Sunday, January 31, 2016

Customer Interview No. 1

What do you think about that opportunity now that you've asked 5 'potential customers' about it?
- I think that there is an opportunity for a fast food business to fulfill the demands of the dissatisfied Chipotle customers. The time consumption can be reduced by having two separate lines when its rush hour, this will attract more customers and overall improve the service itself, as a brand. One of my interviewee's idea was to add queso sauce and to not up charge for guacamole. Overall the experience with interviewing random people was a delightful, however some people could have been more polite with there responses when it came to declining my proposals. The information that I obtain was highly useful, and I believe that this process is vital to establish a strong, successful business, in this case fast food business. Interviews can definitely help understand the dissatisfactions of the customers.



Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Top 5 World Problems

1.  ISIS radicalizing together to bring fear and harm to all that do not believe in their religion or customs. ISIS is identified as a present day threat to all of humanity, they are performing extreme acts of terrorism across the world.
2. Diabetes epidemic in America has drastically increased from 5.8 million in 1980 to 17.9 million presently and growing in numbers. It is estimated that 1/3 of Americans will be diagnosis with diabetes, and 246 million people worldwide have this disease as well.
3. Pollution has allowed the Earth is react and change from the homeostasis of things because of the air and water pollution. Humans littering has caused pollution in our water systems and has an effect on animals habitats.
4. Global warming is a result from the release of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere causing the overall temperature ranges to rise and drop irregularly. Industrialization has a major effect on our environment and world.
5. Presidential debate for America is a major issue in present times because the economy is in a recession known as "The Great Recession". Our economy has been at a unstable state especially being in debt to other countries.

Solutions List:

1. People can start to watch their nutrition, exercise regularly, and go see their physician as recommended.
2. People should start recycling and avoid littering, also there could be programs that can set up events with community services to clean up our communities.
3. Schools should have a mandatory sex education class, and gatherings to address the current issues, so they will be informed of the spreading rate emplacing fear and/or awareness.
4. This is a problem that should have been fixed at the start, but the compassionate between humanity has vanished. However for those organizations and people who assist the hungry are in fight to reduce the issue.
5. Communities should have evacuation plans emplaced for preparation for disaster, and the schools should have a natural disaster program to train and inform the students what to do in occurrences like tornadoes. Community landmarks are safely, stability.

Why did you select your "top problem" out of the list of five?
- I selected ISIS as my top problem because in our society they are a feared group of extremists. ISIS has promised to continue their terrorism attacks until they conquer the world under the Islamic Law, with the help of Allah. 
What leads you to believe that your "top solution" is really the most implementable?
- My top solution is the most implementable because I think it is an easier tactic to teach and execute the proper steps to reduce the diabetes epidemic. 


Sunday, January 24, 2016

Identifying Local Opportunities

  • Gainesville man gets 270-day jail sentence in puppy death
  • http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A9388B69AA9488?p=AWNB
  • A guy was sentenced to 270 days in jail after being arrested and charged for aggravated animal cruelty. The story behind this incident is saddening and not sane for a man to treat his 4 month year old pit bull mix.
  • The problem in the story was that the man intentionally killed his puppy. 
  • Meldwige Gregoire, 25.
  • Taxpayers out $1.9 million to exit parking garage deal
  • http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A9388B69AA9488?p=AWNB
  • The Gainesville city commission has decided on paying out 1.9 million dollars to get out an agreement that was established in December 2003. The Horizon wants to develop a hotel that will create jobs for the city of Gainesville, but this dream won't come to reality without parking spaces. 
  • The problem is that there is not enough parking spaces for the hotel to function properly. 
  • Horizon 

  • Blues Creek residents push back on sewer line proposal
  • http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A8E38F8F005500?p=AWNB
  • There has been controversy between the city of Gainesville and Blue Creeks residents, the issue forms from an emplacement of sewer lines that will run through Blue Creeks subdivision. 
  • Problem: The Blue Creeks residents oppose to the sewer lines, and want to retain the pristine conditions. 
  • Blue Creek residents

  • Women cops hope to arrest sexist behavior in GPD
  • http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A9388B958D8C30?p=AWNB
  • There was been sexist remarks and actions among the Gainesville police department. Investigations have been conducted and this is what the article revealed, "Information Kesting gave to Senn also ultimately led longtime GPD Capt. Brian Helmerson to retire rather than face termination over accusations of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment."
  • Problem: Sexist remarks and actions have created a major problem within the police dept.
  • Gainesville women authorities 

