1. Organization-I am very organized when it comes to any type of work I am doing. I even help the CEO of my current company keep track of specific records.
-Valuable: This is extremely valuable as I will need to be able to keep track of projects, invoices, and any other important information that needs to be filed for the business.
-Rare: This is not rare. Many people are organized or they hire a assistant to help them keep track of things. My advantage is that I will not have to pay a assistant and still be able to do this task.
-Inimitable: This could be copied but not everyone has the skills or abilities to stay organized the same way. So yes, someone could do this but would they be able to do it with the skillfulness I have.
-Non substitutable: As I mentioned earlier I could hire a assistant to help with this. They would be helpful
but that would cut into my costs and in the beginning I could not afford that.
2. Lack of competition-After doing some research in my market I have found that building access
ramps is not as big of a business as I first thought. This makes it much easier for me to compete.
-Valuable: This is very valuable because it gives me a chance to find work. When the market is over
saturated with companies you are likely set up to fail.
-Rare: This is rare because a majority of industries have many competitors. The fact I was able to find
a industry that offers the opportunity to jump right in is a great asset.
-Inimitable: Others could build these access ramps, but is there work going to be the same as mine?
Each person has a certain way and mindset about how they conduct business and this cannot be copied.
-Non-subsitutable: Human capital could be another resource that could work here because of what I
bring to the table. I am my own person and that cannot be copied or imitated. I bring my experience
as well as personal drive & values to the table.
3. Financial Advantage-I have a family connection that works at a business that carries all of the
materials I will need in order to conduct my business. I will also receive a family discount which
will take off a huge amount of the costs.
-Valuable: Any type of financial advantage going into a business is going to be valuable. It gives you
a little bit of a head start in getting things off the ground.
-Rare: This can be rare because not every person in this business is going to be able to buy high
quality materials at a low price. They may cut costs on the quality so they can keep more money
in their pockets.
-Inimitable: I'm sure there are others out there who have connections when it comes to building
materials. The part that sets me apart is I don't have to go to a supplier and open up a contractor
account. In the beginning of the business I do not want to have to buy in bulk so my connection
will allow me to get what I need without having to worry about the amount of materials.
-Non-subsitutable: Human capital could be used in this as well due to the fact that I have this specific
connection through my own personal bond with my brother-in-law.
4. Public speaking-I took a course on public speaking which allowed me to see the type of ability
I had doing this. After gaining this type of confidence I began speaking in front of my church as
well as other events.
-Valuable: This is very valuable. You have to be a good speaker in order to attract clients to your
business. If you are not able to sell them on your idea then they will lose interest or not feel that you
are professional enough to do a quality job.
-Rare: I believe this is a rare quality. Many people today are so wired in to their phones and texting
that many are not skilled at speaking. To be able to stand out with this type of skill is very beneficial.
-Inimitable: This can be done by others who are good speakers as well. What is going to make
myself stand out from the others is the passion I exhibit when I speak.
-Non-subsitutable: Communication is key in any industry and in any job position. You can not take
this away.
5. Connections-I have made over time through my career in finances many connections. Many of
these connections are business owners from all different kind of industries. Some of these
connections specifically deal with senior citizens and that will be very helpful to me.
-Valuable: The power of who you know and not what you know can be very big. The more people
of influence you keep in your network the better chance you are to gain referrals and clients this way.
-Rare: I do think this is rare because a lot of people do not want to take the time to go out and
meet new people. It can make them uncomfortable, but if you are willing to do it the success
will pay off.
-Inimitable: This can be copied by others in networks. The difference between myself is the time
I take into keeping these connections. I make sure that I follow up with anyone I feel can be a good
center of influence.
-Non-subsitutable: This resource could fall under social capital as well. Due to it having to deal
with my personal connections it falls in line with your social influence as well.
6. Advertising-I now live in Jacksonville, FL but for a brief time lived in Ocala, FL. While in
Ocala I met a gentleman who owns his own screen printing company as well as doing personal
advertising for companies.
-Valuable: This is very valuable because I have kept up with this gentleman and have watched his
business grow tremendously. I helped him get set up with his banking needs and that allowed me
to gain a strong relationship.
-Rare: It is rare to right off the bat have a connection that you can use to get your name out there.
