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STEP BY STEP, WHAT PATH SHOULD I TAKE? Navigating Challenges and Discovering Solutions

After conducting numerous interviews, a venture proposal has been formulated, outlining the problems identified and the proposed solutions. Despite receiving suggestions and advice from our instructor, more than a week has passed, yet we are still deliberating on which solution is superior in meeting all the necessary requirements for us to achieve our expected goals.

Despite asking numerous questions to understand the problems students face and formulating solutions, our approach has been criticized for lacking a structured evaluation of opinions, suggestions, and advice. Yet, one constant persists: the question of what problem truly exists. In our previous venture, we identified accommodation as a primary issue and endeavored to devise a solution for it. However, even with a solution in place, there remains a lingering uncertainty surrounding the fundamental nature of the problem itself.

The process of solving problems often leads to new questions and complexities. Just finding a problem and a solution is just the beginning. It's like when you solve one thing, it can hide another problem underneath. So, when we come up with a solution, it might reveal new challenges or hide other issues we hadn't noticed before. This shows why it's important to keep thinking and considering all aspects when solving problems. We need to be ready to adapt and understand the full picture to tackle issues effectively.

Different Kinds of Customers and their Problems:

Returning to the interviewees to seek their opinions using the advice solution still left me pondering which approach would be more effective. We were informed that the solution we proposed is somewhat expensive, prompting us to explore alternative methods of addressing the problem. Our strategy involved revisiting the interviewees to ascertain the manner in which they envisioned a solution to their accommodation challenges.

Some of the interviewees had similar sentiments as our own. The primary issue we aimed to tackle is the difficulty in finding suitable accommodation, compounded by the inability to physically inspect potential residences. We proposed the development of an app, allowing interested individuals to browse and select their ideal living spaces. However, this solution proved to have its drawbacks, particularly due to the high costs associated with app development.

Other interviewees expressed a desire for a solution enabling them to visually inspect the physical structures of boarding houses before making a decision. Additionally, they highlighted various other factors influencing their accommodation choices, including the time spent searching for options, proximity to the university and essential amenities, pricing, payment methods, landlord-resident interactions, environmental factors, and house rules.

Hypothesis and Result:

Reflecting on these insights, we recognized the need to pivot our approach to better align with the preferences and needs of our target audience. While the app initially seemed promising, the cost implications led us to explore alternative avenues. As a result, we decided to develop a website, dubbed the Student Housing Hub, aimed at providing a comprehensive solution to accommodation challenges. This platform would incorporate features addressing the various factors highlighted by the interviewees, enabling users to make informed decisions and secure suitable living arrangements.

In conclusion, our journey of seeking feedback and iterating on our proposed solution underscored the importance of adaptability and responsiveness in problem-solving. By actively engaging with our target audience and incorporating their perspectives into our solution, we aim to create a more effective and impactful tool for addressing accommodation challenges among students.

Decision made:

Given the circumstances, we concluded that the initial suggestion of a solution they wanted is a better step toward a solution similar to what we proposed in the previous proposal. With all the results found, we decided to create a website that enables future and interested users to find their ideal boarding houses, which we named the Student Housing Hub. This website will contain features that address the factors hindering students from easily finding their ideal boarding house. This will enable them to quickly transact, choose, and contact landlords to secure their spaces.

Option chosen:

Because of the expense of creating an app, this led us to choose a website as an alternative in our startup. The method of distributing information about the website will be through social media and online platforms, as well as posters placed at events in the university. Additionally, we will establish partnerships, especially with student organizations, since the target market of this venture is students.

Lessons learned:

Upon pondering the experiences of returning to the interviewees and asking what solutions they would want for the problems we presented, I found myself momentarily questioning the validity of our approach. Although I found myself in a state of uncertainty and confusion, I learned that there is nothing wrong with asking questions. Through this process, each of us can uncover answers we may desire, unexpected necessities, or solutions to our problems.

One of the valuable lessons this journey has imparted to me is the importance of having faith in one's teammates and fostering cooperation. It is crucial to continuously question and wonder about various aspects to generate new knowledge, which may often be overlooked by many. This journey has reinforced the timeless quote, "If you want, there's a way. If not, there's a reason" reminding me that solutions exist for every problem we encounter.

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PROBLEM TO PROBLEM, WHEN DOES IT END? A Journey through Entrepreneurial Problem-Solving

Why does everyone always ask what my problem is? It seems like a daily inquiry, a habitual question thrown at me whenever difficulties arise. But what's the point if they won't offer solutions? I'm not a problem collector; I don't collect woes like one collects stamp.

