venturingintostartups

[venturingintostartups]

Being Confident is the Key to Life

Third Meeting!

What does your personality tells about your future? Am I entrepreneurial or not?

Our third meeting started with a personality test. The purpose of this personality test is for us to know if we are capable of being an entrepreneur, and how likely we are to become a successful entrepreneur. This is also for us to know if we can stay longer in the industry and with a thought of how we can save our own company in times of desperation and worse, bankruptcy. We took this test to evaluate ourselves to know if we are capable to allocate the time and resources we have to make the business solid and strategic, and also to evaluate our quality and reliability to the business industry. All this personality describes a good entrepreneur, am I capable of being one of them?

Upon reading these choices in the duration of the personality test, it gives me a feeling of excitement and at the same time, nervousness. Although there is no correct and wrong answer for this one, we took the test carefully and truthfully to assure authenticity of the result. It is all for the sake of reviewing our self-mastery and if we are capable of being one of the many good entrepreneurs.

In addition, upon carefully reading the choices, it gives me a reflection about my self on a short period of time. I realized that many of my decisions and choices in the past were humorous (my present-self absolutely thought about that). These decisions were not necessarily as bad as some of us thought, but then these choices, though tiny, somehow affect my present status. For instance, I wanted to go out with friends and spend all my money carelessly during those times. I know for the fact that it is not my thing but making those decisions was unexplainable for me either.  

Sometimes while reading these choices, I consider both as my personality. But I have to choose only one. I have to pick what weighs more for myself. I have to choose carefully and truthfully, in preparation for the bigger world of entrepreneurship. This I must prioritize because having a firm decision, a decision that will guide me to the road of entrepreneurship, will be my stepping-stone towards success.

Now what is the result?

I got forty-three points! The result of my personality test says Something Entrepreneurial. A simple catchphrase yet means a lot for me!

I can actually verify this result, because as what I have observed in the present, I have master the attitude of handling or budgeting my allowance and making it into a great amount thru saving. Just recently, I started to attend mutual fund and investment seminars. I attended several seminars like, Fami (First Metro Asset Management, Inc.), which was organized Metrobank, and Mutual Funds 101. I am starting to think what my future awaits and what I will gonna be in the next 10 years. I think that starting today, as young human being as I can be, it is good or strategic for me to invest this early so that in the next few years, I will have enough funds for my family, business, assets, medical and even retirement plans. With this, I will be able to prevent future problems regarding finance, and if there is, it is not big enough for me to handle effortlessly.

After I found out the result, I felt proud of myself, even though I am just an average Information Technology student here in USeP. I have a bigger picture to look forward and to improve myself in the field technopreneurship. 

Afterwards, our professor discussed the ecosystem of technopreneurship. Majority of the responsibility has a pre-requisite. For Instance, when you want to graduate from a university, you must study well and surpass the given tasks in every subject. In such case, studying well is the pre-requisite of graduating from a university. Diploma does not come in an instant or in a blink of an eye, but you have to work for it in order for you to achieve that diploma. Similarly for technopreneurial venture, having a successful business comes with a pre-requisite of setting objectives, proper planning, sound organization, proper financial planning, location and layout of plan, marketing system, research and dynamic leadership. It is also stated in 8 Pre-requisites of the Successful Business, an article shared by RC Agawal. As stated in the article, the 8 pre-requisites are described as follows:

Setting Objectives

Proper Planning

Sound Organization

Proper Financial Planning

Location and Layout of Plan

Marketing System

Research

Dynamic Leadership

To stay alive, we saved money in every aspect of our business. The technology industry stood in awe, and this is a great opportunity to create a new venture. Some of the largest company in the world is in direct use of a specific technology. On the other hand, the prominent opportunity quickly attracted competitors and capital.

