paullim

[paullim]

TECH101 : Strategic Entrepreneurship: The Power Behind Everyday Innovations

When we consider products such as Post-it notes, iPhones, and Cebu Pacific's low-cost flights, we tend not to ask ourselves: what do these brands owe their success to? The reason is something greater than great products—it's strategic entrepreneurship. This phenomenon combines innovation with intelligent business strategy so that firms do not only survive but thrive in their markets.

Consider Post-it notes, for example. We all use them without batting an eyelid, be it students, managers, or educators. But do you know that Post-it was created by a 3M employee? A corporation that has now more than 79,000 products! That's the strength of innovation coupled with a company that was willing to invest in concepts. Google too, which started out as a search engine, to drive out driverless cars under Waymo. And Apple? They didn’t just make phones—they revolutionized how we use technology daily. In the Philippines, business firms such as Cebu Pacific, BDO, and Pilmico have also adopted strategic entrepreneurship. BDO was originally a small family bank that expanded to become a national giant. Aboitiz-owned Pilmico started with flour and diversified into food, livestock, and beyond. Cebu Pacific revolutionized air travel in the Philippines by providing cheap fares and paying for snacks—something that was peculiar at first but made it cheaper and more accessible to fly.

What is common to all these tales? Strategy and innovation. These businesses didn't invent new concepts so much as identify how to put those concepts to market and keep them sustainable. But it ain't always smooth sailing. It's only perhaps 20% of businesses nowadays that actually embrace strategic entrepreneurship. Why? Because change is threatening, costly, and usually counters established habits and corporate silos. Even so, firms such as Google give us an idea of what can be. Their legendary 20% time policy allows employees to use some of their paid time working on new ideas—giving birth to Gmail and Waze, among others. It's a formula that rewards imagination, pays for audacious thinking, and, most crucially, underpins it with actual support.

And so the next time you open an app, travel budget, or scribble a note on a Post-it, recall—behind that deceptively simple experience lies a combination of strategy and innovation. That's strategic entrepreneurship in practice.

[paullim]

TECH 101: Managing A Business

In any seminar or lecture, particularly those that touch on entrepreneurship, it's obvious that the conversation is more than mere theoretical knowledge—it relates to practical experiences and issues. The seminar conducted by Sir Noel was a perfect case in point. As an entrepreneur, Sir Noel offered practical insights into the nitty-gritty of business establishment and operation, touching on critical elements such as pricing strategy, obtaining finance, and the role of innovation.

One of the first aspects that caught my attention in the lecture was the focus on price strategies. Sir Noel explained how prices vary depending on where things are being sold—whether in a retail store or on delivery apps. He provided a tangible example where prices on delivery apps such as Panda might be as much as 200% more than the store price. This is reflective of the expense involved in logistics, app charges, and other influences on price setting. As a young entrepreneur, it is key to grasp how vital it is to be responsive to changing your pricing approach depending on your market. It affects not just the bottom line but also whether or not your product will be competitive in the market.

Sir Noel also briefly addressed product development and customer demands. He described that the secret to a successful product is to provide something that is different, whether in taste, quality, or delivery of service. A product that is different in the market is much more likely to gain loyal customers. His own experience of making a special flavor that's unlike the common sweet barbecue items sold in Metro Manila was an excellent case study on how creativity and knowledge of the local palate can result in success. The other fascinating note was regarding getting finances. Sir Noel discussed his own experiences in bootstrapping and raising funds, highlighting the fact that entrepreneurship is not only having a product but also being creative in finding sources of money. Whether it's angel investors, personal funds, or venture capital, being able to find money is an essential business skill. He emphasized that entrepreneurship is about patience and perseverance. Creating a brand and business takes time, and it's not unusual for entrepreneurs to experience failures before achieving success.

Finally, he presented a great perspective on the entrepreneurial spirit. In his view, entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It needs one to be strong enough, risk-taker enough, and smart enough to learn from failure. It's all about adjusting to adversity and developing continuously.

In summary, the session was a refreshing and thought-provoking discussion on the pragmatic aspect of entrepreneurship. Sir Noel's experiences not only provided us with an in-depth look at the significance of product development and pricing but also highlighted the need for having a robust and flexible mindset to be successful in the business world.

