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               While attending our techno class last Thursday, I realized that there are like 1-2 blogs to be made and boom ..... it's the end of our technopreneurship class. But it's not the end thought, I think, it's the start of more blogging and this is just the start of our journey as technopreneurs. 

              We only have a week left before SY 2017-2018 is officially close. This week have been the most fun ( because there were no classes )and saddest ( because I have to see my friends graduate ) . But most important thing to remember is YOLO. You only live once so you have to enjoy it.

             Blogging every week has taught me to be updated and to focus on my responsibilities. Somehow, blogging every week has been in my list of priorities for this semester and I learned to love it over time. Blogging is exhausting yet fun. It's like a diary! An online diary. I get to share what I learned in techno and share it to people. There was one time where I lose hope of our start up. I was strolling by my blogs and I remembered why I started this. Even though there were a lot of uncertainties, I still pushed through our start up. There was no giving up. GIVING UP IS NOT A CHOICE. So I better man up and move forward. 

              My start up team is preparing for the final presentation of our product. This time it's about to get real. We are still on verge of preparing our slide decks and lean canvass. We are done on the empathy and persona part, but our slide deck is still a jungle. We only have a few days left before the final pitching. Hopefully we'll get it right.

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This week’s journey was full of excitement. Throughout the whole course subject, I must say that I have been greatly inclined with business terms and conditions. From coming up with an idea, building methods, marketing up to running the business, the whole process is a total thrill and take note, it’s no chill.

We’re so close to the final destination of our course subject, Technopreneurship. Every week our team have seen the evolution of our Business Model Canvas and how it turned into a much reliable and effective one in the world of business competition.

We have to deliver everything we have in our startup. We have to present our startup in such a way that it is a potential business model and that it is worth pursuing.

As part of the competition of this course subject, we needed to join in a startup competition. I didn’t realize how big this world of startup is until I saw these international competitions. A lot of people have different ideas and were just waiting to be spotlighted. As we answered the application form, we met this very interesting question, “If you would win the $1M, how would you spend it?”. I was stumped thinking how big the money is and how huge the possibility we have in winning the price. But to answer the question, firstly, we will invest the money to create a good cash flow in our business. Secondly, we will use the money to launch a marketing campaign and advertisement. And lastly, we will put the rest in the bank for safekeeping. Our startup is built with an objective to help small businesses to grow their networks and we will definitely use the money to make a good contribution to the world.

It’s crazy to think how time flies so fast and the best moments with my team are fleeting. The journey we have in building this startup piece by piece is irreplaceable. I’ve learned a lot of things from them and from our adviser. I’m not talking about business terms and conditions, that is already given but the people behind this, their personality and dedication towards everything is remarkable. Knowing that these things are new to us, the time we spent to fully understand things, like the cashflow, the struggles we had from interviewing people who can either be neglecting or welcoming, the repeating process of BMC evaluation and weekly nervous breakdown presentation, it was all memorable. This reiterating process will surely be missed.

From the groups that have already presented, it seems like everything was just one shot except that they don’t have anything to lose. The important part is that it’s going to be a growing experience. This opportunity given to us is all about conquering fears. Of course, you start thinking about, what if people hates your idea or what if you are just wasting their time? For me, you start by deciding that it’s all going to be worth it. Rehearse the slides you have, prepare for some strange questions, or eat anything that makes your nerves stay calm. This is a life of an entrepreneur we’re making and Technopreneurship is a huge part of it.

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This week, my start up team is preparing for the final presentation of our product. This time it's about to get real. I’m jittery on the 4 minute pitch since ..... gosh 4 minutes??? I mean ... woah ... this 4 minute pitch holds my future. I had a feeling it won't be that good since we haven't prepared anything for the pitching. But then I should not be scared since I have this team who are hardworking and passionate about our start up. Surprisingly, it went well due to the extra efforts of me and my teammates and the last minute rush, or pitch went well. 

So, this week we focused on the "user" part of our product. We have to create an "empathy" chart to determine well who would be our users. So we immediately grouped ourselves and prepared things for our interview. We had our interview, it was very special since I really felt the teamwork there. We conduct an interview; some of the shops with regards to outward or physical beauty shop or service, and also people also specified (some random people we interviewed) they are quite unsure or perplexed to where do they get haircut or any service they want to which shop it is good for what they think, and asked some questions regarding on the problem. We received positive responses from them when we introduced our solution in the form of a mobile app. 

