https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdN9wOkVXQM&feature=youtu.be
The feedback that I received from my first elevator pitch was overall positive. There was one piece of advice that I definitely used. One person told me to not use my arms as much because it can create a distraction.
After receiving great feedback, I decided to memorize my pitch all of the way, which made me more confident in my idea. I also did not wave my arms around. Overall, I believe I improved and would love some more feedback how I can improve even more on my third elevator pitch.
Friday, October 26, 2018
18A: Create a Customer Avatar
The typical customer for my product is a college women in her 20's. This woman has medium income with some discretionary income to spend on nonessential things. Hobbies that my customer has include kayaking, swimming, and running. This customer tends to drive a Honda Accord. My customer likes to watch TV shows such as Friends, The Office, and Grey's Anatomy. This customer does not tend to have any children, but they do have a lot of friends and family. They tend to have a job with going to school full-time. They do not have much time to read books for leisure because they reading books for school is number one priority.
After creating this avatar, I would have to say that I have a lot in common with her. I am a college student in my 20's, working part-time, have similar hobbies, and watch similar shows. I do not think it is a coincidence because I am targeting college students with the same unmet need as me.
Friday, October 19, 2018
15A: Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2
Interview 1: The first college student that I interviewed is a freshman in college. She said when she goes shopping for clothing or shoes, she prefers to buy at the store. She said she does not like to buy online because she cannot see or feel the product beforehand and would not know if it would fit/ work. She said what matters to her the most when buying a product is the price, since she is a college student who is budgeting her costs. I told her about alternatives to plastic and she said she already buys them at the store. She did say she bought metal straws on Amazon because she found a good deal online and she couldn't find any in stores. She shops online frequently for little things like phone cases. I asked her how she makes sure that her purchase was a good idea after she buys something, and she said she usually looks up reviews online for products so she knows it will be worth it.
Interview 2: The second college student I interviewed is a junior in college. He said he rarely shops, but when he does, he shops in stores. He likes to go in the store and buy what he needs and leave as fast as he can. He said he does not like to buy online because he would rather buy something and have it the same day. He said quality matters to him the most when shopping. He tends to buy high end products because he does have a job and extra money to spend. Since he does not shop frequently, he has more money saved up. I told him about the alternatives to plastic and he said he does not currently buy any. I told him about the different alternatives and he said if they were priced at a good price, he would consider buying them. I asked him how he makes sure that after he purchases a product, that he would not regret it after and he said he makes sure he actually likes it and is going to use it.
Interview 3: The third college student that I interviewed is a junior in college. This student said she buys in stores and online. She buys her clothing and shoes in stores, but online she likes to buy small things like books, watch bands, and laptop cases. She said what matters to her the most when buying products is the price. She is on her own, without the help of her parents, so she is on a tight budget. I told her about the alternatives to plastic and she said she has bought some already. She bought these alternatives such as reusable straws and reusable bags online because the price was affordable and it was convenient to buy online. She said some of the alternatives that she wants, she can only find online. For example, she wanted these reusable bags that were wrapped in a pouch for easy storage and she found them online. I asked her how she decides that the product she buys is a good idea and she said she looks up reviews before buying.
Overall, the three college students that I interviewed, 2 out of 3 said they already buy alternatives to plastic and the other one said they would if it was a good price. Price is the most important factor to most college students because they are usually on a small budget. Regarding, post-purchase evaluation, most of my interviewees said they look up reviews online before buying a product.
Interview 2: The second college student I interviewed is a junior in college. He said he rarely shops, but when he does, he shops in stores. He likes to go in the store and buy what he needs and leave as fast as he can. He said he does not like to buy online because he would rather buy something and have it the same day. He said quality matters to him the most when shopping. He tends to buy high end products because he does have a job and extra money to spend. Since he does not shop frequently, he has more money saved up. I told him about the alternatives to plastic and he said he does not currently buy any. I told him about the different alternatives and he said if they were priced at a good price, he would consider buying them. I asked him how he makes sure that after he purchases a product, that he would not regret it after and he said he makes sure he actually likes it and is going to use it.
Interview 3: The third college student that I interviewed is a junior in college. This student said she buys in stores and online. She buys her clothing and shoes in stores, but online she likes to buy small things like books, watch bands, and laptop cases. She said what matters to her the most when buying products is the price. She is on her own, without the help of her parents, so she is on a tight budget. I told her about the alternatives to plastic and she said she has bought some already. She bought these alternatives such as reusable straws and reusable bags online because the price was affordable and it was convenient to buy online. She said some of the alternatives that she wants, she can only find online. For example, she wanted these reusable bags that were wrapped in a pouch for easy storage and she found them online. I asked her how she decides that the product she buys is a good idea and she said she looks up reviews before buying.
