Sunday, January 31, 2016
Customer Interviews No. 1
I decided to tackle an issue that most people would overlook: the sometimes congested drive-thru area. Of course, the drive-thru experience varies during different times of the day, but one thing is for sure, whenever it's not running smoothly, we all wish it could be a better experience. I envisioned using current technologies like Apple Pay or Android Pay to help streamline the drive-thru process for customers. Instead of having customers reach for their wallets or purses to pay for their meals at the first window, then moving to the next window to receive their food, I think it would be easier on both the consumer and the company to allow customers to pay at the drive-thru menu, even allowing the customer to interact with the drive-thru menu themselves.
For my interview, I decided to ask my potential customers the following questions:
1) How would you feel about a smoother drive-thru experience?
2) Do you think the current drive-thru experience could use improvement?
3) Have you ever heard or used Apple Pay or Android Pay?
4) Would you be willing to utilize those features if it were to indeed improve your experience?
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Top 5 World Problems
Top Problems
No. 1 - As police brutality against minorities continues to reach a boiling point, many are divisive in their opinion of what qualifies as justifiable action.
No. 2 - The ongoing debate on whether or not refugees fleeing from Syria should be allowed to enter other countries.
No. 3 - The fight against ISIS is causing increased hysteria among normally rational individuals as the terrorist group continues to wreak havoc across the globe, heightening the public's fears about homeland security in the process.
No. 4 - Poverty is still not receiving the necessary media coverage to instill a sense of empathy across the globe.
No. 5 - The deforestation of Haiti and Brazil is frightening because we depend on these animals and their contributions to their respective environments. By destroying the very same environment we depend on, we are jeopardizing not just our own future, but the generation ahead will bear the burden, too.
Top Solutions
No. 1 - Every police officer who has the ability to make arrests and/or have the ability to take away a life should be outfitted with a bodycam.
No. 2 - Increase the message to ISIS that we will not back down to terrorist organizations who use violence to accomplish their goals. With the influential power of social media, we can start a global campaign to deter individuals from joining ISIS.
No. 3 - Encourage networks to shed a bit more coverage of poverty. Why care about impoverished individuals? These are individuals who have faced a wide range of both internal and external conflicts, which has, ultimately, diminished their ability to provide invaluable human capital.
No. 4 - Any nation that has the available resources to accommodate refugees should be obligated to accept refugees because it isn't fair to discriminate against an entire group of individuals based on their religious beliefs.
No. 5 - Disarm all nuclear weapons.
Justification
I chose my top problem because I feel like this is a global issue that could be easily resolved. How is this a global issue? Whenever lives are being taken, without any sense of accountability, there's an issue at stake. As noted by the ACLU, a nonpartisan non-profit organization, "much interest in the technology stems from a growing recognition that the United States has a real problem with police violence. In 2011, police killed six people in Australia, two in England, six in Germany and, according to an FBI count, 404 in the United States." Needless to say, the evidence is mounting against those who say that officials' behavior is always justifiable.
I chose my top solution because it's a win-win for both sides: the police and the people. Some people may disagree, but sometimes seeing is believing. However, when you throw people into the equation, you tend to get a varying account of what actually happened. Unfortunately, when people are asked to retell what they saw, their perception of what they truly saw is highly subjective and biased. You could literally test this out with a simple Rorschach test. Thanks to modern day technology, we no longer have to rely on contrasting statements because technology lacks the ability to distort the truth. I hate to bring up the recently acclaimed Netflix series, Making a Murderer, into the discussion, but the shows demonstrates a common sentiment among less privileged people.
No. 1 - As police brutality against minorities continues to reach a boiling point, many are divisive in their opinion of what qualifies as justifiable action.
No. 2 - The ongoing debate on whether or not refugees fleeing from Syria should be allowed to enter other countries.
No. 3 - The fight against ISIS is causing increased hysteria among normally rational individuals as the terrorist group continues to wreak havoc across the globe, heightening the public's fears about homeland security in the process.