From the interviews, we once again successfully reconfirmed our problem statement and asked some more problems or pain points.

We put some insights based on our observation and their answers to our question with regards to the personal qualities. Then we tried to strategize for next week’s activities. 

My team is still researching on about the database on how we would connect to the shops or the people who offers service so we can offer the people who uses the service a great experience and convenience.

I guess that would be pretty much everything in the overview for this week’s group accomplishments with our activities.

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Failures & Comebacks

For this week, there was a huge misunderstanding that happened in our group. I think one of the reasons why it happened was because we were not able to sort out our differences and clarify decisions made by the team. It is one of my failures as a member since I was not able to associate " teamwork " in our team. It's the basic principle of having teams, anyway. On a positive note, we were able to move on and create new ideas and new understanding in our group.

So this week, we were able to create different styles on wire frame. We decided to create an Application for start up. We were able to create a flow chart that is simple and less hassle for user.

I, together with my colleagues Mr. Arth Renniel Egantucan and Mr. John Vincent Barro asked randomly selected respondents about common problems encountered in their daily lives. Double time in finding and searching for a compelling problem that would suit the needs of our customer. So we conduct an interview in Lay bare Salon, Brunos Barber Shop and Salon de France ask them on what are their ways and methods when customer wanted to appointment to its barbers.

After we gathered some data, we clustered and grouped similar/related ideas and selected the best suited problem to be addressed, we were able to come up Reservation App., to solve the problems regarding to, tired of long waiting times and etc.., we ask propose to them our hypothesized product if was it really helpful to them or it may be essential for them to have, and all of them agreed and stated they would use the product for the convenience factor it gives. Basically our product is a mobile application that allows you to reserve or get a priority number online for convenience purposes like when your still at your home you can already get a reserve in an instant without falling in line and reduce the anxiety of waiting.

So after we conducted an interview we evaluate their response and had a concrete information to look forward to problem we are going to solve.

Mobile Reservations, customers can file up and access mobile reservation, linked directly to your in house calender. They can browse an open slots and book appointment easily, while on the go. This saves your staff solve time on the phone, and makes it simple for customers to get an appointment conveniently, especially if they don't feel like calling in.

Providing a mobile app thats not only makes customer lives easier but also allows you to interact with them.

As for this week, our group clustered information gathered from the interviews. A persona of our target customer was created and it contains the specific descriptions. The details of it, are the combined characteristics of the persons we’ve talked to. We did an analysis so we would come up to a persona, fitted to the customers we expect.

My team has already a plant on how to implement such mobile application but still we need further more research so we could grasp more the idea of it and improve.

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The first task is to come up with an idea that will enable us to generate more ideas in many ways. In fact, building up an idea is very difficult task because you have to examine it thoroughly if it really fits with technopreneurship synthesis. Finally, we've come up a new idea about Queuing System App. and permit our minds to wander within the framework of the subjects idea or problem until we could focus on a single subject which will be our main topic.

So for this week, we reconsolidated our data and to further solidity our hypothesis as well as our problem statement. The problem that was considered and the basis of the formulated solution must first be verified by legit ways. By legit, we mean to say, concrete confirmation. This is to give us the confidence to push forward the solution we are going to work on.

To provide a solution to a problem we introduced the Queuing System App., we designed this device to decrease customer wait times. By using Queuing System App customer services at the reception area will become more efficient and the confusion brought by the customers long line will be minimized.

Queue represents a certain number of customers waiting for service (of course the queue may be empty). Typically the customer being served is considered not to be in the queue. Sometimes the customers form a queue literally (people waiting in a line for a bank teller). Sometimes the queue is an abstraction (planes waiting for a runway to land). There are two important properties of a queue: Maximum Size and Queuing Discipline.

Maximum Queue Size (also called System capacity) is the maximum number of customers that may wait in the queue (plus the one(s) being served). Queue is always limited, but some theoretical models assume an unlimited queue length. If the queue length is limited, some customers are forced to renounce without being served.

