Week 4 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations?

While reading I came across the eliminating muddling mind-sets and read that adults only use two to ten percent of their creative potential. Just imagine what we could do if we had access to the other ninety percent of it.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I’m not really confused on the incubation process, but I’m just confused and want to know how the subconscious just randomly remembers stiff like that while you’re doing everyday things.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

- What area of creativity is the most important to you?

- What do you think we could do with a hundred percent of their creative potential?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I would have to say there was nothing I would disagree on with the author on this one.

- William Garlock

Top 5 World Problems

Top Five Problems Ordered

1.     Pollution

2.     Water

3.     Nuclear Weapons

4.     Data Security

5.     Poverty

Top Five Solutions to the Problems Ordered

1.      Data Security - In my recent class, computing in the business environment, I learned that it is very important to make sure your employees are educated and aware of the potential threats. Also not just employees, but also educating the public will be very beneficial.

2.     Poverty - We can create jobs and wage increases where needed and earned. Sometimes it only takes that one extra person to get a job or a raise to lift that person out of poverty.

3.     Water - One way to fix this issue is to educate people on the consumption of water, not just taking shorter showers, but consequences as well if the problem isn’t fixed.

4.     Pollution - One way we could go about fixing the issue is by using or burning resources in a more environmentally friendly way or finding a new way all together for that specific job.

5.     Nuclear Weapons - One solution would get everyone to come together at the UN and get on the same page and find solutions to this problem.

I ranked Pollution as my top problem, because there are a lot of people in this world who just don’t care. Pollution is something that is only going to get worse if we don’t take action. It’s not just bad for the environment, but as very bad for our health, especially air pollution. Out of my top five problems and the solutions to those problems. The problem with the most implemental solution would have to be Data Security. Stored data for a company can be its biggest asset and all it takes is a little education and some software upgrades and you’re good to go.

- William Garlock

Week 3 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations?

What I thought was surprising in this chapter reading was the massive amount of information that was given for the one topic, entrepreneur mind-sets. This section took up around six pages and talked about your inter locus of control to team building.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

One part of the reading that I thought was confusing in this chapter would have to be the metacognitive model, because I noticed I had to go back and read it about two or three times to piece it all together.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

The two questions I would have to ask the author about this chapter is, to explain the metacognitive model in a simpler way so that I can understand it better and what do you think is the best mind-set is to follow as an entrepreneur.

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I would have to say that I didn’t think there was anything wrong with what the author talked about in this chapter.

- William Garlock

Very Short Interview No. 1

This week I interviewed Bill Stott who owns Stott Craft. He started Stott Craft in 1979 where he builds boats big and small. I know Bill through my Dad since they both work together, so I stopped by and got some insight from Bill himself.

• What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

“To me it means to work for yourself, make your own hours, and you can do what you want and whatever you want to make your money. What I think it means to me most is creating jobs for people and being in charge of the decisions.”

• What do you think I should learn in an entrepreneurship course?

Some things I think you could benefit from in an entrepreneurship course is marketing and budgeting. So you know how to sell yourself and get customers, and know how to budget yourself so you don’t run out of money.

• What do you wish you had been taught in school before setting out on your own path as an entrepreneur?

I wish I would’ve learned to go work for someone else, but all jokes aside it would’ve been nice to learn business finance, so I can better manage my money and also make money with my money.

I thought it was cool going out and interviewing a local entrepreneur, although the interview was short it was also a very informative trip. What I though was very awesome of Bill when I asked “what does it mean to be an entrepreneur” and he replied with “creating jobs for people,” that’s one way I never really thought of thinking when it comes to owning your own business. Also, it appears I’ll need to pay extra attention when I go take business finance, as that's something Bill wish he would have learned in school.

- William Garlock

Identifying Local Opportunities

• Gas prices falling now, but could spike in spring

• As the title says, this story is all about the gas prices and how they continue to fall. But how long will they stay down for?

• The problem that could bring these prices back up in spring to around fifty cents more is seasonal refinery maintenance.  

• Who has the problem? I would have to say the consumer are the ones that are going to suffer from this problem the most. Although, it would be very nice not to have to go to work because of gas prices, but that is just unrealistic.

• Marion County school district has money is looking for teachers

• With a 1 mil tax referendum that passed in 2014, this allowed 200 more positions to be available in Marion County. Now with all the retirees and transfers, Marion County is now short on some teachers.

• The problem with this is that they are for one, short on teaches, but second they are also relying on full-time substitutes with at least a Bachelor’s degree that are not fully or highly certified in that particular position.

• The problem here affects the students, especially for the ones who are getting taught by full-time substitutes. Although, they might be great teachers, but they might not be fully certified to be teaching that specific area.

• I-75 overpass fix will cost $450,000; worst damage in dozen years

• On the day before Thanksgiving a dump truck or roll-off truck driving on county road 329 hit the I-75 overpass, causing the most damage in Marion County in a dozen years.