Overall, the three college students that I interviewed, 2 out of 3 said they already buy alternatives to plastic and the other one said they would if it was a good price. Price is the most important factor to most college students because they are usually on a small budget. Regarding, post-purchase evaluation, most of my interviewees said they look up reviews online before buying a product.
Friday, October 12, 2018
14A: Halfway Reflection
The behaviors that I have used to keep up with the requirements for this course is by setting goals and achieving them. For example, I set daily and weekly goals of when and how I am going to study for my classes. I write down what I have due and check it off as I go. For this course, you have to declare every assignment and submit URL's. There is a lot to keep track, especially with five classes and work, but it is manageable. You just have to have good time management skills.
I actually just recently had a moment of "giving up" because I started this new job while taking five classes. Since it is midterm week, I have been stressing more about school. My new job requires training people, attending meetings, attending business dinners, attending goal/team night, networking with people, working in the office and in the field, so it can be stressful, but I have set my expectations of when I can work, so it has been working out pretty well with school. I do have less time for a social life, but I try to have as much fun as I can as often as I can. My family even told me to quit my job, but I am not a quitter, and I will pull through.
I feel like I definitely developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months because of being able to handle five classes on top of work. I have learned a lot while working and staying in school and it has taught me how to manage my time and what my priorities are. I have worked in the past during school, but it was a job in the restaurant industry that I did not envision myself in. I wanted to start my career before I graduated, so that I could execute my student mentality and work ethic in my job.
Three tips that I would give students for next year's class include being prepared, being on time, and having a positive attitude. If you maintain these three things, you can accomplish your goals and all of your assignments on time. Being prepared means studying and knowing your stuff and bringing your notebook and pencils to class. Being on time means being early. If you are late, you will miss important class information. Having a positive attitude is another tip that will go a long way. If you think optimistically, you can set your mind to anything, achieve your goals, and be successful.
13A: Reading Reflection No. 1
The book that I chose for my reading reflection is "Grinding It Out," by Ray Kroc. What surprised me the most was how Ray Kroc was able to open his own McDonalds after making a deal with the McDonald's brothers. Supposedly anyone can open a McDonald's today, but first they need to work in a McDonald's for a certain amount of hours to be able to open up their own franchise. Ray Kroc opened up his first McDonald's at age 52. He expanded so quickly to 4,000 locations in just around 20 years. It is amazing how he did it. In the book, he talks about how he chose his locations and he used his company airplane in the beginning. I thought that was a smart idea!
What I admired the most about Ray Kroc is that he had many jobs in his life and he never gave up. He was always the hardest worker and the one at the top in his business. He first began selling paper cups and was the best sales agent and then he moved to selling Multimixers. He wanted to sell Multimixers to McDonalds, but instead he got the idea of opening McDonalds locations himself across the U.S. and made a deal with the McDonald's brothers. He still brought his Multimixers to McDonalds to increase more sales.
After reading the entire book, Ray Kroc said himself that he judged people before getting to know them. Once he was in his business, he had to hire people to help him, and he said he always judged men that he was interviewing. He was looking for sharp people, so I can see why he did that. But, judging someone before you actually get to work with them, won't do you any good. That is what I least admired about him.
Ray Kroc did encounter failure. When he first opened his McDonald's, he had a hard time making fries like how they should taste. He failed a few times, but kept trying and finally made them just right. He said it took him a year to get his first McDonald's up and running perfect, so he had to go through a lot of bumps, but he never gave up.
Some competencies that I noticed that the entrepreneur exhibited included always trying his hardest to succeed. Every job that he had, he always managed to get to the top of the ladder. He worked long hours and worked with tenacity.
I was not confused by any of the reading. Everything was straightforward and easy to understand.
The two questions that I would ask Ray Kroc:
1. What made you want to open a McDonald's location?
2. What would you have done differently in your life?
I think Ray Kroc's opinion of hard work was giving your all and being your best. Kroc thought hard work meant achieving the best results by putting in the effort. You have to do what it takes to succeed. I do believe he is right and I do always try my best when doing anything in life. Ray Kroc taught me a lot and I hope one day I will be as successful as he was.
What I admired the most about Ray Kroc is that he had many jobs in his life and he never gave up. He was always the hardest worker and the one at the top in his business. He first began selling paper cups and was the best sales agent and then he moved to selling Multimixers. He wanted to sell Multimixers to McDonalds, but instead he got the idea of opening McDonalds locations himself across the U.S. and made a deal with the McDonald's brothers. He still brought his Multimixers to McDonalds to increase more sales.
