Week 12: Venture Concept No. 1

My New Venture Concept: Clear Vote

Opportunity: Potential customers with unmet needs.

“Voting is arguably the most important civic opportunity given to citizens in the United Stated.” So then why is everyone not voting? Out of the whole eligible voting population in America, only 64% of citizens actually voted. With this time, specifically 2016, election time, candidates for the next presidency are flooding the media and our daily lives. But how many of us actually keep up with politics and the government that directly affects us? The government, media, friends, family and pop culture, and the Internet have misled voters throughout American history. People have a wide access to lots of information but even this has caused confusion and biased views on politics, bloggers and others like them give people personal views which may seem to be unbiased but is actually just an individual’s interpretation of certain political issues. C-SPAN is the only unbiased political medium, but lets be real. What young person actually is down to watch full, uncut speeches or addresses? Clear Vote plans to fix all these issues.

            Clear Vote’s ultimate goal is to improve the population’s general political awareness in an unbiased way. This app will mainly focus on the youth, primarily college students, while still having a focus on the broader view of any American citizen including older people. The fact that young people are voting does not mean they know exactly what they are voting for. 45% of the young adults (ages 18-24) voted during the 2012 presidential election (U.S. Census Bureau); however it was unlikely they made a fair-minded, well-informed decision. Media, school, family, peers, and misconceptions all lead to confusion and misunderstanding in voting. These factors influence the voter’s perception of the candidate they choose to elect. So even out of the 45% of the youth that voted, not all of them knew whom exactly they were voting for due to presumptions and a lack of accurate information. In addition, 42.2% of adults between the ages of 18 and 24 did not even bother registering to vote because they were “not interested in the election / not involved in politics” (U.S. Census Bureau). Aside from the youth, new voters (such as new citizens), uneducated people, the uninformed electorate, and uninterested people would all benefit. The app’s audience is directly in the United States of America, and aiming towards the younger and more uninformed population, focusing on the 2016 presidential election.

Innovation: What is Clear Vote?

Clear Vote provides a mobile device application that focuses on candidates and their respective issue. It provides users a way to make voting easier and more specific to an individual’s values and beliefs. The application is a way to vote in an unbiased manner, it takes away the face from the candidates and the prejudice they bring with it. It will focus on more truthful, factual information on politics, educating the user with straightforward and easy to use information. The app is a user-friendly interface filled with info on candidates, upcoming elections, and helpful information based on the geography. The main feature is a quiz that once taken it matches the user up with a candidate that correlates with the users values and opinions on certain issues. Many of these questions will be based on national, well-known issues such as abortion, immigration policies, gun control, reliance on foreign oil, as well as foreign policy in general. The quiz will then provide the user with a candidate related to their voting area and mirrors the user’s values.

The app will allow for people to know exactly whom they are voting for. It will provide facts for users to do research on certain candidates concerning who they support, various companies they have ties with, their background as well as other candidates they are allied with this will in turn lead to more overall satisfaction with the users matched candidate during their term. The user will have an option to put in their geographical information so the quiz can generate fairly framed questions based on their location, addressing issues more related to their community. We are joining the political media industry, an industry that is lacking heavily in unbiased truthful information on politics and candidates. Clear vote will revolutionize American political media, as we will become the news source that the American people have wanted.

Venture Concept: How will Clear Vote fix America?

            Companies that will compete with Clear Vote include EZ Politics, the mainstream media, specifically FOX News and CNN, and CSPAN. EZ Politics is an existing app that claims to deliver “unbiased politics” as well, but they do so with a more historical outlook. EZ Politics also charges upfront just to download their app for an information only program whereas we offer an overall free interactive service. Fox News and CNN are major competitors as well since they are big name news networks that are well accepted by constituents. However, they lack in the ability to be unbiased because of political support. These two news sources are heavily polarized with a specific party, framing the news they deliver to satisfy their viewers that generally think in that certain way (confirmation bias). Our last and perhaps biggest competitor is CSPAN; not only do they have the name, they have a large reputation for truthful, honest politics and claims to deliver “unedited” proceedings of the House and Senate; but, even CSPAN lacks the personal aspect that clear Vote provides.

