Week 8 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 stood out to me in this chapter while reading, was at the end of the decade, it is predict that only 4,000 commercial banks will have survived these tough times. It also stood out to me because I work at a bank myself.
2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.
Nothing was really confusing to me because everything was explained very well in this chapter and working in a bank also helped with the terms used in this chapter.
3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?
If you were going to start a business in toady's economy, how would you go about funding it?
What do believe is the best option for funding a business?
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 I didn't agree with the author on this weeks reading, because all his facts had a lot of information to back them up.

- William Garlock

Half-way Reflection

1) Tenaciousness is a skill. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course?

Some of the behaviors I have used to keep up with the requirements of this course are, making sure I log on to canvas every day to keep up with deadlines, and also setting a specific time I work on this class and this class only. Doing these few things definitely has helped me stay on top of deadlines and allow me to usually submit my work head of time.

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this?

I will have to say, achieving this degree is a very important goal of mine, so I haven’t really had any thoughts of giving up just yet. Especially in this class, because the assignments are fun and unique. If I ever had the feeling of “giving up” though, I would just stop and think of all the rewards that will come once I am done.

3) Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset'?

My three tips would be:

Make sure you check canvas every day, since there is usually four to five assignments due a week.

Make sure you always share before you declare and actually due the assignment completely before you even submit it.

Make sure you have fun doing the assignments!

- William Garlock

Week 7 Reading Reflection

1) What surprised me about this reading article is when the author mentioned how the traditional demographic traits such as age, sex, educational levels, and income no longer serve as a basis for market strategy. 
2) I guess I would have to say that the above would be confusing. Is it because a lot of people no matter where they come from or who they are, just purchase because that item is in and popular?
3) In our day and age what demographic or group of people would you think are most worth pursuing? or Do you think the reason why, during WWII, products didn't need much advertising is, because the amount of products out there were not as diverse?
4) I would have to say I didn't agree with any of the authors ideas this times around.

- William Garlock

Elevator Pitch No. 2

Based off my first pitch, everyone seemed to like my concept and idea. I was told to show a little more passion, but I'm not sure if I hit that mark on this go around or not. So for my second go at my pitch I added a little more to it and changed the structure around completely to hopefully sell the idea a little bit better.

- William Garlock

Week 6 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 whole article itself stood out the most for me. Just the fact that there are a lot more competitive areas then just your rival, from customers to suppliers.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you. One part of the article I wish he would of elaborated more on, was when he said "eliminating rivals is a risky strategy." He kind of went over it, but more details would've been nice.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why? Out of the five forces, which one should we focus on the most? Also, out of those five is there a least important one we should give less attention too?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How? I don't think the author was wrong about anything, but I think there could be more then five factors. Although, they just might not be as serious as the ones stated in the article.

- William Garlock

Idea Napkin No. 1

1) You. 
I am William Garlock, a junior at University of Florida working on Bachelors in Business Administration. I am good with my hands as well as working with customers. My experiences are in customer service and finances, I worked at a grocery store in customer service for three years and now I'm currently working at a bank. If I were to start this business or idea, it would be helping out customers, which helping customers is something I enjoy doing.

2) What are you offering to customers? 
A way to deter theft in vehicles with a simple steering wheel quick release that can be installed into cars from the factory.

3) Who are you offering it to? 
This idea is for anyone really. As long as you have a car to drive, it is for you. Although, since it is more of an idea then a product, you would have to have a car that is new from the factory with the device installed.

4) Why do they care? 
I think they would care, because nobody wants to get their car stolen and new cars aren't very cheap either.

5) What are your core competencies? 

It would set any car manufacture apart from the rest, because nobody has yet to make this an option for a factory car right off the lot. There are aftermarket versions, but there are no version straight off the lot from factory.

I would have to say my beliefs fit together into my concept, because I like helping people out and this one way I could do that. There are some aspect of my business concept that are not as strong. Since this is something that would come from factory, it would mean it would only be available to new models of cars. A strong point to this though, is that they make aftermarket quick releases but none of them retain the airbag. So, if it were to come from factory with an airbag, it would definitely be a safer option.  

- William Garlock

Week 5 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 figured it was a big deal to get a patent, but I didn’t think the process would be so complex in securing one. Would be nice if you could just say, “here’s my idea, protect it.”

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

Although it would take a bit to cover this topic, but maybe going into more detail on the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act. Mainly, explain each article in a little more detail.

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

Besides copyright and trademark are there any other ways to protect my product or company, mainly in the long run? Also, out of the three major forms of legal organization, what would you go with?

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

I always find it hard to disagree or think something is wrong with what the author has said, especially when I'm the one learning this stuff. I will say this chapter has a lot of straight forward facts, so I couldn't really disagree to those.

- William Garlock

Elevator Pitch No. 1

This is more of an idea than an actual product, since it already has been created. But, every day there is a car theft every 46 seconds in the United States. I would like to incorporate the aftermarket steering wheel quick release to cars right off the lot. In hopes that it will deter car theft in the United States.

- William Garlock