After reading the entire book, Ray Kroc said himself that he judged people before getting to know them. Once he was in his business, he had to hire people to help him, and he said he always judged men that he was interviewing. He was looking for sharp people, so I can see why he did that. But, judging someone before you actually get to work with them, won't do you any good. That is what I least admired about him.
Ray Kroc did encounter failure. When he first opened his McDonald's, he had a hard time making fries like how they should taste. He failed a few times, but kept trying and finally made them just right. He said it took him a year to get his first McDonald's up and running perfect, so he had to go through a lot of bumps, but he never gave up.
Some competencies that I noticed that the entrepreneur exhibited included always trying his hardest to succeed. Every job that he had, he always managed to get to the top of the ladder. He worked long hours and worked with tenacity.
I was not confused by any of the reading. Everything was straightforward and easy to understand.
The two questions that I would ask Ray Kroc:
1. What made you want to open a McDonald's location?
2. What would you have done differently in your life?
I think Ray Kroc's opinion of hard work was giving your all and being your best. Kroc thought hard work meant achieving the best results by putting in the effort. You have to do what it takes to succeed. I do believe he is right and I do always try my best when doing anything in life. Ray Kroc taught me a lot and I hope one day I will be as successful as he was.
Friday, October 5, 2018
12A: Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1
Interview #1:
The first person I interviewed is a college student in her last year. This student said she has the most need of using alternatives to plastic when she goes to a restaurant or cafe and there are only plastic cups and plastic straws. She has metal straws at home and mason jars that she likes to bring with her but sometimes forgets. She becomes aware of the need when she is shopping for tupperware or water bottles. She also becomes aware of the need when ordering food to go from restaurants. She tries to eat out less or bring her own glass storage containers. When she searches in Google, she looks for alternatives to plastic that she can buy and use. For example, she started using bar soap instead of body wash. She does talk to her friends about using less plastic and most of them do use reusable water bottles.
Interview #2:
The second person I interviewed is a college student in her first year. She always has a need to use alternatives to plastic because she really cares about the environment. Her need becomes most salient when she goes out to eat with her friends and the restaurant only has plastic silverware and plastic cups. She eats out as less as she can and cooks her food at home. Her solution has been to replace a plastic product that she has every week. So far it has been working and she is almost plastic free. Of course, she said, there are some plastic products that she cannot replace such as a the plastic screen protector for her phone and computer. She said she is always on Google, trying to find alternatives to plastic and she just found a phone case called the Plea Case. She does talk to her family and friends about alternatives to plastic.
Interview #3:
The third person I interviewed is a junior in college. This student works at a restaurant so she is always seeing the need. She said when she brings drinks to a table, she asks her customers first if they want a straw or not to give them that opportunity to not use a straw. She also has an unmet need when she is ordering to-go food at a restaurant because most restaurants use plastic to-go containers. Once she becomes aware of the need, she tries to talk to people and inform them about alternatives to plastic and she tries to find a solution such as always carrying her own metal straws and only shopping at organic grocery stores that use paper bags. She said she hasn't searched on Google that much because she already uses alternatives to plastic and knows the different alternatives. She does talk to her friends and family as well.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, after interviewing these three college students, I noticed that they all have an unmet need to using alternatives to plastic. They all have an unmet need when shopping at the grocery store or eating at restaurants. They also all try to use alternatives to plastic, but there are so many things that plastic is stored in or used for that it is hard to completely get rid of plastic. Two of the people I interviewed said the do search for information, while one of them said she does not. After mentioning to all of them my idea of marketing and selling products with their college logo on it, they said they would all buy it.
The first person I interviewed is a college student in her last year. This student said she has the most need of using alternatives to plastic when she goes to a restaurant or cafe and there are only plastic cups and plastic straws. She has metal straws at home and mason jars that she likes to bring with her but sometimes forgets. She becomes aware of the need when she is shopping for tupperware or water bottles. She also becomes aware of the need when ordering food to go from restaurants. She tries to eat out less or bring her own glass storage containers. When she searches in Google, she looks for alternatives to plastic that she can buy and use. For example, she started using bar soap instead of body wash. She does talk to her friends about using less plastic and most of them do use reusable water bottles.
Interview #2:
The second person I interviewed is a college student in her first year. She always has a need to use alternatives to plastic because she really cares about the environment. Her need becomes most salient when she goes out to eat with her friends and the restaurant only has plastic silverware and plastic cups. She eats out as less as she can and cooks her food at home. Her solution has been to replace a plastic product that she has every week. So far it has been working and she is almost plastic free. Of course, she said, there are some plastic products that she cannot replace such as a the plastic screen protector for her phone and computer. She said she is always on Google, trying to find alternatives to plastic and she just found a phone case called the Plea Case. She does talk to her family and friends about alternatives to plastic.