Queuing Discipline represents the way the queue is organized (rules of inserting and removing customers to/from the queue). There are these ways:

1) FIFO (First In First Out) also called FCFS (First Come First Serve) - orderly queue.

2) LIFO (Last In First Out) also called LCFS (Last Come First Serve) - stack.

3) SIRO (Serve In Random Order).

4) Priority Queue, that may be viewed as a number of queues for various priorities.

5) Many other more complex queuing methods that typically change the customers position in the queue according to the time spent already in the queue, expected service duration, and/or priority. These methods are typical for computer multi-access systems.

Waste of time to wait in long lines... We present the Queuing System App for Virtual Waiting Line, Queue Management.

Do your customers get frustrated by waiting in long lines? Are you overwhelmed by complaints as a result of long lines? Want to increase your revenue while increasing customer satisfaction? Unfortunately congestion, long queues and long waiting times have become part of our lives but now with Queue Mobile customers are free from standing in line. Queue Mobiles innovative technology combines the power and affordability of the internet and speed of SMS Queuing System messaging to create a virtual waiting line.

During the initial interviews conducted, the people were randomly selected to be asked about the usual and common problems faced in their household, community, managing customer service and transaction handling for banks, hospitals, payment centers, schools, other business and government office, etc. Clustering their answers, we were able to come up Queuing System, to solve the problems regarding to, tired of long queues.

To come up with an accurate result the respondents were selected carefully. The team was able to specify the target population.

So the same as last week we conducted an interviewed 10 random people. We explained our product and explain the Queuing System App and the advantages of our product. As others rejected us, only 8 accept to conduct an interview. 7 out of 8 were given follow-up questions, as part of interview. We have gathered the data we needed for the time being and we ask for their contact information so we can follow them up. We follow them up through Facebook account since our vacant time cant coincide with each other to meet up.

7 respondents said that long queues are a problem which is needed to be solved. They said that it would be good to have that kind of app. They said would be very helpful and convenient for them.

We are hoping that we can get more idea that can help us to improve our product. We are still finalizing our proposal specs and features. The group planned to conduct another interview to a different place to confirm if our solution can satisfy their needs and if it is necessary for them to use it.

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A new beginning

Have you ever had general cleaning at home and found out different types of things you don't want to use and you can't decide what to do with them? Well what I have I mind is to create a database where in you can place your item or you can add more items and it will let you find ideas on how to create something that will let you do it yourself them into something useable ang ergonomic.

Starting up something you barely know os hard but sometimes you got to take a risk. I want to start up a company because even though I am a fourth year student in electrical engineering, I still don't know where I am going, will I become an engineer one day? Or will become an entrepreneur? Or will I become both? There is no assurance in our lives and given this opportunity to become passionable about your ideas. No one can judge you for what you want because it's your idea at hand. It is the time wherein I can let out my truest self because I know that when you do something that is very important to you, you will give it your best shot.

As for this week it's really difficult to think of a new possible idea that can solve to a certain problem after we're advice to pivot. Since our proposal was not accepted we decided to propose another proposal called Canvassing Application .For a better understanding of the connection between the problem, solution and the consumers of the product, further interviews were conducted. The action was also done to see a different side of the target market, and to create a persona for businesses.

The team decide to make a canvassing app. What is this canvassing app all about. It is an app that will help the user to find the things that they want to buy, the app will tell them if it is available near the place of the user of what ever place they want to input. For example, if the user want to buy an electronic material like IC or other electronic devices, the user will also specify what place that he/she want; like if he/she is from Cagayan de Oro then he/she will provide the place and the app will find the thing that they want in the place specified, in this example it is Cagayan de Oro.

We asked random people about what they can identify as a common problem. We got a list of it and on top of all that has been enumerated.

We formally decided to go on with the canvassing app as our final topic. As agreed, we decided to make it a webpage. When I asked my classmates and other people, they said an Android app would be the best way since most of them are smart phone users and most run on Android. So we researched about Android and how to program such. We even asked a tech specialist if an Android app can do the canvassing features and if its is feasible.