Whether you are using signs that you can stick in the ground to throwing a small promotional event
where you need signage and banners.
-Inimitable: This can be copied by others who have a connection and also want to take the time
to go out and advertise. When you are a one man band it is a little harder but that is what makes
my work ethic stand out.
-Non-subsitutable: I don't believe other resources can take the place of advertising. It is what gets
your name out there and helps people know what your business is about.
7. Culture-I have strong values and beliefs. I take these with me wherever I go and with whatever
I choose to do. Even being a one person business I want my values to show through which creates
a positive culture.
-Valuable: Of course this is valuable. The better the reputation you have the more people are
going to trust you. Culture is what makes people want to use your company verses the other guy.
-Rare: Culture is in every business but good culture is not so common. When a positive culture
is taking place it shows.
-Inimitable: Good culture with strong values and beliefs can be copied. I think it is how you express
these that makes you stand out.
-Non-subsitutable: Human capital can be used as another resource because culture is built by what
you can bring to the table and the type of environment you want surrounding your business.
8. Work ethic-Since I was 16 and started my first job my parents taught me the value of a job and
what it means to work hard and not take short cuts. This has stuck with me since.
-Valuable: If you do not have a hard work ethic I do not believe you can succeed in any type of
business. This trait is extremely valuable and one that each person should strive to gain.
-Rare: As time goes on this seems to be more and more rare. It seems that many people who
own companies are only out to make a profit and use as little effort as possible.
-Inimitable: This can be copied but each work ethic is different. What I've learned over time is not
what the next person learned. I know that the type of hard work I put into any job or daily activity
cannot be copied.
-Non-subsitutable: Hard work cannot be substituted for anything. You either have this mindset or
you do not.
9. Sales-When I entered finance I learned how to become a good salesman. I've seen the opportunities
in knowing how to close a deal brings a long.
-Valuable: This is so valuable because being good at selling allows you to connect with clients and
show them the value in what they are purchasing.
-Rare: This is rare. Many people do not know how to sale or if they try they do not point out the
value or the reasons why their product is worth buying.
-Inimitable: Sales can be copied. There are tactics that one or more people can learn. It is about
how you go about presenting yourself that ends up making you successful and unique in this.
-Non-subsitutable: The art of sales cannot be copied. This is a resource that stands alone. It may be
a characteristic a person holds but nothing else can provide its' benefits.
10. Adaptability- In any business especially one you create you have to be able to adapt to
changes and learn to evolve around your client base.
-Valuable: Change is going to happen and when you first start your business to within a couple
of months you may see things shift frequently. The more able you are to adapt to this and make
the necessary changes will keep you moving forward and being successful.
-Rare: This is rare. Many people freeze up when change happens. They do not know how to adapt
and are left trying their old ways. They realize these ways are not working and they become stagnant.
-Inimitable: Adaptability can be copied but the levels of it cannot. Different people all have
certain ways they deal with change. The way I deal with it is by thinking quickly and making sure
that the changes I make are necessary in order to keep my business running smoothly.
-Non-subitutable- No resource can benefit someone the way being able to adapt does. As some of
the other resources I mentioned, adaptability is one of those ones you either have inside of yourself
or do not.
It is really hard after doing the VRIN analysis to pick one of these resources over the other. I feel they
all play a giant role in the way I want my business to be perceived and how I want it to function. If I
did have to pick one I would choose work ethic. Work ethic is going to allow all of these resources to
come together. If I were to get lazy then I would not be making sales, I would not care about adapting,
culture would not matter, I would have no drive to advertise, connections would not make a difference
because I would have no drive to make my work quality, and I would not be organized as a person
which would ultimately cause my business to go under.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Friday, July 12, 2019
22A-Elevator Pitch #3
2. The feedback I took from my fellow peers and after going back and reviewing my pitch realized was spot on was that I was not showing enough enthusiasm in the pitch. I think in the beginning I was trying to make it more serious because my topic with seniors is serious but the ramp building is not. The ramps are what I am excited about and I tried to make that shine through this time. I found all of this feedback to be really helpful. I respect everyone in my group's opinion and take it to heart. We have discussed a lot through this semester so far and I have been gain a lot from any type of input I receive.