• The problem presented is the amount of the repair to the highway, since they are going to have to replace the 61 foot beams that support the bride.

• Well specifically the company that hired the driver is going to be responsible for the costs, but as well as the other company TME that has to front the money for the repair till they can collect the funds. Also, drivers might be affected as well during repairs to the bridge if there are any detours.

• Small crowd, big opposition to natural gas pipeline

• This article is about the opposition of a 515 mile long natural gas pipeline that will run through about a dozen counties in Florida.

• The problem that was presented by the public that commented, was that there is potential environmental harm that could follow. The rivers, springs, the aquifer, groundwater, wetlands and wildlife habitat could be at threat, as well as potential sinkholes.          

• I would have to think that the homeowners along the pipeline and the people who like to go out and enjoy the natural springs and rivers could be affected by this problem.

• Ocala finds many homeowners skeptical of free switch from septic to sewer

• The St. Johns River Management and City of Ocala are trying to remove 850 septic tanks that could be of harm to watersheds and the river.

•The problem they are having is trying to convince the homeowners to agree to the switch. Ocala’s water and sewer director is scratching his head as to way they don’t want to switch, since its practically free and is helping out there local river.

•A description of who has the problem I would guess that the people running the service to these customers are the ones with the problem, since they aren’t having the best of luck getting people to switch. Although, I will say that the people that live new the river and use it could also have a problem too, if seepage in the river becomes too much.

- William Garlock

World's Biggest Problems

1)      Data security

With the amount of data that is being store in the cloud and on hard drives, there is definitely a risk of someone trying to get a hold of that information. Sadly, it’s very possible and very easy, especially if someone is not paying attention. In my recent class, computing in the business environment, I learned that it is very important to make sure your employees are educated and aware of the potential threats.

2)      Disease

We have definitely had are fair share of disease scares over the recent years, from Swine Flu to Ebola. One way to possibly help keep this under control is to invent some kind of health screening device or scanner at every international airport. Hopefully this device will help catch people with life threating disease before they spread. Although, it might sound a little futuristic, but this device will be able detect the difference between the common cold and something that is actually dangerous.

3)      Unemployment

We all know and have heard about the unemployment rate in the recent years, but recently there has been jobs out there. The unemployment rate is around 5 percent at the moment, even though it’s a lot better than it has been, it is still a problem we have to face. We all know creating jobs will fix that, but it’s not that easy. One way to help out with unemployment is to give businesses a break on their taxes, so they can have more money to hire new works to meet demands.

4)      Pollution

Pollution in general is becoming quite the problem, but to be more specific, air pollution is something to lookout for. Air pollution actually has become a very serious problem these days by causing premature deaths. One way we could go about fixing the issue is by using or burning resources in a more environmentally friendly way or finding a new way all together for that specific job.

5)      Poverty

With the population increasing every year, it’s only making poverty worse. Poverty is widespread throughout the world, not only is it in America, but it’s also across the globe. For Americas sake though, we can create jobs and wage increases where needed or earned. Sometimes it only takes that one extra person to get a job or a raise to lift that person out of poverty.

6)      Increase population

To me it seems like my small little town is only getting smaller over the past couple years, but when I say smaller I literally mean smaller. The roads seem to be getting busier, trees are slowly turning into buildings, and sidewalks getting more and more crowded. One way you could slow down population growth, could be to better educate teens in school or better plan the amount of children you want in your life time. It seems a lot of high schoolers these days are becoming pregnant and a lot of the time it doesn’t seem like it is planned.

7)      Extinction

With the population growing and having to expand, we are slowly taking the land away from animals. The poaching and illegal hunting of animals all throughout the world isn’t helping either. One solution could be to place stricter laws and possibly start some new jobs focused on just making sure those laws are being followed, especially in other countries.

8)      Water

Just like any other natural resource on this planet, there is only a limited supply. Water shortage is a definite problem we already have to face in some parts of the world and even in our own country and its only going to get worse as the population grows. One way to fix this issue is to educate people on the consumption of water, not just taking shorter showers, but consequences as well if the problem isn’t fixed.

9)      Nuclear weapons

It’s quite scaring to think of how vulnerable we are when it comes to nuclear weapons. Just knowing that these exist and that they have the potential to wipe out millions of people with the press of a button. The world would be a better place without them, but it’s not that easy. One solution would get everyone to come together at the UN and get on the same page and find solutions to this problem.

10)  Deforestation

With today’s technologies you would think this would no longer be an issue. Some scientist are starting to believe that deforestation is someway connected to the recent droughts, especially in Brazil. It seems like everyone these days has some sort of smart phone or computer, so one way to help this issue is to cut out the use of paper and do everything electronically.

- William Garlock

Bug List

No specific order

1.      When drivers don’t use their blinker when they are turning or switching lanes.

-          Exists because people don’t know how to drive in Florida.

