Assignment 22A - Elevator Pitch No.3

Feedback: I received more feedback on Pitch No.2. Again the feedback was all positive with one suggestion. The suggestion was to related to my targeted market more so that is what I did in the beginning of the video. 

I feel Pitch No.3 was better than the others. I did feel more confident as the pitch was pretty much memorized at this point and I was comfortable in front of the camera. 

Assignment 21A - Reading Reflection No. 2

In How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big the author Scott Adam uses a theme of failing to provide valuable information/lessons to help use those failures to achieve success.  This book relates well to this class as it discusses the importance of public speaking, persuasion (i.e. all of us in this class have created a business concept and we all have worked to persuade other classmates to believe in our concepts), conversation (i.e. networking), and many other ideas that we have covered in the course. If I were to make an exercise based on this book, I would design an exercise that reflects on the person’s past failures. I would have the student evaluate what caused the failures, i.e. lack of knowledge, a subpar resume, poor public speaking skills, lack of routine, etc. Once they have identified at least 3 potential reasons, I would have them find sections of the book that address or closely address the reason and provide a summary of how they can improve for the future based on the author’s information. The ‘aha’ moment for me was in Chapter 21, The Math of Success. There was great information that covered a broad range of areas that could be applied to a number of areas in my professional life and also my personal life. Overall, it was a good book with a lot of basic lessons for life that you don’t necessarily pick up from schooling. These lesson can be utilized for future success.  

Assignment 20A - Growing your Social Capital

Amanda (Domain Expert): Amanda manages a pet resort in the next county over and the resort has similar services to what I am proposing. In the past, she has managed many other facilities such as kennels. Amanda fully understands what it is that the owners are looking for in a boarding facility and she delivers. I have provided my Idea Napkin to Amanda for her review and opinion. I know Amanda from the vet’s office my dogs used to go to.  Having her in my networks will help me understand more of my clientele needs.

Kevin (Market Expert): Kevin is the owner of the pet resort that my dogs go to and the resort that my business is modeled after. He operates a facility here in Florida and also in Wisconsin. He recently sold his Florida location and is looking to open up another in the same area. I personally know him as he was a client with my firm and my dogs have gone to his facility for 3+ years. I have help Kevin in the past with finding the perfect property to open a second Florida facility. He would most likely give me advice/pointers to help me start my business and mentor me during the process. Kevin is an expert in the market as he knows which areas to target and which clientele to market to.

Mel (Supplier): Mel works for a successful boarding facility (that kennels pets) and she is in charge of marketing. This facility has opened 2 or 3 locations within my surrounding area. Mel is very knowledgeable on how to target customers and the best locations for facilities in out area. She would be a great person to have in my network because of her knowledge in consumer marketing and targeting in this market. I have reached out to her to discuss my proposed plans and understand more about why her facility does boarding only to better market my services.

Reflection: This experience has been great for getting to know other professionals in my area. I really enjoy networking as it allows me to communicate with others. Even though I can be introverted at times, I do enjoy carrying on conversations with new people. This experience was a little different as I was asking these professionals to review my business idea/plan. Most networking events I have been a part of are just discussing issues in the community/how to fix them and limited pitching of one’s business.

Assignment 19A - Idea Napkin No. 2

ABOUT ME: I am a passionate, strong, motivated, driven, and hard-working student and professional. I have acquired many skills during my years as a student and working in the professional world. Some of those skills include, time management, self-motivation, the ability to work under pressure or stress and creativity to name a few. I aspire to live a happy and meaningful life – I want to do good in my community through my work and in my personal life. My business concept for the dog daycare & pet resort is in line with my aspirations and would play a fulfilling role in my life. 

SERVICES: My business would offer multiple services to dog owners. The main concept and service of the daycare & pet resort is to provide dogs with a kennel free stay to allow for comfortability and a fun atmosphere while the owners are away. The goal is to provide ultimate happiness and reduce stress for pets while they are away from home.  I recognize this is not for every dog, so there will be an option for kenneling in spacious and private kennels to reduce stress and nervousness in the dogs that do not handle group situations well. The daycare & resort would offer daycare and overnight stays for the pups. There will also be grooming services available at the resort.

CLIENTELE: The daycare & resort will not be for all dog owners or all dogs. The rates would be higher than that of a standard boarding facility, however the grooming services would be at a competitive rate.  The daycare & resort will be offered to dogs of all sizes who meet the following requirements:

·                Friendly and get along well with other dogs. Temperament tests will be required prior to boarding or daycare for new pups. If dog fails temperament test, they will be turned away.

·                Must be up to date on all vaccinations and on flea/heart worm medication.

·                Must be spayed/neutered

·                Must have Kennel Cough vaccine every 6 months

There will be a private room for pups who meet the requirements above but would prefer some alone time in a spacious and comfortable kennel. 

VALUE: Customers will pay more to allow their dog to have a fun and remain stress-free stay while they are away. Quality is greater than quantity so spots will be limited.  Customers will value and appreciate the implemented measures to assure the best for their pups. Nothing is worse than going to pick your pup up from a boarding facility and then they run as fast as they can out the door. Owners will be willing to send their pup to a place that will care for their dogs in the same way that the owners do. This will be a facility that dogs are happy to come to and will be excited when they pull in the parking lot.  

UNIQUENESS: The core competencies will be to manage the actions and behaviors of the dogs, provide a fun and safe atmosphere and most importantly provide impeccable care for the dogs. What sets this daycare & resort apart from others is the kennel free service, as most places kennel the dogs for a majority or all of the stay. This daycare & resort provides accommodation that others do not, a few examples are 24/7 staffing/care, pick up/drop off at all hours and the best care for the dogs. 

ELEMENTS:

All of the elements discussed above go together well and complement each other. All components of the business work together to create a successful daycare & resort. Without the minimum elements listed above, the business would not be as successful or safe for dog owners, customers and staff. 

FEEDBACK MEMO:

The feedback that I received was all positive and there were no critiques or suggestions. I re-read my assignment for the Idea Napkin No. 1 and made some edits in this post regarding the value that customers receive for this service and also the clientele that I am provide this service to.