engaging class. I was easily able to envision myself succeeding and being actively involved with the class and the future benefits that the class can provide for my future. Being an entrepreneur is very important to me and is definitely a professional goal, because the freedom to pursue a venture independently allows me to use my own visionary and creative ability. I hope that the class continues to drive me to tap into my creative mind, and put me in the right position to act on an idea correctly.

Alex Arnau's personal 'Bug List'

Alex Arnau's personal 'Bug List'

1.) The sound of an animal chewing both hard and soft food with an open mouth

- Because they are hungry, or they just eat fast and breathe simultaneously 

2.) The shedding of my own dog's hair, they are very small and ubiquitous

- Because he gets very excited and then starts to jump and shake around everywhere

3.) The glare/shine on a television screen as a result of sunlight passing a window

- Because the blinds are not doing a sufficient job and the TV is in a bad spot

4.) Dog owners who selfishly do not clean up their dog's mess after watching them go

- Because the owner may be in a rush, they do not have the tools, or they are lazy

5.) When the echo/treble are too high on an amplifier system 

- Typically used and left on by my friends when they use the amplifier

6.) When restaurants don't give me a straw, and they assume I will put my mouth on their cups

- Because restaurant is saving on costs, environmental waste, or the server forgets

7.) When I'm skating down a hill and there are many potholes/cracks down the path

- Because the road is poorly maintained and probably has a lot of traffic

8.) When I go to pick up my guitar and all of the strings except for one is tuned

- Because the guitar and strings are fairly old and worn

9.) When student financial aid takes more than 2 weeks to pay out my scholarship funds

- Because the SFA office is probably still doing calculations, otherwise I have no idea why

10.) When my dog 'marks his territory' on several trees, even though he already emptied his bladder

- Because he smells other dogs/animals that live around, and he wants his presence known

11.) When I have to wait in the rain for my dog to come out of the car because he is scared of thunder

- Because my dog really does not like to get wet or hear thunder, so he refuses to leave the car

12.) When DVDs or CDs are in their wrong cases, this is always confusing.

- Because of pure laziness or lack of vision 

13.) When my dog licks his genitals for longer than necessary, especially at night

- Because he is cleaning himself, or feeling frisky

14.) When I am walking through what appears to be grass and turns out to be a puddle

- Because that particular part got too wet during weather conditions and cratered in a select area

15.) When I am at the store and the item I want is under the wrong price tag

- Because the consumer before me misplaced it, or the worker was too lazy to place it correctly

16.) When fabric softener stains my clothes, it supposed to make them soft!

- Because I possibly use too much concentrated softener on a specific area

17.) When I tell my dog not to jump on the couch, but he does so anyways

- Because he gets really excited and just loves to lay up next to another person on the couch 

18.) When I am on an important phone call, and I get an unsolicited phone call

- Because either scams, telemarketers, or other lines tend to call me during important conversations

19.) When I try to charge my devices, but the extension cord has its power switch flipped off

- Because the dog, my foot, or my girlfriend accidentally hits the power switch

20.) The parking limitation on my university's campus 

- Because of the different roles and decals people commuting to campus have (i.e:Red, Orange, Gold)

Reflection: I personally feel that coming up with this 'bug list' was not difficult at all. As someone who is very observant, and perhaps not very tolerant; I am definitely able to discern things that annoy me or give me bad energy during day-to-day interactions. I certainly believe that now I have acknowledged the ability to find these 'bugs,' it will serve as a benefit for solving problems in the future.

Alex's Entrepreneurship Blog

Introducing my personal ENT3003 blog at the University of Florida.

I am very excited to dive in to the realm of innovation and entrepreneurship. Together these two traits compliment a skill set for avant-garde expressionism in the professional world. I believe the path will be bright for the innovators and inventors of the future.