After we get some information my team discussed on how can we get sales in the market by the use of the proper channel, we decided to focus on a physical store since it’s easier to explain than using a virtual type channel because of the structure of our product. For now we are focusing on data gathering so that we can get some recommendation to our target respondents.

Fortunately, an Android app can do move things than we imagined. We are still finalizing our proposal specs and features.

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On my last blog post, there was a huge misunderstanding that happened in our group. I think one of the reasons why it happened was because we were not able to sort out our differences and clarify decisions made by the team. It is one of my failures as a member since I was not able to associate “teamwork” in our team. It’s the basic principle of having teams, anyway. On a positive note, we were able to move on and create a new understanding in our group.

This week it’s really difficult to think of a new possible idea that can solve to a certain problem and if it is really necessary or thus it really answer the problem. Since our proposal was not accepted we decided to create an Portable Washing Machine for our start up.

Most people are still under the impression that there are only two options when it comes to laundry, both of which may be very inconvenient under a number of circumstances. Many homeowners like the convenience of a traditional washer and dryer, but many do not have the space or proper connections if your home or apartment is older. Though it’s usually the fall back plan, bringing laundry to a Laundromat can be inconvenient, time-consuming, and costly.

With the advent of portable washers, there is now another alternative to investing in a traditional washer and dryer set or lugging laundry to the Laundromat. These compact washers do not need very much space at all, and there are many benefits that come along with owning a portable washer. These machines allow homeowners with no extra room to have an alternative to using the Laundromat. They are also a very cost efficient and energy efficient option, perfect for small spaces or for people who travel frequently.

A portable washing machine is suitable for weekend riders and anyone who wants to wash quickly. A normal washing machine is technically much more rich and efficient, but it weighs at least 60 kg, is large, requires a water connection and can only be transported with great effort. A portable washing machine, on the other hand, can in no way replace a washing machine, but on the other hand it represents a clear relief compared to hand washing. Also for student household with confined space conditions; it is also suitable for operation in case of lack of water connection.

Our team discussed on how can we improved are market by the use of the proper channel, we decided to focus on a physical store since it’s easier to explain than using a virtual type channel because of the structure of our product. Also, the product can be improvised depending the customers preference and materials that are already available. We also decided to become a direct seller type. By using a direct selling type, we can gain more profit than retailing, etc. In this channel it has advantages such as the website will be updated, direct contact with customer and regular surveying for further recommendation.

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We had our final proposal for chosen topic this week. I was so nervous because the proposal was also our midterm. We reorganize our slides and eradicate non sense things. We formally decided to go on with the "security alarm" as our final topic. One of my difficulties in presenting was that I was not able to organize my thoughts and somehow blurt out anything that comes in my mind. Its not good since it can lead to serious brain damage (hahahahah) and confusion. I am so grateful for my teammate, they so confident presenting our product and answer the entire question. Unfortunately, we were not able to get our facts straight. Confusions and misunderstandings were straight ahead. I was so worried about not getting it right (because our grades depend on it), but also it will create more holes on our start up. 

This week, we have interviewed respondents in different areas to identify the right customer segments. Every respondent have different answer to our questions. The level of the problem in each area is different depending on the area where their house is situated. We think that this product would help on enhancing or to make the household more secure. We conducted an interview to the people who uses CCTV camera in their home and to the mini establishments to why they use CCTV camera instead of security alarm. 5 out of 7 person agreed, saying that is useful and convenient , while the other two disagreed because they settle with their dogs to guard their property, some says their firewall or fences are already high enough for the intruder cannot climb and burglars arent rampant in their place. We are hoping that we can get more idea that can help us to improve the quality of the security alarm that we proposed. We are still finalizing our proposal specs and features. The group planned to conduct another interview to a different place to confirm if our solution can satisfy their needs and if it is necessary for them to use it. We have further interview so we can improve more to where our flaws are.