No. 4 - Poverty is still not receiving the necessary media coverage to instill a sense of empathy across the globe.
No. 5 - The deforestation of Haiti and Brazil is frightening because we depend on these animals and their contributions to their respective environments. By destroying the very same environment we depend on, we are jeopardizing not just our own future, but the generation ahead will bear the burden, too.
Top Solutions
No. 1 - Every police officer who has the ability to make arrests and/or have the ability to take away a life should be outfitted with a bodycam.
No. 2 - Increase the message to ISIS that we will not back down to terrorist organizations who use violence to accomplish their goals. With the influential power of social media, we can start a global campaign to deter individuals from joining ISIS.
No. 3 - Encourage networks to shed a bit more coverage of poverty. Why care about impoverished individuals? These are individuals who have faced a wide range of both internal and external conflicts, which has, ultimately, diminished their ability to provide invaluable human capital.
No. 4 - Any nation that has the available resources to accommodate refugees should be obligated to accept refugees because it isn't fair to discriminate against an entire group of individuals based on their religious beliefs.
No. 5 - Disarm all nuclear weapons.
Justification
I chose my top problem because I feel like this is a global issue that could be easily resolved. How is this a global issue? Whenever lives are being taken, without any sense of accountability, there's an issue at stake. As noted by the ACLU, a nonpartisan non-profit organization, "much interest in the technology stems from a growing recognition that the United States has a real problem with police violence. In 2011, police killed six people in Australia, two in England, six in Germany and, according to an FBI count, 404 in the United States." Needless to say, the evidence is mounting against those who say that officials' behavior is always justifiable.
I chose my top solution because it's a win-win for both sides: the police and the people. Some people may disagree, but sometimes seeing is believing. However, when you throw people into the equation, you tend to get a varying account of what actually happened. Unfortunately, when people are asked to retell what they saw, their perception of what they truly saw is highly subjective and biased. You could literally test this out with a simple Rorschach test. Thanks to modern day technology, we no longer have to rely on contrasting statements because technology lacks the ability to distort the truth. I hate to bring up the recently acclaimed Netflix series, Making a Murderer, into the discussion, but the shows demonstrates a common sentiment among less privileged people.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
World's Biggest Problems
Problem #1 - There is current debate on whether or not refugees fleeing from Syria should be allowed to enter other countries.
Solution: Any nation that has the available resources to accommodate refugees should be obligated to accept refugees because it isn't fair to discriminate against an entire group of individuals based on their religious beliefs.
Problem #2 - The fight against ISIS is causing all types of problems as suicide bombers are wreaking havoc across the globe, heightening the public's fears about homeland security in the process.
Solution: Increase the message to ISIS that we will not back down to acts of irrational violence. Enact a global campaign using the social media to deter individuals from joining ISIS.
Problem #3 - Police brutality against minorities has reached a melting pot, and now the question is: when are, if ever, the police liable for there actions?
Solution: Every single police officer should be outfitted with a bodycam in order to determine what truly happened.
Problem #4 - The effects of global warming is causing surface temperatures to rise, which is threating not only the habitats of animals in various regions, but also our daily lives.
Solution: Greatly decrease our CO2 emissions by using alterative resources that loosen our grip on toxic chemicals depleting the ozone. Place a heavier tax on companies that pollute the air; thereby causing the company to find innovative ways to reduce CO2 output.
Problem #5 - Poverty is still not receiving the necessary media coverage to instill a sense of empathy across the globe.
Solution: Encourage networks to broadcast more coverage of the effects of poverty. Just the other day while I was walking in downtown, I saw two homeless people sleeping on the street with no blankets. This isn't covered in the news due to the fact that the majority doesn't think that this is a hot topic.
Problem #6 - The global market is in crisis, which is causing some individuals to believe that this is a repeat of the 2007 financial crisis. To make matters worse, China is going through a huge economic downturn.
Solution: China has to implement new fiscal policies that alter both their domestic and international affairs. Also, hysteria causes rash decision making, which, in turn, creates hasty decisions and even more problems. That being said, now would be the time for countries to actually listen to what an economist has to say.