  • Robert Knight: Law preserves status quo for polluters
  • http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A9388BE6DE2E18?p=AWNB
  • Our waterways are being polluted and the laws to protect them are not being enforcing, this has allowed destructive behaviors to continue. The representatives are not doing what is right for the future of our water systems and pleasing the industries that affect or cause this pollution. 
  • Problem: Pollution in water ways and the bad water bill.
  • Florida legislation 

Friday, January 22, 2016

Very Short Interview No. 1

  • What should my expectations be in this course? He suggested that I go ahead and review the material to obtain a disposed understanding as he called it.
  • What does it mean to be an entrepreneur? He believes that it takes a strong, patient mindset to become a successful entrepreneur because he reflected on both the positive and negative experiences he encounter while working and developing his own business. 
  • What do you think I should learn in an entrepreneurship course?He told me I should be able to differ between smart and poor judgments when it comes to business ventures.
  • What do you wish you had been taught in school before setting out on your own path as an entrepreneur? He wished that his teacher would have focused more on the adversities that come along with business ventures and explain better in detail the ways to overcome them.
The entrepreneur I decided to interview was a liquor store owner in my hometown, Madison County, Florida, named Vivek Patel. He has owned this business for five years and has a jewelry store in Jacksonville, Florida as well. He has been an entrepreneur for 12 years so far, he had early experiences with retail and sales he claims from the age of 15. He acquires a tactical, creative entrepreneurial mindset that prohibits growth and eventually expansion within his ventures.

I realized that managing a business is not always as difficult as it may seem. From the interaction between Vivek and I, we discussed the pros and cons with running a business, also he gave me some advice that I noted. He recommended that I start my first business and operate it myself to really get a full understanding of entrepreneurship. He proclaimed that I will encounter various obstacles and be able to make to proper adjustments to overcome them. 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

World's Biggest Problems


1. ISIS radicalizing together to bring fear and harm to all that do not believe in their religion or customs. ISIS is identified as a present day threat to all of humanity, they are performing extreme acts of terrorism across the world.
Solution: There is not a way to know who is going to radicalize and perform acts of terrorism, but we can be aware of our surrounds by enhancing security systems and hope to detect tragedy before it occurs.
2.  World Hunger has be on the rise leaving individuals starving and killing the masses annually. Africa and places that have experienced natural disasters have been exposed to this issue, as well as the people who have bankrupted and lost their livelihood.
Solution: This is a problem that should have been fixed at the start, but the compassionate between humanity has vanished. However for those organizations and people who assist the hungry are in fight to reduce the issue.
3. Presidential debate for America is a major issue in present times because the economy is in a recession known as "The Great Recession". Our economy has been at a unstable state especially being in debt to other countries.
Solution: The citizens of America has to be involved and curious to what the candidates are saying, and be intelligent enough to differ the truth from false promises.
4. The border separating Mexico from America has been in recent debate to stop the migrant workers from Mexico coming into the United States to work illegally and return the money to their families.
Solution: The border will prevent illegal immigrants from entering or leaving the country, this will create more jobs for the unemployed Americans. Ultimately, this will improve America's economy and unemployment issues will reduce.
5. Global warming is a result from the release of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere causing the overall temperature ranges to rise and drop irregularly. Industrialization has a major effect on our environment and world.
Solution: People can drive and fly less, and recycle more often, this will reduce a person's carbon footprint.
6. Construction affecting habitats by destroying habitats, fragmentation; the division of native habitats due to constructive, and pollution in water courses. As times advance we need to be considerate to the animals habitats and not try to ruin their patterns or lifestyle behaviors.
Solution: Enforce laws that protects the animal's habitats from industrialization, and construct organizations to help treat polluted water and other forms of pollution.
7. Pollution has allowed the Earth is react and change from the homeostasis of things because of the air and water pollution. Humans littering has caused pollution in our water systems and has an effect on animals habitats.
Solution: People should start recycling and avoid littering, also there could be programs that can set up events with community services to clean up our communities.
8. Diabetes epidemic in America has drastically increased from 5.8 million in 1980 to 17.9 million presently and growing in numbers. It is estimated that 1/3 of Americans will be diagnosis with diabetes, and 246 million people worldwide have this disease as well.
Solution: People can start to watch their nutrition, exercise regularly, and go see their physician as recommended.
9. Natural Disasters are unpreventable occurrences that has the reputation to destroy community and families.
Solution: Communities should have evacuation plans emplaced for preparation for disaster, and the schools should have a natural disaster program to train and inform the students what to do in occurrences like tornadoes. Community landmarks are safely, stability.
10. AIDS/HIV is spreading among the populations affecting the masses, as we know there is not a cure for this disease.
Solution: Schools should have a mandatory sex education class, and gatherings to address the current issues, so they will be informed of the spreading rate emplacing fear and/or awareness.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Bug List


