Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

Resources:

1. Location 

• V: extremely valuable, this piece of land would be able accommodate a wide range of students covering a wide area
• R: this is one of the few undeveloped pieces of land left in this area of Gainesville 
•  I: considering only this land is up for grabs, it is not going to be very easy to imitate
• N: there are no other options to this land for this parking garage 

2. UF Construction School 

• V: this is an extremely important possible asset. the construction school can be the working force behind building this garage and would be benefitting the current students who get to work on this project
• R: being that not many places have a construction school near by this feature is extremely rare 
•  I: there are other surrounding construction companies capable of building this garage but no others will also be benefitting UF students
• N: nothing can substitute the dedication and desire to learn than college students 

3. Customer Knowledge

• V: this is very valuable because without understanding the true need of the customer base then the urgency is gone
• R: this is not rare among college students but among common investors and construction company having a solid customer knowledge for college students is rare
•  I: not easy to imitate unless paying attention to the most minute details for a prolonged period of time 
• N: this is not able to be substituted, knowledge of the customers is extremely beneficial 

4. Possible Investors

• V: very valuable without investors and the funds to make this happen it won't 
• R: given that the Gainesville area is in a surge for building and growing investors will be more likely to invest
•  I: cannot be imitated an investor is irreplaceable 
• N: cannot be substituted for anything because without the funds to build the project will not begin

5. Time

• V: especially in today's time where everyone seems to always be on a time crunch, time is extremely valuable 
• R: rare among college students but when there is time to complete a task its rare 
•  I: cannot be imitated because full attention is not replaceable 
• N: time is necessary to complete this so there is nothing that can stand in place of it 

6. Dedication

• V: remaining dedicated and focused will allow this project to be completed as soon and safely as possible, these attributes are extremely valuable 
• R: it can be hard to find a team that is extremely dedicated and set on one common goal 
•  I: this quality cannot be imitated but rather perfected over the years 
• N: having a dedicated team cannot be substituted and if not present will result in shoddy procrastinated work 

7. Community Support

• V: this is extremely important in a new and big project, through the community supporting the project all obstacles will seem easier
• R: rare but given the product the community should be accepting with open arms 
•  I: cannot be imitated, community support leads to a happy project 
• N: cannot be replaced for any other quality or ideology because when a community stands together it is unstoppable 

8. Customers in Line

• V: this is very valuable to be able to persuade investors more easily and have the teams shoot for a goal as there are customers desperately in need of this service and ready to pay
• R: in a college town where students tend to not want to spend money, having these customers ready to pay is very rare
•  I: cannot be imitated by another service because there is only one solution to not having parking
• N: irreplaceable because until there is more parking spots allocated the problem will still be there

9. Technology

• V: very valuable because how much easier it makes the project and marketing for the future product 
• R: although its not necessarily rare having technology to support a project is extremely helpful 
•  I: cannot be imitated by any other feature because technology is specific to every scenario
• N: irreplaceable because technology has made almost every daily task tremendously easier

10. Employee Base

• V: having an employee base that is eager to work and in need of money is extremely valuable 
• R: it is rare to find enough people to be able to complete a project in a reasonable amount of time
•  I: cannot be imitated by any other capital
• N: although technology can cross over the lines of employment nothing can replace the human workforce

The top resource would be the land and its location. Given that Gainesville, especially around the UF campus area has been expanding and growing exponentially over the past few months, locking in and saving this land for a parking garage is the most valuable, rare, least easily imitated, and nonreplacable of all the resources. Without the land and location none of the other resources truly matter. 

Elevator Pitch No. 3

2) A reflection on the feedback you received from your last pitch. 

Most importantly from my last pitch was the attire, my outfit for the last video was the most clear criticism. I was really surprised with how much I moved in comparison to others, I don't realize how much I move my hands when I get nervous. Also the speed of my last pitch was way too fast, some parts were slightly hard to understand.

3) What did you change, based on the feedback?

This time around I made sure to wear a jacket which was a huge improvement. I also made sure to keep my hands planted in front of me while speaking. This change allowed for the pitch to be less distracting. Lastly I didn't read as quickly which allowed for the more important points to be emphasized.

Reading Reflection No. 2

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

I selected the book "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big," written by Scott Adams. I chose this book because of how relatable and growth inspiring it sounded. The general theme was that no matter how many times your ideas or products may fail, this failure is never supposed to become your identity. Elaborating on this theme is the ideology that even in what may seem like the worst moment, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. 

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

The book definitely had a strong correlation to ENT3003. Throughout every assignment we are to think about the obstacles and downfalls that every project could have and potentially become a failure. In addition to taking note of these possible failures, we also peer review and give constructive criticism to our classmates. Both of these tactics are a way to help prevent each others' failures and to allow growth, just as this book suggests. The ideologies cross paths when we take the constructive criticism and make ourselves greater with it. 

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

If I had to design an exercise for this class I would focus on another broad topic in the book which is passion. Scott Adams spoke very intensely on the importance on differentiating our passions versus what were good at. I think to best understand this differentiation would  be for everyone to fill out a venn diagram containing talents, passions, and their similarities.

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

The biggest takeaway I had from this book was when Scott Adams made the differentiation between having goals and having a system. Prior to reading this book I overlapped these two concepts, as in order to fulfill my goals I must have a system in place to reach it. However when Adams said that a goal is something that is reached while a system is continuous I was able to understand now how my ideology can actually hurt you in the long run. 

