Sunday, January 31, 2016

Week 4 Reading Reflection

What I found was the biggest surprise in reading Chapter 3 was the subject of "Learning from failure".  In order to learn from failure you must recognize the importance of managing the grief process that occurs from project failure.  Basically all Entrepreneurs should come to terms with the fact that they will most likely fail during their careers.  I didn't really realize that being an entrepreneur consisted of so much failure and accepting failure.  I always believed that businessmen and women always were successful on their first couple of tries.


One part of the reading that was confusing to me, and that has always confused me while reading these chapter is the various charts.  The chart having to do with "The Integrative Model of Corporate Entrepreneurship Strategy".  This chart had so many components to it that it was very hard for me to follow.


Question 1:  How hard do you think it is to find a hard working, successful Innovative (1) Team like you explain in the book?

Question 2:  Do you think in order to have an Intrapreneurial Environment you need to have everyone on board to shift the idea of corporate thinking in the work environment?

I would ask these questions because I am interested in what it takes to create such a successful work environment.  I imagine that the entrepreneurial work environment must need fixing after years of being in business.  I'm just curious as to what standards have to be met to restructure the work environment.

I don't agree with the authors view on a Corporate Entrepreneurship strategy.  Once again I believe this to be a very generalized view on a concept. For the author to say what is required to conceptualize a a strategy is flawed because there are a variety of factors that can go into this process.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Top 5 World Problems

Top 5 Problems
1. Climate change
2. Terrorism 
3.  Poverty and Hunger
4.  The European Migrant Crisis
5. Nuclear Weapons

I chose to have my "Top 5 Problems" in this order because I believe that these are the five most important problems in our world today.  Climate change is sitting atop the list because right now, in our world, we just experienced the warmest year ever in 2015.  Having experienced a 70 degree warm, sunny Christmas day in my hometown of New York City really opened my eyes to what is truly happening to the Earth.  That is why I feel as if climate change and Global Warming need to be addressed as quickly as possible. If we don't act now and continue to harm our planet there won't be a planet for us to exist on.  


Top 5 Solutions

1.Climate change-  A solution to this problem is to find alternative sources of energy that will slowly stop us from using up large amounts of fossil fuels.  I am aware that around the world, countries have been making enormous strides to develop alternative fuels such as  the harnessing and use of solar energy. 

2.  Terrorism- A solution to this problem is the idea of an international alliance of the major countries in the world focused on stopping the advances of ISIS for good to keep innocent people all over the world out of danger and safe to go on with their lives. 

3.   The European Migrant Crisis- A solution to this problem is to have an universal ruling on how many migrants each country shall accept, where these migrants will be placed and how they will be able to continue to stay in that country.  With conformity and agreement between these countries, the migrants will able to lead safe new lives.

4. Poverty and Hunger-  I believe that a solution to lessen the amount of people impoverished around the world is to have a larger contribution from the richest people in the world today.  If these people can go to third world countries and help build schools or food banks, these people that are so dirt poor can at least have a chance of getting better.

5. Nuclear weapons-   A solution to this problem is to have a complete shut down of every nuclear program around the world.  These nuclear programs do way more harm to the world than good. The fact that a city can disappear in a matter of minutes is not good at all.


Not surprisingly, Climate change ranked #1 on my "Top 5 Solutions" as well.  I feel very strongly about this topic and honestly, I believe it is the easiest problem to fix on our planet.  It wouldn't  take much to fix the great problem of Global Warming.  If we can come together to think of ways to halt the heavy usage of fossil fuels as well as recycle and become a "greener" planet we can turn this whole problem around.  We all have to be more environmentally conscious and that won't be too hard to convince people to do.  



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Sunday, January 24, 2016

Week 3 Reading Reflection

What I found was the biggest surprise in reading Chapter 2 was the subject of "Entrepreneurial Stress"  Entrepreneurial stress is the extent to which entrepreneurs’ work demands and expectations exceed their abilities to perform as venture initiators, they are likely to experience stress. The causes of this type of stress really shocked me because I've found myself suffering from these same types of stresses. Some of these stresses include loneliness, immersion in business, and the need to achieve.