  • The drive thru at fast food places seem be backed up during rush hour. (Invest into more machinery to shorten the lines)
  • The restrooms at fast food places is not maintained well enough. (Emplace a mandatory restroom check up every couple hours)
  • Amazon products from third-parties do not always work properly. (Amazon should inspect the products before sending you the merchandise)
  • Starbucks line is entirely too long. (Hire more employees and/or expand the machinery)
  • The seating inside Cheddar's is not comfortable. (Put in more comfortable seating to service the disabled and non-disabled customers)
  • Chipotle lines are too long. (Have two lines to split the time to be served)
  • Traffic, (Hire more employees and/or create another line for drive thru)
  • Overpriced coffee, (Decrease the cost of coffee)
  • Crowded classrooms, (Decrease the size of classrooms)
  • Slow wifi, (Upgrade the wifi service)
  • Waiting for a machine at the gym, (Put more machines in the gyms to please clients)
  • Trader joes bags that break so easily (Use a stronger material to prevent breakage)
  • Gas station bathrooms need better maintenance. (Have a mandatory check up every three hours)
  • Movie theaters tend to be cold. (Increase the temperature to about 73 degrees)
  • Planet Smoothie overcharges for smoothies. (Decrease the cost of smoothies to a more reasonable price)
  • The quantity of food is excessive. (Decrease the amount of food served along with price)
  • Barnes & Noble does not charging ports. (Emplace charging ports in certain locations) 
  • Parking space. (Expand in parking space)
  • Netflix is limited to certain movies and tv series. (Expand their coverage and service options)
  • Iphones screens break too easy. (Make the screen out of stronger material)
While I was thinking of the list of things that I found to be a "bug", I found that this activity was not difficult. The reason for this is caused by my active lifestyle, I am always going to new places and being on the road a lot requires services from others. For example; I like to eat out at different places and try new things, but I notice certain things that bothers me, like unclean restrooms. So, I did not have a hard time coming up with this list due too my vast amount of personal experiences.

Week 2 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 
The venture opportunity school of thought was a topic that really stood out to me. The author stated; "developing the right idea for the right time for the right market niche is the key to entrepreneurial success." This statement really stuck with me as I continued to read and I believe that this is accurate. Also, the section talks about entrepreneurs noticing opportunities and taking advantage of them by implementing actions. 
2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.
I was confused with the dynamic states section in this chapter, I could not seem to grasp the idea as I did with the integrative approach. The illustration was a bit confusing as well, I examined the illustration in hopes to receive a better understanding of the concept, but it was not much help. 
3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?
What is the best approach to take when formulating a business? 
I asked this question to help me determine which approach I should use when I'm planning my businesses. 
How do you determine whether a business is considered a mountain or mountain gap?
I want to know how to differentiate between these two categories, so I can know how to approach the business. 
4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?
In this chapter, it stated; " The United States is a culture that supports risk taking and seeking opportunities. I do not think that Americans are supportive to risk taking, but they are avoidant to the risks. This could be caused by a fear of failure or a lack of confidence. The American society supports good services and products, but not the risk takers.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

My Entrepreneurship Story

Link: file:///Users/vincentdimenna/Downloads/Near%20Death%20Experience.pdf

My father ran a local barber shop in Madison,  I was exposed to business at a young age and happened to catch the interest in entrepreneurship. I used to sweep up  the clients hair for a small amount of money, but I enjoyed the atmosphere of professionalism and joy. My father's drive really directed my choice to follow the same mindset! 
I enrolled into this class in hopes to learn a deeper understanding of what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and be able to identify my strengths and flaws. I hope to obtain knowledge from this course and be able to apply it to my future.


 

INTRODUCTION

Greetings, my name is Vincent M. DiMenna! I am from a small country town called Madison, it is located in the panhandle of Florida near Tallahassee. I am majoring in sports management with hopes of achieving my masters in science. I plan on creating my own businesses that will in hope expand and become a franchise. I have traveled within the States, but I am planning on going to the Bahamas for spring break this year.