Elevator Pitch No. 3

Presented below is my YouTube upload for my third elevator pitch:

Before recording this Elevator Pitch, I detailed and analyzed the feedback that I received from my peers in my previous pitches. I appreciate the feedback that I received as the various comments were constructional and much needed. One main aspect of my pitch that I wanted to emphasize was definitely to shorten the length of my pitch. I feel that I was able to manage my time effectively in this video, and I proceeded to summarize my innovation simpler than I had managed to do before. I approached this pitch without the help of visual aids or teleprompters. I did this to attempt to improve my fluidity and delivery of ideas in a conversational manner. I was also very focused on maintaining a consistent description of my idea, and trying not to change the concept too much as that would have come off as a bit confusing. In summary, my innovation will be a wearable technology that will be affordably priced and serve a basic function of locating and contacting displaced people. 

Reading Reflection No.2

This week I chose the book from the second half of the ENT3003 reading list, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by author Carol Dweck. I decided that this was the book for me because the title was very captivating and involved with perspectives that I am definitely interested in.

The most recurring theme in this novel is that mentality plays a significant role in transitioning from being unsuccessful to successful. The author compares these mentalities by noting that successful entrepreneurs are considerably more inclined to face risks in their pursuits. These people are driven to learn new knowledge, and constantly aiming to improve multiple aspects of their venture instead of a singular focus.

This novel definitely connects with topics and ideas that have been exercised in ENT3003. Specifically, the novel emphasized the importance of solving problems and identifying profitable opportunities.

From what I learned from the novel, I would be able to envision and exercise that utilizes the importance of planning and focusing energy on progression. This exercise could be as simple as constructing a 'dream board' or to push individuals to give the extra 105% in one thing that they have being trying to accomplish, (ex: lifting heavier or running for more distance.)

The most significant moment that struck me while I was reading this novel was how in multiple scenarios, successful people almost 100% of the time chose to interact with the more 'complex' set of puzzles in the experiment conducted. It seemed to be a strange coincidence that was worth noting.

Growing Your Social Capital

      This week, I had the opportunity to personally introduce, network, and associate myself with three notable and credible people within both my prospective field and markets. I decided to investigate and pursue network relations with people in the geological sciences studies, and the renewable energy market.

      My first contact hat I connected with this week is the CEO and Founder of Sungrade, Zain Jan. Fortunately, Zain Jan gave me valuable insight with his knowledge in both the market interactions and supplier interactions. I was able to discover the sustainable movement by Mr. Jan through my own research on the rapidly growing successful startups in the energy market. He successfully has gained over $50M for his company. Our interaction was an incredible experience. He asked me explain myself, and my goals in the future. Mr. Jan then proceeded to direct me to his hiring directors, and now I am potentially on the path of actually diving into the field I am passionate about!

      My second contact, has been David Foster, who is the chair of geoloigeol sciences at the University of Florida. I was able to connect with him through E-Mail, and I later was able to conduct a meeting with Dr. Foster. I was very excited to meet Dr. Foster as he is highly knowledgeable and regarded in his science. I was able to explain to him my interest in geological sciences and my vision for the field in the future. He was actively listening to my goals, and he told me some of his own. Dr. Foster also shared with me experiences of his trips around the world during his studies. I really appreciated the visit with Dr. Foster.

      My final contact that serves value to my innovative and opportunistic goals was the demonstrative representatives at Solar Impact in Gainesville FL. This was actually the second time that I networked with Solar Impact. I first introduced myself to them at the Gainesville VegFest in February and I was able to catch them at the Gainesville Farmer's market this Wednesday with a booth with representatives. I was able to sign up as a volunteer and sign up for the E-Mail list, but this far connections have maintained in the early stages.

      Ultimately, the connections and experiences that I have made with this assignment have been more valuable than I actually anticipated. I was not expecting to receive such positive responses, and I now am potentially facing a job opportunity in California! I am very excited.

Idea Napkin #2

 Back to the Lab     

       Throughout the first stages of my innovative brainstorming and idea configuration, I have aimed to maintain my core competencies of an overlapping purpose that is ultimately to serve as a safety product for people during the severe events caused by natural disasters. I would feel humbly accomplished to achieve goals that benefit humanity. 