Here goes the foundation of successful technopreneurship discussed by our professor. Successful Technopreneurship is good enough by having HELF, which stands for human resource, environmental resource, law and policies, and finance. The following will give us some insights about these four elements:

Human Resource

-It consists of a researcher whose a great thinker, idea generator and innovator. A developer which is an implementor, and technical people. Scanner, marketing people and financiers. Having the assembly of a great team impacts the path and outcome of a new business venture more than any other decision in its life cycle. A good team of the business makes a strong foundation on which a difficult situation may overcome. On the other hand, a wrong choice of team turns a daily routing of nightmare and will fail when the first critical period hits.

Environmental Component

-This is the place where developers or technopreneurs stay alive and continue their learning and self- improvement for the business. It consist of Science Parks, IT Parks and even Incubation centers. Academic Institution is the place where students and instructors learn from each other and improve their future endeavor. Research and Development Center exists to help out a business to make better competitive business over its competitors. Internet access and communication plays an important role, it strengthens relationship and connection between peers, and improves productivity and getting the work done fast and effectively. Communication and Other Support services is something that helps the team or the technopreneur to perform a job satisfaction. Unlike the use of internet as a means of communication, communication and other support services will be more personalize and direct since it is specifically targeted to an individual. Another important factor that must be taken into consideration is the geographic accessibility. In the part of the consumers or client, they are actually preferring an establishment which is strategically located within the heart of the city, which is why if you will notice, many of the technopreneurial companies are based in urban areas. Lastly, venture monitoring services/support is an important factor in which the trend or flow of the business itself will be monitored and documented to have an up-to-date report of the business status.

Law and Policies

As we all know, all transactions and businesses, whether locally or internationally, are bounded by laws and policies. Its purpose is to protect the rights and liberties of the parties involve, maintain orderliness of transactions as well as to establish specific standards to identify the scope and limitations of a certain technopreneurial business. When it comes to unexpected disputes and misunderstandings between two parties, laws and policies have the power to resolve such event in a justified manner.

Finance

Finance is considered as the blood of the technopreneurial business. Without it, it is nearly impossible to operate the business itself. The first investor in your business should be yourself. We must struggle in order for us to succeed, even drained up savings to plan for capital.On the other hand, when business income boost twice from the first investment then a new investment will come its way. Thus, this  is where  you can develop your business and  and  even build a new business.

[venturingintostartups]

Something Entrepreneurial

Before our discussion started, we were asked to do a personality trait test by our professor to know if we are capable of being an entrepreneur. The purpose of this personality trait test is for us to know if we can stay longer in the business industry. We have tested our selves to know if we are capable to save our own company, and if we are capable to allocate the time and resources we have to make the business solid and strategic. We also took this test to the purpose of testing our quality and reliability to the business industry and to test if we are wholeheartedly invest our time and money in the business. Am I capable of being an entrepreneur? Let us find out!

"Don’t try to do everything by yourself, but try to connect with people and resources. Having that discipline and perseverance is really important."                                                                  -Chieu Cao, Co-founder of Perkbox

The personality trait test provides amusing feeling on us while reading the said choices. Our professor said that there is no right and wrong answer, it is a test to review our self-mastery and if we are capable of being an entrepreneur. 

On a second thought while reading the choices, it gives me a thought about myself in a short period of time.Some of the choices were humorous that it tells us that I want to go out with friends and spend all money, which is kind of not my thing. Sometimes while reading the choices, I consider both choices were my personality. But I have to choose only one, I have to choose what weighs more on myself. I choose carefully and truthfully, so that I will have my own opinion and later on I will reflect on the result of my personality trait test.

WHAT IS THE RESULT?

I got 43 points! 

Somewhat Entrepreneurial - my personality trait test result.

I can actually tell that I am somewhat entrepreneurial, because of my attitude on how to handle my cash and even how to make it as a great amount. I started attending investment seminars when I am in my college years, I attended several seminars like AXA (Bancassurance) , Fami (First Metro Asset Management, Inc.), and Mutual Funds 101. I even read books of whose author is  Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad. I am starting to think what my future holds and what I am gonna be in the next 10 years. I am thinking that starting today as a young human being, it is good to invest early so that in the next few years, I have enough funds for my family, business, assets, medical plans and even retirement plans. With this, I will not be able to hold onto problems with financial, and if there is, it is not big enough for me to handle. 