            So why download Clear Vote? People are sick and tired of misleading politics and are concerned with what the government is doing but do not always understand or trust what they hear from national news stations. Citizens crave the truth; no one wants to be ignorant of what is happening around them. Our application remedies these issues. By allowing users to take a quiz that matches them up with a candidate that correlates with the users values and opinions on certain issues, an overall satisfaction will be achieved; revolutionizing how political news is conveyed. 

Week 11: Amazon Whisperer

The Amazon Whisperer

Since my idea is an application, I plan to keep it free for my customers so more people would download it. Thus, I would gain my main revenue from sponsorship. Other companies and business could advertise on my applications feed. Clear Vote's revenue drivers, or other ways my business would make money would be including a way for users to register to vote via my application. When I pitched my idea, some people suggested that I include a way for users to vote or register. Since you can register to vote online now and the future is becoming completely internet / app based, I see this becoming a possibility soon. My app would make money by mailing the users voter registration form for a small fee. Adding voter registration to an application that makes voting easier for people with the app, only improves my product and enhances the experience for my companies customers. Since my company is creating an application and not a product, there are no similar products on Amazon to compare it to. Overall, adding registration will help the community and citizens become more involved with the government and politics, something that everyone should be concerned with as it directly affects citizens of the United States.

Week 11: Reading Reflection

Week 11: Reading Reflection

During this weeks reading, one thing that really stood out to me was the fact that much smaller companies, such as Corning, are not really heard of but are making many breakthroughs and innovations in their creations. We tend to focus on the bigger names and inventors that we do not pay attention to who is behind the scenes and curtains doing big work. There was one section of the reading that really confused me, and that was the part about the innovation landscaping map. I was not sure what the author meant when discussing what form the domain is in, whether it be the internet or newspaper and such. My two questions to the author would be do you think that the small named companies are doing more than most of the big name companies? And why aren't these companies that are so important and mass distributors and innovators not known? Overall, there was nothing that the author said that I disagreed with. The only thing I would say is that I wish he went into more depth about the smaller companies and why they aren't marketing that much.

Week 11: My Unfair Advantage

What Makes You So Special?

1) Family connections in the business

2) Hospitality 

3) Having access to a lot of people in the field / Communicating with the right people 

4) Social media 

5) Empathetic, understanding, harmonious, fair

6) Punctual, managerial skills, hard working

7) Researching the product you want to use / Working at your idea by using the internet for sources

8) Always set your goals and make it happen by writing it down. 

9) Work experience 

10) Goals that are attainable yet still high

For me, my top venture resource would have to be my family connections. The Basta's have built a big name in the palm harbor area. My father and his brother are entrepreneurs and started their own successful businesses. My aunt also owns a law office. My brothers and I plan to continue our family business and move forward together. More power with packs. My family is hands down my unfair advantage. 

Week 10: Growing My Social Capital

It's Who You Know, Not What You Know: Growing Your Social Capital

Three new people who will be valuable to helping me pursue my business idea, Clear Vote:
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1) A domain expert in your industry: Diana Davis

Diana Davis, owner of a law firm in Tampa that practices real estate law amongst other categories. As a lawyer, Diana offers a business that revolves around law and analytical skills, which is something clearly needed for any product involving unbiasedness and the government. Diana fills the domain expert slot because she deals with what I would be dealing with in my application but obviously in a more professional sense. I contacted Diana after I heard about her business from my mom. She went to her for property concerns in the past. I emailed her asking some questions and tips. She really helped me a lot with letting me know a lot more about the legal field and informing me the more legal and judicial side of the government which is helpful for making Clear Vote a possibility. I will definitely be meeting with her in the future when I need to see an attorney or get legal advice.

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2) Expert: Hannah F.