Problem #7 - Although it can be argued that pay inequalities are increasingly becoming more equal, one can still say that we still have a long journey ahead.
Solution: As we all know, stereotypes, bigotry and sexism hinder individuals from equal opportunities. This results in a narrower pool of human capital, diversity, and open-mindedness. Inclusion is the only way to ensure that each individual gets their fair chance of imputing their voice. However, the only way to ensure that each individuals gets their fair chance, employers must be willing to give fair pay.
Problem #8 - The deforestation of Haiti and Brazil is frightening, not just for environmentalists, but for animals and people as well. Destroying trees and animals' habitat will eventually come to bite us back, especially since we depend on these vital organisms in the ecosystem.
Solution: Haiti needs to find other ways to obtain their products. Brazil is cutting down trees to grow crops for sugar cane in order to make ethanol. Obviously, these two countries need to reevaluate their methods of procuring their items.
Problem #9 - There are still threats to our existence due to the fact that there are still countries harboring nuclear weapons.
Solution: Honestly, I believe that every country should just disarm all nuclear weapons.
Problem #10 - Currently, there is a water shortage going on across the globe.
Solution: Urban farming by hydroponics and vertical growing because they use ultraviolent light and reduce the need for over-irrigation.
Solution: Any nation that has the available resources to accommodate refugees should be obligated to accept refugees because it isn't fair to discriminate against an entire group of individuals based on their religious beliefs.
Problem #2 - The fight against ISIS is causing all types of problems as suicide bombers are wreaking havoc across the globe, heightening the public's fears about homeland security in the process.
Solution: Increase the message to ISIS that we will not back down to acts of irrational violence. Enact a global campaign using the social media to deter individuals from joining ISIS.
Problem #3 - Police brutality against minorities has reached a melting pot, and now the question is: when are, if ever, the police liable for there actions?
Solution: Every single police officer should be outfitted with a bodycam in order to determine what truly happened.
Problem #4 - The effects of global warming is causing surface temperatures to rise, which is threating not only the habitats of animals in various regions, but also our daily lives.
Solution: Greatly decrease our CO2 emissions by using alterative resources that loosen our grip on toxic chemicals depleting the ozone. Place a heavier tax on companies that pollute the air; thereby causing the company to find innovative ways to reduce CO2 output.
Problem #5 - Poverty is still not receiving the necessary media coverage to instill a sense of empathy across the globe.
Solution: Encourage networks to broadcast more coverage of the effects of poverty. Just the other day while I was walking in downtown, I saw two homeless people sleeping on the street with no blankets. This isn't covered in the news due to the fact that the majority doesn't think that this is a hot topic.
Problem #6 - The global market is in crisis, which is causing some individuals to believe that this is a repeat of the 2007 financial crisis. To make matters worse, China is going through a huge economic downturn.
Solution: China has to implement new fiscal policies that alter both their domestic and international affairs. Also, hysteria causes rash decision making, which, in turn, creates hasty decisions and even more problems. That being said, now would be the time for countries to actually listen to what an economist has to say.
Problem #7 - Although it can be argued that pay inequalities are increasingly becoming more equal, one can still say that we still have a long journey ahead.
Solution: As we all know, stereotypes, bigotry and sexism hinder individuals from equal opportunities. This results in a narrower pool of human capital, diversity, and open-mindedness. Inclusion is the only way to ensure that each individual gets their fair chance of imputing their voice. However, the only way to ensure that each individuals gets their fair chance, employers must be willing to give fair pay.
Problem #8 - The deforestation of Haiti and Brazil is frightening, not just for environmentalists, but for animals and people as well. Destroying trees and animals' habitat will eventually come to bite us back, especially since we depend on these vital organisms in the ecosystem.
Solution: Haiti needs to find other ways to obtain their products. Brazil is cutting down trees to grow crops for sugar cane in order to make ethanol. Obviously, these two countries need to reevaluate their methods of procuring their items.