[paullim]

TECH 101: A Journey To Innovation

In the modern day and age, the notion of entrepreneurship is ever-changing. Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about entrepreneurial mentality is how people have the potential to take their interests and concepts and turn them into successful businesses. A good example of this process can be seen with Sir Jay Arnel A. Gahudo, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Galanchang Incorporated, which specializes in environmental sustainability through the aid of drone and GIS technology. Sir Jay 9 is a tale of vision and determination, one that started when he was a child. At the age of twelve, he envisioned having a tech company, something he nurtured throughout his teenage years. Even with challenges like being a high school dropout, Sir Jay never lost his spirit as an entrepreneur. He even began selling food and beverages to raise money for his first project – a DIY drone when he was sixteen. His path was not smooth, but his passion for technology and innovation propelled him, leading him to eventually build Galanchang. Galanchang began as a simple concept for a thesis project but grew into a full-fledged startup that tackles one of the world's most urgent problems: climate change. The firm employs drones to establish tree cover and speed up mine rehabilitation processes in an effort to restore the environment more effectively compared to conventional techniques. This new method is not only about rescuing the earth, but it also benefits local economies because it engages indigenous peoples and provides jobs through the production of seed balls. The journey from being a tech geek to a successful businessperson was not an overnight success for Sir Jay. It was a process of learning every day, where he moved from being a technical expert to performing tasks that needed business sense, like drafting proposals and closing deals. He emphasizes the value of having a good network, resources, and continuous mentorship, which enabled him to shift easily from his academic background to the startup scene. Entrepreneurship, as Sir Jay explained, is not just having a good idea; it's execution, grit, and resilience. The world of startups is volatile, and one has to be ready to start small with a minimum viable product and build up from there based on customer feedback. For those interested in taking the entrepreneurial leap, Sir Jay's tale is a motivating reminder that passion, diligence, and creativity can bring great changes, not only to the entrepreneur but also to society as a whole.

As Sir Jay Gahudo's story illustrates, entrepreneurial mindset is not limited to any sector—it's a way of thinking that sparks change and leads to limitless possibilities. Entrepreneurs are capable of shaping the future, not only with technology but by solving real-world issues with creative solutions. Ultimately, entrepreneurial thinking can be the difference in bringing about long-term change in business and in the world.

[paullim]

TECH 101: Entrepreneurial Spirit

Addressed one of the most thrilling (and frankly, daunting) aspects of entrepreneurship: bringing your idea to life and scaling it into lasting growth. It wasn't about starting a company—it was about really understanding what it takes to create something that will last. The speaker stressed that starting a business is not simply having a great idea or opening up a shop. It's knowing your purpose, your customers, and your vision for the future. A large theme was learning from experience—whether it's from mentors, your teachers, or even failed endeavors. It's alright to begin small or even fail, as long as you continue to learn and move forward. One of the interesting metaphors employed was that of the "ladder" of entrepreneurship. At the very bottom, you begin with ideas and brainstorming. Then you ascend to viable ideas, followed by planning, and finally to implementation and growth. The presenter reminded us not to bypass steps—each step lays the ground for the next. Another important point? You need to know what differentiates your business. Your unique value proposition is what distinguishes you from the masses. In a sea of products and services, what sets yours apart? If you can't clearly answer that, your customers likely won't either.

The video also talked about how crucial it is to think past the launch. Sure, beginning something new is fun, but how do you sustain it? That's where things like marketing, customer loyalty, product development, and collaboration between team members come into play. The speaker even reminded us how critical it is to listen to feedback and never get complacent.

Finally, I adored the reminder about being positive—no matter what. Business isn't linear. There will be failures (hello, COVID!), and unforeseen obstacles, but resilience, flexibility, and support systems (such as your team or mentors) can be a game-changer. In short, starting a business is just the start. True success occurs when you plan, adjust, innovate, and above all—remain rooted in your "why." Week 10 certainly provided us with a better understanding of what it means to develop not only a business, but an entrepreneurial spirit.

