Saturday, May 28, 2016
My Solution
This solution is in relation to the problem I mention in the Opportunity Hypothesis about connecting new golfers. I think it'd be great to have an app in the same style as Tinder, except just for people looking to play golf. In the app, you could state your skill level by inputting your average score you usually receive when you play. For instance, if you consistently score a 120 +/- 5, then you match with other people that usually score between 115 and 125. That way everyone is around the same skill level, you can make friends, and progress together. It would also be nice to see what the person is like, if they drink while playing, what courses they typically play at, etc. So it wouldn't JUST be about skill level alone. As I stated in my previous post, when you're playing a sport with other people, you generally want to play with other people around the same skill level. Golf is also a social game, and it's a game that needs to progress forward. No one likes to hold anyone else up. If there was an app that could connect golfers around the same skill level, that would help. No one likes to hold people up, and no likes to slow people down.
Testing the Opportunity Hypothesis, Part 1
For many new golfers starting out, it's difficult to play with others golfers sometimes because...well, you're bad. Golf is hard. And it's embarrassing to get matched up with players who are better than you because everyone is waiting for you to hit the ball more than 10 feet so the game can getting moving. Also, playing by yourself is no fun. I think there is an opportunity to connect new golfers together. Golfers that have been playing a long time and frequent the same club will have undoubtedly already made friends that they typically play with, and are good enough to be paired with whoever. But for someone like me that only started playing a few months ago, I want to play a lot. But as with most sports, you don't want to play by yourself all the time and you don't want to do terrible in front of better players. Every time I go play golf with myself, I inevitably get paired up with someone because the course gets backed up because people are playing slow in front of me, or people behind me are playing fast. And I always have to say something to the effect of "Are you sure? I just started and am not great at all. I don't want to hold you back." It's just awkward because my golf game is so inconsistent. One second I'm driving it 200 yards, and the next I slice it right into the water. Woohoo!
Who: New golfers
What: Unable to find golf buddies around same skill level
Why: New to the game, new to the environment, don't know other new golfers
I believe there is an opportunity here to create something that would help new golfers connect.
Interviews: https://soundcloud.com/kyle-harris-19/sets/testing-the-hypothesis-interviews
These interviews went surprisingly well. Everyone I spoke to either just started playing golf, had played golf briefly at one point, or has been playing less than a year. All of the interviewees related to the problems I listed above, and agreed that having an opportunity to connect with other new golfers at similar skills levels (or lack of skill) would be beneficial in the sense that it would make them want to play more.
Who: New golfers
What: Unable to find golf buddies around same skill level
Why: New to the game, new to the environment, don't know other new golfers
I believe there is an opportunity here to create something that would help new golfers connect.
Interviews: https://soundcloud.com/kyle-harris-19/sets/testing-the-hypothesis-interviews
These interviews went surprisingly well. Everyone I spoke to either just started playing golf, had played golf briefly at one point, or has been playing less than a year. All of the interviewees related to the problems I listed above, and agreed that having an opportunity to connect with other new golfers at similar skills levels (or lack of skill) would be beneficial in the sense that it would make them want to play more.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Looking for Opportunity
1 - 2 - 3) My first economic trend and two regulatory trends go hand-in-hand, so I'll just mention them together in one big entry. The first regulatory trend has to do with Obama wanting to tax carbon in order to combat climate change of which he spoke about during the Climate Summit last December, the economic trend has to do with oil prices dropping, and the second regulatory trend is companies getting tax incentives for going green in an attempt to regulate waste. With these trends in mind, I believe there is great opportunity for many things to arise, primarily, cleaner/greener sources of fuel and energy that would eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels (i.e. wind, solar, nuclear, etc.). If businesses will lose money for emitting carbon, keep my money by going green, and oil is already in a state of little to no profit, this makes me think an opportunity exists for, obviously, green sources of energy to rise up. This may sound like a bit of a stretch and perhaps a bit dramatic, but I think the resulting prototypical customer would be the human race in the sense that relying on energy that doesn't slowly cook the planet will benefit us and generations to come. This will be very hard to exploit though, since so much of the global economy is wrapped up in oil. I think it's possible, but it won't happen overnight. I'm a science nerd not an economist though, so I really have no idea how the process of change works on a global/macro economic scale. I saw this opportunity because, like many people, I care about the condition we leave our planet it for future generations.