I am not the kind of person who overspends on something. Because, I started from a poor family, and still on a poor family. I have dreamt of becoming a rich and successful person in the future. But I even consider that having a goal starts when you just keep on going and not giving up. I must change the being-an-employee mindset and starts being an entrepreneur and create a new business venture. Because, taking risk is also a foundation of becoming a great and successful entrepreneur.

My father taught me of being an employee does not turns you from rags to riches. That is what my grandmother taught to my father, she is a business woman who lives life fully till the age of 96. My father is an ofw who works hard for his family but aside from that he also have a business on that country for an additional income. He is college level of a degree, Computer Science. He uses it to create a part-time business and he even accepts home services regarding to personal computer’s problem. 

My mother taught me also that if you want something, you have to work hard and earn from it. She is a housewife, taking care of the three of us. But aside from that, she also have a part-time business, she owns an online shop and she also owns meat, fruit and tuna shop which is sold virtually with free delivery. How cool is that! My mother grew up in a business environment. Her father owns a kakanin factory and distribute to the market, and at the early age he manages to deliver kakanins in the market. 

I grew up in a family which having a business is a good thing. Big money is in the business, and being an employee does have constant money and sometimes delayed. But, in the business, the money is in your hands whether you roll it or not.

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”

                                                                            - Robert Kiyosaki

My result gives me motivation and inspiration on achieving my goals of being a great entrepreneur. My result was just a starting point on my career, and where the learnings may begin in the path where I want to go. This gave me a direction to learn more, accept more and be open to limitless possibilities in the industry of business. I have strengthen my desire of becoming an entrepreneur, i have inspired more on my dream and to learn how to handle mistakes and disappointments along the way. I believe that reacting to everything may lead to anxiety and depression, so I will let things happen the way they act and just keep going and never give up. To have a strong heart is to have a strong determination of achieving one’s goal.  We have to be smart and wise to work hard for money until having a problem on how to reinvest is only the problem. 

But having this dream does not mean that my all is into money. I have also consider the welfare of my family, friends, colleague and my soon to be partner for life. I have also to consider them and have time for them, because I can assure that family is always there whenever you have a problem not the money. The people being closed to me is the only person I can go with till heaven (if I can reach heaven) haha. Nonetheless, the most important on the daily basis, is that you live life fully till you are satisfied of your living. 

[venturingintostartups]

From Chick to Chicken

“You are not learning Technopreneurship inside the school, you will learn technopreneurship outside the school, you will learn from what is happening in the society” This is what our professor told us in our 2nd meeting. He told us that he will just meet us 4-7 times in a semester, because learning technopreneurship happens outside. This is actually good, because we will be able to learn in facing problems have our own strategy of solving it in our own way. He did not promise us the established kind of teaching, but we get to learn in a traditional way where we will face any kind of learning. Everybody wants to learn, and learning in your mistakes is good, because this is where the real lesson’s exist.

The importance  of Technopreneurship were discussed by our professor to  open our minds to the lessons in real-life  and  have to be willing to consider various, if not all, different kind of solutions and methods for a particular related problem to reach our desired outcome. The importance of technopreneurship were listed below:

The Importance of Technopreneurship

1. Employment Creation 

              - Opportunities are created not just for the technopreneur but also to the people who looks for a certain job. This is a win-win situation, where you start a new venture and earn from it and create employment to the job seeking people. Hence, we are also solving the unemployment problem in the country. 

2. Local Resources

             -  Using of our local resources adds a spice to attract customers especially from foreign countries. Using local resources may causes an increase of value, just like raw materials and other local ingredients. 

 3.  Decentralization and Diversification of Business

             - An important tool to be used as a technopreneur where be able to identify business opportunities and locate these business in a good and suitable areas, such in urban and rural areas. Staring a new venture or a business depends on the area and the people around, and choosing the right location is a tool to have a successful business. The right product in the business helps in meeting the needs and standards of the residents in the area.

