Reading Reflection No. 3

The book I read was, The Art of social media by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick

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

The general theme of the book is to prepare you for proper use of your social media platforms. To equip you with the tools necessary for a successful profile and to create a growing fan base. To understand that what matters is net effect, what is happening overall and not who you’re pissing off. Offers a step and clear science to the amount of post required to make it casual and not overwhelming for followers that are viewing them.    

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

              The book offered a new perspective on what social media is and what it could be. As a personal user of social media platforms, I had never seen how much work can actually go into one’s profile and what capabilities it has. Guy and Peg state that you must find out what people want to read. This immediately reminded me of our customer behavior assignments (Figuring Out Buyer Behavior series). It is incredible how important knowing your costumer is, not only when sell but when entertaining/advertising too. They emphasize on the importance of “feeding the content monster”, which basically means that on a day by day basses you must feed your viewers with the content they want to see. Also, Guy and Peg talk about how using Google docs and other online calendar sources to help you manage your schedule and to collaborate with other users. This way everyone can feed the content monster, which reminded me of social capital. When creating a public online calendar, you can use the social capital you’ve gained to assist you with growing your platform.   

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

              I would design an exercise based on a mock system. I would have students explain how they would run a social media platform and have them describe what content they would post. How they came across this content and what do they expect to gain from this. I do however, feel that this is already being implemented with our blog use and our peer comments, but we can always push this a little more.   

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 biggest surprise was when Guy and Peg state that likes and comments are basically meaningless. Liking and commenting are nice, but the true compliment on social media is sharing " Passing the reassuring test". Always ask yourself is my post Shareable, which can help you create a greater more relatable post. Also, they stress the importance of always sharing a friend's post. Watch what they share and pick the best if you can find and share it. This creates a trust between you and other platforms that can potentially increase your social capital.

My Exit Strategy

My exit strategy is simple, create an empire. I have no intention of selling my venture in any time span, not in 5 years and not in 10. I will stay with my business and see it through till the end. Once every major National City is filled with several of my facilities and I’ve created a conglomerate, I will take my company global. Hey, there are old people everywhere in the world so, why not take this opportunity to expand beyond our borders. I have no intention on forcing anything onto my family, whether they choose to follow my footsteps or not is up to them. If no one decides to take over the company than I would simply sell, or go public assuming I have gained investors over the years. I will use the initial public offering (IPO) to remove myself from the company, or keep the majority of shares but remove myself from any management position. The reason I have selected this exist strategy is because keeping shares and removing myself from the board will keep a heavy steady paycheck that I will use to expand my humanitarian interest. Also, the shares could be passed down to upcoming generations assuming they are not degenerates. My exit strategy has clearly influenced my growth intensions. This is something I have yet to consider since all my efforts have gone towards strengthening my opportunity belief and perfecting my service. I had not considered a long term plan or an exit strategy until now.

Celebrating Failure

I have failed time and time again with time management; however, now it doesn’t feel as if it was time management but that I spread myself too thin. At the beginning of my academic career I was faced with this silly thing called responsibility, look it up it’s a pretty crazy thing, and I was unprepared to handle such a beast. Late submission, missing assignments, late night cramming sessions were all a reality that keep taking their toll. This couldn’t continue as this was a track that only had one path; failure. As a result, I did what any sane person would do, I adapted! Adapt or die, is something we learn in biology. A species can either adapt to their environment or face extinction and I refuse to wither. I perfected my time management skill while under fire, learning from every mismanaged moment and accepting it as a lesion. Now, looking back I see that I would never have made it this far without change, and it is that change that will allow me to move forward.  

  

A friend once told me “take one bite of the elephant at a time, and bite the most important parts”, in simple term; take thing one step at a time and make sure to prioritize. I currently own and help run a family business, have a full-time class schedule, conduct research, volunteer, apply to medical schools, and maintain a high intensity workout regimen on a regular basis. You would say that this is too much, but what choice do I have. It is a “doggy dog world” out there and to be considered competitive within the medical field it must be done. So, I have no choice but to confront this monster head on and come out victories. With that said, I’m sure you understand that without making those changes I would have never reached this point.