4) Another economic trend I have noticed is how popular virtual reality is becoming. Companies like Google and Samsung are pouring lots of money into it, and it's just now starting to become mainstream. People are very interested in virtual reality and the sales indicate that. I have a VR headset myself. Right now, most of the market associated with virtual reality is video games and adult content. But I think there is an opportunity here for almost any company or business to incorporate VR into their business, and have other markets grow. Just off the top of my head, ummm.... okay, how about a dance club. Imagine going to a club to dance with a friend, but instead of dancing on the dance floor, you're dancing on the moon. Or wherever, doesn't matter. Point is, I think there is a lot of appeal in changing the environment of where you're doing something fun. I think an opportunity exists here since VR is gaining so much popularity. A prototypical customer is basically anyone that wants to have fun in a place other than where they are currently. As long as a company has the funds and innovation to incorporate VR into their business to make it more interesting, I don't think it would be that hard to do. The technology is already here, and it's steadily improving. I saw this opportunity because I was so impressed with VR that I just thought it would be cool if it were incorporated into other aspects of life. Like, what if a vehicle at VR incorporated into the backseat windows. That way while driving, your kids or guests or whoever can look out the window and see something different, like...I don't know, dinosaurs walking around or something. I really think VR will take off and the possibilities will be endless.
4) Another economic trend I have noticed is how popular virtual reality is becoming. Companies like Google and Samsung are pouring lots of money into it, and it's just now starting to become mainstream. People are very interested in virtual reality and the sales indicate that. I have a VR headset myself. Right now, most of the market associated with virtual reality is video games and adult content. But I think there is an opportunity here for almost any company or business to incorporate VR into their business, and have other markets grow. Just off the top of my head, ummm.... okay, how about a dance club. Imagine going to a club to dance with a friend, but instead of dancing on the dance floor, you're dancing on the moon. Or wherever, doesn't matter. Point is, I think there is a lot of appeal in changing the environment of where you're doing something fun. I think an opportunity exists here since VR is gaining so much popularity. A prototypical customer is basically anyone that wants to have fun in a place other than where they are currently. As long as a company has the funds and innovation to incorporate VR into their business to make it more interesting, I don't think it would be that hard to do. The technology is already here, and it's steadily improving. I saw this opportunity because I was so impressed with VR that I just thought it would be cool if it were incorporated into other aspects of life. Like, what if a vehicle at VR incorporated into the backseat windows. That way while driving, your kids or guests or whoever can look out the window and see something different, like...I don't know, dinosaurs walking around or something. I really think VR will take off and the possibilities will be endless.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Identifying Local Opportunities
1) Truck driver's trailer hit by train in Lake City
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CDC7F7523CDA90?p=AWNB
In this story, a man decided that he didn't want to stop for a train and thought he had time to go around the barriers and make it across the tracks before the train struck. He thought wrong, and his trailer was destroyed. He walk away unharmed. I'm almost certain this trucker will not make the same mistake again. But since this is not the first person to think that they're faster than a train, perhaps we need to use this as an opportunity to put up barriers than cannot be so easily avoided.
2) Alachua County policy protects transgender students
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CDC7F745008098?p=AWNB
The U.S. departments of Justice and Education sent a letter to school districts informing them that transgender students' rights are to be protected, or they risk losing federal funding. While Alachua County District Spokeswoman stated that this wouldn't be a problem for her county since there are always protections in place, Marion County Public Schools said that they will not comply and that students will continue to be banned from using the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity and must use their identity assigned at birth. Obviously, this is a problem for trans students. This is an opportunity for everyone to be more empathetic, and recognize that discrimination in all its forms, especially school sanction discrimination, is vile.
3) County looks for flexibility on bike lanes in repaving projects
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CDC7F74EBBA310?p=AWNB
Alachua County has many roads that need to be paved. Many roads have extended sides that allow room for bike lanes. The problem that has arisen is that the county only has so much money to repave roads, and many more roads can be repaved if they don't have bike lanes. If you repave roads with bike lanes, more resources need to be used and less roads overall can be resurfaced. This is a problem for anyone that uses roads. Now we have an opportunity for bikers and drivers to come together and discover a solution.
4) With gym still closed, local climbers left hanging
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CDC7F718C0D678?p=AWNB
The rocking climbing gym off Main Street has been shut down due to safety hazards. The owners need to find a new gym to build or buy, as the Gainesville rock climbing community grows restless. Bills are still accruing from the old place. This is an obvious opportunity to start anew, but in a place that can withstand time. Challenges will do doubt lie ahead.