3.From the feedback besides what I discussed above is that I wanted this third pitch to sound much smoother. The first one was not worded exactly the way I wanted. I went back and make some corrections within my grammar and also when to add more emphasis on certain sentences. I've become more comfortable in front of the camera, and also from practice I have memorized most of my pitch.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
21A-Reading Reflection No.2
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, Scott Adams
1.The overall theme of this book was great. I think it is something that as we age we can all relate to. It basically boils down to not getting discouraged when you may not be at the certain point in life you think you are supposed to be in. A example would be that you are 30 and a Finance graduate and think you are supposed to be in a job making 70,000+ a year but instead you are working at a bank as a personal banker making 40,000 a year. The main part is to not give up and to take things as they come. You can't look at what others around you may be doing or what you think the expectation is. Many successful people did not come into their career until they were much older in life. He also goes into talking about systems instead of goals. He speaks about systems being a way to think about something you want to do but don't make it a goal where you feel you have to live up to that specific thing. Systems taking away the pressure of timing and allow you to adjust to whatever may happen to your so called "plan" in life.
2. In my opinion this book enhanced what I am learning in this course because it taught me to not be so focused on the outcome. That with my business I don't need to expect to be making a large amount of money within the first or second year. If I am barely squeaking by there is no reason to quit and by using the Systems theory I can make adjustments and not feel depressed if things are not going the way I initially thought in my head. Dr. Pryor has done a great a job on teaching us to be realistic when it comes to business opportunities and what to expect but I think this book really drove that message home and helped me gain a better outlook on not just business but life in general.
3. A exercise I would design after reading this book would be for everyone to write down where they expected to be in life right now and how reality differs from that expectation. I would then have each person talk about if the reality made them feel depressed or like they were not living up to what is expected in this world. Then I would have each person use the Systems vs. Goals theory and adapt their expectations and then talk about if the Systems theory took pressure off of them and made them feel better about where they are in life.
4. This book helped me a lot. The aha moment was when I realized that I don't have to be living in this world thinking that I should be in a certain situation or circumstance because the world portrays things that well. Also that I can adjust my life to what suits me the best. If I find that a better routine helps me be more productive or allows me to focus more on what is taking place in my life it will help me in the long run. This book gave me a whole new perspective on life and how to feel when it comes to my own ambitions in business. I would recommend all of my peers to check this out and I think it would be very beneficial not just in your life as a business owner but life as a whole.
1.The overall theme of this book was great. I think it is something that as we age we can all relate to. It basically boils down to not getting discouraged when you may not be at the certain point in life you think you are supposed to be in. A example would be that you are 30 and a Finance graduate and think you are supposed to be in a job making 70,000+ a year but instead you are working at a bank as a personal banker making 40,000 a year. The main part is to not give up and to take things as they come. You can't look at what others around you may be doing or what you think the expectation is. Many successful people did not come into their career until they were much older in life. He also goes into talking about systems instead of goals. He speaks about systems being a way to think about something you want to do but don't make it a goal where you feel you have to live up to that specific thing. Systems taking away the pressure of timing and allow you to adjust to whatever may happen to your so called "plan" in life.
2. In my opinion this book enhanced what I am learning in this course because it taught me to not be so focused on the outcome. That with my business I don't need to expect to be making a large amount of money within the first or second year. If I am barely squeaking by there is no reason to quit and by using the Systems theory I can make adjustments and not feel depressed if things are not going the way I initially thought in my head. Dr. Pryor has done a great a job on teaching us to be realistic when it comes to business opportunities and what to expect but I think this book really drove that message home and helped me gain a better outlook on not just business but life in general.
3. A exercise I would design after reading this book would be for everyone to write down where they expected to be in life right now and how reality differs from that expectation. I would then have each person talk about if the reality made them feel depressed or like they were not living up to what is expected in this world. Then I would have each person use the Systems vs. Goals theory and adapt their expectations and then talk about if the Systems theory took pressure off of them and made them feel better about where they are in life.
4. This book helped me a lot. The aha moment was when I realized that I don't have to be living in this world thinking that I should be in a certain situation or circumstance because the world portrays things that well. Also that I can adjust my life to what suits me the best. If I find that a better routine helps me be more productive or allows me to focus more on what is taking place in my life it will help me in the long run. This book gave me a whole new perspective on life and how to feel when it comes to my own ambitions in business. I would recommend all of my peers to check this out and I think it would be very beneficial not just in your life as a business owner but life as a whole.