Interview #3:
The third person I interviewed is a junior in college. This student works at a restaurant so she is always seeing the need. She said when she brings drinks to a table, she asks her customers first if they want a straw or not to give them that opportunity to not use a straw. She also has an unmet need when she is ordering to-go food at a restaurant because most restaurants use plastic to-go containers. Once she becomes aware of the need, she tries to talk to people and inform them about alternatives to plastic and she tries to find a solution such as always carrying her own metal straws and only shopping at organic grocery stores that use paper bags. She said she hasn't searched on Google that much because she already uses alternatives to plastic and knows the different alternatives. She does talk to her friends and family as well.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, after interviewing these three college students, I noticed that they all have an unmet need to using alternatives to plastic. They all have an unmet need when shopping at the grocery store or eating at restaurants. They also all try to use alternatives to plastic, but there are so many things that plastic is stored in or used for that it is hard to completely get rid of plastic. Two of the people I interviewed said the do search for information, while one of them said she does not. After mentioning to all of them my idea of marketing and selling products with their college logo on it, they said they would all buy it.
11A: Idea Napkin No. 1
1. You: I am a team leader in school and at work. I have been a team leader on all my group projects and I can communicate effectively to my peers and motivate them to finish all of their work before the deadline. I am in a leadership position at my company in Clearwater, FL where I interview and train people in the field and outside of the field. I work in event marketing so we hire people with a student mentality and an open mind. We train them to become leaders in the office so they can eventually run multiple marketing events. My aspirations include opening up my own event marketing office with a wide range of clients. Regarding this class, if I started a business of marketing alternatives to plastic, such as reusable water bottles and reusable grocery bags, with a UF logo on them, I would promote them on UF's campus and then expand to other college campuses worldwide.
2. What are you offering to customers?
I am offering to customers alternatives to plastic such as reusable water bottles, reusable grocery bags, bar soap and shampoo, metal straws, hair and skin products in reusable containers, and glass storage containers for food. All of the things that can replace one time use plastics is not something that everyone pays attention to.
3. Who are you offering it to?
I am offering alternatives to plastics to college students. Demographics include between the ages of 18 and 25, some disposable income, and females and males. Psychographics include wanting to try new things and experience them. I believe college students can be the change that our world needs today. I am also offering alternatives to plastic to restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores. If restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores can provide alternatives to plastic, there will be more people who will use them.
4. Why do they care?
I believe customers will care about my products because they are environmentally friendly and will not produce any plastic waste. This is a product that will have UF logos on them so college students will be excited to buy them and rep their school.
5. What are your core competencies?
Based on attending UF and researching about the sustainability clubs on campus, I do not think there is anyone out there with my idea. My core competencies include marketing skills that will help my business succeed. What I have that nobody else has is having alternatives to plastic with UF logos on them. Even placing "UF" letters on products will separate me from my competition.
I believe these elements fit together well because there are a lot of people with an unmet need. People want to better our environment and not leaving traces of plastic that can hurt our planet, people, and animals, will only incentivize people to use alternatives to plastic. The only thing that would stop people from buying is if they do not care or have a passion for helping our planet or if they do not have the extra money to spend because alternatives to plastic are more expensive than plastic.
2. What are you offering to customers?
I am offering to customers alternatives to plastic such as reusable water bottles, reusable grocery bags, bar soap and shampoo, metal straws, hair and skin products in reusable containers, and glass storage containers for food. All of the things that can replace one time use plastics is not something that everyone pays attention to.
3. Who are you offering it to?
I am offering alternatives to plastics to college students. Demographics include between the ages of 18 and 25, some disposable income, and females and males. Psychographics include wanting to try new things and experience them. I believe college students can be the change that our world needs today. I am also offering alternatives to plastic to restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores. If restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores can provide alternatives to plastic, there will be more people who will use them.
4. Why do they care?
I believe customers will care about my products because they are environmentally friendly and will not produce any plastic waste. This is a product that will have UF logos on them so college students will be excited to buy them and rep their school.
5. What are your core competencies?
Based on attending UF and researching about the sustainability clubs on campus, I do not think there is anyone out there with my idea. My core competencies include marketing skills that will help my business succeed. What I have that nobody else has is having alternatives to plastic with UF logos on them. Even placing "UF" letters on products will separate me from my competition.
I believe these elements fit together well because there are a lot of people with an unmet need. People want to better our environment and not leaving traces of plastic that can hurt our planet, people, and animals, will only incentivize people to use alternatives to plastic. The only thing that would stop people from buying is if they do not care or have a passion for helping our planet or if they do not have the extra money to spend because alternatives to plastic are more expensive than plastic.
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