Problem #9 - There are still threats to our existence due to the fact that there are still countries harboring nuclear weapons.
Solution: Honestly, I believe that every country should just disarm all nuclear weapons.
Problem #10 - Currently, there is a water shortage going on across the globe.
Solution: Urban farming by hydroponics and vertical growing because they use ultraviolent light and reduce the need for over-irrigation.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Bug List
1. T-Mobile's cellular coverage is weak.
Regarding nationwide coverage, T-Mobile has been lagging behind other telephone companies for years due to its weak cell towers that have to be upgraded or replaced.
2. In certain parts of Gainesville, there are too many homeless people.
Its a little known secret that once you leave the perimeter of UF's campus, you're entering a new environment that really contrasts against what you'll expect. This is largely due to economic forces and lack of support.
3. Getting to places on the weekend in Gainesville is a hassle.
If you don't have a car, you either have to depend on your friends to get around, or you have to use uber, which eventually adds up after a while. Uber isn't always available, and nor are your friends.
4. It is more expensive to buy healthy food, but relatively cheaper to buy "junk food."
It's simply less factors involved when creating junk food. Healthy food is sometimes organically grown or handled under special circumstances. These additional factors are added into the final cost of healthy food.
5. In this digital age, face to face social interactions are becoming less frequent.
Technology has lowered one's need to communicate face to face, saving both time and money.
6. There are too many young children with access to social media.
Young children are getting smarter and smarter. I've read stories about four year olds using iPads and tablets.
7. Men's' clothing is typically more expensive than women's clothing.
I would have to say that Men stylists and fashion designers are far less interested in making men clothing cheap due to the fact that their options are more limited than woman.
8. The long term durability of cell phones is questionable, including my iPhone after several months of use.
The cell phone manufacturers and the software engineers are doing whatever it takes to force consumers to buy their "next big thing."
9. Healthcare insurance is hard to come by for individuals after the legal age of 18.
Its assumed that healthcare insurance isn't necessarily required for young adults, but I can find a ton of individuals who would love to be able to get reasonably priced healthcare.
10. Uber is a great app, but allowing customers to have the final say when it comes to the drivers' job security is flawed.
Drivers have the tough task of dealing with inebriated persons who barely remember to rate their driver after they arrive at their destination. Then they get a few customers who have an attitude and give a negative and biased review; thus, harming the uber driver's job security.
11. Pandora, the music app that adapts to users' preferences, was at first innovative, but is now redundant and seems to be falling behind to other streaming apps.
Pandora needs to do SWOT analysis because it's not adapting to the changing climate of streaming music. I definitely made the switch to Apple Music when it debuted because of it's huge catalogue of songs.
12. Movie theaters charge an arm and leg to get snacks.
Movie theaters have been overcharging customers for years because they restrict them from bringing in their own product.
13. With over hundreds of thousands of apps on iTunes, its tougher to find the right app.
There are a million apps in the iTunes Store, so it's only reasonable to assume that this would happen.
14. Its a "wait in line" nightmare trying to get Chipotle on West University during the weekdays.
Nowadays, college students are shifting away from fast food eateries, opting for healthier alternatives like Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A.
15. If you live off campus, and you rely on the bus to get on campus, its very annoying to see a bus pass you by because it's full.
When you go to one of the best universities in the nation, space tends to be limited. Go Gators!
16. Teenagers spend a lot of time surfing the web and texting, with little initiative to get out.
This is another unintended consequence of technology making our lives simpler.
17. HBO Go is a great service but the streaming servers could use some major updating.
HBO just recently entered into the foray of streaming services, and as expected, there are intermittent problems that could make or break some customers.
18. Wal-Mart has many cash registers open but there are only a few cashiers actually using them at any given moment.
Wal-Mart doesn't take in consideration that customers want to both save money and move on to other affairs, not wait in line.
19. Both Metro Pcs customer service and phone lineup could use improvement.
You get what you pay for when you're dealing with Metro. It's like the family dollar of telephone companies.