20A-Growing Your Social Capital
Domain Expert:
1. This gentleman is a business owner who has specialized in implementing mobility access for homes for over 20 years. He builds everything from ramps for homes to installing machines that help people with mobility issues get up the stairs inside of their homes. He was very open to my idea and encouraged it. He let me know that this is a business that does not see a large amount of competition and that the competition out there does not value the quality of their work.
2. This gentleman filled the place of my domain expert due to him owning his own company and his experience and expertise in this industry.
3. I found this gentleman through the social media platform, LinkedIn. I sent him a message asking if he had some time to sit down with me and go over a business idea I had relating to his field. He was more than happy to do this and I left the meeting very optimistic and encouraged.
4. The favor that he did for me was gave me some strong advice on how to start out slowly and then begin to grow as I get more clients. He also informed me to not rush any part of the business and to make sure I cover every step along the way. He did ask if I would be able to come along with him on one of his projects and if I could help with building a ramp. I don't look at this returning a favor because though I am working for free I will be getting hands on experience from a pro.
5. Having this person in my network is going to help me tremendously. I have made a connection with a business owner in the field I am pursuing. From our exchanges I can tell he will be open to giving me any helpful advice which will allow me to better my business and how I run it.
Expert:
1. The woman I spoke with a business development officer for a local business that helps senior citizens aging in place compatible to their specific needs. She has worked for this company for 15 years and has built a large portfolio by prospecting and finding clients for the business.
2. She is a expert in this field because she knows the Jacksonville market and what areas bring the most opportunity when working with senior citizens. She has been in this same field for 15 years and has learned how to prospect and then how to go out into the community and bring back business for the company.
3. I used the same social media platform as before. LinkedIn is pivotal for me in finding professionals in the same type of industry I am pursuing. I contacted her through a message and she responded within a day. I learned that most people who have been in a industry for a long time are more than happy to share their advice and experiences with you.
4. She was nice enough to meet with me for coffee and gave me a list of some of the areas in Jacksonville that have the most opportunity for my business. Since we are not in direct competition with one another I found this to be very generous. In return I did let her know that if I find clients that she does not have in her system that I would refer them to her for assistance with preparing them for living at home instead of nursing homes.
5. Having her in my network is such a blessing because with her being in business development she knows how to prospect and she knows how to seal the deal. If I can continue to get close with her and build a strong relationship I feel that she could be extremely beneficial in helping me discover new clients.
Import Supplier:
1. This part worked out perfect for me because my brother-in-law works for a company that supplies lumber and other supplies for those who work outdoors and do specific jobs on homes. He sells the products to customers that come in looking for specific items and he also knows how to make the products custom fit what the customer needs for their job. He has worked for this company close to 5 years and receives discounts and can also provide them to family.
2. He is a supplier because he works for a large organization that specifically supplies the type of materials I will need to complete my ramp projects.
3. I found him by knowing him for 10 years and him being my brother-in-law. It took a quick phone call and explaining to him my idea and the certain materials I would need and he was on board.
4. He lives in Ocala, FL so the exchange was done over the phone. At first you may think this is a downfall since he does not live in Jacksonville but the company he works for has a location here and he also can ship my pre-order materials straight to them for pick up. The great part of this connection is that he does not expect a favor in return. We are extremely close and this is his way of helping me out. He does not look at it in a way of what can you do for me.
5. Having him in my network is great because it will end up saving me a ton of money on the cost of materials. I will be able to purchase much higher quality materials at a much lower price. Due to me saving this type of money I can look forward to building capital and not having to worry about all of my expenses going into the cost of materials.
Reflection:
I have been networking for a long time through LinkedIn and also going to Chamber events in Jacksonville which has allowed me to meet with other professionals. It did not change how I will network in the future but it helped me realize that there are so many doors out there you just can't be afraid to step out and open them. So many people are willing to help you out and that is what I got the most out of this.
1. This gentleman is a business owner who has specialized in implementing mobility access for homes for over 20 years. He builds everything from ramps for homes to installing machines that help people with mobility issues get up the stairs inside of their homes. He was very open to my idea and encouraged it. He let me know that this is a business that does not see a large amount of competition and that the competition out there does not value the quality of their work.