This course has only reinforced my perception. Failure is only but a lesion, we can choose to accept that or fall under its heavy grasp. Every instant that I failed in only made me stronger and showed me what not to do next. Yes, it was hard to stare failure in the face but, once the tears clear up and my heart returned from my gut, I got back up and said “never again”. It’s okay to show what many perceive as weakness as they could not be more wrong, moments like these only help you recover. “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”, these are words from one of my many favorite films, Batman Begins, and they could not be more true. As we fail we shouldn’t see it as an end but only as the beginning to a new and better you.   

What’s Next?

Existing Markets

What I think is next for my service facility is for me to finish school. Getting my medical degree is the first step I need to take in order to consider anything else. Once that is done, I can create the rehab center and then create my image. The medical degree will give my patients the peace of mind needed to continue service. It will also allow me to create a name for myself which will let me to advertise myself as a brand. My interviewees stated that they feel comfortable and safe in the hands of a medical professional. That this creates an environment where they feel safe. What they want next is to have someone they trust. They expressed that with technology growing the world seems to get lonelier and more franchised. Giving my business a face and someone to talk to will create something of a dying brand.

New Market

 A new market to go after is becoming a secondary facility as an extension of a hospital. Allowing for all ages to attend the facilities while continuing my programs. This will change my business to a B2B with hospitals sending patients when they find necessary. Providing classes to all ages can help a greater amount of people. Also, with hospitals outsourcing their rehabilitation needs we can help them reduce cost and increase budgets for other needs. My interviewees stated that this is already being done but without the recreational side. Hospital use outside independent rehab centers to provide patient care. The only way I could seem to make this work is if I had an inside source that would be willing to change their “go-to” rehab centers.

I learned that this could prove to be difficult. There are already companies with a head start and they seem to have a better grip on the situations. I would definitely be starting behind the curve and in a position, I would not want to be in.

Increasing my age range does seem helpful as stated by a young interviewee. He attends a local gym but wouldn’t mind having a place to go to that offers more than just fitness. This seems helpful but would increase the need for a bigger facility for a weight room to satisfy his fitness needs.

In conclusion, these changes do not seem to be the right choice. Expanding too much too quick can be detrimental and offering more with less only seems negative. Offering a wide age rang can be helpful, but expansions are to great for the small market. Also, becoming an extension of a hospital will be impossible with competition booming and with a start behind the curve. I would rather stay in my niche and grow there.     

Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity

My thoughts are that without a doubt we have an opportunity belief within the field. There are a countless amount of people aging every day. This is something no one can avoid, even if you try real hard. So, we understand that the process is a never-ending event that will eventually catch us all. I want to take advantage of this sad but true circumstance.

The facility that I want to create not only will attend to the elderly needs of those ages 65 and above. I will be combining something new, well, I think its new. I idea is to bring two different structures of health together.

Innovation

Bringing these two together

1. The rehabilitation center; “a facility providing therapy and training for rehabilitation. The center may offer occupational therapy, physical therapy, vocational training” as defined by Medical-dictinary.com. These factors are all thing necessary for anyone recovering from an injury or fall. As we age, we are more susceptible to falls and other aging related injuries, sadly this is just the way of life. Time stops for no one and as we age, we will wither to its unforgivable grip. According to the CDC “Americans experienced 29 million falls causing seven million injuries and costing an estimated $31 billion in annual Medicare costs”.  So, it is clear that there will always be business.

