28A – Your Exit Strategy Submit Assignment

My exit strategy is going to be incorporating it into the Libraries at the University of Florida and then evaluating whether or not I should expand this idea to other schools. UF can be my guinea pig to decide whether or not the idea can be successful. This can happen within the next five years and then I can determine if adding more space to populated study areas is worth it.

I selected this strategy because if it is successful at UF, it will thrive elsewhere, but if not, the whole idea cannot flourish. My idea is not insanely creative it is more beneficial to a specific audience so I would not keep it in the family. I need to sit back and watch.

I do think that it has influenced other things though, because it is not a brand or a new creative "WOW" idea that everyone will be shocked by. It is a simple idea to prevent clutter and create more seating that will help those at The University of Florida especially those who often go to Library West to study on campus.

27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

Cognitive Surplus Clay Shirky

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

The general theme of this book is about how the use of technology is lacking us but also a surplus for us.

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

This book in my opinion, connects with what I am leaning in ENT 3003 because as youg entrepreneurs we are using technology to benefit us in our successes. He discusses how much time we are losing sitting around watching television,but also the amount that we he learned from having the whole world at our finger tips ie. the internet.

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

I would create an exercise where all students have to calculate the amount of time that they spend on their computers, phones, smart watches, iPads, and all types of technology and calculate how much more they could accomplish if it were not for these things.

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

I think my biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading "Cognitive Surplus Clay Shirky" was how much time I am wasting in my life online and watching television. I do not even realize myself how mindless these thing that I am doing are. I did not think that this book was going to be able to effect me on a personal level. It really got into my mind.

26A – Celebrating Failure

1) Everyone fails at something one time or another. My time was this semester. I did not do so well in one of my classes. It was a class that I already struggled with and taking it fully online did not help my lack of knowledge on the subject. I tried my best, but sometimes you cannot control everything that is thrown at you. I did not do as well as I would have liked to on one exam and unfortunately, I am going to have to retake the class.

2) I definitely learned that it is OKAY to not be great at everything. I learned that it takes a lot of motivation and perseverance. I learned to not get too down because nobody has control of everything. Life goes on and one grade does not determine who you are.

3) No one likes failure. Unfortunately though, everyone fails. I do not enjoy failing. Honestly, sometimes it really gets me down. I believe that to be able to cope with failure you have to be positive/optimistic about every situation. I definitely was not as confident in failing prior to this class. I have missed a few assignments, but I still have confidence that I will be okay in this class and succeed. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. But as long as we are optimistic and do our best we will all make it through!

25A – What’s Next?

There is no radically different market the I am competing with. This is something that makes this opportunity very different than most opportunities at the University of Florida. If I were to target a poor part of society they would be benefiting from receiving old, no longer used technology. Everyone benefits.

My venture concept has made this opportunity one hundred percent beneficial to everyone involved. No one misses out and everyone is bettered from it.

Student with Personal Experience- Sarah H.
Sarah is a third year student at the University of Florida. She goes to the library almost everyday and is on campus constantly. She believes that the University of Florida is needs more study spaces. She expresses that there have been many times she walked through library west but could not find anywhere to sit so she left and did not finish studying. She agrees with the implementation of this opportunity.

Student #2 with personal experience- Helena W.
Helena is a third year PR student at the University of Florida. She. studies often but only from the comfort of her room because she feels that competing for seating on campus is not worth losing studying time. She also thinks that this opportunity is necessary.

I honestly was not surprised at all from this. I think that everyone who attends the University of Florida needs to study. I have found that so many of my friends spend more time in libraries than in their apartments. We as a university, are very competitive and successful for a reason.
I would have to say what I was most surprised about, is some people know that the campus is so crowded, that they feel like going on campus is not even worth the loss of study time anymore. We should not become a university where students do not feel comfortable walking on campus. It seems that we are moving in a very different direction from our students.

Assignment 24A -Venture Concept No. 1

Opportunity

The opportunity that I have selected for this write up assignment is: The removal of all of the old used technology that is currently taking the place of potential seating at Library West by University of Florida students. Having a lack of seating for studying purposes for such an academically competitive public university is detrimental to the success of not only the students but the upward climb of the school's reputation. This is because if a student is not given proper locations to study and find themselves wandering around popular libraries, like library west, then they will not be able to concentrate and may possibly decide that they no longer need or have the ability to study. This is a very simple idea, that although seems like it could be done in an hour of a day, is not acceptable in everyones eyes. Those who play devils advocate at the University of Florida along with a good amount of those on the administration do not believe that ridding the most populated library on the University of Florida's campus, Library West, will greatly benefit those who have the intention of studying. They also believe that getting rid of old technology is like getting rid of valuable resources that the school has provided for the success of it's students. This exact window of opportunity is available up until Library West and all other University of Florida libraries close. Although this is the case, this is an opportunity that I feel needs to be handled sooner rather than later. As a student who frequently visits library west, I can tell you from personal experience, how awful it is to attempt to visit the library and study for a big exam or even just try to finish some last minute homework, and then when you cannot find a place to sit, find yourself leaving and not completing your studying or your assignment. There are over fifty five thousand students who attend the University of Florida. Because of this, it is almost impossible for everyone to have room to study. It is also discussed that too many people are relocating their studies to Library West because it is the "cool" place to go. Everyone goes to the third floor of Library West to be seen that they are studying. Doing homework and studying has become a social outlet for those who attend the University of Florida. Although I agree with this, you can not control that students at the University of Florida want to be social, but you can control how much seating there is for students at the "facey" library.