2. This gentleman filled the place of my domain expert due to him owning his own company and his experience and expertise in this industry.
3. I found this gentleman through the social media platform, LinkedIn. I sent him a message asking if he had some time to sit down with me and go over a business idea I had relating to his field. He was more than happy to do this and I left the meeting very optimistic and encouraged.
4. The favor that he did for me was gave me some strong advice on how to start out slowly and then begin to grow as I get more clients. He also informed me to not rush any part of the business and to make sure I cover every step along the way. He did ask if I would be able to come along with him on one of his projects and if I could help with building a ramp. I don't look at this returning a favor because though I am working for free I will be getting hands on experience from a pro.
5. Having this person in my network is going to help me tremendously. I have made a connection with a business owner in the field I am pursuing. From our exchanges I can tell he will be open to giving me any helpful advice which will allow me to better my business and how I run it.
Expert:
1. The woman I spoke with a business development officer for a local business that helps senior citizens aging in place compatible to their specific needs. She has worked for this company for 15 years and has built a large portfolio by prospecting and finding clients for the business.
2. She is a expert in this field because she knows the Jacksonville market and what areas bring the most opportunity when working with senior citizens. She has been in this same field for 15 years and has learned how to prospect and then how to go out into the community and bring back business for the company.
3. I used the same social media platform as before. LinkedIn is pivotal for me in finding professionals in the same type of industry I am pursuing. I contacted her through a message and she responded within a day. I learned that most people who have been in a industry for a long time are more than happy to share their advice and experiences with you.
4. She was nice enough to meet with me for coffee and gave me a list of some of the areas in Jacksonville that have the most opportunity for my business. Since we are not in direct competition with one another I found this to be very generous. In return I did let her know that if I find clients that she does not have in her system that I would refer them to her for assistance with preparing them for living at home instead of nursing homes.
5. Having her in my network is such a blessing because with her being in business development she knows how to prospect and she knows how to seal the deal. If I can continue to get close with her and build a strong relationship I feel that she could be extremely beneficial in helping me discover new clients.
Import Supplier:
1. This part worked out perfect for me because my brother-in-law works for a company that supplies lumber and other supplies for those who work outdoors and do specific jobs on homes. He sells the products to customers that come in looking for specific items and he also knows how to make the products custom fit what the customer needs for their job. He has worked for this company close to 5 years and receives discounts and can also provide them to family.
2. He is a supplier because he works for a large organization that specifically supplies the type of materials I will need to complete my ramp projects.
3. I found him by knowing him for 10 years and him being my brother-in-law. It took a quick phone call and explaining to him my idea and the certain materials I would need and he was on board.
4. He lives in Ocala, FL so the exchange was done over the phone. At first you may think this is a downfall since he does not live in Jacksonville but the company he works for has a location here and he also can ship my pre-order materials straight to them for pick up. The great part of this connection is that he does not expect a favor in return. We are extremely close and this is his way of helping me out. He does not look at it in a way of what can you do for me.
5. Having him in my network is great because it will end up saving me a ton of money on the cost of materials. I will be able to purchase much higher quality materials at a much lower price. Due to me saving this type of money I can look forward to building capital and not having to worry about all of my expenses going into the cost of materials.
Reflection:
I have been networking for a long time through LinkedIn and also going to Chamber events in Jacksonville which has allowed me to meet with other professionals. It did not change how I will network in the future but it helped me realize that there are so many doors out there you just can't be afraid to step out and open them. So many people are willing to help you out and that is what I got the most out of this.
Friday, July 5, 2019
17A-Elevator Pitch 2
I was unable to do the first pitch so no feedback was given. This will be my first elevator pitch so hopefully I receive some positive outlooks so I can improve this over time.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
19A-Idea Napkin #2
1. After speaking with the 5 people closest to me and taking some time to reflect on not only myself but how my strongest traits would benefit my business. Through life experiences I learned compassion at a young age. I watched others with loving hearts be bullied or mistreated because they didn't find it enjoyable to put others down. I have always had the type of heart which would not allow me to turn a blind eye to these type of situations and I would do whatever I could to lift that person up and make them feel better. I think that compassion is what has led me to the idea of helping seniors and providing a service that will make them feel safe and better overall. My leadership comes from starting sports at a very young age and learning to make a team work you have to step out of your comfort zone and be someone others can look to in order for help or advice. I think this type of determination is what it takes to lead a business and make it successful. If you are always the type to listen to others for direction I think it is hard to get your own idea off the ground. I want helping people to be my life and that is what this business stands for. Helping people that aren't always able to help themselves. I hope that if one person sees the quality of my product and it helps them wake up each day knowing that they can have peace of mind when going out into the world then I have done my service as not only a business owner but as a human being.