2. The recreational center: according to dictionary.cambridge.org a recreational center is “a building that is open to the public where meetings are held, sports are played, and there are activities available for young and old people”. Obviously, my service will only be for the elderly. We will provide a structural unite of employees all trained in different fields. We will offer: swimming classes, dance classes, pilates, and aerobic excursive, all to keep our patients physically active. Within this structure we will also offer community gardening. As a biology student I was explained in a plat course I attended that the University of Florida has researched the health benefits of community gardening in relations to mental health. They have found promising evidence that it helps fight depression in cancer patients. I will apply these same techniques to help those fighting depression. With age we will all come to know loss and suffer from depression. This will hopefully give them the tools they need to move past this and find comfort within our facility. If they find themselves alone, they can come join our family, well that feels like a slogan.

Venture Concept

Founding, this is always the question to ask where will the money come from? Who will pay for all of this? I will admit start up capital will be nonetheless demanding but not impossible. We can start small with just a rehabilitation center providing primary care.

This will be founded by Medicaid and Medicare:

Medicaid: As defined by HHS.gov is a “insurance program. Medical bills are paid from trust funds which those covered have paid into. It serves people over 65 primarily, whatever their income; and serves younger disabled people and dialysis patients.”

Medicare: As defined by HHS.gov “is an assistance program. It serves low-income people of every age. Patients usually pay no part of costs for covered medical expenses. A small co-payment is sometimes required.”

Both these government founded/controlled programs will fund the rehabilitation start-up allowing for the progression and build-up of the recreational center. Also, patients that attend the rehabilitation will be encouraged to continue their journey within the recreational sector.

The recreation sector funding:

The sector will be funded privately will a membership-based fee. Just like you would expect at any local gym or whole food sales store. With monthly or yearly payments required. This allows for a wide range of charges giving our costumers flexibility in their payment plans. To assist our costumers with the ability to pay an online-based membership charge we will offer classes to teach or costumer how to use computers and how to make payments, not only for our facility but any other charges hay might have t pay using an online system.

Creating a flexible payment system will allow my costumer to transition to my service with ease. This will only provide peace of mind and allow them to trust us with their money and memberships. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Teaching them will only allow me to charge fees more effectively and allow my costumer to continue payments.

Costumer support and any other costumer needs will be met with the Publix mentality. Structuring my work environment similar to the great supermarket, “where shopping is a pleasure”, will led to a happy employee which gives the drive and emotional tools to provide an excellent service.  

The three minor elements

 My most important resource will be me; my knowledge of the physical and natural world, my understanding of nutrition, and my future career. All will provide me with the tools necessary for an insight on what aging people need.  I don’t see anything that could be next except creating a hospital. Assuming I launch, I see myself in every major city with a high population percentage of retired individuals.  

Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

1. Social capital: The team I put together during my social capital assignment, from promoting to experienced worker, they can be classified as a resource.

V: The team are mostly experienced workers that can bring an edge to my start-up.

R: This seems like a common team that is used by many rehabilitation center or recreation center.

I: This is extremely easy to copy by others as trainer, doctors, and nurses are all looking for work within my field or in a similar one.

N: There are not other resources that can provide the same benefits; however, each individual is replicable assuming that the replacement has the same work ethic and drive as my team.

2. Human Capital: My current career choice in the medical field, the experiences accumulated from assisting with running a family business, becoming a business owner; these are all things I have experienced and are classified as a resource.   

V: My experiences with running and owning a company at such a young age and give me an advantage over the older entrepreneurs. My current career choice can provide me with unformidable value, money can come and go, but knowledge will never wither.  

R: This is rare as there are not too many business owners of my age.

I: These advantages are not easy to replicate. Pursuing a medical career is difficult on its own, but doing so while gaining the experiences I currently have makes it much harder to replicate.

N: There are ways to replicate these resources, however it is difficult. The experiences can be brought together by creating a team from social capital.

3. My experience caring for my grandparents: For some time, I have been requested to accompany my grandparents to several hospitals/clinics.

V: These experiences give me an insight on what people want for their grandparents.

R: This is not rare.

I: These experiences are easy to replicate since anyone can volunteer at a home for the elderly and gain the same experience. Yet, the emotional attachment to the patient will be missing.

