FINAL: Reflection

 

1.         Look through your blog for this semester. Recall various experiences with exercises you've had a long the way. 

I think overall I enjoyed the format of this class. I had not done a blog before, I love the fact that it’s so easy to access and it’s a nice record of my progress and the process.

2.         What are the three most important things that you learned in this class?

The most important thing I learned in this class is how to conduct factual, and accurate research that is reliable. I found the 5 Forces Model helpful and it is something that I will continue to use as I consider new ventures. I also learned how to do a customer interview and gain feedback without asking a direct question that could bias the answer. We all want to please one another and even when conducting an interview – the interviewee wants to give you the answer that you are looking for, it’s better the gain knowledge of want the customers really thinks instead of what you think the answer should be.

3.         Which exercise(s) you found the most useful?

I found the break even analysis and the Essence assignments the most useful. The break even gave me a chance to assign a unit cost to producing one completed page in my magazine and it allowed me to determine when I could expect to a break even point. In considering that information – I could make adjustments to try to reach break even at a faster rate. The Essence assignment was good in that I really had to take a hard look and what I was trying to do and determine its value in simple language. The Essence is something that I can use when talking to others about my venture, because it uses short easy to digest language to give the project’s value.

4.         Which exercise(s) you found the least useful?

I did not love the process of completing all of the assignments, but as a person who is serious about starting a venture one day soon, I can’t say that I would have wanted to skip any of them. I think they are all valuable and they were all useful in some way.   

5.         What is the one recommendation you would make to the students who are going to take this course in the future?

As soon as the assignments are posted, review them so that you have an idea of the time commitment. Even with that – it’s really best to work ahead of the schedule because upon review an exercise may appear simple and easy, but once you start working it – it could very well take much longer than you anticipated.