2. What I am offering has not changed since the first napkin idea. I am offering these customers a high quality access ramp. These ramps will be made of wood due to cost. However, the wood will be very high quality and extremely smooth. The reason that the ramp has to be very smooth is because many customers will be using wheelchairs and other devices to help them get to their entrance. I cannot have any cracks or little chunks of wood within the ramp or that could cause a customer to fall or stall them from moving forward. The product will also be made custom to fit the exact specifications of the customer's home. Hand rails will also be put in place for the customer to give them that extra bit of security.
Feedback: I did notice in my feedback that most of my peers liked the idea of using a higher quality of wood so that the product does not fail the customer. I also took into account other feedback in which some thought about maybe not using such a high quality which would cut down on overall costs. I can understand this viewpoint and costs are a huge issue whenever starting a business but in this case I cannot sacrifice cost and put out a product that may end up injuring one of my customers.
3. Senior citizens who have decided to age at home. (Age 65+) These seniors will have trouble with mobility and climbing the steps to enter and leave their home. In Jacksonville there is a quite large demographic of seniors. We have over 110,000 so the market is large. It will take starting in a specific area and working from there. These customers either have a mindset that makes them uncomfortable while trying to walk or move around. I want to change this and let them have peace and feel confident when they enter and leave their home. As the company grows I would begin to look at other markets such as people with disabilities that requires them to use a device to move around as well as businesses that need ramps in order to help customers. After looking at the feedback and really taking into account what my peers had to say I think it would be well worth my time to look more into people who have disabilities and not just limit myself to seniors. I think people with mobility disabilities can benefit from this product just as much as seniors and there would be no reason for me to overlook them. This is not just a product but a way to help change someone's life for the better. I want to be able to touch as many people as possible and that is something my peers helped open my eyes to.
4. The reason that customers will care has not differed since my last napkin idea. I'm not going to throw numbers out there this time but since researching this idea more and more and talking to people in need of this product it has become very clear that it is worth pursuing. Nothing is worse then feeling anxious or scared. I think each one of us no matter the situation has been in that place before where we are left with the unknown and want to move past it but have trouble. I want to take these fears away and I know for a senior citizen falling and injuring themselves can constantly weigh on their minds. You cannot purchase peace of mind but allowing my product to be installed and become a daily part of my customer's lives will help them achieve this. No senior citizen should be kept inside their home due to the fear of falling down steps. Life is short and each moment counts and I know that seniors still want to be able to get out and enjoy it. These customers will know that I care about them and the quality of the ramp will allow them to enter and leave their home with little fear or worry.
5. The thing that really sets myself apart from competitors is that I am invested in this emotionally and from a business standpoint. I've watched my grandmother fall and have to be rushed to the hospital. I've seen the damage it can do to someone and how it can mentally hold them back. My product will not only be held to the highest standards but it will be produced with care. I want my customers to be part of the entire process so they know exactly what they are getting and feel satisfied when the ramp is completed. I've seen so many people who build things for people's homes do it without any passion and the work shows. Most people only see dollar signs when working on a project for a person. I don't believe you should be in any type of business if you don't feel passionate about what you are doing. If your drive isn't about making sure you are doing the very best job for your customer and caring about the overall goal of your business which is to help people then you should not do it. My work will speak for itself and I believe that will give me the edge over others in this exact same field.
I truly believe that all of my core competencies will fit well with my business. Leadership, Thinker, Compassionate, Spiritual, & Observant all play exactly into what I need to make this succeed. I know I have to be a leader in order to get out there and find business. Business is not going to come knocking on your door so it takes getting out of your comfort zone and hustling to find people with your need. Being a deep thinker helps you look over each aspect of your business and making sure that you are not missing any steps when wanting to make it successful. Being compassionate is what drives myself to want to do this business and that is the number 1 thing I believe will help it succeed. Having a faith and being spiritual will help me when times get tough because I know they will. I have to be able to hold my faith close and know that everything is going to work out and be ok. If I have nothing to lean on when things are not going my way then it will make this journey that much harder. You have to be observant in order to understand the needs of your customer. If you are not taking into account each aspect of what they are asking for or need then you will not produce a final outcome that is good. Keep your eyes and ears open for each opportunity that presents itself and never let lack of concentration make you miss out on something that will better your business.