[paullim]

TECH 101: Startup Kickstart

Whether you’re joining through Zoom, Facebook, or simply reviewing notes, welcome. Today’s topic is crucial for anyone interested in entrepreneurship: the concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and the importance of traction. These two elements are foundational to turning a great idea into a successful and sustainable business.

An MVP is the most basic version of a product that allows entrepreneurs to test their ideas in the real world. It isn't a question of rolling out a complete business from day one, with bells and whistles. It's more about producing something basic but functional enough to prove the concept. For example, a food delivery startup had success in early days by developing a simple site with a PDF menu and phone number. The actual question was not how nice the site looked, but whether people would actually use it—and they did.

One of the most convincing examples of a successful MVP is Dropbox. Rather than creating a complicated product initially, the founders launched a simple explainer video to present their concept. The reaction was tremendous—75,000 signed up overnight. This was achieved without a working product, only a clear proof of value. That's the strength of a well-done MVP: it presents the fundamental benefit and tests actual interest before significant resources are invested.

But a good product by itself is not sufficient. Traction, or evidence that your startup is picking up attention and expanding, is also crucial. As Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares in their book Traction state, most startups collapse not for bad products, but because nobody knows or cares about them. Founders are therefore advised to put 50% of their effort in creating the product and the remaining 50% in acquiring traction.

Weinberg and Mares also present the Bull's Eye Framework, a method that entails testing various marketing channels—like SEO, paid advertising, blogs, or viral content—to determine which one works best to reach your audience. In many cases, the best channel is not necessarily the most apparent one. Startups need to be open to testing, measuring, and pivoting accordingly.

In conclusion, an MVP helps answer the critical question: “Does anyone actually want this?” Traction, on the other hand, amplifies the message: “We’re here, and we’re worth your attention.” Mastering both gives any startup a genuine opportunity to succeed.

[paullim]

TECH 101 : Planning and Principles and Processes

The video explored the important subject of Planning Principles and Processes. The session was conducted by a faculty member of the Social Sciences Unit, who is an Economics degree holder, Ma'am Golda Salcedo. In a very practical and informative manner, our speaker took us through the significance of thoughtful planning, particularly in the entrepreneurial context. One of the most vivid concepts presented was the metaphor of remaining safe at home compared to risk-taking outdoors. In business, this is the process of making decisions regarding playing it safe or venturing into entrepreneurship. Venturing out, being risky, puts an individual out there amidst opportunities, contacts, strategy, and priceless life experiences. Entrepreneurial planning centers on this idea of understanding the risks but still venturing forth with a well-crafted plan.

Planning is not just jotting down a business concept. Planning is making educated decisions, considering possible problems, and establishing practical steps. Ma'am Salcedo reiterated that it takes more than money to start a business. For example, ₱100,000 is not sufficient if you don't have a clear plan, knowledge of your product, or a persuasive argument to prospective investors. The way you present your idea and the confidence you show in your product or service can greatly influence your success.

One major take home knowledge from this is to avoid underpriced products solely to keep pace with competitors. Reducing the price without regarding quality and expenditure can be devastating to your company in the end. Apple's case was mentioned to emphasize the fact that the customer pays not only for the price but also for the value, quality, and brand as well. Hence, pricing will always have to match the effort, uniqueness, and quality of your product. Ma'am Salcedo also emphasized the need for financial literacy. As business owners, it is crucial to learn the basics of accounting, permits, and taxes. Most potential business owners tend to ignore these factors, particularly in rural communities, which then results in avoidable setbacks.

Lastly, the session ended with a reminder: your business plan must have defined responsibilities, even if you're working for yourself. Good planning requires delegating tasks, establishing boundaries, and anticipating growth. This session was a reminder that in business, planning is not a choice, it is a requirement. Success starts not with an idea, but with the clarity and discipline to make that idea a sustainable reality.

[paullim]

TECH 101 : Plenary Class Creating Competitive Advantage

I was honored to learn from Associate Professor Dr. Franci Maverick Lorella of the University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP). Dr. Lorella, an ex-startup founder and present TBI manager, imparted his rich insights into establishing a competitive edge in startups. With his robust engineering, innovation, and startup competence, he has been able to mobilize more than ₱35.5 million worth of R&D and non-R&D grants and assisted more than 1,500 participants in their startup endeavors.