20. Facebook is literally being spammed with nonsensical posts that add no value.
If Facebook doesn't eliminate these phony accounts from spamming people's timeline, people will ultimately leave Facebook in the dust. Facebook is trying to be an all encompassing social media site that meets all needs. It needs to refocus on it's core values.
The list was difficult because we normally move on with our lives when faced with an issue. We don't tend to think of the solutions because we literally miss the opportunity to capitalize on it. In essence, we let other entrepreneurs spot the bug and fix it. This exercise has definitely encouraged me to be more aware of the potential flaws in our products and services.
Regarding nationwide coverage, T-Mobile has been lagging behind other telephone companies for years due to its weak cell towers that have to be upgraded or replaced.
2. In certain parts of Gainesville, there are too many homeless people.
Its a little known secret that once you leave the perimeter of UF's campus, you're entering a new environment that really contrasts against what you'll expect. This is largely due to economic forces and lack of support.
3. Getting to places on the weekend in Gainesville is a hassle.
If you don't have a car, you either have to depend on your friends to get around, or you have to use uber, which eventually adds up after a while. Uber isn't always available, and nor are your friends.
4. It is more expensive to buy healthy food, but relatively cheaper to buy "junk food."
It's simply less factors involved when creating junk food. Healthy food is sometimes organically grown or handled under special circumstances. These additional factors are added into the final cost of healthy food.
5. In this digital age, face to face social interactions are becoming less frequent.
Technology has lowered one's need to communicate face to face, saving both time and money.
6. There are too many young children with access to social media.
Young children are getting smarter and smarter. I've read stories about four year olds using iPads and tablets.
7. Men's' clothing is typically more expensive than women's clothing.
I would have to say that Men stylists and fashion designers are far less interested in making men clothing cheap due to the fact that their options are more limited than woman.
8. The long term durability of cell phones is questionable, including my iPhone after several months of use.
The cell phone manufacturers and the software engineers are doing whatever it takes to force consumers to buy their "next big thing."
9. Healthcare insurance is hard to come by for individuals after the legal age of 18.
Its assumed that healthcare insurance isn't necessarily required for young adults, but I can find a ton of individuals who would love to be able to get reasonably priced healthcare.
10. Uber is a great app, but allowing customers to have the final say when it comes to the drivers' job security is flawed.
Drivers have the tough task of dealing with inebriated persons who barely remember to rate their driver after they arrive at their destination. Then they get a few customers who have an attitude and give a negative and biased review; thus, harming the uber driver's job security.
11. Pandora, the music app that adapts to users' preferences, was at first innovative, but is now redundant and seems to be falling behind to other streaming apps.
Pandora needs to do SWOT analysis because it's not adapting to the changing climate of streaming music. I definitely made the switch to Apple Music when it debuted because of it's huge catalogue of songs.
12. Movie theaters charge an arm and leg to get snacks.
Movie theaters have been overcharging customers for years because they restrict them from bringing in their own product.
13. With over hundreds of thousands of apps on iTunes, its tougher to find the right app.
There are a million apps in the iTunes Store, so it's only reasonable to assume that this would happen.
14. Its a "wait in line" nightmare trying to get Chipotle on West University during the weekdays.
Nowadays, college students are shifting away from fast food eateries, opting for healthier alternatives like Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A.
15. If you live off campus, and you rely on the bus to get on campus, its very annoying to see a bus pass you by because it's full.
When you go to one of the best universities in the nation, space tends to be limited. Go Gators!
16. Teenagers spend a lot of time surfing the web and texting, with little initiative to get out.
This is another unintended consequence of technology making our lives simpler.
17. HBO Go is a great service but the streaming servers could use some major updating.
HBO just recently entered into the foray of streaming services, and as expected, there are intermittent problems that could make or break some customers.
18. Wal-Mart has many cash registers open but there are only a few cashiers actually using them at any given moment.
Wal-Mart doesn't take in consideration that customers want to both save money and move on to other affairs, not wait in line.
