Identifying Opportunities in economic and regulatory trends/6A

Opportunity 1-Economic
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/07/technology/uber-crash-autonomous-driveai.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Ffast-forward
Belief:  I believe an opportunity exists here it is evident that self-driving cars are a thing of the future.  It is also clear that there is a way to make the cars safer for humankind after some fatal crashes, and that is where the main opportunity that exists.
Customer:  A prototypical customer to create the opportunity is an automobile company.  As far as who buys the opportunity it could be anyone who either does not want to drive a car or who maybe is not capable of driving a car.  Or just someone who wants the highest and newest technology.
Exploit:  This opportunity is very easy to exploit because the idea has already started to come to fruition with many companies beginning to experiment with the technology
See:  I think my experiences as a driver is what makes me see this opportunity.  Clearly, I am not the only one that sees.  But I vs someone either younger or older who has yet to drive or who have stopped driving would have different viewpoints.

Opportunity 2-Economic
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/business/economy/social-cost-american-exceptionalism.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness-economy&action=click&contentCollection=economy&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=sectionfront
Belief:  There is an opportunity to even out the playing field in the income gap within the US.  I know this exists because there has been constant talk about the issue in recent years.
Customer:  Anyone really in the US that is making an income, but specifically lower/ middle-income people.
Exploit:  This is fairly difficult to exploit because it takes a lot of regulations and different policies to have the evening out become a reality.
See:  I think everyone will see this differently than others because no one is from the exact same economic status or level.  For me, I come from a middle-class background so I am more fortunate than others but would obviously still like it to be a fair race for all people.

Opportunity 3-Regulatory
Link:  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/business/white-house-moves-ahead-with-tough-trade-measures-on-china.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
Belief:  I think an opportunity exists here because President is saying he is going to make some sort of change, in this specific case it has to do with imposing tariffs on imported goods from China.  When there is a change to be had I believe an opportunity exists.
Customer:  a typical customer would be the US govt and any other countries that try to send goods to the US when tariffs are imposed
Exploit:  I don't think it would be very easy to exploit this because it is dependent on the current economic climate and the politics of the world.
See:  I saw this opportunity because I think it is fairly obvious.  I think anyone else would have the same idea.   There is nothing that is special to me or my experiences that would make me see this specific opportunity differently I feel.

Opportunity 4-Regulatory
Link: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7671-regulatory-issues-changes.html
Belief:  There are opportunities and need for more paid time off when it comes to parental leave.
Customer:  Anyone who works is a potential customer for this change.
Exploit:  I think it will be difficult to exploit this but if it is signed into a law or a bill then it will be easy.
See:  I saw this opportunity because I have family who had to borrow other employees PTO when they had a baby because 12 weeks was not enough time after a baby was born, and I think it is important for parents to spend time with their child while also being able to stay afloat financially.

Local opportunities/5A

Opportunity 1
Title:  Southern US States Prepare for Storm Alberto
link: http://www.goupstate.com/zz/news/20180526/southern-us-states-prepare-for-storm-alberto
Description of the story:  Essentially the story is describing how these states are planning to prepare for the subtropical storm that is coming their way.
Description of the problem presented:  The problem presented is the amount of rainfall and damage that could possibly occur over the holiday weekend.  Another problem is also the states of emergencies declared for each state!
Who has the problem:  The citizens of each of the southern states where the storm will hit

Opportunity 2
Title:  Ohio farmers reap frustration over multistate NEXUS pipeline construction
Link:  http://www.goupstate.com/zz/news/20180526/ohio-farmers-reap-frustration-over-multistate-nexus-pipeline-construction
Description of the story:  A NEXUS gas transmission pipeline is being built throughout areas in Ohio and it is hindering farmers abilities to farm.  This is due to the water and erosion damage done to the property
Description of the problem presented:  Farmers are having to redo their soil to fix what the pipeline destroyed
Who has the problem:  Farmers in Ohio affected by the pipeline

Opportunity 3
Title:  How Starbucks will handle Anti-racial bias training
Link:  http://www.goupstate.com/zz/news/20180525/how-starbucks-will-handle-anti-racial-bias-training
Description of the story:  Starbucks is setting up bias training to combat the issues it had in one of its storefronts.  Two men were arrested in a Philadelphia store due to race issues.  The goal of this training is to eliminate the decisions the workers should have to make in certain circumstances and have a proper protocol in place.
Description of the problem presented:  Starbucks is having to figure out how to approach the training in a politically correct way while also helping the employees
Who has the problem:  Starbucks and its employees