Dr. Lorella pointed out that a good idea is not sufficient; a startup should also possess a solid strategic plan. This plan should establish a competitive edge, a differentiating factor that makes a business stand out from others and provides it with a better market position. To establish this advantage, startups need to respond to six key strategic questions such as setting their vision and mission, realizing the speed and implementation of their strategy, determining what makes their product unique, and identifying potential competitors and partners.

He also talked about the necessity of industry analysis. Startups must have an in-depth knowledge of the industry they are stepping into—its major players, customers, trends, and problems. With the examples of smartphone and fast food industries, Dr. Lorella explained how homogeneous products vie for the same customer base and, therefore, differentiation and strategic positioning become necessary.

To lead this analysis, Dr. Lorella presented Porter's Five Forces Model, a tool employed to analyze the competitive landscape of an industry. This involves analyzing the threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, threat of substitute products, and intensity of competitive rivalry. This model assists startups in dealing with intricate market dynamics and making strategic decisions.

Finally, Dr. Lorella's lecture emphasized that tech entrepreneurship is not only about innovation—it's about strategy. Success lies in defining your market clearly, knowing your competition, and constantly refining your business strategy. His experience, from being a startup founder to a startup enabler, added richness to his instruction and was an inspiration for future entrepreneurs to be not only dreamers but also strategic thinkers.

[paullim]

TECH 101: Pitching and Storytelling

Creating a pitch deck for a startup made me realize the importance of pitching a story, not just a product. This process is about getting people's acceptance and then making them believe in the problem you are solving and why now is the right time for your solution, not only showcasing the product. It starts with a punchy fact or statistic, such as a line by father that 3 billion people lack access to clean drinking water, to grab the audience's attention and set a scene for how this solution matters.

One thing that strikes me: pitch clarity, and if it can be said that simplicity is the key to presenting a startup idea. Engineer Magbolay applied the 10-20-30 rule in PowerPoint: 10 slides, 20 words per slide, and a font size of 30, in his discussion as a reminder that less is more. It forces entrepreneurs to refine their thoughts around the most important parts of their product's core. I see how crucial it is to convey the essence of the problem and the solution without smothering the audience with too much information. This lesson comes home as it advocates the fact that a pitch must be brief and powerful instead of overwhelming.

Another area to consider when creating a pitch is the competitive landscape. The easy assumption is that a product should be developed to be unique. But acknowledging competition, even though indirect, helps position the product within the broader picture of the market. Understanding the competitors, direct and indirect, and showing a competitive advantage are essential in creating good investor confidence. It makes me feel as if every startup belongs to a much larger ecosystem and that they should have a unique edge to stand out.

I remember the ending of a pitch sums everything up in one final call to action. It could ask for investment, mentorship, or feedback. The last step would tie to opening up the opportunity for the next steps. It is about having a wonderful idea but linking it with others so they can join you in the master vision.

The whole process makes it clear, that a credible pitch is not just showing what a product does, but showing that the team behind it can really address the real problem, executable vision, and build something that matters. It really takes a combination of clarity, story-telling, and understanding both product and market to prepare and deliver a pitch.

[paullim]

TECH 101: Customer and Market Validation

It occurred to me while listening to the lecture that before one actually builds and launches a product or service, it is utterly paramount to understand the very needs and wants of those who will actually benefit from the goods and services. Validation is not just about confirming whether people like the idea in question; it requires investigating deeper into the actual problems, preferences, and behavior surrounding that idea.

One very interesting point raised was in relation to "asking the right questions." The general trend among people validating their ideas is to ask questions that elicit simple yes or no answers. Instead, one should be aiming for open-ended questions that free respondents to disclose their experience and opinion, which would probably unlock underlying motivations and apprehensions that one would not necessarily articulate. This situation could also be explained in relation to the so-called "mom tests," where you learn to ask questions in a way that enables even your closest relative—say, your mom—to confidently reject your idea and give you constructive criticism instead of comforting you with meaningless nice comments.