19. Both Metro Pcs customer service and phone lineup could use improvement.
You get what you pay for when you're dealing with Metro. It's like the family dollar of telephone companies.
20. Facebook is literally being spammed with nonsensical posts that add no value.
If Facebook doesn't eliminate these phony accounts from spamming people's timeline, people will ultimately leave Facebook in the dust. Facebook is trying to be an all encompassing social media site that meets all needs. It needs to refocus on it's core values.
The list was difficult because we normally move on with our lives when faced with an issue. We don't tend to think of the solutions because we literally miss the opportunity to capitalize on it. In essence, we let other entrepreneurs spot the bug and fix it. This exercise has definitely encouraged me to be more aware of the potential flaws in our products and services.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
My Entrepreneurship Story
Last year, I went to a Retail Smarter conference, which is basically an event where business execs and entrepreneurs come together to explain their current ventures and humble beginnings to college students who aspire to join the retail industry or create their own business one day. Throughout the event, I gained a lot of insight into both operations and management, consumer behavior and demographics. Nonetheless, there was one presenter that stood out to me: John Rivers. At first glance, his name doesn't ring any bells, or is attached to anything major or notable. A quick google search shows that he's the founder of 4 Rivers, and if you've never been to 4 Rivers before, now is the time to go.
As John Rivers stood on the stage to explain how his company was founded, I took three mental notes of advice that he gave us: have a goal, be passionate about your goal, and be persistent. He reiterated numerous times that nothing in life comes easy, so we should expect to see failures. Surprisingly, John Rivers was the president of a billion dollar company, and yet still decided to risk it all by pursuing an unbeaten path: "de-regionalizing BBQ." As stated by Rivers himself, "this was never supposed to be a restaurant. My definition of helping meant doing what felt most natural when comfort was in order—feed those in need." Rivers took that concept, that idea, and transformed it into several locations across the state of Florida, with a staff of more than 1,000.
Inspired by John's story, I decided to take ENT 3003 because I believe I'm capable of finding a niche in the market to help out those in need. With hard work and perseverance, I know I'm capable of creating an experience that consumers would want to return to. I hope to get out of ENT 3003 a better understanding of what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
As John Rivers stood on the stage to explain how his company was founded, I took three mental notes of advice that he gave us: have a goal, be passionate about your goal, and be persistent. He reiterated numerous times that nothing in life comes easy, so we should expect to see failures. Surprisingly, John Rivers was the president of a billion dollar company, and yet still decided to risk it all by pursuing an unbeaten path: "de-regionalizing BBQ." As stated by Rivers himself, "this was never supposed to be a restaurant. My definition of helping meant doing what felt most natural when comfort was in order—feed those in need." Rivers took that concept, that idea, and transformed it into several locations across the state of Florida, with a staff of more than 1,000.
Inspired by John's story, I decided to take ENT 3003 because I believe I'm capable of finding a niche in the market to help out those in need. With hard work and perseverance, I know I'm capable of creating an experience that consumers would want to return to. I hope to get out of ENT 3003 a better understanding of what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
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| It all started in a garage... |
Introduction
My name is Rnard Sloan, and I'm a Business Administration major at the best university in the country, UF. On August 3, 1993, I was born in Miami, Florida, where I was raised alongside my three siblings. If I could use one word to describe my family, I would definitely say they are extremely funny, in the sense that you could never know what to expect from them. Growing up I was, and still am, an introvert. I tend to have a small group of friends that I could readily depend on if needed. I got my AA degree in Business Management from Broward College, and then decided to transfer to UF, so the difference between a community college and a reputable college like UF is easily apparent. However, I've since adjusted to the culture here and now it's a cakewalk. Since high school, I've had numerous jobs ranging from cashier to cook to merchandiser. Currently, I've been working at Macys for a little bit over a year now. I've met some great coworkers there and I actually hang out with a few outside of work. As much as I enjoy working in retail, I do know that eventually I see myself in a different industry in the future, preferably after I graduate.
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| Another great mantra to live by |
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
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