One thing that I didn't quite understand was the chart having to do with "Entrepreneurial Motivation". The chart on display has too many arrows going every which way which makes it hard for me to understand what the chart is trying to tell me.


Question 1: Do you believe that in most cases aspiring entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs in general are major overachievers and that can lead to stress?

Question 2: Do you see the amount of risks that can come with being an entrepreneur causing severe consequences to the life of an entrepreneur in the future?


I would ask these questions because I think that the stresses that someone who desires to succeed, whether it be an entrepreneur or an aspiring artist, can cause problems in the future. The stresses that come along with being an entrepreneur can cause problems with drugs, alcohol, and depression. I would really like to know what the author thinks about these stresses can do to a person and how it could possibly affect their work.


I must say that I do not entirely agree with the book's categorization of the characteristics of an entrepreneur. I feel as if the author is generalizing an entrepreneur into a Type A personality. I don't believe this to be true.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Very Short Interview No. 1

For this week's assignment I chose to interview my best friend's father, my first actual employer, and a UF graduate  , Scot Bobo.  I've known Mr. Bobo for basically my entire life and he has been like a second father to me.  Two years ago, he opened "Main Street Sweets", an ice cream shop, in our hometown of Roosevelt Island, New York.


Q: Why did decide to open an ice cream shop rather than a diner or restaurant in the neighborhood.
A: Well Brandon, you personally know since you've grown up here that the Island has a large population of families living here.  I knew that with these families, come younger children that would love ice cream.  I've always been about the kids because I know I used to be a little kid that loved sports and loved to eat sweets!


Q: Was it always your dream to open up your own business?  Did you take any business classes at UF?
A: Yeah, I guess you can say that it has been one of my dreams to open my own business.  I went to UF as a Business major so I figured I would go into a career in Business after college.  I wanted to open up a business, but I wanted to wait for the right time to do so.  I wanted to carefully plan out and design what I had in my mind.


Q: How is business these days?  Are you thinking about opening something else in the community?
A:  Business is great right now!  We are bringing in new ice cream flavors to the shop almost every month and we just began holding birthday parties here as well.  We are working hard here but the hard work is paying off because the customers are happy and if the customers are happy then I'm happy.  I am definitely looking to open up another business in the near future.



I feel as if I benefited from talking to Scot.  I related to him in a lot of ways.  In talking to him, I found that I have the same drive that he has.  He has always known that he wanted to open up a business one day and he fulfilled his dream.  Even if I choose a different career path I hope to go into it with as much determination as Scot did with his career.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

World's Biggest Problems

1.  Climate Change
     I believe that climate change is a major problem that we all need to call attention to at this time in our lives.  Given he fact that we just experienced the warmest year on record in 2015, our planet is getting warmer and we must find a solution to halt this.

   A solution to this problem is to find alternative sources of energy that will slowly stop us from using up large amounts of fossil fuels.  I am aware that around the world, countries have been making enormous strides to develop alternative fuels such as  the harnessing and use of solar energy.

2. Terrorism
    I believe that today, we are all conflicted with the presence of terrorism, especially the radical group called ISIS.  We live in a world where innocent people at a concert in Paris or in a nursing home in California are being slaughtered in the blink of an eye.

A solution to this problem is the idea of an international alliance of the major countries in the world focused on stopping the advances of ISIS for good to keep innocent people all over the world out of danger and safe to go on with their lives.

3.  The European Migrant Crisis
     I believe that the migrant crisis is affecting the heavier populated countries around the world, especially countries such as Germany, Russia, and the United States.  These migrants, mostly from Syria are fleeing their homeland because of the danger they face if they stay.  In turn, they are seeking asylum in these large countries.

A solution to this problem is to have an universal ruling on how many migrants each country shall accept, where these migrants will be placed and how they will be able to continue to stay in that country.  With conformity and agreement between these countries, the migrants will able to lead safe new lives.

4.  Poverty and Hunger
    There are too many people in third world countries, even in densely populated countries that experience life as a poor person.  Poverty never seems to go away, and it seems that the number of impoverished people increases every year.

I believe that a solution to lessen the amount of people impoverished around the world is to have a larger contribution from the richest people in the world today.  If these people can go to third world countries and help build schools or food banks, these people that are so dirt poor can at least have a chance of getting better.