The customer-and-market-validation concept also carries the importance of truly understanding the market before embarking on a product-development cycle, otherwise, you will be wasting resources on something that has no demand. The lecture reinforced the understanding that customer validation is not just important; it is an absolute necessity for the survival of your business.

Therefore, this lesson taught me that the validation process isn't merely about receiving affirmation for a good idea. It's about continuously listening, learning, and adjusting based on actual customer feedback. It was a refreshing reminder that, really, the success of any product or service is in how well it solves real problems people are confronted with.

[paullim]

TECH 101: Value Proposition

The video lecture by TECH 101: Value Preposition, it talks about the importance of developing a strong value proposition for a business idea. It focused on how to engage with users, understand their needs and design a product or service that directly addresses the needs of the users. I learned that a value proposition is offering real solutions to real problems existing in our society. By conducting interviews and gather feedback, we can better tailor our products to ensure they truly resonate with the target audience.

There is one segment of the lecture which impressed me a lot, i.e., talking about "jobs to be done." The principle focuses on the fact that the customers are not seeking products alone; they desire solutions for the issues at hand. It's very important to realize what solution or gain is the customer waiting for and in what manner will the product make their life better or easier. This concept assists in shifting the direction from concentrating on the product features and moving more towards the focus on the experience and satisfaction of the user.

The discussion also included validation of the value proposition from user testing and feedback. I understand that it is not sufficient to believe your idea will succeed. Validation through of prototypes and ongoing feedback is necessary to iterate and develop the product so that it's up to par with user expectations.

Overall, this lecture reaffirmed that the key to success for a business lies in knowing what the customer needs and being willing to change constantly based on feedback. It taught me that developing a value proposition is a listening, understanding, and testing process, which are all essential steps in creating a successful product or service.

[paullim]

TECH 101: How to talk to Users and Validate your Ideas.

The "How to Talk to Users and Validating Your Ideas" video lecture was insightful for me about the process of creating a successful product. One of the biggest learnings was the "mom test," emphasizing the importance of the correct questions in testing an idea. I first thought of it as a fun idea, but later came to understand it's an essential part of realizing whether a product idea will be successful. The mom test prompts you to ask precise questions regarding a user's experience, instead of receiving general or overly optimistic responses from individuals who might be eager to be helpful, such as a mom.

The lecture identified that, as you come up with a business idea, you tend to love it so much and think others will love it too. Asking how people deal with it in real life or how users deal with it today provides valuable, honest responses. This strategy allows you to know if your product actually does something for the people you aim to serve. Another point was the need to form a value hypothesis. A hypothesis is simply a prediction of how users will react to your concept, and it must be validated through actual user feedback.

Through user interviews and seeing how they react, you can refine your concept to more suit their needs. It made me realize that to validate an idea is not only to ask others if they like it, but to know their behavior, needs, and pain points.

Overall, this lecture reiterated the value of getting feedback from users during the product development process. It's not sufficient to have a good idea, you must make sure that it really fixes an issue for actual users. Paying attention to their feedback and testing your assumptions are essential to creating a successful product.

[paullim]

TECH 1O1 Reflection Essay (Nexus)

The initiatives of Nexus organization to enable clean energy startups have left me thoroughly thinking about the importance of innovation in the energy industry, especially in Southeast Asia. Their mission to deal with energy problems through funding, accelerators, and networks has illustrated to me how much change well-backed startups can bring about in tackling universal issues. What resonates most with me is how the competition they have launched provides not just monetary rewards but also real opportunities for growth and development, ultimately helping innovators transform their ideas into scalable, sustainable solutions.

One of the standout points of the Nexus initiative is the competition that focuses on tackling energy issues in the Philippines. I was most surprised by how, given our progress in energy technology, millions of Filipinos still do not have access to basic electricity. This is something I had not truly understood before, and it makes me think about how much more work there is to be done to get affordable, clean, and reliable energy to underserved populations. The reality that there are still households dependent on candles for lighting is the reason why the issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. This thought compels me to rethink what we tend to take for granted as energy access, and how important clean energy solutions are to the health and prosperity of whole communities.