4.  Promotion of Technology

             -  Technology is being applied creatively in the business. Currently, society’s demand and needs are growing and even technology is upgrading in a developing country. Technology needs to be developed from time to time to catch up with other countries use of technology. Evolving technology leads to new inventions and innovations. 

 5.  Capital formation

              -  The first investor in your business should be yourself. We must struggle in order for us to succeed, even drained up savings to plan for capital.On the other hand, when business income boost twice from the first investment then a new investment will come its way. Thus, this  is where  you can develop your business and  and  even build a new business.

6.  Promotion of an entrepreneurial culture

             - Hearing other entrepreneur’s journey gives an inspiration to the new generation. Certainly, in the fast-moving and competitive technology industry, the field of entrepreneurship strive for a developing and evolving product. New generations needs to consider in building up a strategy to connect all the dots and even think outside the box to evolve students in every step of the  way.

There are roles  of technopreneurship in job creation and in the national economy. We are given a three situation by our professor.

1. “The father is not employed and the family has no other resources”

             - Yes! this is the sad reality, when we wander outside in our houses, and we go to parks, market and other public places. We witness homeless people wandering around asking for money or food. Then I even thought “How can he not use his big body to work, just like in construction?” But  I realized that it is not that easy, especially when you cannot read and write. Having a thought of how can I create a job for them? How can I change the world they knew just like living in the streets? Problems like this does not stand as a problem but it stand as an opportunity to build a job for them that will benefit them and also benefits me.

2. “A newly graduate that is seeking job but does not pass the required job requirement such as pleasing personality”

            - Many companies nowadays even government areas, ‘backer’ exist. Even if you do not have a license of a Civil Service - sub/professional, you can still work under government. People were rallying about how corrupt government is especially in the executive position, but little did they know that corruption starts from one person or the smaller sector in the company. Even jeepney drives are corrupt, just like depriving your discounted fare.  If this things start from a small sector, how about the larger companies. It is very hard to apply for a job that requires 10 years of experience and only accepting 20-25 years old applicants, funny but this is the sad reality. I am just exaggerating numbers but companies like this does not  willing to train a newly graduate applicants even if the applicants are willing enough to expand its knowledge to learn new horizon in their field. Having this kind of society and depriving a newly graduate to train and expand his/her knowledge and may not be able to show his/her competency in showing off skills in the area of thy work. Technopreneurship extends its arms to have a bridge in having a successful  life. Technopreneuship will help the unemployment rate in the country if people will open its mind to new and limitless possibilities.

3. “A person currently employed but not satisfied with its present salary and benefits”

           - I have known so many people having this kind of problem. Especially cadet engineers, supposedly they will be having a salary grade of ten but some companies offer them a salary grade of one, which is they are attacking the human rights of the engineers. This is actually abusive, abusing the skills of engineers and not being payed right. But they actually accepts the job for the so called  ‘experience’ to get another higher salary payed job. This is actually the sad reality of some employed person but just accepting the fact and be abused, because they think that fighting their rights may put a dirt in their reputation and may lead to crisis, because some companies will no longer accept them for having bad record for fighting their first company. So, technopreneurship extends its arm and feet to welcome creating thinking minds of people who were abused from their employment experience. 

In our class our instructor discuss a course model called SEED means S – Self Mastery, E – Environment Mastery, E – Enterprise Mastery and D – Development of Business Plan.

S- Self Mastery

In our class, we have learned that one can develop self-mastery is to know yourself first. Because how can you master your self when you do not know who you are, what you want and do not want. Self-mastery brings passion in you that develops later on.  Also, a self – mastered person does not need high IQ, but does need to develop a high EQ and AQ. Because having a strong personality inside can boost strong mind and heart. 

E - Environment Mastery

This is about generating business ideas and seeking opportunities out from his or her environment through, serendipity walks, crisis, trends and others. Serendipity walks for me is the useful generating idea, where you can walk and find opportunity in the  problem you see in the place where  you are in.Trends where you go along with what the people demand and want currently. Also a mastery where a person who understand the industry he / she is in, sees the opportunities in the problems, and being on top of the situation instead of being under the situation.