N: This resource can be replicated by intensifying my already existing community service.

4. My knowledge in Biology/nutrition: The current knowledge that have gathered throughout my academic career.

V: This allow me to have an insight on the physical heath requirements my costumers have.

R: I do think this is somewhat rare because usual business owners are more likely to be focused on a managerial perspective.

I: This is easy to replicate assuming one is willing to grill themselves through 4 years of biology/nutritional courses, if not, they will always lack a physical/natural understanding.

N: This can not be replaced without a higher-level education. Yes, yes, I know there are situations where you can read textbooks on your own, but these will only give you one side of the coin.

5. Dr. Pryor: This one is an easy one to miss, but without him opening my mind to a whole new world, opportunity beliefs, I would have never done so on my own.

V: Without Dr. Pryor helping me put my ideas together I would have never though that such a thing was possible. The course is extremely well structure and truly opens one’s eyes.

R: This is rare when you think about it. There are 7 billion of people on earth and only a few hundred get to experience this course.  

I: These cannot be replicated unless you attend this course or one seemlier.

N: This cannot be replaced.

6. The Blog: Blogging has opened a need world.

V: Being able to post ideas and have people give feedback at no cost is amazing.

R: This is not rare, since anyone with a computer and some Starbucks WiFi can do this.

I: Anyone can replicate this.

N:  This can be replaced with another platform like Instagram or YouTube.

7. My Vision and drive: All the countless hours I’ve put into myself and the people around me. Also, the assignments that have placed all my ideas on paper.

V: My work ethic has proven that I have the energy to perform/complete any task at hand—that with all my ideas on paper I can make them a reality.

R: This has the potential to be rare, but I do feel it is not. This is because there are so many of my group members, yeah, you guy, that have shown the same qualities.

I: Anyone can replicate this with the right attitude.

N: This is irreplaceable.

8. Medicaid and Medicare:  A service provided by the government to all elderly individual ages 65 and above.

V: This could potential fund my opportunity belief.

R: This is not rare.

I: Anyone can use or charge these services.

N: This kind of funding can be replaced with private insurance companies.

9. Publix employee structure: What is one thing we all notice when shopping at Publix; the costumer friendly attitude.

V: Structuring my employees work environment in a similar fashion will improve their mood and dedication.

R: As simple as this seem it has proven to be rare with most businesses lacking this type of culture.

I: This is something any company an attempt to do.

N: This cannot be replaced with another benefit.

10. Community building exercise: Allowing patients build a welcoming community which in turn will build a culture.

V: This will allow for me to build a culture around my service and allow for better advertising through recommendations.

R: This is not rare unless I succeed in building a culture.

I: This can be copied but once a culture is built it will be nearly impossible.

N: This cannot be replaced.

Finally, my most important resource would have to be my human capital, without these experiences or career choice I would lack the knowledge necessary to start my business. Also, I would loss my edge in my understanding of the medical field.     

Reading Reflection No. 2

The book I read was; How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams.    

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

              Adam addresses and indulges the idea that failure can potentially be a positive thing—that it is a beneficial aspect of ones climb to the top. When hearing the words “failure” one is flushed with negative thoughts; however, this does not always have to be true. Failure can provide us with the opportunity to learn from our mistakes, to gain experience, all to ensure that we better ourselves. I guess its true what they say, “we learn from our mistakes”.    

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

I definitely connected with the humor present in the book as this is something Dr. Pryor practices in his lectures. As I watch to intellectual individuals express themselves with a humors relief it makes me wonder if there is a pattern. Anyways, I can truly say that the book enhanced my knowledge and reinforce my course learning, which I plan to apply to my future endeavors. I took two important points from Adams book.