But it doesn’t take long to get to the point where seeking problem would also be my doing. Entrepreneurial Mind class is a place where problem seeking is such a norm that it would get you thinking: What are problems? Do I have one? Is it truly a problem? What exactly defines a problem?

Different Kinds of Customers and their Problems:

So, what exactly do we do when we encounter a problem? Is a question itself considered a problem? The first step of our venture was interviewing students at Central Mindanao University. Perhaps those asking about my problems aren't just adding to my burdens; maybe they're trying to uncover solutions that could benefit not just me but many others facing similar challenges.  

During our interviews, each interviewee presented unique problems influenced by various factors. While financial woes emerged as the most prevalent issue among them, it's noteworthy that age doesn't serve as a basis for such challenges. Financial difficulties manifested in three distinct categories. Firstly, some struggled with travel expenses, whether commuting to and from home or traveling to the university. Secondly, there were concerns regarding tuition and school-related finances, often stemming from a lack of scholarships. Lastly, many faced financial constraints when it came to daily meals, highlighting the importance of addressing basic needs affected by financial limitations among students.

Accommodation difficulties emerged as a close second, a challenge I personally empathize with. For many individuals, finding suitable accommodation is a crucial step towards completing their admission process and settling into university life. However, this task often proves to be hard to accomplish with factors such as the time spent searching for accommodation extending over several days before finding an ideal place to reside during their academic journey. Various considerations come into play, including the distance from the rented house to the university, the rental price, the environment, potential housemates, and interactions with landlords, all of which contribute to the hindrances encountered in swiftly and easily securing suitable accommodation.

Other interviewees (customers) expressed problems such as paperwork hassles, travel woes, and various other common student issues. Each individual faces unique challenges influenced by different factors, making it essential to address their diverse needs and circumstances. prompting us to contemplate potential solutions.

Hypothesis Tested and Results Found:

With financial problems proving too entrenched for immediate solutions, we turned our focus to tackling accommodation challenges. Our interviews had revealed the struggles students faced in finding suitable living arrangements amidst their busy schedules and enrollment chaos.

Decision Made:

After careful consideration, the team decided to prioritize finding solutions for accommodation issues. This decision stemmed from the realization that while financial problems may persist, we could directly impact the student experience by easing accommodation concerns.

Options Considered and Chosen:

Options were weighed, and the team opted to brainstorm solutions based on the factors revealed during interviews. By addressing the difficulties students encountered in securing accommodation near the university, we hoped to make a tangible difference in their lives.

Lessons Learned:

Through this journey, I learned the importance of examining problems from multiple perspectives to understand their complexity fully. It became evident that solutions aren't one-size-fits-all; they must be tailored to address various facets of the problem. Additionally, I discovered that focusing on one solution may obscure other potential avenues for resolution. Ultimately, collaborating with a team and encountering diverse perspectives proved invaluable in our entrepreneurial problem-solving quest.

As we continue our journey of entrepreneurial problem-solving, I'm reminded that while challenges abound, so do opportunities for innovation and growth. By embracing diverse perspectives and persistently seeking solutions, we can navigate even the most daunting of problems and emerge stronger on the other side.

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Entrepreneurial mind, for what??

I often question why I continue to study at school. I then realize i want to become wealthy, just enough for me to afford things I need and love, to live not just simple but comfortable and secured. I am reminded by the words of successful entrepreneurs who have proven that a degree is not the only requirement for success. Some of them didn't even finish high school. This has led to debates about the necessity of teaching entrepreneurial mindset to students from an early age.

The importance of this subject struck me when I was introduced to it. If an entrepreneurial subject was included in the curriculum, many individuals could have been successful in developing a wise mindset in dealing with the world, leading to success in various aspects of life.

I learned that entrepreneurs perceive failure differently from students. Entrepreneurs believe that taking risks and being wrong is a necessary step towards success. Mark Cuban, a successful entrepreneur, said, "It doesn't matter how many times you have failed. You only have to be right once." This perspective is not usually taught in schools, and it made me realize that there is more to learn.

In the classroom, students learn what is right and wrong in the eyes of society. However, life works in mysterious ways, and there are instances where equations and explanations cannot solve problems. Entrepreneurship can make a great change in the lives of people, but it is often underrated in lower social classes due to traditional mindsets.

The Filipino mindset, in particular, values graduating from school as the only way to become successful. This mindset can be toxic to individuals who genuinely give their full efforts in creating a new path for their lives. The entrepreneurial mind taught me that we should never invalidate someone because they didn't finish or get a degree from school. There are diverse ways of gaining knowledge, and experience is one of the oldest and most efficient ways to educate oneself.

Polishing one's entrepreneurial mind can create a great step of change, leading to improvement, inspiration, and the desire to develop knowledge, skills, and mindset to inspire young individuals like me.