E- Enterprise Mastery

This is about to know how to run a business it refers to the knowledge of the different business disciplines such as, Creating business, Marketing Management, Operations Management, Financial Management, Risk Management. An enterprise mastered person  can understand and integrates the for factors and functions of management (planning, organizing, directing,  and controlling). He / She also lead and inspire rather than manage. Because  what our professor said, managing is controlling, just like you are choking the person in the neck and demanding to do what do you want.

D - Development of Business Plan

We learned also the steps on how to develop a business plan first, writing the business plan, presenting and defending the business plan, lastly adding polishing the presented business plan.

In my conclusion, the developing field of technology and  business that a technopreneur should always think outside  the box.  We do not have assurance on what the future brings on us so we would not have the best choice to pick on what tools to start on our career path. But the best thing to begin is to walk where your heart desires and do what you love, and in that you will no longer work for the rest of your life.

[venturingintostartups]

Capable to Jumpstart My Ideas

How do you see yourself as a technopreneur? When I am in my first year in the university, my department seniors always told us to be prepared and have some ideas while we were young and I always thought of maybe I will be as good as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates in the future, and it is not bad to dream big after all, right? I always have this out-of-this-world-Doraemon ideas, just ideas and I always knew and thought for myself that I cannot do it. Until I’ve watched the movie “Pirates of the Silicon Valley” I realized that it is not that bad to have these ideas, and different things that would function in the society, as long as you are confident to share to the world your idea and that you are comfortable with it.

“Everyone has an idea, but it is really about executing the idea and attracting other people to help you work on the idea”                                                                   -Twitter Co-Founder, Jack Dorsey

As an Information Technology student, I strongly believe that I am not far from this possibility of becoming a successful technopreneur. This is the field where I can condition my mind to think positively, to have determination and to use my knowledge in technology into the field of business. 

To have a strong heart and mind is a must in the business industry. Sacrifices may occur to be successful. Just like the Founder and CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, he sacrifices his friendship with his co-founder, Eduardo Saverin. But, if you mistakenly lose worthwhile relationships, then there’s an issue in your ability to balance work and life. For me, I will choose the people who sees my worst and still be there at my best, I will choose the people who is always there through thick and thin, and the people who still believe in me even if I cannot believe on myself. Choosing people to share your idea with, starting from scratch up to business plan proposal, is quite difficult in reality, There are so many factors that must taken into consideration. In my case, I have trust issues and fear, fear that maybe they will steal my idea and publish it first before I will become capable of publishing it on my own. Choosing people in the business is the risky part for me, because it will be the person who will you go with with your business endeavors and who will also give importance to the relationship of the team you both built with.

The other thing to put into consideration to become a successful technopreneur in the industry is no other than money. Money is the friend in the society, whether you are an entrepreneur or not. As what I have learned in the seminar I have attended, the first investor should be yourself. We must struggle in order for us to succeed because the best success starts from the bottom, and failure is the best teacher in the real world.

“If something is important enough to you, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it”                                                                        -Paypal Founder, Elon Musk

Being a technopreneur, your very own idea is the most important foundation in the business. It is because without the idea, literally there is no business. So how can we fight for that idea and not just easily give up? It is saddening that people nowadays will easily judge you and point out the failure of an entrepreneur, especially when you are a beginner in the field of the business industry. Also, depending on the circumstances, there are some people who would not take you seriously. However, if we don’t believe in ourselves and in our business, then nobody else will do. So we must have the determination and optimism to pursue our goals to be a successful technopreneur. Be brave enough to never give up!

  “You’ve got to dream big and love what you are doing to become an expert and just make sure you hit it out of the park and never give up.”                                                                         -Netflix Co-Founder, Mitch Lowe

Before seeing myself as a technopreneur, I must ensure that I am ready to face the challenges of the world gave me. This goes for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I must maintain my health in good condition and the good relationship with the people around me. Also, having a good reputation is an essential tool for me to have a good relationship with partners, investors, and employees in the near future. Then, exercise my brain to think creatively and encourage my self to look for solutions not only within my limits but also outside from my usual thinking strategy. I have to be willing to consider various, if not all, different kind of solutions and methods for a particular related problem to reach my desired outcome. Being ready in the industry can have a powerful and positive effect in ones career. I must be ready! 