As I mentioned in my post I took the feedback from all of my peers very serious. I respect what anyone has to say and it helps me get better. I was able to think about costs that previously I chose to overlook. I also was able to open my customer demographic and not stay so laser focused on one specific type. By thinking about people with mobility disabilities in general really allows me to get my name out there more and bring in more customers that will help my business grow.
2. What I am offering has not changed since the first napkin idea. I am offering these customers a high quality access ramp. These ramps will be made of wood due to cost. However, the wood will be very high quality and extremely smooth. The reason that the ramp has to be very smooth is because many customers will be using wheelchairs and other devices to help them get to their entrance. I cannot have any cracks or little chunks of wood within the ramp or that could cause a customer to fall or stall them from moving forward. The product will also be made custom to fit the exact specifications of the customer's home. Hand rails will also be put in place for the customer to give them that extra bit of security.
Feedback: I did notice in my feedback that most of my peers liked the idea of using a higher quality of wood so that the product does not fail the customer. I also took into account other feedback in which some thought about maybe not using such a high quality which would cut down on overall costs. I can understand this viewpoint and costs are a huge issue whenever starting a business but in this case I cannot sacrifice cost and put out a product that may end up injuring one of my customers.
3. Senior citizens who have decided to age at home. (Age 65+) These seniors will have trouble with mobility and climbing the steps to enter and leave their home. In Jacksonville there is a quite large demographic of seniors. We have over 110,000 so the market is large. It will take starting in a specific area and working from there. These customers either have a mindset that makes them uncomfortable while trying to walk or move around. I want to change this and let them have peace and feel confident when they enter and leave their home. As the company grows I would begin to look at other markets such as people with disabilities that requires them to use a device to move around as well as businesses that need ramps in order to help customers. After looking at the feedback and really taking into account what my peers had to say I think it would be well worth my time to look more into people who have disabilities and not just limit myself to seniors. I think people with mobility disabilities can benefit from this product just as much as seniors and there would be no reason for me to overlook them. This is not just a product but a way to help change someone's life for the better. I want to be able to touch as many people as possible and that is something my peers helped open my eyes to.
4. The reason that customers will care has not differed since my last napkin idea. I'm not going to throw numbers out there this time but since researching this idea more and more and talking to people in need of this product it has become very clear that it is worth pursuing. Nothing is worse then feeling anxious or scared. I think each one of us no matter the situation has been in that place before where we are left with the unknown and want to move past it but have trouble. I want to take these fears away and I know for a senior citizen falling and injuring themselves can constantly weigh on their minds. You cannot purchase peace of mind but allowing my product to be installed and become a daily part of my customer's lives will help them achieve this. No senior citizen should be kept inside their home due to the fear of falling down steps. Life is short and each moment counts and I know that seniors still want to be able to get out and enjoy it. These customers will know that I care about them and the quality of the ramp will allow them to enter and leave their home with little fear or worry.
5. The thing that really sets myself apart from competitors is that I am invested in this emotionally and from a business standpoint. I've watched my grandmother fall and have to be rushed to the hospital. I've seen the damage it can do to someone and how it can mentally hold them back. My product will not only be held to the highest standards but it will be produced with care. I want my customers to be part of the entire process so they know exactly what they are getting and feel satisfied when the ramp is completed. I've seen so many people who build things for people's homes do it without any passion and the work shows. Most people only see dollar signs when working on a project for a person. I don't believe you should be in any type of business if you don't feel passionate about what you are doing. If your drive isn't about making sure you are doing the very best job for your customer and caring about the overall goal of your business which is to help people then you should not do it. My work will speak for itself and I believe that will give me the edge over others in this exact same field.
