Week 4 Reading Reflection

Chapter 5 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? 

-The biggest surprise for me in this reading was that of that they decided to spend a whole section of the chapter discussing the distinction between left and right brain functions when in reality, one does not have control over which side they are using so this information seems slightly irrelevant and out of place. I would more so expect to see this in a psychology textbook.

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

-One part that was confusing to me was the relational aspect of chapter 5. It discusses relationships like they are a black and white thing and how to respond to different types of people, but in my experience, it is not this easy and differs from a case-to-case basis depending on who you're talking too and the context of the conversation.

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

-I would ask the 2 questions of "Why do you want readers to know the different sides of the brain as this seems irrelevant?" and "Do you think knowing the two sides of the brain and their functions really helps spur creativity?" I ask these because I feel strongly that they are not relevant to one's creative process unless one distinctly made it a part to think in two separate ways.

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 was wrong on the topic of "starting small". If one was limited to starting small in all things, it could hinder the process and limit them in terms of scope. Often, i find myself starting with a bigger goal and it helps motivate me to be better and stay on track in general.

Well that's all the time i have for today,

Mitch

Top 5 World Problems

These are the top 5 problems in order of most pressing to least.

1. Poverty
-Poverty is a widespread issue in this world and there is no quick fix in the eyes of most. It affects just about every country yet no one can fix it. Perhaps, more structured tax plans, technological changes and charitable donations could help curb poverty in coming years.

2. Religious Intolerance
-This is perhaps the biggest issue contributing to country disputes and war these days. As a world, we need to learn to just accept everyone's religions and to not discriminate, hate and act violently based on the difference itself. Although easier said than done, it is necessary for the longevity of this world and it's inhabitants.

3. Global Political Instability
-Democracy is not something that is widespread although it should be. There are too many countries with economic self interests to maintain a peaceful world order. We need to set aside economic differences in order to benefit the sustainable growth of all the countries on this earth itself.

4. Water crises
-Water is becoming more of a commodity every day as we can see very evidently in the case of California itself. We need to find a sustainable way to filter water maybe from even the ocean in order to increase the worlds water supply and allow us to live the prosperous lives we all strive for.

5. Climate change Adaptation
-As a world we struggle with how to effectively adapt to change. Climate being one of the biggest changes in my generation i feel we need a environmentally sustainable way to grow and live prosperously. I feel as if the meeting of the countries that recently took place was a step in the right direction but a world council of sorts i think should be formed to address these issues.

If I were to rank the solutions based on practicality and likeliness of implementation it would be:

1. Poverty

2. Water Crises

3. Climate Change Adaptation

4. Global Political Instability

5. Religious Intolerance

Of course, there is no simple fix to any of these problems. This is just the order that i feel the problems will be solved in. With Religious tolerance, that's a problem that plagues all mankind and i'm not sure if bias and prejudice will ever go away but we can for sure at least try. 

Identifying Local Opportunities

In this opportunity post i will include the following about each opportunity article I locate:

• The title of the article
• The link to the article.
• A description of the story, in your own words
• A description of the problem presented in the story
• A description of who has the problem

Miami Herald: 

1. AngelSummit Americas conference coming in April

link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E6D1F052F0F0?p=AWNB

In this article, it discusses a major investing and learning opportunity for people in the Miami area coming there on April 14-15 by AngelSummit. There will be tons of investors and leaders from all over the world to discuss start-up companies of all shapes and sizes. The problem the summit will address will be how to correctly define local start-up investment opportunities for the local people and how they can start to capitalize on this ever so growing market share of start-ups themselves.  

2. TotalBank names Jay Pelham as president

link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E6AF64D78C90?p=AWNB

In this article, it discusses an opening a Miami Bank had due to resignation of the previous one. Picking a new company president is hard because it has long lasting implications on everything the business is tied to itself. This opportunity lies in the opening of higher up positions in the company themselves as one could attain if they were qualified enough. The promotion of Pelham to president leaves vacancies elsewhere and thus leaves a problem for TotalBank to replace them and opportunity for others to attain such a job. 

3. Girls Who Code programs returning to Miami

link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E6B262B4B848?p=AWNB

In this article, it discusses a tech-education program for high school girls to become more well versed with coding. It will provide the problem to the organization to find 60 high school aged girls to present them with this great opportunity. The program is aimed at ending the gender gap in Silicon Valley and in technology professions in general. This program should help start to solve the problem although I feel as if it will take much more time.