5.  Economic Collapse
     It has been found that current global economy could shift the world into a state not seen since the 1920s. That period in history was not one that we would like to go back to.  A time of recession and major economic downfall.

A solution to this problem is for each country to begin to to focus on handling their own nation debt.  If every country pays off their own national debt then I believe the global debt will obviously go down.

6.  Extinction of Several Species
   I believe that the fact that we are overusing the species that we use for our food consumption is causing these animals to become endangered. 

A solution to this problem is for the best chemists from every country to create new alternative "meats" that we can use in replacement of the animals that we are killing for our food.

7. High unemployment rates
   The high unemployment rates that we face around the world.  The youth unemployment rate is around 50% and unemployment in general remains a problem, especially in developing global markets.  

A solution to this problem is to change the standard of that fact that "you need experience to get experience" in the workplace.  This standard is basically a Catch 22 and allows for almost automatic failure for a person who is not yet experienced.

8. Religious corruption
Over the past few years I have noticed an increase in media attention regarding major scandals having to do with religious figures. These religious priests, rabbis, cardinals are involved in terrible scandals having to do with molestation, corruption, money, etc. 

A solution to this problem is for a larger outcry for more investigation and attention on this matter.  I believe many people are blind or do not want to come to terms with the fact that religious world is not as "perfect as everyone seems to think it is.  If we can gather enough people around the world to cal attention and raise awareness to this problem we can hope for a lessing of the corruption that takes place.

9.  Nuclear Weapons
Around the world, the major countries all hold nuclear weapons that can wipe out entire countries. These nuclear weapon programs cause every country to basically be ready to go to war at any second.   The fear of being attacked by another country with nuclear weapons causes a common threat to the innocent people globally. 

A solution to this problem is to have a complete shut down of every nuclear program around the world.  These nuclear programs do way more harm to the world than good. The fact that a city can disappear in a matter of minutes is not good at all. 

10. Politcal Instability 
 There are too many countries that do not have a stable,lasting government. Countries like Venezuela, in Africa, and Egypt have all experienced political uprise and instability.  This causes violent protests and killings as numerous groups attempt to fight their way to power.

A solution to this problem is to continue to have the United States enter these countries and instill the idea of democracy to the governments in place.  The United States has kept democracy alive for the last 200 years so with this credential, the US should go out and place order in these countries. 



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Sunday, January 17, 2016

Week 2 Reading Reflection

What I found was the biggest surprise for me while reading Chapter 1 was the fact that the GEM data showed 110 million people between 18 and 64 years old were actively engaged in starting a business (pg. 16).  I always believed that the common age for people to start businesses at was closer to the 30 to 50 age.  Reading that people as young as 18 and as old as 64 were starting businesses is surprising for me to see.

One concept that was confusing to me was the "Dynamic States Approach".  The way Figure 1.3 in the textbook depicts this concept does not make it easier for me to understand the meaning of the "Dynamic States Approach".

Question 1: Do you think that the reasoning for such a high percentage of entrepreneurial activity in America has to do with the societal believe and yearning for the American Dream?

Question 2:  Do you believe there will ever be a time when entrepreneurial firms will not be such a great source of American strength?

I would ask these questions because I believe that in the United States now, dating back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution the economy has always been based on the strength and about of new companies that arise in the U.S.  I believe that this is so because we as a society in the U.S. wish for the American Dream; to be successful, to make a whole lot of money, and to make an impact in this country.

I disagree with the statement that "Most Entrepreneurial Initiatives Fail".  I believe that there are many entrepreneurs out there that succeed at their first attempt at starting a business.  I think that saying "most" is a pretty bold statement.  I don't entirely believe in the corridor principle either.  To say that during every new entrepreneurial venture that is launched there are new opportunities that come about that were unintended is a generalized statement.