       The positive feedback that I received from my initial development has enabled me to unlock more ideas and innovations within my own design. In the future development, I will incorporate aspects that make my device suitable for all types of people and age groups. There will be designs and personable aspects that will be included in the design of the product. This will allow more people to want to purchase the device as it suits more niches.

        My device will continue to serve as a low-cost, low-maintenance communication device that will be efficient and readily available. With the power harnessed and stored from renewable energy, this communication device will be able to withstand the conditions and manage to be functional in any future conditions.

   

Create a Customer Avatar

       Using the avatar building platform from mybluerobot.com, I have managed to idealize and develop two avatar models that would represent an ideal customer for my innovation. In this first example, we use the avatar Teddy.
       Teddy here is depicted as being happy and alert. He is happy and alert because he is always aware and prepared for potential dangers that may strike his environment. Teddy has done a lot to secure the safety of his middle-class family by incorporating weather proof structures and appliances around his house. He is also wearing green, signifying that he is active and conscious about the state of our Earth. Teddy makes for an ideal customer because he is is prepared to keep his family safe.

       My second avatar is Moussa, and he is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. His area is prone to earthquakes and actually has one of the highest earthquake rates in Africa. Moussa makes for an ideal customer because he has the resources and technology to power and operate the device from his country. Because of the device's relatively inexpensive retail price, he was able to afford the device and implement it into his daily lifestyle as a simple addition. He will be able to effectively locate and message his family members remotely in the case of an emergency. 

   
    I am able to identify similarities between myself and my potential customers. Most notably, I can relate to their desire to protect and secure their families. I do not think this is entirely a coincidence as this trait is very strongly exhibited by men who are head of their households. 

Elevator Pitch #2

The video below is my submission for my second elevator pitch in ENT3003. My device is an inexpensive, self-powered, wearable technology that works as a simple locator and communication device. It will be easy to access by a variety of people in different countries and its uses will be most prominent in the events of natural disasters when typical communication grids are down. 

https://youtu.be/jEG9evBJegA

Some important aspects of my presentation that I will aim to improve is more direct focus to the camera/audience, less hand/arm movement in my speech, and the lighting/spatial quality. I would have also liked to have gotten into further detail about how my device's reliability functionality aims to be utilized and how it will stand to compete against the traditional cellular carriers, who most likely would not have sustainable communication grids in a natural disaster. I have noticed improved since my last pitch because I did the entire pitch in less time by recording in one take and I proceeded to wear an attire more suitable to my device's purpose and niche. 

What's Your Secret Sauce?

My opinion on my personal human capital:



1. Determined / Disciplined

2. Adept at independent / collaborative work

3. Humble / Humanitarian

4. Knowledgeable / Trustworthy

5. Artistic / Innovative



My interviews



Listen to Entrepreneurship 16A by flexdynomite #np on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/flexdynomite/entrepreneurship-16a



Through these conducted interviews, I have gained additional knowledge and critique for my innovation and entrepreneurial pursuits. I have also received new information from potential buyers to further understand the dynamics of my buyers' behaviors.

Before and after this addition of my entrepreneurial blog, I believe that I have maintained consistent beliefs and pursuits, which ultimately allows me maintain my goals and purpose of this pursuit.

The people that I have interviewed seemed to have a similar look on my entrepreneurial characteristics. They all gave me positive feedback and encouraged me to keep pursuing this venture. To summarize their opinions, I was told that I was a good leader, an independent/driven worker, and that I have a diverse background to deal with various scenarios.

Figuring Out Buyer Behavior

       Throughout the week, I have conducted very informative interviews with potential buyers of my innovation, with the goal to understand more of their consumer behavior and purchase tendencies. I initiated each interview with a detailed description and presentation of my innovation.My key points of focus with these interviews were to see how my product related and fit into the buyer's lifestyle, where they would expect to purchase an item like mine, and also the product's useful applications. I was able to identify similarities within the responses on multiple occasions.
       The majority of my interviewees claimed they would most likely purchase the item on a web platform like Amazon or Ebay; while the two men that I interviewed saw opportunity for the item to be sold as a regular purchase item in quickly accessible locations such as Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart.
        The customers also agreed that the uses and applications were definitely beneficial to society, and a few said they would not be dissatisfied with the purchase even if it was not used, but stored, "Just in case."
        Lastly, the various responses in my findings have informed me that the most important factors for the device's design and use should primarily be focused on functional reliability, durability and mobility.