Week 4 Reading Reflection-Dillon Dunn

After reading this book for the third time I am starting to feel that every chapter is saying the same thing just tweaked a little bit. It keeps saying that entrepreneurs are creative people that take advantage of missed opportunities and that entrepreneurs are problem solvers. This chapter's only difference is that it focused more on the creation of ideas. It talked about the process of turning a "good idea" into a solution. My favorite part of this chapter was "The Most Common Idea Killers" section. I thought that it was very accurate and funny because I can say that I am guilty of some of these "killers." I agreed with the author on just about everything and I really enjoyed reading this chapter, but the chapters are kind of feeling repetitive.

Customer Interview No. 1-Dillon Dunn

Interviewing people makes you feel really uncomfortable. I am a very shy person so this was an assignment that I was not looking forward to. I did learn a lot from this experience though. I learned that getting an outside my box is actually really good for me and good for the ideas that I have. I am currently in UF's "Big Business Idea" competition and I took this opportunity to ask questions about the business idea me and my team are working on. Enjoy!

#1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuj5_mH8kek

#2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi4tMUL8iYA

#3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28GN6MGGxuk

#4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZzP0j0eY7g

#5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSKRQECRvTQ

Top 5 World Problems-Dillon Dunn

Top 5 Problems
 1. ISIS is one of the world’s most recognizable terrorist groups. They are a group of people who kill innocent people in the name of religion. If ISIS gets to powerful they could change the world as we know it.
ISIS is at the top of a lot of peoples mind right now. ISIS is an immediate threat to almost all countries int the world right now. They are dangerous and are hard to catch. That is why they are number one on my list.

2. Risk of meteor impact on planet surface is a world issue no one really thinks about until it is too late. If a meteor hit the Earth’s surface it could wipe out the whole human race.
Most people don't know but there is money being put into research to look for something that could save the planet from getting hit by a meteor. This deserves to be #2 because if a meteor actually did impact the planet it could potentially end life on the planet.

3. The hostile environment in North Korea is one of the world’s biggest and most terrifying problems. With North Korea developing the technology to be able to nuke other countries it causes other countries to put North Korea as one of their top priorities instead of focusing their effort on developing solutions for other world problems.
 With North Korea being hostile to the outside world and developing nuclear weapons they are a threat to man kind. North Korea could do a large amount of damage if they are able to get their hands on a nuclear weapon.

4. World hunger is a huge issue in the world. People in America don’t think of hunger as a problem but countries in Africa and South America suffer through this problem every day. If the correct action is not taken the hunger issue could spread into the first world countries as well.
This is a very important issue in the world! The only reason that it isn't higher on the list is because it does not effect the whole world.

5. The lack of energy resources is not only a problem that could cause the prices for energy to go up, it could also put a halt on developing new technology.
 Although this is an important issue in the world, people could survive without electricity. The four problems above are problems that could potentially kill people.


Top 5 Solutions

 1. (referring to a meteor hitting Earth) If so we may be able to funnel more resources into research that may be able to develop new technology that would keep the world safe.
This is a great solution because with just a small boost in funding I believe that we would be able to develop good enough technology to be able to not have to fear a meteor hitting Earth!

2. If the threat gets to threatening we could shut off the internet to certain countries.
Shutting off the internet to outside hostel countries would prevent them from being able to steal our information via hackers.

3. By cutting down on our energy usage we can prevent the continued growth of climate change.
This is a quality solution because it is easy for everyone to get involved in so that everyone can contribute to the cause.

4. If we were able to switch to a renewable resource we would be able to use resources without the fear of running out.
Switching to a renewable resource is a great idea because it would allow us to not fear running out of resources, and it would also be beneficial to the environment.

5. If we the people used water more efficiently it may help with our clean water issue.
This (just like #3) would be good because everyone could help with the solution. The only reason that it is at the bottom of the list is because it is not as urgent of an issue as the rest.

Week 3 Reading Reflection-Dillon Dunn

The biggest thing that surprised me in this chapter was the importance that the author put on reading up on speeches. I always thought that most public speakers were not the best source of information. I feel that they are always just trying to push their narrative. If I were to meet with the author I would ask him why he thinks that speeches are such a good thing to study as an entrepreneur. I would also confront him on his view of an entrepreneur's personality. The author generally summed up the personality pretty well, but the author also said that entrepreneurs neglect all aspects of life except work. That really confused me. In a previous chapter of reading the author also said that entrepreneurs also keep up with the world around them. Those two statements have opposite meanings.

Identifying Local Opportunities-Dillon Dunn

Collapsed bridge, residents searching for answers

http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2016/01/collapsed-bridge-residents-searching-answers

The article above is about a bridge that collapsed in a residential area that forced residents to have to park their car far away from their home and walk a half of a mile.

The problem in the article is that residents are forced to park a half of a mile away from their house and walk whenever they want to go home.

The people affected by the bridge collapsing would be the people in the residential area that are forced to park their car away from their home and walk to their house every day, and any emergency vehicles that would need to get through in case of an emergency.

Teacher shortage in Alachua County

http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2016/01/teacher-shortage-alachua-county

This article explains that teachers are frustrated with the way that the state handles the education system in our state. The teachers think that the government should remove standardized testing and give the teachers more resources in the classroom. The teachers also say that standardized testing is the reason that there is a shortage of teachers in Alachua County.