4. Entrepreneurship Datebook: Workshops, events in South Florida

Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A73DEA5A57AAE8?p=AWNB

In this article, it discusses a number of events in which its seeking attendance for to get people started in entrepreneurship. The problem here is that they are seeking the people themselves to start in such programs as Su Negocio, a Spanish business advising program, and Startup Grind, an on-demand fuel-delivery service. These, and the other vendors going, will present an opportune moment to get advice, expertise and maybe even experience with successful, proven entrepreneurs. 

5. TotalBank execs join U.S. Century after mass layoffs

Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/15A543ABECDF4E00?p=AWNB

In this article, it discusses how two top executives from TotalBank will join US Century after it laid off numerous people after almost going under due to the crisis. The CEO resigned and he was promptly replaced. This creates a problem for Total Bank of creating new positions and having to fill them but with this problem, comes great opportunity. One could use this as a stepping stone to higher management with the right ambition applied. 

Well there ya have it; 5 great opportunities that are all in the local Miami Area within the last 2 weeks alone. One can see that opportunity lies everywhere, it is just an ambitious person's job to find it. 

-Mitch

Week 3 Reading Reflection

My reading reflection for Week 3(chapter 2) is as follows:

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 most to me was the section about "Global Breakthrough innovators" and about their accomplishments and characteristics. This is the part of the course I am most excited about as I would like nothing more to emulate these innovators to the best of my ability. I found myself, surprisingly, attempting to think in Steve Jobs shoe's during the movie "Jobs" when i watched it this week just due to this part of the text.

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

-One part that was confusing to me was that of the part about Grief recovery on page 40. More specifically the "dual process model" made by Dean Shepherd did not make much sense as I feel one would not want to switch between grief and success and would much rather always focus on the positive. I feel a positive attitude bodes well into being a successful entrepreneur in general.

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

-Why even include the grief recovery process in the chapter as every grief situation is unique and you can't standardize how to cope with such a problem?

-Why would you title a section 'The Darkside of Entrepreneurship' if you want people to fully invest in the concept itself? Why classify it any differently?

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

-Both the things i said above were my two disagreements in chapter 2 itself. Everything else was exactly as i expected one of the first couple chapters to be; a introduction to concepts and the innovators that apply them themselves. 

Very Short Interview pt. 1

The person I shall be interviewing today is a former co-worker, Daniel Moore. Daniel always was an entrepreneur at heart from the time he started working until today. He works at a finance company which he helps head after many years and he has great respect among his peers. It is my ambition to command such a profound level of respect from my peers after so many years of being an entrepreneur.

The questions I asked were and his responses were as provided:

-How did you get started in entrepreneurship?
A: "I got my start very simply selling lemonade back in the day. I always ran a stand at the end of my street as my father would never provide me with much money to do anything.This taught me the spirit initially and the importance of consistency, hard work and even marketing to an extent."

-What would you say to someone wanting to be one?
A: "Never give up on what you love. I loved dealing with money, even other people's, from the time when I was a kid. So you could say my childhood ambition led me to where I am today and i could not be happier with the choices I made along the way."

-What should I try to get out of this course I am currently taking?
A: "Try to get a general sense of what it means to be an entrepreneur. Learn the basic characteristics of successful ones and try to emulate them as much as possible. I am sure the coursework will provide you with great curriculum to do just that as I see no other way to instill such values."

It seems to me that observing others and their successes is going to be the best way for me to attain true success. It will be necessary to research beyond the scope of this course in both during and after my time enrolled in it. I truly would like to be one of the all time great entrepreneurs so that maybe one day, people will try to emulate me.

-Mitch

World's Biggest Problems (and Solutions!)

(link to pic: http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/19/00picture_2_6.jpg)

The world has a lot of problems as you can see above but I believe the 10 and my proposed solution listed below are, perhaps, the 10 most important that need to be addressed as soon as possible.

1. Climate change Adaptation
-As a world we struggle with how to effectively adapt to change. Climate being one of the biggest changes in my generation i feel we need a environmentally sustainable way to grow and live prosperously. I feel as if the meeting of the countries that recently took place was a step in the right direction but a world council of sorts i think should be formed to address these issues.

2, Extreme Weather Events incidence increasing.
-The incidence of extreme weather catastrophes has and will increase more if we do not act on climate change in general. I think the solution of a World council will suffice for helping rid the world of this problem as well.