Hannah, works as the marketing director for the University of Florida. I met with her to discuss working with the schools snapchat and twitter and other media sources. My idea clearly deals with making the consumer happy through interaction. Which communication medians provide. Also it would be good for reporting. Hannah will be a great person to keep in my network.

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3)Suplier: Paul B.

Paul, owns an electronic shop in tampa as well. He mainly works with cameras but he also started getting involved with phones and applications. Since my idea is an application I would definitely need him in my network. He provides great tools that are a necessity in this electronic ran day and age.

Reflection:

This assignment really made me realize how difficult it is to build a network but how willing people are to meet with you and see your drive and plans and help to be a part of that.

Week 10: Reading Reflection

Week 10 Reading Reflection

After reading this weeks chapter, I was extremely surprised to hear the concept about "administrative expenses" and "selling expenses". I was quite confused with the majority of this chapter because it dealt with a lot of accounting and finance which I am not too familiar with. I would ask Kuratko these two questions: Do people who specialize in accounting be potentially better at starting their own business than those who do not? If you are an entrepreneur and you do not understand the topic of accounting, would it be detrimental to their business? Since this chapter dealt with the subjects of financing and accounting, it was more factual rather than opinion or theory and thus I do not disagree with anything Kuratko discussed.

Week 10: Elevator Pitch No. 3

Elevator Pitch No. 3

The pitch:

Reflection: People mentioned in my last pitch that I was not too convincing in the way that I should have been in pitching an idea. One comment emphasized how I need to pretend that I am in an elevator with a potential investor / consumer and I only have from the bottom to the top floor to SELL my idea, not simply state it or reiterate my product. That feedback was really helpful and I took that advice in making this third pitch. My idea, Clear Vote, has potential I just need to make others see that.

My Secret Sauce

Know Thyself: Whats your secret sauce? 

1) Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique. 

Five things that really set myself apart, putting myself at some sort of advantage I would have to say are my five strengths of character. My five strengths are as follows: consistency, connectedness, harmony, self-assurance, and discipline. I am open minded and understanding and I think that is so important when you are dealing with people and hospitality in businesses and life.

2) Interview the five people who know you the best.

What do you think makes me different, focusing on my knowledge, skills, abilities, emotions, my human capital? Try to stay away from discussing your other types of capital (such as who you know). Record each interview. In your blog post, please post each interview, as well as a two-three sentence summary of each interview, explaining what your key takeaways are.

Having technical difficulties but videos will be up tonight.

Interview 1:

Video

Interview 2:

Video

Interview 3:

Video

Interview 4:

Video

Interview 5:

Video

3) Reflect on the differences. 
I chose to interview my family and closest friends. After watching the videos I honestly was teary eyed. There are some parts of me that I don't really see because I am always trying to improve myself and get better and you cannot get better if you already think you are the best. But, what was said in my videos shows how passionate, caring, persistent, disciplined, and nurturing I am. My cousin said one thing about me was that I would make a great manager or person in charge because I don't let anyone just make excuses to not do their work. He said I could be mean where it counts, like running an office, I'm hard headed enough. That part was surprising for me but I really do like to be in control and dictate what needs to be done and in what way. Of course, the fact that I have a big heart with compassion and care I already knew. Most of my videos reiterated that. Overall, the responses I got about my work character were a lot more touching and positive than I expected. We definitely see ourselves differently than others see us. I truly enjoyed this exercise more than others!

Week 9: Reading Reflection

Reading Reflection

The biggest surprise for me in this weeks reading was the fact that there are endless components of marketing that makes up an entrepreneur. When I think of marketing I just  think of how can I get my product out to the most people possible. However, according to Kuratko, marketing is much more than that and includes research and composition and development of the plan and pricing strategy. It was more intricate than I expected. 

The only part of the reading that truly confused me was the that you gather secondary data first. That just does not make sense but I guess it is better to gather data that was already once collected by people before you conduct your own. The author explained that this prevents mistakes that were once made before.

My two questions would revolve around marketing and the importance of it. I would ask what the author feels like is the most critical aspect of marketing and how important to a company he feels like it is.