Innovation

My innovation tactic in this opportunity is to remove something that is not being used at the University of Florida's Library West,  and installing new seating and creating a new use for the space. The old technology will not be put to waste. It will be donated to those who cannot afford computers. This is ideal because most students already have a personal and mobile computer when entering college because Apple supplies a college student discount. For those who cannot afford it, they will get a kind donation from the University of Florida. The University of Florida will then get a tax write up and everyone will benefit from this. This is why this opportunity is innovative as well. Out with the old, in with the new. But, one if silver, and the other is gold. That is my innovation tactic on the opportunity to remove old technology for the University of Florida's largely populated library,  Library West, will not only create a vast amount of brand new seating to those attempting to achieve their greatest potential at the University of Florida, but also benefit those in need while still saving money for their well ranked and honorable University.

Venture Concept

My venture concept is to remove bulky and unwanted technology from the University of Florida's Library West. This will save space, help those in need, and benefit all of those who are involved.  There are no competitors in this concept and that is why this is an opportunity that needs to be pursued. This is something that can greatly benefit the University of Florida and there are no negative repercussions.

Three Minor Elements

Secret Sauce- I believe that my secret sauce is my personal experience. There is absolutely nothing like being able to communicate about something that you are one hundred percent aware of and being able to be passionate about why something is wrong. 

What is next? 

What is next is after seeing how necessary library west is, I feel that all students need study space. I think that a petition is necessary to communicate to the University and it's administration how important close study space is to those attending the University. 

What is next for me? 

I have decided that within the next ten years, all of Library West will be technology free, excluding the fourth floor. This will create more study space for those who need distraction free studying and encourage students to not be on their phones but rather in the books. Some may see this as going backwards but I see this as forward and up!

Assignment 23A - Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

1) Student Support
2) Communication Skills
3) Presentation Skills
4) Support from school
5) No reason to not change
6) Personal Experience
7) Student Connections
8) Simple ideas
9) Plenty of time
10) Student Feedback

I would have to say that my top resource at this very moment would have to be personal experience. There is not anyone that is as passionate about something as someone who has physically been through it themselves. I think that because of this, I will be very successful while pursuing this opportunity to increase study space at the University of Florida's Library West.

21A – Reading Reflection No. 2

Steve Jobs

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

The general theme of the book Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson is about Steve Jobs and his interviews throughout two years. It discusses the ups and downs of his life and how he created the brand Apple to begin with.

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

I felt that this book was connected to what I have learned in ENT3003 because it discusses the life of Steve Jobs, a very very successful entrepreneur. Steve Jobs used different tactics to create his business success. He was beyond creative and made something that was just an idea an amazing reality. 

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

If I had to design an exercise for this class based off of what I have read in the book Steve Jobs, I would encourage students to be creative. I believe that when you are creative you have the greatest possibility to create your ideas and make them a real reality.

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 or aha moment when reading the book was that Steve Jobs was a perfectionist. I think that usually, you are not as successful because you having high expectation. 

PreviousNext

20A-Growing Your Social Capital

1.     Domain Expert

a.     The first person I talked to was David McKibbin. He is a tech lawyer.

b.     David turned his entire law firm into a tech company.

c.     I called him.

d.     I interviewed him over the phone to find out more about going tech.

e.     It is a very beneficial relationship and betters 

 2.     Market Expert

a.     Evangeline Edwards.

b.     Evangeline is a paper-free technology librarian.

c.     I also made a phone call.

d.     She allowed me to interview her in her busy schedule. 

e.     I think that this relationship is very beneficial because it proves that it is possible to have an entire technology library. 

      

3.     Important Supplier

a.     Michael Rosholt is an Apple employee. 

b.     Michael does not work in a library but he works for a distributer.

c.     Michael is a very good family friend and knows statistics about college purchases each year.

e.     This also is a very beneficial relationship due to the fact that Apple is one of the biggest suppliers of portable computers and knowing the facts about college student purchases will benefit my opportunity greatly.

This experienced talking to different expert taught me how important it is to know people and network. Even if it is just referring to facts and statistics there is a lot that I would not know about if it were not for my connections. You can never know too many people and that is beyond important to remember in any situation.

19A-Idea Napkin No. 2

My name is Samantha McKibbin and I am a Public Relations major at the University of Florida. I think that I have learned my leadership skills through my experience with people. Obviously it is necessary to be an overall good leader from just having specific skills, but I think that it is just as important to be able to analyze a situation and be able to figure out how to lead people on a one on one basis.

I  I am offering change to Library West and it's students an opportunity to better function and be more efficient. We do not need old technology in our updated libraries. Everyone that I know owns a laptop. Every student takes their laptop to the Library but then can never find a place to sit. I am creating more room in a crowded space for students to succeed academically.

3     My offer is to the University of Florida to create a better study environment and increase professor ratings.
4.     The University of Florida cares because we are already a top 8 University. The administration is working to improve the rating of our University and by increasing studying proficiency, this is increasing rating.
5.   I believe what has set me apart in my network is my people skills. I work very hard to evaluate situations and understand their abilities to handle situations.
I think that it all goes together. My people skills and being to understand things has set me apart with this opportunity. I took a very simple idea and made it a large opportunity.
Obviously this is not something I can accomplish on my own. I need the assistance of administrators and supportive students to accomplish this goal.