Bug List

1. My roommate staying up until 3 am every single night playing video games.
        This bug exists because my roommate probably was used to staying up late at home

2.  The smell of gas on my hands every time I ride my scooter to class.
      This bug exists because I neglected the need to clean my handlebars after that time I spilled gas on my hands

3.  People who do not do their dishes after they are finished eating a meal
      This bug exists because these people, including my roommates weren't taught how to clean up after themselves

4.  People who are so infatuated and obsessed with their social media accounts
      This bug exists because the world that we live in now is centered around technology and social media

5.  Mexican food, especially from Taco Bell
     This bug exists because when I was 5 years old my parents gave me a Taco Bell burrito and I was sick for days after that incident. Ever since then I can't stand Mexican food

6. When a friend calls me and decides to have another conversation with someone else while they are still on the phone with me
      This bug exists because people are not aware of the fact that it is rude and hard to talk to two people at the same time.

7.  When I can't find the remote while I'm laying down
     This bug exists because I've always hated misplacing things

8.  When my girlfriend attempts to finish a story that I am trying to tell her meanwhile she says the wrong things.
      This bug exists because she truly thinks she knows the facts of my stories

9.  When I get a stain on my clothing no matter how small or large this stain may be
     This bug exists because I always want to look presentable

10.  Rude people who don't hold doors for you or say hello when they see you in my hometown of New York City
       This bug exists because everyone who grows up in NYC has that sort of "street smart" mentality

11.  When my roommate decides to play loud music when I am trying to complete this "Bug List"
       This bug exists because he does know how to be respectful and courteous to the fact that I am doing homework.

12. People who talk over the professor in class while I am trying to take notes
       This bug exists these people obviously do not care about the needs of the other students in the lecture hall.

13.  Long waiting times for a seat for 2 at Carrabba's on a Saturday night.
      This bug exists because of the large amount of people that have decided to go out for dinner on a Saturday night.

14.  People who tell me that I will not be able to accomplish my dream of becoming the President of the United States.
      This bug exists because these people are simple minded and are complacent with their lives as they are

15.  Store bought baked products
       This bug exists because growing up I've always been used to homemade desserts

16.  The smell of nail polish
       This bug exists because I remember how my mother used to apply nail polish to her fingers during long car rides to a family party or gathering

17.  The New York Yankees
       This bug exists because I am a die hard New York Mets fan and the rest of my family are all Yankee fans

18.  Getting my brand new sneakers dirty when I walk outside
       This bug exists because I've always liked to keep my appearance nice and clean

19.  People who claim that they are better than me at a sport or an activity
       This bug exists because of the fact that I am overly confident and invest in my own capabilities and talents

20.  When my contact rips while I am in class and ready to take an exam
       This bug exists because I always forget to properly clean my contacts


I found the task of thinking about at least 20 things that "bug" me extremely difficult.  Sitting here and going into my thoughts about what bothers me on a day to day basis is definitely not something that I have done before.  I believe that it is very challenging to actually  delve into your own feelings  because I never have time to do so.  This list was eye opening and helped me think about what I believe is good and what I believe is wrong or annoying.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

My Entrepreneurship Story

In Sixth grade my two closest friends and me started a "business" where we sold bottle caps in the school yard during recess.  These bottle caps were used for a new game that we created one day in the school yard.  We called the game  "Cap Hockey" and it instantly sparked a lot of people's interest.  We began to think that we were huge business moguls and we began to produce these bottle caps for people to buy everyday during school.  Business was booming and we even created executive  positions in the "company".  After a while we started hiring more and more kids to do the selling for us and we even payed them.  Unfortunately this was the greatest point of the company because after Sixth grade we gave up the "business".


I enrolled in this course because I've always wanted to run my own business one day.  When I came across this class during registration I became interested in what it had to offer.  I read the description and I knew that this class would teach me very valuable things that I can use the in the future.  I hope to take what I will learn in this course and apply it to my own goals and aspirations of creating my own business. I am looking forward to a great semester and having a great experience in this course.


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Introduction

Hello, my name is Brandon Ewing.  I'm from New York City and I have lived there for basically my entire life.  I am currently a Political Science major with a minor in Business. Unfortunately,  I haven't traveled out of the country, but I've always wanted to and hopefully I get the chance to in the near future.  I am very into sports, in which I played four years of football and baseball in high school.  Now I currently play for the UF Club Baseball team and that has been a great experience for me so far.  Ever since I was in kindergarten I have said that my dream is to become the President of the United States and that still is my dream.  I have always been goal driven and very passionate about being successful in everything that I do.

Thank You


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