I did not disagree with the author in anything said in this chapter.

Week 9: Idea Napkin No. 2

Second Shot at Idea Napkin No. 2

1) You. I am a current student and aspiring entrepreneur at the University of Florida. I tend to have a wide perspective on things and understanding opinions when it comes to controversial issues. That being said, I have this vision of an application that informs and involves the public in politics more. Clear Vote, an app to inform the user with UNBIASED politics, or unaltered facts delivered to the consumer, so they can have their own opinions based on facts not fluff, that the media and friends and society deliver. As a political science major and aspiring law student, this app remains relevant to my life, as to any one else who is a citizen of the United States.

2) What are you offering to customers? Clear Vote, provides a mobile application that focuses on candidates and their respective issue. It provides users a way to make voting easier and more specific to an individual’s values and beliefs. The application is a way to vote in a manner that veers away from biases. It takes away the face from the candidates and the prejudice they bring with it. Additionally, Clear Vote will offer a chance for users to register to vote from the own comfort of their cellular device rather then making a trip to the DMV if it is possible to gain clearance on this. It is possible to register online so the steps to making mobile application voting registration a reality is not too far a reach! Clear Vote will focus on more truthful, factual information on politics, educating the user with straightforward and easy to use information. Know exactly what, and who you're voting for.

3) Who are you offering it to? Voting is the most important civic opportunity given to citizens in the United Stated. So then why is everyone not voting? Out of the whole eligible voting population in America, only 64% of citizens actually voted. Voters have been misled by the government,media,friends, family and pop culture, and the internet biased views on politics, so what about an app that plans to fix all these issues. Clear Vote's main audience will be college students and the younger adult generation, ages 18-25. It is a shame how little the youth are taking a part in politics and our government when everyone is directly affected by these governmental actions and litigations.

4) Why do they care? So why download Clear Vote? People are sick and tired of misleading politics and are concerned with what the government is doing but do not always understand or trust what they hear from national news stations. Citizens crave the truth; no one wants to be ignorant of what is happening around them. Our application remedies these issues: we provide not only the issues that affect them, but also the truth about those problems. Our app will revolutionize how political news is conveyed. 

5) What are your core competencies? Clear Vote is unlike any other app or news source out there. The only true unbiased source of politics is the government network CSPAN, and lets be real, unless you're like me who looks forward to governmental addresses or speeches like the State of the Union, you aren't going to be watching CSPAN. Soundbites delivered by CNN or Fox or any news source for that matter, are shaped with a certain view and often frame the truth.

Feedback Memo

My application idea, ClearVote seems to attainable and within my reach. There are a few aspects of the application that will be difficult for my team and I to accomplish, such as having reporters gather the news and information we will be using for the basis and foundation of the app. Since, ClearVote aims to deliver unbiased news, we will have to rely on our own reporters and CSPAN to gather information as it is directly. This will obviously be costly and one of the roadblocks we will encounter.

Regarding the feedback I received on my napkin idea #1, I gathered some good outside points and tweaked my business plan and idea to be more suitable and enjoyable for customers. One thing that I thought was a great consideration was implementing a way for users to register to vote via this application. Technology is taking over this world and lets face it, people use their phones and computers for everything nowadays, especially if it means saving them a trip to the DMV. Someone did suggest to make it possible to vote directly from this app, however, that is something that cannot be exclusive to an app because voting is a privilege that needs to be monitored at a poll booth to make sure it remains as honest as possible. However, I was inspired to implement registering to vote via the app through that feedback. 

I also removed the word "unbiased" from my business plan as it was pointed out in my feedback as something that does not mix well with politics. "Unaltered facts delivered to the consumer" sounds more realistic. Another thing I need to consider regarding the feedback is how I am going to develop this application. That is another roadblock I would need to tackle. Overall, I really appreciated all the feedback I received and I am glad I took time to thoroughly read them and consider them, as they are helping me eliminate future issues I may encounter and offer more to the table. People seemed to really approve of my idea!