Growing Your Social Capital

1) One person must be a domain expert in your industry. For this interview I spoke with my mentor Dr. Rainer Sasche who is a prominent plastic surgeon in the South Florida area. Prior to opening his own practice, he was the head of Holy Cross hospital and has served on multiple boards for the American Plastic Surgeon Association. I found this doctor through one of my aunts who has had medical procedures done with him in the past. After she went to him I contacted him to possibly shadow. I have shadowed him multiple times in the past. By shadowing him I have learned not only many things about the medical field, but also about the proper way to conduct patient interactions. 

2) One person must be an expert on your market. For this interview I spoke to a retired plastic surgeon who is no longer practicing. Her name is Dr. Aida Raez and she is both my mentor and go to for life and doctoring questions. I came in contact with Dr. Raez during one of the medical mission trips. I shadowed her in the general surgery department and became best friends within moments. I consider her my second mom and gain a better understanding what it's like to be both a mom and surgeon at the same time. I contact Dr. Raez whenever I am in need of help academically or medically. By having Dr. Raez in my life I feel like I am more confident in entering this profession. 

3) One person must be an important supplier to your industry. For this I interviewed someone in the medical devices industry. His name is Ramiro Morales and is a medical sales rep, as well as husband to a Obstetrician and Gynecologist. I came in contact with Ramiro through a medical mission trip that I have attended for two summers. After this medical mission trip I remained in contact in order to learn more about the up and coming medical surgical techniques. I contact him frequently as he updates me on the newest and latest in medical technology procedures. He does not necessarily expect anything in return other than my respect and attention. By remaining in contact with him I believe I am gaining a lot of insight and knowledge on the market and what doctors are being presented every day. 

Finally: Reflect. After realizing how connected I already am in the medical field, I also realized how lucky I truly am. Within each of these interactions I have gained more insight in the field and grown as a person professionally. I do not think I would still be on this path and have the amount of comfort that I have if I had not met my mentors. 

Idea Napkin No. 2

1) You. I am Kat Garcia. A junior at UF earning my degree in General Business Administration with a Specialization in Pre-Health. I am extremely personable and I am very good at problem solving and being innovative in times of need. I hope to attend the University of Florida College of Medicine and one day become a plastic surgeon. After enough years in the field, I hope to open my own practice. I believe my background in business will be extremely beneficial to running my practice. As I have learned from various surgeons, they all regret not having more knowledge in the field of medicine. 

2) What are you offering to customers? As a plastic surgeon I will be offering the cosmetic and self conscious needs of my patients. 

3) Who are you offering it to? My clientele would be a large range. I can offer to older patients who are trying to turn the clock back or even for younger patients who are self conscious about a particular aspect of themselves.  

4) Why do they care? Customers will pay an insane amount of money for cosmetic reasons. Everyone wants to look and feel like their best self, this need to constantly be at your best is what will bring the patients to my practice. 

5) What are your core competencies? What would set me apart is my workmanship and patient bedside manner.

Overall I believe all my previous experiences and lessons will allow me to be both professional and respectful with all my patients. In addition, I believe wherever my medical school education takes me that I will learn the proper workmanship and techniques to successfully completing surgeries. On top of the medical aspects, I believe that my business background will allow me to properly conduct my practice. 

Since I was unable to finish the first napkin assignment I did not receive feedback, however I feel that I covered all necessary aspects of my idea napkin. 

Create a Customer Avatar

Hobbies: roller blading, Netflix, working out, online shopping, napping, drawing, etc. 

Car: The type of car ranges anywhere from a pickup truck to a smart car. College students tend to have smaller cars, however the possibilities are endless. The color scheme is also all across the spectrum. 

Children: my typical customer does not have children and do not see children as one of their top concerns any time soon. Since they don't have kids none of them are adopted. 

Books/Politicians: These customers are at one of the largest and most diverse campuses, so both of these interests vary across the whole spectrum. All my friends and I are STEM majors, so we tend to not read books as much. However there are students who will always be reading a new book. At the same time all the students at UF come from different home towns and upbringings so their political views are also extremely different. 

Age: Range anywhere from 17-29. This includes incoming freshmen all the way to graduate students. This age range can be further extended however to include professors, faculty and staff who also may need parking. 

How old do they feel: Most students come in feeling extremely young however as the years go by seniors who are only 22 feel like they are approaching 50. 

In Common: Since I myself am a student at UF I have a lot in common with my typical customer. I have the same interests, goals, and values as many of the students and if not I can rationalize most of the other customers viewpoints. I essentially am a typical customer and this is why I can see such a need for this additional parking. 

these are pictures of typical customers that would love to have more parking around UF campus. 

What's Your Secret Sauce?

1) I am very personable. 

    I am understanding. 

    I am loud. 

    I am very optimistic. 

    I am very honest.

2)

Nikki said that I am very ambitious which can somehow correlate to being optimistic. 

Alyssa, my little, pointed out that I am very fun and outgoing which I described as being loud. 

Alysse said I was optimistic, which I completely agreed with. 

Julia, my glittle, described me as being genuine and honest.

Victor, one of my best friends, said that I am very easy to talk to and very trustworthy. 

3) There were really no differences in what my friends said versus what I said about myself. They did however say I was genuine instead of honest. I think I agree more with my term honest, however I agree with both. They also said that I was very trustworthy, I did not think to include that in my top 5. I feel like this could replace honest very easily in my top 5 best qualities.