Teachers are unhappy with the way that the Florida education system currently is, and that is causing a shortage of teachers.

The people that are affected by the shortage of teachers and the standardized testing are all the teachers in the state of Florida, and all of the students that are going to school.

Faculty spouse recommends state buy bullet-proof lecterns

http://smartboard.blogs.gainesville.com/2015/11/faculty-spouse-recommends-state-buy-bullet-proof-lecterns-for-profs/

This article goes in depth on a wife of a University of Florida professor view on allowing people to bring guns to campus. The wife also suggests that if we do allow guns on campus that we should provide bullet-proof lecterns to protect the professor from any potential threat.

People feel that professors need to be protected by a bullet proof lectern.

The people who would be affected by all of the new gun rules and bullet proof lecterns would be anyone who goes to school or works at the University of Florida.

Blues Creek residents push back on sewer line proposal

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20160122/ARTICLES/160129873/1002/news05?Title=Blues-Creek-residents-push-back-on-sewer-line-proposal

The article explains the frustrations from people living in a residential subdivision. The residents are frustrated because the city is planning on running a sewer line through the resident’s conservation area. The city is having the commission vote if they actually are going to put the sewer line there or in a different location.

The problem in this article is that people do not want a sewer line running through their subdivisions conservation area.

The people who would be affected by the sewer line would be the people that live in the subdivision where the sewer line will be going.

Residents concerned about potholes

http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2015/12/residents-concerned-about-potholes

The article sheds light on an issue that many drivers of Alachua County all share. County Road 2082 is a street that is covered in potholes. Most drivers that drive on County road 2082 are furious that nothing is being done to fix it.

The problem in the article is that County road 2082 is a road that citizens feel needs to be repaved but our elected officials are reluctant to spend money on to fix it.

The people affected by this road are the 350 people that drive on this road daily.

Very Short Interview No. 1 - Dillon Dunn

I interviewed my step-father (George) who has over 15 years’ experience owning his own flooring company. (George Dolomanuk Inc.) He is very old fashioned. He is the only employee in his company and he is not looking to expand.

What should my expectations be in my entrepreneurship course?

“To learn how to run a business and if running a business is the right fit for you.”

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

“Being an entrepreneur means that you own your own business, you are your own boss, and you are only going to get paid for what effort you put into your work.”

What do you think I should learn in an entrepreneurship course?

You should expect to learn how to file for a business, the different types of businesses, and ethics on running a business.”

What do you wish you had been taught in school before setting out on your own path as an entrepreneur? 

“I wish I was told how hard the government makes it to start a business. It seems like they try to suck profits out of you anyway they possible can.”

George never really had any guidance when starting up his own company. Most of the stuff he knows from trial and error. He is someone who views entrepreneurs and a business owner rather than someone who thinks outside the box.

World's Biggest Problems-Dillon Dunn

1. The Growing concern to find a cure for cancer. With thousands of people dying every year cancer is one of the world’s biggest problems. If more people would focus resources on finding a solution we may be able to find a cure.

2. The ability to create enough clean water for everyone in the world is a difficult task. With the number of people in the world rising we need to be able to create more clean water at a quicker rate. If we the people used water more efficiently it may help with our clean water issue.

3. The lack of energy resources is not only a problem that could cause the prices for energy to go up, it could also put a halt on developing new technology. If we were able to switch to a renewable resource we would be able to use resources without the fear of running out.

4. The hostile environment in North Korea is one of the world’s biggest and most terrifying problems. With North Korea developing the technology to be able to nuke other countries it causes other countries to put North Korea as one of their top priorities instead of focusing their effort on developing solutions for other world problems. Unfortunately there is not an easy solution to this issue.

5. World hunger is a huge issue in the world. People in America don’t think of hunger as a problem but countries in Africa and South America suffer through this problem every day. If the correct action is not taken the hunger issue could spread into the first world countries as well. If countries were able to dedicate more land to growing crops we may be able to better feed the world.

6. Risk of meteor impact on planet surface is a world issue no one really thinks about until it is too late. If a meteor hit the Earth’s surface it could wipe out the whole human race. This issue should be brought to the attention of the general public. If so we may be able to funnel more resources into research that may be able to develop new technology that would keep the world safe.

7. ISIS is one of the world’s most recognizable terrorist groups. They are a group of people who kill innocent people in the name of religion. If ISIS gets to powerful they could change the world as we know it. There is no easy way to deal with these people we will just have to keep them contained for as long as possible.

8. Climate change is an issue that gets a lot of recognition but most people do not really change their ways to help prevent the issue from getting worse. If the Climate changes too much in the world it could cause a lot more problems in the world. By cutting down on our energy usage we can prevent the continued growth of climate change.

9. Global internet access to most people might seem like a good thing at first, but what a lot of people don’t know is that having global internet access would allow terrorists to be able to terrorize people from anywhere in the world. If the threat gets to threatening we could shut off the internet to certain countries.

10. AIDS is a disease that most people know about but do not take much action on brining awareness to until it is too late. About two million people die every year to AIDS. AIDS needs to be put in the spotlight again so people are more aware of this issue.