I truly believe that all of my core competencies will fit well with my business. Leadership, Thinker, Compassionate, Spiritual, & Observant all play exactly into what I need to make this succeed. I know I have to be a leader in order to get out there and find business. Business is not going to come knocking on your door so it takes getting out of your comfort zone and hustling to find people with your need. Being a deep thinker helps you look over each aspect of your business and making sure that you are not missing any steps when wanting to make it successful. Being compassionate is what drives myself to want to do this business and that is the number 1 thing I believe will help it succeed. Having a faith and being spiritual will help me when times get tough because I know they will. I have to be able to hold my faith close and know that everything is going to work out and be ok. If I have nothing to lean on when things are not going my way then it will make this journey that much harder. You have to be observant in order to understand the needs of your customer. If you are not taking into account each aspect of what they are asking for or need then you will not produce a final outcome that is good. Keep your eyes and ears open for each opportunity that presents itself and never let lack of concentration make you miss out on something that will better your business.
As I mentioned in my post I took the feedback from all of my peers very serious. I respect what anyone has to say and it helps me get better. I was able to think about costs that previously I chose to overlook. I also was able to open my customer demographic and not stay so laser focused on one specific type. By thinking about people with mobility disabilities in general really allows me to get my name out there more and bring in more customers that will help my business grow.
18A-Create a Custom Avatar
Over the time in this course I have described my ideal customer as a senior citizen who has trouble with mobility and would benefit from having a access ramp leading to their front door. I want to go into a little more detail and explain some interesting facts about the prototypical customer. My customer is a male or female that is 65 or older in age. They are the type of person that wakes up at 5:00am in the morning and makes a pot of coffee while sitting down and reading the local newspaper. Some read the newspaper digitally while others stick to print. The customer may be healthy but have issues with their legs or hips that cause them to use some type of mobility device to move around their home. Their hobbies can range from spending time with their grandchildren, playing Bingo or some other type of game with friends. They enjoy being able to leave their home so they can still experience all that life has to offer and need that extra help getting in and out of their home. The type of car they drive is larger model sedans. Most of the time the color of the vehicle is very modest. It can range from gray, white, black, and navy blue. The customer likes their vehicle to be large so they have room while driving and do not feel jammed into the vehicle. Also the larger sedan gives them room in the backseat and trunk to load their walker or wheelchair. When they are at home and watching television they enjoy the morning and evening news. They also enjoy day time talk shows and some even like watching soap operas. Many still love sports and enjoy watching college and pro football. They enjoy sitting back and watching a baseball game take place. The sports help them go back in time and allow memories to run through their heads. Most of my customers do have children who play a major role in their lives. Their children are able to help my older clients make decisions that are best for them and help them get to and from appointments and other events they wish to attend. They also have grandchildren who they spend as much time as possible with and play a big part in their happiness and overall time. The customers enjoy reading action and mystery novels. They enjoy titles that were published in the 50s and 60s and are not interested in publications that are taking place today. My prototypical customer is affiliated with different political parties. Most of them are voters and want to be involved in political decisions but in order to be a customer of mine they do not have to be a Democrat or Republican specifically. They are all over 65. Some feel very old as their health is not in the best condition. Others feel great and besides some mobility issues are able to live life on their own. My customer wants to feel safe and comfortable in life. They do not want to feel like they have to be uncertain when it comes to leaving and entering their home and want to take all necessary precautions.
Some of the things I have in common with my customer is that I prefer modest colors when it comes to choosing a vehicle. I currently drive a gray F150 truck. I also enjoy watching the morning and evening news because I feel it keeps me up to date with current events. I love watching sports, especially football and baseball. I enjoy reading books and mostly books that were written during a older time period. I think I share some of these attributes as my customer because for the most part I am a very modest person. I enjoy the little things in life and cherish as much as I can while being on this earth. Though my customers are 30-50 years older than me I believe they share this same belief in life and somehow that is what connects us.
Some of the things I have in common with my customer is that I prefer modest colors when it comes to choosing a vehicle. I currently drive a gray F150 truck. I also enjoy watching the morning and evening news because I feel it keeps me up to date with current events. I love watching sports, especially football and baseball. I enjoy reading books and mostly books that were written during a older time period. I think I share some of these attributes as my customer because for the most part I am a very modest person. I enjoy the little things in life and cherish as much as I can while being on this earth. Though my customers are 30-50 years older than me I believe they share this same belief in life and somehow that is what connects us.
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