It’s better to be over-prepared rather than let the demanding sacrifices sucker-punch you one after the other.

I do not believe in luck but I do believe in looking forward to pursue my goal to be a good technopreneur, faith may bring me to whatever my calling is; and for that I will forever grateful of every gift that may shower upon me. I can not predict myself on who I am in the near future, but one thing is for sure is that I will definitely write my plans with a journey of moving forward that define myself as a brave technopreneur of not giving up on pursuing one’s goal.

“If you do not give up, you still have a chance. Giving up is a greatest failure”                                                                            -AliBaba Founder, Jack Ma

A big respect to all technopreneurs who gave their best, who tried their best, who sacrifices a lot, who cried the most, and to walk in the aisle of nails. You are a hero of making the world a better place!

[venturingintostartups]

Mac Basics - Steve Jobs bit Apple

What are the factors that contributed to the success and failure of Steve Jobs as a technopreneur?

“It began because Steve hated someone from Microsoft. Steve’s wife had a friend whose wife was at Microsoft. Anytime Steve had an interaction with that guy he’d be pissed off. He came back one time after talking to this guy and that guy was talking about how Microsoft had solved computing, with tablets and pens and shoved it in Steve’s face and how they were going to rule the world with their tablets and pens. Steve came in on Monday, there was a set of expletives he said “Let’s show them how it is done”                                                     -Scott Forstall, former head of iOS development

Who was Steve Jobs?

“Steven Paul Jobs is a well known American entrepreneur, an inventor and industrial engineer, the co-creator of Apple Company Incorporated, that designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple's revolutionary products, which include the iPod, iPhone and iPad, are now seen as dictating the evolution of modern technology. Currently, it is now considered as one of the big four of technology along with Amazon, Google, and Facebook. Born in 1955 to two University of Wisconsin graduate students who gave him up for adoption, Jobs was smart but directionless, dropping out of college and experimenting with different pursuits before co-founding Apple with Steve Wozniak in 1976. Jobs left the company in 1985, launching Pixar Animation Studios, then returned to Apple more than a decade later. Jobs died in 2011 following a long battle with pancreatic cancer.”

                                                  - (April 2014)  Steve Jobs Biography

We were tasked to watched the film entitled “The Pirates of Silicon Valley”. It was an original 1999 TNT American drama film directed by Martyn Burke and starring Noah Wyle as Steve Jobs. A documentation on how Steve Jobs started his career. As portrayed in the film, Steve Jobs has this free-spirited character that played a big factor in his career. He prioritized contentment rather than functionality, which his rival companies like Microsoft, is struggling at that time. He drifted away from the competition and stood up for his own ideas which later became successful and iconic as compared to other rival companies.

                                                    “Think Different”

                                                                       - Apple, Inc. Slogan

One. A Risk Taker One factor that contributed to the success and failure of Steve Jobs as an entrepreneur was to think different. He thinks what is different in the society, a contradiction of every thing in the corporate world. In simple words, he was a risk taker. He has no hesitations to advertise his ideas, which negatively affects his attitude towards his team, which he does not listens to their ideas, his team.

“Sometimes life is going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith.”

                                                                    -Steve Jobs

Two. A Cruel Leader

Another factor that contributed to the success and failure of Steve Jobs as an entrepreneur was to be determined to get the work done. He was a cruel leader, a cruel leader that aims for success for the company. Steve Jobs shouts on his team and employees, even gave them overtimes, and he easily loses his temper. Because of this, his employees got the determination to get things done on time. This attitude of Steve Jobs brings his name into success.