First, Adams uses a struck by lighting analogy and compares this to getting lucky, which basically states that luck can be manipulated in a way. By stepping outside, or by holding lighting rods during a thunderstorm, all these factors increase the odds of getting hit by lighting. Basically, you have control of your actions which translates to making your own luck. So, go find the “luck”, place yourself in the storm and remember to keep a positive attitude cause you never know when lighting might strike.

Lastly, the one I connected with most was “Passion is overrated”. This was something that stuck with me since I am a passionate person and find many of times that it drives my behavior. He states that everyone has a passion, but that “passion” is not what leads to success. Adams mentions to use factors like energy, information, and a systems approach to empower yourself in the hunt for success. This is interesting because it was not something I have considered, sure you know that these factors are important but sometimes passion can blind you.     

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

              My designed exercise for this class would be, based on my reading, a series of assignments based on what the students consider to be their future career, whether it’d be real-estate or corporate administration.  They would devise a “system approach” on how to move towards their career and make certain that they state; what would drive them? What platforms or social capital can they use to gather information? What would drive them? All the meanwhile excepting passion from the equation.

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 biggest surprise had to be Scott Adams background. For over 15 years Scott found himself in the corporate world before he decided to pursue several rocky business ideas. To my surprise they all failed, all 36 of them. Yet he never withered, nor did he call it quits, he got knocked down and right back up all 36 times. Therefore, Scott is an inspiration—showing us to never quite, to learn from our mistakes, and to always take action, and to never give up!     

Elevator Pitch No. 3

Since there was no negative feedback on my last elevator pitch it was difficult to find something to change; however, I did challenge my self to attempt something new. What I changed was my pitch’s duration time with elevator pitches being described as fast and since the assignment stated that speed is important this seemed like a good adjustment. I was able to convey my thoughts with direction and speed while maintaining a clear idea.

Growing Your Social Capital

Expert in your industry: The expert in my industry that I contacted is a close friends mother who works as a nurse in an elderly home. After gathering her contact information, I was able to call her for a quick conversation over my opportunity belief. She was on board especially after explaining the two different aspects coming together.    

Expert on your market: The expert in my market that I selected was my general doctor. Since I have visited her many of times it has become knowingly clear that the majority of her patients seem to be above the ages of 50 accompanied by heath issues or emotional disorders. As we spoke over the phone she explained how this would be a wonderful idea if ever put into place. Patients exposed to the rehabilitation aspect would likely stay for the other activities. She stated that she would survey and gather information of me as a heath professional in the field and that she could also send patients in my direction.

Supplier to your industry: The supplier to my industry was not easy to find. I choose to speak with a close friend that works at a local gym. The reason I picked him is because this gym has reoccurring elderly visitors. This would make him a great supplier as he can point them in my direction.    

Finally: Reflect. This is somewhat new to me as I have always networked within research or within the medical field but never with a business mind set. This means that right now I am inexperienced and lack the tools to continue without meeting more people, but this is not impossible and will not stop me.

Idea Napkin No. 2

Who am I; I am an individual hungry for success and fascinated with making a difference. Accompanied by my background, future endeavors, and persistence, I will insure that my opportunity belief becomes a reality. The unconventional experiences of my early years have been humbling and instilled in me a need to pay back a debt – or rather to keep an unspoken promise to accomplish something tangible and good that will justify this world’s suffering.

Fueled by this debt, I will attempt to satisfy it by making a difference within the elderly community. Those who find themselves alone due to difficult circumstances above the age of 65 or those who are required to attend physical therapy due to health-related issues. Thus, by providing a recovery center and a place to fill ageing citizens loneliness with community building exercises I truly feel that I can make a difference. Also, my service will provide the elderly with the knowledge necessary to better their health and understanding of technology with basic nutrition courses and technology application classes.

Through life we will all find ourselves alone or surrounded by family; either way those alone will need a place to create connections, and those with families may find themselves withering under times unforgivable grip. In conclusion, with my future career enlightening me on the physical and chemical functionalities of the human body—accompanied by this never thought of platform incorporating similar but distinct aspects of health, I can see my reality.