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We find the result of our last week’s interview concerning our product unsatisfying. Mainly, we admit that we lack the sense of suitable type upon explaining the advantages and benefits of our product, its value and other more necessary assets that could shove them fortunately to agree with it. By this insufficiency we all come about, we discussed and settle with an agreement of changing the initial idea so that they will prefer choosing our product than CCTVs. There are already many products exist that are related to ours like CCTV. But what are the difference between the CCTV in our product and why thus customer must prefer our product than the other existing devices. CCTV record event that are happening exactly at the time it was happen but it only records the event and not actually alarming the household of what is actually happening, that’s where our product differs. To validate our problem we have conducted an interview to the household. These past few days, we have conducted an interview in the community. We have ten respondents that has CCTV camera in their property, we introduced our product and explain them that why our product is efficient as the CCTV. Our product is called burglar alarm with GSM module that use laser and also it could send SMS, our product value its propositions on access and convenience. Most of them they are preferred choose to our product than CCTV. The group is still brainstorming on how to improve the quality of the product.

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This is my third blog, this week it’s really difficult to think of a new possible idea that can solve to a certain problem and if it is really necessary or thus it really answer the problem.We came up with an idea of home security alarm system since we all know that safety is one of the very important thing in our life. There are already many products exist that are related to ours like CCTV. But what are the difference between the CCTV in our product and why thus customer must prefer our product than the other existing devices. CCTV record event that are happening exactly at the time it was happen but it only records the event and not actually alarming the household of what is actually happening, that’s where our product differs. For example, if you and your family go on a vacation and no one else left in the house to guard it there are possibilities that burglar will be present and if happens, CCTV will only record what happen but our device when its triggered, it will automatically set the speaker on and release a loud voice or whatsoever to alarm the neighborhood that burglar have entered your house. Also, it will send a notice to you via text message using GSM module to inform you that something is happening in your house. To further elaborate the project, we have used laser light to cover a large area. We know laser light goes through long distance without scattering effect. It’s also visible only at source and incident point, otherwise invisible. These two properties help us to build up a modern security system. When any person or object crossover the laser line the security will ring a loud alarm and send a SMS alert to the owner of the property. The loud alarm can grab anyone’s attention to the nearby area to deter the thief.We already conducted few interview to certain customers and introduced the idea, we also want to conduct more interviews to further improve the project.

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Week 2

Finally, we’ve come up an new idea about security alarm, permit our minds to wander within the framework of the subjects idea or problem until we could focused on a single subject which will be our main topic. Our product is called burglar alarm with GSM module that use laser and also it could send SMS, our product value its propositions on access and convenience. The key partners are Hardware, Electronics of Electrical Shop, Online shopping sites and Material Supplier.                       

Security is a most important factor today. Technology develops day by day in the world. The crime gang also improves their technology to perform their operation. So technology of security should be modern with time to protect the crime works. We decide to make a security as our project. In this project we have used laser light to cover a large area. We know laser light goes through long distance without scattering effect. It’s also visible only at source and incident point, otherwise invisible. These two properties help us to build up a modern security system. When any person or object crossover the laser line the security alarm will ring and send to SMS alert to owner of the property or anyone else and activate loud alarm .              

We always fear about crooks especially when we leave our property alone, this where security systems come in handy. Loud alarm may be enough to grab everyone’s attention nearby area and deter the thief. SMS alert warns the user to take necessary action just after the crook broke in your property.      

The security systems should be implemented at week points of your house/office, such as doors and windows, sometimes multiple numbers of security systems are required for maximum protection against thief at different points of your home or office. If anybody wants to bind a sensitive area with the single ray he has to use mirror at every corner to reflect it. The system has built with low cost and high performance. The power consumption of the system is very low

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"How did we build a team?" A team involves cooperation and collaboration within the group. Each one of us should learn each individuals differences and personalities in order for us to perceive each persons behaviour and attitude. Thus, we examine each persons approach and objective by identifying each personality traits and appoint each member as a hustler, a thinker, and a designer.

   Building an idea is a difficult task because it requires time to think and observe. Meanwhile, we jot down as many ideas as we can and branch each one of them in details. However, the idea must be relevant to the society and how it contribute or impact peoples prospective.

   Our product is called Online Secondhand Bookstore and it doesn't have a physical structure but its resources are web developer and internet. We value its propositions as cheaper book price and activities such delivery and advertising. Our partners are Google, Facebook, and Youtube in which we cost a structure for creating and boosting a website as well as delivery. Besides, our online product is tentative and we still have more time to improve and grow.