“People judge you on your performance, so focus on the outcome. Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

                                                                  -Steve Jobs

Three. Influencing Man

Another factor that contributes to the success and failure of Steve Jobs as an entrepreneur was to know how to get everyone’s attention. He was a successful man in the industry, because he knows how to talk people to get inspire on things, how to get motivated on our work performance, how to focus on the outcome and to have a courage to follow our heart where it belongs. He was a truly an inspirational man.

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me… Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

                                                                  -Steve Jobs

4. A Confident Man

Another factor that contributes to the success and failure of Steve Jobs as an entrepreneur was to be a confident leader. He was something who is confident with his ideas, as long as it gave him ease and comfort. As for that, he created a team with a great contribution to the society. However, being a confident man with a cruel attitude makes his employees and team felt unease around his company.

“When you grow up, you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money. That’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader than that.”

                                                                -Steve Jobs

5. Loved and Supported

The greatest factor that contributes to the success of Steve Jobs as an entrepreneur was being loved and supported by his family and the people around him. They believed of what Steve Jobs can do in the society, and that made him Successful in his career on being a technopreneur.

“Believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart.”

                                                                   -Steve Jobs

6. Heart’s been Crashed

He experienced someone that breaks his heart, something that does not believed of what he can do. This was the factor that made him realized the true essence of SUCCESS. No matter how many times your heart’s been crashed, no matter how many times you stumbled on the floor. You will reach success when you are determined and focused to follow your heart.

“Believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart. “

                                                                 -Steve Jobs

We have to trust on the things we want pursue as we follow our heart and in that it will grow success in the future. We do not have assurance on what the future brings on us so we would not have the best choice to pick on what tools to start on our career path. But the best thing to begin is to walk where your heart desires and do what you love, and in that you will no longer work for the rest of your life.

[venturingintostartups]

Think Outside The Box

Think outside the box: -02-04-19-

There is a famous nine-dot puzzle that we solved in a small period of time. The nine dots were arranged in a square.

And our professor instructed us to connect all the dots using only four strokes of line without lifting the pen off the paper. The goal is to pass through each of the nine dots at once by continuously making the four strokes of line. At first glance, it was difficult for us to find the possible solution to this particular puzzle.

Some of us got the right answer, while others were not able to solve the puzzle at all. The mind-boggling catch of the puzzle, which is to connect all the dots by using only four continuous strokes of line and make it pass through each of the nine dots, made us think if it is really possible to solve this particular puzzle. But when our instructor showed us the solution for this one, all of our hesitations regarding to the possible solution disappeared and from then on, we thought that it really makes sense. The figure on the top illustrates one of the most sensible answer for the puzzle.

Oftentimes, people mistakenly or commonly pictures a boundary around the edge of the dot array, which limits our options for the solution that makes the puzzle itself difficult to solve. If you are one of these people, then most probably you will not end up to one of the solutions. Once our instructor explained the implied message associated to the problem, we then realized that solving the puzzle is not one of the typical “past time” kinds of activity. But rather it will open our minds to one of the most applicable lessons in real-life. The subsequent lesson that we have realized or learned throughout this activity goes like this: Think outside the box. Simple, yet meaningful, the phrase teaches us to think creatively and encourage us to look for solutions not only within our limits but also outside from our usual thinking strategy.

On a second thought, what does the phrase “Think outside the box” has to do with one of our current subject, namely Technopreneurship? Is it really something that we can apply to this subject? Well, I would definitely say of course! As a technopreneur, you have to be willing to consider various, if not all, different kind of solutions and methods for a particular related problem to reach your desired outcome. Having this type of mindset is much better than applying the “better-be-safe-than-sorry” kind of outlook. It is because thinking outside the box, in reality, can have a powerful and positive effect on ones career, contrary to the popular belief that this will only result to failure and worse, costs and damages.

Thus, in this subject, we will be trained how to think differently, to search for solution creatively, and to be open to limitless possibilities.