Opportunity 4
Title:  Expanded use of HIV prevention faces stigma, lack of awareness
Link: http://www.goupstate.com/zz/news/20180526/expanded-use-of-hiv-prevention-faces-stigma-lack-of-awareness
Description of the story:  Truvada is a drug to prevent the HIV infection from progressing and prevent it from being caught at all.  It is in a class of drugs call PReP which was a saving grace in HIV protection over the years.  Ryan Bandy is an openly gay man who owns 2 bars which are frequented by the LGBTQ community.  His hope is that PReP drugs can become more known and have less of a negative connotation around them.
Description of problem:  PReP drugs including Truvada have bad raps around them
Who has the problem:  Anyone with HIV or who are trying to prevent HIV and taking PReP

Opportunity 5
Title:  School shooting may not bring change to gun-loving Texas
Link:  http://www.goupstate.com/zz/news/20180521/school-shooting-may-not-bring-change-to-gun-loving-texas
Description of the story:  Even after the Santa Fe shooting in Texas professionals are saying odds are slim that any big change will happen in Texas with regard to gun laws.  Over 1.2 million people are allowed to openly carry guns in the state.  It is a normal thing to have them. 
Description of the problem:  Gun laws are too relaxed which led to an active shooter situation at a school in Texas
Who has the problem:   Anyone in Texas or really anywhere in the world where gun laws are not strict

Forming an Opportunity/4A

1. Beginning point:  I believe there is a big need/opportunity for some type of product that stops glasses from sliding off a person's face.  I, as a glasses wearer continuously have to do the stereotypical thing you see in movies and push my glasses further upon my face.   I have spoken with fellow glasses crew and they all agree they would benefit from this sort of product.
2.  Describe your belief: The unmet need as sort of stated above is a product that stops glasses from falling down one's nose.  The who of this product is anyone that wears any type of eyewear.  This includes sunglasses, regular classes, really anything that sits on the nose.  I believe this need has always existed and to my knowledge, there is nothing that has been created to combat it.  There really is nothing that is being done to meet this need as far as I know.  Considering 75% of adults wear glasses I think there is about a 60% need for this product for the entire population, and 85% need for glasses wearers.  This is accounting for people who may wear contacts.
3. (a) Customer 1 interview:  Female aged 55

• How often do you wear some sort of glasses? "a lot" Percentage? "between sunglasses and readers about 80%."
• When did you first realize that glasses slip?  "When I started walking outside with sunglasses in the heat"
• Does this ever prevent you from wearing them?  "Yes I don't wear my sunglasses anymore when I walk"
• What do you currently do to combat the glasses slipping?  "nothing I just don't wear them"
• What percentage of the population do you think have corrective eyewear?  "oh a lot, I'd say 70%."  Close 75%
• Do you think this type of product would be a good solution? "yes" Why?  "Because it's annoying when they slip and I would get more use out of them when I really want too"

REFLECTION:

This type of person definitely seems like they would benefit from my opportunity/product.  She seems to want a solution for her issue.  However, she would have to weigh the pros and cons as she is not a full-time glasses wearer so it would only benefit her in a specific capacity.  

3. (b) Customer 2 interview: Male aged 60

• How often do you wear some sort of glasses? "I am a full-time glasses wearer since the age of 13."
• What percentage of the population do you think need corrective eyewear?  Probably 50-60%." Wrong.  It's 75%
•  When did you first realize that glasses slip? "probably when I was playing sports and would sweat."
• Does this ever prevent you from wearing them? No, I have to wear them to see so that's not really an option."
• What do you currently do to combat the glasses slipping? "I wipe the sweat off my face"
• Do you think this type of product would be a good solution? "yeah maybe. I could also put a band-aid on my nose and it wouldn't slip"

REFLECTION

This customer would be able to use this product full time.  However, he does seem a bit more skeptical if it would actually work, and if it is worth it.  He also does see a DIY solution for this problem, which to him might be worth doing instead of buying a product.

3. (c) Customer 3 interview:   Female aged 20

• How often do you wear some sort of glasses? "100% of the time.  I started only when necessary as a child but it truly makes a difference and now I need them to drive and stuff."
• When did you first realize that glasses slip?  "Gosh, all the time.  I first noticed it in school or when I would play tennis."
• Does this ever prevent you from wearing them? "no I don't have a choice"
• What do you currently do to combat the glasses slipping?  "nothing, just keep pushing them up."
• What percentage of the population do you think need corrective eyewear? " Probably 70ish."  You're close it's 75%.
• Do you think this type of product would be a good solution? "I absolutely do.  It is so annoying to have to keep moving it.  Also, I want the solution to be aesthetically pleasing so no one knows I even am using a product."

REFLECTION

This woman seems like a great candidate for the product.  I knew the product had to act like it wasn't there but it is good to have confirmation of that want.  She would shell out the money for a product to stop her from seeming like a stereotypical nerd that is seen in the movies.

