Boativities

Boativities - activities you do on a boat. It can be just a boat ride, fishing, or anything other activity on a boat.

Example in a sentence: Do you want to do any boativities this weekend?

I tried to use this word as much as possible when interacting with friends and family hoping it would catch on quickly. Some of my friends and my wife thought it was strange at first and just laughed using the word to almost mock me. However the past two times I've taken my boat out people with me have used the word. So I guess it's caught on with a very small group of people so far.

Halfway Reflection

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

To keep up with the requirements of this course I've had to become highly organized. I keep the schedule on my phone as well as a written schedule just to make sure I don't miss something. I've also had to set aside time daily for reading. While there is no assigned textbook, there are three books throughout the semester you have to read.
 
 
2) 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?

When the class first started I thought it was going to start off slow like any other class does in the first week. This one however has an intense pace to it. After two weeks I was thinking I would retake it at a later date perhaps during a longer semester to spread the assignments out a little bit. What pulled me through is the thought of completing the program over all. I've had to take one and two classes each semester due to my work schedule so it's taken some time to get where I am and I would like to finish as soon as I can. I feel I have further developed a tenacious attitude throughout the last few months. I think the pace of the course contributed to this. As stated above I wanted to get out of this course, but I had to push myself to complete the assignments as they came.

 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' ?

Tip 1: Stay organized. There are different due dates for assignments throughout the week. Also, look ahead on the assignments. Some may take longer than other to complete.

Tip 2: Start on your reading reflection assignments early so you don't have to cram a lot of reading in with the weekly assignments.

Tip 3:When you're unsure of something reach out to your TA or Dr. Pryor. They will assist you if you get confused on an assignment or if you just need clarity on one of your ideas.

 
 

Reading Reflection 1

  1)  How Elon grew up is what most surprised me about him. He was quiet and reserved. He was often picked on as well. I envisioned him to be a very outgoing individual his whole life prior to reading his book.  I most admired the drive he possess. Not only does he drive innovation and work hard on a daily basis, but when he perceives others are not as driven he lets them know. There is a story in the book about employees not working Saturdays and Elon felt they were getting soft as a company. So not only did he possess personal drive, but he drove others. I least admired the amount of downtime he let himself have. He is such a driven individual he left very little time to unwind. Elon faced difficulties when starting his first company Zip2. The internet was so new people didn’t buy into his concepts right away. Often time his sales staff would being doing a presentation of the product and it would not work properly. Elon overcame this by constantly improving the coding and seeking investors to help get this product where it needed to be.

  2)  Elon was not only hard working, but he had crazy ideas which lead him to innovation. I think one of his best competencies was his ability to imagine an idea, no matter how far out there, and get people to eventually buy into it and create it. 

  3)   The part of the book I found to be confusing is why Elon risked so much of his personal wealth on new ventures. While his ideas were often out there and well ahead of the curve he seemed to find people willing to invest in them. However, he put his personal financial security at risk.

  4)  Question 1: How did you go from such an introverted kid and grow into the type of outgoing    person you are today?

Question 2: How do you overcome all of the doubters when you first start a new venture?

  5)  In my opinion Elon’s idea of work ethic is to commit your life and ever moment to your work. While I am a driven individual, I do not share in that same work ethic as Elon. I believe you have to have balance in life and it’s meant to be enjoyed. 

Idea Napkin No. 1

Idea Napkin No. 1

   1)  The idea I have is an educational one. We provide training for individuals who want to enter the automotive field as tire technicians. My aspirations for this business is to provide students with a level of competency to work in the tire industry. The ability to hire a qualified technicians is very difficult. So this idea provides the industry with professionally trained technicians. The business would play a daily role in my life throughout the week. After establishing the program my main focus would be job placement for students.

        2) W e provide training to students so they can apply for jobs within the tire industry. I want people to view themselves and the industry as a professional one. This course offers them the ability to do that.

  3)      This service will be offered to anyone who wants to attend the program. Our target customer would be an individual who choose not to attend a four year university and would prefer to find a trade they can become certified in.

  4) Customers will pay for the service because they will gain the knowledge needed to follow a specific career path. It allows the graduates to view themselves as a professional when they complete the program just as anyone else that goes into a trade.

  5)  This business would be unique. As far as I know there are no programs that exist like this. There are currently certification programs that are a few hours long, but give little education. It offers no real world experience which is much needed.

I believe that the business idea mesh. The idea behind it is to give individuals the ability to pursue a career in a technical field without attending a typical four year school. It will also fill a hiring need within the industry. Employers would have a pool of talent to pull from if the program is implemented. 

Tweeking the Innovation

Product Idea: Create a technical school for individuals going into the automotive industry as tire technicians.

Revenue Drivers

Products:

Tuition – This is a non-tangible product that will be purchased by the students entering the program. Each program will have a fee attached to it.

Program 1: Passenger & Light Truck Technician

Program 2: Commercial Truck Tire Technician

Program 3: Commercial Road Service Technician

Program 4: Commercial Fleet Service Technician

Program 5: Off The Road (OTR) Technician

Tools – Small hand tools can be purchased by the students at a discounted rate through the programs “Tool Shop”. The items include valve core tools, air gauges, tread depth gauges, and various other hand tools technicians will need to work in this field.

Uniforms – Uniforms will also be available for purchase through the “Tool Shop”. The idea behind the uniform is to have each student see themselves as professionals while going through this program so they will have a professional outlook on the career path they have started.

Textbooks- There will be textbooks available for purchase at the “Tool Shop” as well. Each program will have it’s own set of training books.

Services:

Education/Instructors – They will provide the students with the necessary information required to complete the program and gain the skills needed to become employable in the automotive industry. Instructors will also help students with job placement following their completion