Our professor also discussed in our class about the rationale of Technopreneurship. But beforehand, our professor told us that he was one of the first people who started Technopreneurship here in Davao City, which made us all awe-struck and motivated. He then further narrate that there was once that he, together with his colleague who is a former dean at a neighboring university, was given an opportunity to go to Australia to study the field. They were supposed to have a further study about Technopreneurship in Australia and bring back as well as implement the acquired knowledge here in the city. But then, for a specific reason, he turned down the offer. It is not because of the cold weather that makes them feel loneliness especially that they are away from their family. According to him, it is because the both of them prefer to let the Australians visit and teach our own people here in Davao City directly instead of sending only him and his colleague there in Australia, and then just relay the knowledge to the people here. By doing so, more people will get the information and knowledge directly and effectively. The Australians then accepted their proposal, and start teaching and spreading knowledge about the field here in the city. He had then further told us about The Silicon Gulf project and how our professor had part in this project.

Aside from that, we have also explored the different kinds of mentality that the majority of the people have. Above all “usual mindset”, the most prolific and most common, especially here in the Philippines, is the so-called “employment mindset”. Since we were young, many people asked us some considerable questions such as “Why do you go to school?” or even told us to study hard so as we grow up and finished our studies, we will be able to land in a high paying and secure job. And it’s a big no to have such mentality in the field of Technopreneurship. So there exists the alternative to the usual and common mindset in the corporate field, it is the so-called “entrepreneur mindset”. This is the most suitable or applicable mentality if you want to know about things such as how to make money in a most strategic way, how to pursue one’s idea in a right timing at a right funds, how to create the most prolific business plan and even how to choose the most deserving team in a company.

On the other hand, we discussed about the macro strategy in implementing Technopreneurship throughout the learning places. Our professor told us that we, as college students, must conceptualize a solution for a certain problem in the society in our first year, develop it in our second year, and come up with a sound business plan and commercialize it in our third year. I was moved a little and reflect upon hearing this. I realized that I’m already in my third year with having no progress at all, only an idea with no development. It is somewhat disappointing on my part. I should have done more if I only knew about this back then.

The macro strategy involves places on each of its phase that includes the following:

Information Technology Schools – it is the place where the students were taught about Technopreneurship and where they start conceptualizing and building their ideas.

Business Incubators – it is the place where startup ideas are hosted and developed, find potential investors, build-up advertising and legalities until your business will be ready for the market. Just like an infant that needs to be nurtured, it is the perfect place for your startup business idea to become fully developed.

Information Technology Parks – a place that consists of offices and facilities of technological startup projects and some other technology-based companies. It has facilities for professionals and provides high-speed telecommunications as well.

Information Technology Business Communities – a suitable place where startup ideas were sold to venture capitalists, funding and builds as well as maintaining the system.

What our professor wanted for us is to build a bigger impact in Information Technology Education through the field of Technopreneurship, especially in the city where we belong. He wanted us to participate in an evolving process and continue learning in the field of Technopreneurship, not just in a one-time subject that you would not use later and just forget about right after discussion, but rather to be applied into something manageable and worthy.

Furthermore, if we are strategic enough, we will find ourselves making money out of the ideas we have developed in our early years. Thus, it is worthwhile to make the most out of our study in the university. Once we are through with our college education, that’s the time where we can get to use our skills and still, to continue to learn about Technopreneurship and to be open to limitless possibilities.

Other than the intellects that our professor shared to us, we, the students, knew him as a humble person inside the university premises. Most of us do not have any idea who he really is outside the school. But what we already knew is that he is an extraordinary man, and it is something that we are looking forward to. He’s into dealing with other big people and tycoons in the industry owning big corporations and working with them with the things associated to this field. Our professor told us that big real money linked with our skills starts outside from the university, and we cannot make progress when we are limiting our capability of making and innovating things. We cannot move forward when we are still stuck with incomplete and sub-standard facilities. We cannot make progress, because we are too far behind from other universities. But what we are proud of from the products and soon to be products of the university is that we are highly competitive and always present to various startup competitions.

My seniors told me that they have been through hell with this subject. It gives me thoughts of enhancing my competence and exercising my confidence through this subject. I would love to learn and gain knowledge from this subject. Aja! I know I will be enjoying things.