3. Global Political Instability
-Democracy is not something that is widespread although it should be. There are too many countries with economic self interests to maintain a peaceful world order. We need to set aside economic differences in order to benefit the sustainable growth of all the countries on this earth itself.

4. Poverty
-Poverty is a widespread issue in this world and there is no quick fix in the eyes of most. It affects just about every country yet no one can fix it. Perhaps, more structured tax plans, techonological changes and charitable donations could help curb poverty in coming years.

5. Water crises
-Water is becoming more of a commodity every day as we can see very evidently in the case of California itself. We need to find a sustainable way to filter water maybe from even the ocean in order to increase the worlds water supply and allow us to live the prosperous lives we all strive for.

6. Immigration problems
-Immigration is a huge issue itself within the US and other countries around the world. There needs to be a more effective screening process in war times but in non war times, admit immigrants on the basis of economic ambition and willingness to assimilate into normal culture or something along that line of thought.

7. Religious Intolerance
-This is perhaps the biggest issue contributing to country disputes and war these days. As a world, we need to learn to just accept everyone's religions and to not discriminate, hate and act violently based on the difference itself. Although easier said than done, it is necessary for the longevity of this world and it's inhabitants.

8. Unemployment
-Unemployment is an issue that is at the forefront of most economies these days. As technology increases, jobs are getting taken by machines and unemployment problems are further perpetuated. We need to find the correct balance of creating jobs and getting them done more efficiently by using newer technologies.

9. Nuclear conflicts
-This is perhaps the most threatening issue to everyone in this world. With some forecasting a world war of sorts in the near future, nuclear tension is near an all time high. With the new drone and nuclear technology, no one is safe anywhere at any time and this is rather unsettling. While i agree that it is a country's right to protect itself, on the other hand if harming millions of undeserving civilians is an issue, then one can not be trusted with such technology.

10. Data fraud and theft
-With cyber-terrorism and data theft being such a trend as it is today, it is imperative that we protect the valuable secrets of our government. Maybe stricter regulations on data sharing and reinforcement of traditional informational safeguards by this next generation will help eventually solve this problem that is evolving at such an astounding rate.

Well there ya have it. Those are the 10 problems I believe the world faces at this moment and how, however rudimentary it may seem, that is the way i feel the problems will be solved. I look forward to reading what other say on this topic.


Well that's about all the time I have for today!

Until next time,
Meetch

Entrepreneur's Mantra

Here is the mantra I recorded for Week 2 of ENT3003:

Here is the link to it also: https://youtu.be/4wp6zXp-XF0

-Mitch

Entrepeneurship Story

Fellow classmates,
My story is one of entrepreneurial success and it is about my very own Father. He is my most important role model in my life today and he can be seen below.

My dad, who was raised in a very small home in Melbourne, FL, was never accustomed to luxury. He was raised in a home that stressed hard work but success  was one thing that never came and stayed with the Allen family as my dad grew up.

In a home where failure of investments was common, he learned what it took to be successful by knowing what not to do. Since he saw all of this failure, he built his life and business on two principles; Consistent hard work and steady growth.

Since then, my father, the best entrepreneur I know, has created his own financial management company and slowly built it up over 25 years to become one of the largest in the Orlando area and I hope to one day share in his success.

I enrolled in ENT3003 to get a minor but also to learn the intricacies and methods it takes to become successful in running your own business. I hope I can get this knowledge and more out of this class as I have heard great things about it.

-Mitch

Week 2: Introduction

Hello fellow classmates,

My name is Mitchell Allen and I am from the quaint little town of Winter Park, FL. I have lived there my entire life and I will most likely move back after college pending other job opportunities if they so decide to present themselves to me.

I have 2 siblings and my parents are happily married and they all still live in Winter Park.
I have a dog named Roscoe who I bought in my freshman year here who is a Rottweiler and Australian Cattle dog mix. He is my best friend and a great companion. He can be seen below:

I am a very active person. I love to play most sports and go to the gym a few times a week in order to maintain the healthy lifestyle I have become accustomed to. I also love to travel and I have been to a couple cool places with my favorites being Costa Rica and New York City. I hope to visit Europe soon upon my graduation and seeing the culture that exists on the other side of the Atlantic.

I look forward to learning about you guys in reading your blogs!

-Mitch

TEST POST ENT3003

Just making sure my blog is in working order.

-Mitch