The competition's emphasis on climate resilience and energy access gave rise to another important realization. I’ve often heard about the effects of climate change, but hearing about technologies that aim to mitigate these effects, especially in areas prone to natural disasters, has made me more aware of the long-term need for adaptive and resilient infrastructure. These solutions are not just about offering power, but also ensuring that communities can take on the erratic nature of our climate in a sustainable manner. It's exciting to think that the startups participating in the competition could be the ones to develop the next solution innovation that can help reduce such threats.

Besides, the emphasis of the competition on green transport and clean technology has further opened my eyes to what it takes to make a sustainable future. The push for electric vehicles and energy-saving technologies is something that has a direct bearing on the efforts of the world to reduce emissions and combat climate change. This motivates me to think more deeply about how we, as a global community, can deploy and scale these technologies to make the world cleaner and greener.

This experience on Nexus' part has also taught me the interconnectedness of innovation and sustainability. Nexus is not just backing upstart ventures for their potential to be profitable; they are backing them so they can leave an impact. The manner in which Nexus tackles incubation and mentoring is investing in clean energy's future, something that I believe holds immense value to ensuring the solution for energy crises prevalent in much of the world's developing world. It has made me consider more seriously how I might personally assist in solutions, either by backing such projects or by pursuing my own creative concepts in order to play a role in contributing towards global sustainability initiatives. This competition in many respects represents a glimmer of hope for energy startups as well as communities alike that are in greatest need, and I am anxious to see the kind of change it will bring.

[paullim]

TECH 1O1 Reflection Essay

Tech 101 ventures the topics Opportunity Recognition and Needs Analysis discussed by Mr. Jirby Laniton and Startup in Real Life: Transforming my Idea into Innovation. These topics are aligned to the Technopreneurship course which talks about business and innovation. The topics are essential for technopreneurship students as it explains why innovation and critical thinking is important. In the first topic discussed by Mr. Laniton, Opportunity, and Needs Analysis. In his discussion, the creation of ideas through overlaying is what captivates me. Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and others: "Remakes" and "Transforms" is really great as it produced great movies, for example, Star Wars by overlaying two ideas. The first idea was to make a Western genre but it lacked something so they thought of adding the idea of it being a space movie. Then Star Wars rose. It infers that creating an idea does not mean that it is something novel but it is a creation of a masterpiece. This method really finds a door to opportunities because Star Wars became big over time and this shows how overlaying ideas can be essential to opportunities and growth.

In the discussion of Ms. Geisha Getuaban, Startup in Real Life: Transforming my Idea into Innovation, made me realize that your ideas and imagination can profit. Startups are defined by Ms. Geisha as temporary organizations that solves real-world problems involving technology. The TBI or Technology Business Incubator is a great method to promote innovation and technopreneurship with the help of technology which is really amazing because many startup businesses will be rise and can boost the economy.

The discussions on Opportunity Recognition and Needs Analysis, along with Startup in Real Life: Transforming My Idea into Innovation, offer valuable insights for technopreneurship students. Mr. Jirby Laniton emphasizes the importance of combining existing ideas to create innovative solutions, as seen with Star Wars blending Western and space genres. This highlights that innovation often involves redesigning rather than inventing entirely new concepts. Ms. Geisha Getuaban's talk on startups, particularly the role of Technology Business Incubators (TBI), underscores the significance of startups in solving real-world problems through technology. Both discussions stress the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and technological innovation in shaping successful businesses and driving economic progress.

[paullim]

Knowing Yourself

I never would have thought that knowing yourself is really important for self-improvement. In my case, I often think that living is only doing things that are needed to do and accomplish tasks to move forward. But taking these tests about my personality and my innovation index, somehow altered my way of thinking. My personality came out as INFJ-T, also called an "Advocate". I never thought that my personality had shifted from a Virtuoso to an Advocate. The result resonates with my current way of thinking and empathy. An advocate is also a perfectionist which can drive me to improve myself every day. The Innovation Index test is new for me and I can actually say that I am still a novice when it comes to innovation. With a score of 63.83 out of 100, I can say that I need to improve my trust, which is the lowest among the mindset analysis because it is necessary for business communication and feedback for new ideas. These results are an eye-opener for me to continue improving myself for the betterment of my life. I know that I have a future ahead of me, the essential part is to build it now.