2.      When someone cuts you in line, anywhere.

-          Exists because people are inconsiderate.

3.      While taking a test, someone clicks their pen or taps on something.

-          Exists because the student might have testing anxiety.

4.      When people are disrespectful, in general.

-          Again exists because some people are inconsiderate and rude.

5.      When someone tries to mess with my hair after I do it up.

-          Exists because my hair is wavy and people always want to touch it.

6.      When you’re on the highway and someone is in the fast line holding everyone up.

-          Again because people don’t know how to drive and follow the rules of the highway.

7.      When someone doesn’t know how to park and makes it impossible to park in the next space over.

-          Exists because some people don’t know how to park and don’t think of others.

8.      When someone chews with their mouth open, especially something crunchy.

-          Exists because someone people don’t like breathing through their nose.

9.      Also when someone breathes really heavy with their mouth open.

-          Also exists because some people don’t like to breathe through their nose.

10.  When you’re are watching a really good movie and someone is talking or pulls out there phone.

-Exists because some people only think of themselves and not others.

11.  When you go to get cereal in the morning to start your day and there’s no milk.

-          Exists because you don’t do your due diligence before you pour your cereal.   

12.  When someone uses the last of the toilet paper and doesn’t replace it.

-          Exists because some family members are just lazy.

13.  When you are out in public and parents have very misbehaved children running around.

-          Exists because some people are either bad parents or just don’t care how their kids act.

14.  When I see people texting and driving, especially when someone is in the car with them.

-          Exists because some people are too impatient to wait till they’re done driving, putting others at risk.

15.  When someone scratches a chalkboard with their finger nails or sound similar.

-          Exists because my ears just don’t like that noise. Half of the time it doesn’t happen on purpose, but it’s still a terrible noise.

16.  When you are at the grocery store and you have less than ten items, so you go to the ten items or less line to find someone checking out with thirty.

-          Exists because some people are in too much of a hurry and don’t like to read signs.

17.  When people interrupt you, because they are too impatient to wait till you are done talking.

-          Kind of answered this one in the bug, but some people are just too impatient to let you finish, especially in an argument.

18.  When someone doesn’t cover their mouth when they cough and sneeze, especially when they are sick.

-          Exists because some people don’t think about it and how it could affect others.

19.  I used to work in retail, so when someone is on their phone while you’re taking care of them and they don’t even say anything.

-          Exists because some customers aren’t very polite.

20.  When you get Chinese food and there soy sauce tastes like water compared to Kikkoman’s you buy at the store.

-          Exists because I think there soy sauce might be a healthier sauce, but that is no fun.

I would have to say I really enjoyed this assignment. It made me think of the little things and the big things, from soy sauce to the highway. I will say at first it wasn’t difficult to come up with the bugs, but about halfway in I started to get stuck. This is where I really had to start thinking outside of the box, so I started to think about my passed job experiences and then all the way to when I go out to eat, just to find some more.

- William Garlock

Week 2 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations?

I would have to say the myths in this chapter stood out the most for me. The myth that stood out the most would be the last one, “entrepreneurs are extreme risk takers.” Well, at first it did before I continued on reading, because we all know that entrepreneur are risk takers. They just make calculated risks.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I don’t think the topics that were that confusing, but out of all the topics in this chapter I would have to say that the micro view of entrepreneurship and the macro view of entrepreneurship would be the one. Since, I was never really a fan of economics.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

Why did you write a book on entrepreneurship and what does it mean to you? I would ask these to get a better understanding of the author and his ideas throughout the book.

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I think the author is wrong when he talks about the best business schools for entrepreneurship, because UF is not on that list of schools.

- William Garlock

My Entrepreneurship Story

I used to be exposed to entrepreneurship every year in the summer in Upstate New York, where my uncle owns his own business. He owns Pine Bay Farm, which is a recreational area that has around 15 cottages on the St. Lawrence river. I haven't been in probably five years or more, so I never really had a entrepreneurship type conversation with him, but he is a very smart man. He even outfitted his old Porsche with a biodiesel engine and makes his own fuel. I'm hoping I can make the trip again soon so I can talk to him about being a entrepreneur. 




I enrolled in this class because I'm an online student working on my BSBA and it is a requirement, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested in this class. I'm hoping this class helps me grow relationships with people and connect with other entrepreneurs, so I can gain a entrepreneur's mindset and use that to better my future.

- William Garlock

Introduction

Hello,

My name is William Garlock, I was born and raised in Ocala, Fl. My family in short is just a bunch of Italians that live down south in ft. Lauderdale and all we ever do is eat a bunch of backed ziti and pizza. My major is Business Administration and I'm working on my second semester here at UF as a junior. I've always wanted to travel, since the farthest I've been from home is the Bahamas, but if I didn't spend so much money on my little 90's Japanese sports car that could be a possibility.

- William Garlock

The Entrpreneur's Mantra

- William Garlock

Testing

First post for ENT3003

- William Garlock