SUMMARY 

I believe my original opportunity still exists.  But I do need to tweak it so the men, who don't particularly care about the aesthetically pleasing part for sports and such still want to buy it. I think there is some tradeoff between adapting to feedback and staying firm.  One on hand you have to adapt because if the product only has negative feedback no one will get it.  On the other hand, you can't please everyone so trying to fulfill all the feedback will never work and will only delay the process of having a successful product.  As far as a new opportunity, I think it is fairly similar to my original one but with different brainpower. 

My entrepreneurial story/3A

I don't have much experience as an Entrepreneur.  However, my brother is the closest thing I have to meet one or be close to one.  He is an engineer and designs parts of cars/airplanes for a living.  I wish he transferred some of that creative brain to me because it truly is serving him well.  As far as why I am taking ENT3003 it is because I need a business elective and I thought this would be the best one for me to take because it is online and I could take it over the summer.  However, I am hoping this opens my eyes and brain and does stimulate the creative side of myself.  I am a business major so I most likely I will come across a time where I'm floundering and need to come up with something either for myself to make money, or for my employer to prove what I can do.  This picture is an example of what my brother does.

My bugs/assignment 2A

Assignment 2A- Bug List
1.  Not finding parking in the Murphree lot after 8PM on any given day.
Why it exists: There is clearly not nearly enough parking on campus for all students, let alone just the Murphree area lot.
2.  When my mom doesn't get to the car before me to unlock it so I am stuck waiting for it to be unlocked.
Why it exists:  Well there is a design flaw as you must be super close to the car for it to unlock.  But in reality, I just get frustrated because all she would have to do it take the key out and press the button.
3. When it takes forever for me to get a mat cleaner after a class at the gym.
Why it exists: There is not a sufficient amount of cleaning equipment for everyone to use and get out in a timely manner.
4.  Having to flush the toilet with your hand or risk falling if using your foot in some restrooms.
Why it exists: Some restrooms don't have automatic flushers so it must be done by hand.
5.  When the automatic flusher flushes before you were ready.
Why it exists: It seems as though the sensor went off too soon and that is what causes the premature flush.  (Clearly, I can't be pleased see the previous "bug")
6.  When the internet/TV/Power goes out in bad weather.
Why it exists: Because the bad weather either hits power lines or satellites that turn everything off.
7.  When the windshield wipers squeak on my car.
Why it exists:  Probably because there is too much friction and not enough water to make them glide across the glass.
8.  When I close out the youtube app and the video/music stops playing.
Why it exists:  this is some sort of programming issue that Apple has not figured out how to fix yet.
9.  When people step on the back of my shoe.
Why it exists:  There is no personal space and people these days are in such a rush they don't pay attention to what is in front of them.
10.  When places have Pepsi instead of coke.
Why it exists:  Pepsi and coke are competitors so Pepsi is trying to take over places and if they sell Pepsi they won't sell coke.
11.  When places are out of ingredients they need to their specific place eg: Starbucks being out of cream.
Why it exists:  They underestimate the amount of cream/ingredients they would to satisfy their customers throughout the week.
12.  When people drink my drink.
Why it exists: They don't have their own drink/don't want to pay for a drink.
13.  When people get on my bed at any time of day or night.
Why it exists:  normally people don't realize its a big deal or they just see it as a place to sit.
14.  When pots burn as I'm cooking and I can't reuse them.
Why it exists:  The manufacturer does not make the pots super heat resistant.
15.  When people change the music in my car while I'm driving.
Why it exists:  people don't wanna listen to the music I'm listening too.
16.  When my glasses fall down my face.
Why it exists: There is not enough friction to keep them from sliding as they are the plastic, not rubber types.
17.  When people let their babies cry in restaurants instead of taking them outside to let the other eaters eat in peace.
Why it exists:  The parents want to either eat together or they are too lazy to parent their own child.
18.  When I turn the TV on and it's incredibly louder than it needs to be for me.
Why it exists:  How I like the TV is different than others,  and whoever is last doesn't lower it back to normal.
19.  Having an inordinate amount of tabs open all at one time.
Why it exists:  There's not technological limit that stops tabs being open and some people like to have everything open at once.
20.  Beard hair in the sink.
Why it exists:  The person does not clean out their hair after they shave.

REFLECTION
I found this to actually be somewhat difficult.  I thought it would be easy because I go through my days thinking "that's annoying" and "ugh why is this happening" but when it came down to it I found it hard to think of things.   However, by the end, it did become easier to think of things. 

TEST TEST TEST

Hi Everyone!  Here is my official first blog and test post for the summer!  Lets do this thing!