5) Lane Ranger: Traffic jams common in once-rural area
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CE71BE5E0A6E00?p=AWNB
Population growth in Jonesville at County Rd 241 and 39th has caused traffic to swell at peak commute times. This is causing traffic jams, and delaying folks going to and from work. This is an opportunity for the county to decide if the light at the intersection is at the most efficient red/green cycle that would allow the most flow of traffic.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Bug List
1) Finding a golf buddy - I'm new at golf, so having an app that helped me meet other golfers to play with would be helpful.
2) Finding a dart buddy - Not so new to darts, but I find myself playing by myself a lot. Having a social network of dart players, just like golf, would help me meet up with others for games.
3) Coffee cools down too fast - Happens because I don't drink fast enough. Maybe a heated pad that keeps it warm?
4) My fan always makes noise when it's on - faulty design? Off and hot, or on and loud. Frustrating.
5) Protein powder clumps together - maybe I'm not shaking it hard enough, or maybe the powder is of poor quality.
6) Finding out how hot a hot sauce is in scoville units - Many popular brands list exactly how hot their sauce is via this scale, but many brands do not. Perhaps some don't report, or maybe the information just isn't obvious and needs some digging. It would be interesting if there is an app that could scan a bar code and tell you how hot exactly the sauce is.
7) Finding a gym buddy - Not so new to lifting, but I find myself lifting by myself a lot. Having a social network of lifters, just like with darts and golf, would help me meet up with others for workouts.
8) When using a lighter sometimes I burn my hand because the flame reaches the metal igniter - this happens because metal conducts heat really well.
9) Apps constantly crashing for no fault of my own - faulty code.
10) Difficult locating an item in a grocery store - sometimes they move items, or sometimes the item is specific and doesn't really match the descriptions on the aisle.
11) Getting into a line that isn't moving at the store - this is usually because the cashier is out of a particular coin or dollar bill. Having this displayed would be nice.
12) Getting into a movie only to realize it is so packed you cannot sit next to your friends - this happens because movies are popular and many people want to see them. Knowing how many seats are available ahead of time would be nice.
13) I wish the AI on smart phones were smart enough for me to indicate that I want to drive from point A to point B while avoiding tolls - maybe some smart phones can do this, but mine doesn't and it is fairly new.
14) It bugs me when I ask for a medium rare steak, and I get a medium - I imagine this is because the restaurants are afraid of their customers getting food poisoning.
15) It bugs me how easily sunscreen washes off - salt, sweat, and water washes it away.
16) It bugs me how long it takes clothes to dry in the dryer - different materials dry at different rates.
17) It bugs me when gyms aren't strict about members putting their weights away - this is just laziness.
18) It bugs me when people curl in the squat rack - gym workers not noticing, don't want to scold customers
19) It bugs me that a hot shower can turn cold based on what your roommate is doing in his/her bathroom - it's hard for me to say why this happens because I'm not a plumber/pipe person, but I would really love if this didn't happen anymore
20) It bugs me that there is only one lane on SW 20th Ave when it is so busy with traffic and buses - whoever designed the road did not anticipate the high volume of traffic.
I comprised this list in a few hours. It really wasn't difficult at all for me to think of things that annoy me. Lots of things annoy me, but putting them all in a list was a little weird but not terribly difficult.
2) Finding a dart buddy - Not so new to darts, but I find myself playing by myself a lot. Having a social network of dart players, just like golf, would help me meet up with others for games.
3) Coffee cools down too fast - Happens because I don't drink fast enough. Maybe a heated pad that keeps it warm?
4) My fan always makes noise when it's on - faulty design? Off and hot, or on and loud. Frustrating.
5) Protein powder clumps together - maybe I'm not shaking it hard enough, or maybe the powder is of poor quality.
6) Finding out how hot a hot sauce is in scoville units - Many popular brands list exactly how hot their sauce is via this scale, but many brands do not. Perhaps some don't report, or maybe the information just isn't obvious and needs some digging. It would be interesting if there is an app that could scan a bar code and tell you how hot exactly the sauce is.
7) Finding a gym buddy - Not so new to lifting, but I find myself lifting by myself a lot. Having a social network of lifters, just like with darts and golf, would help me meet up with others for workouts.
8) When using a lighter sometimes I burn my hand because the flame reaches the metal igniter - this happens because metal conducts heat really well.
9) Apps constantly crashing for no fault of my own - faulty code.
10) Difficult locating an item in a grocery store - sometimes they move items, or sometimes the item is specific and doesn't really match the descriptions on the aisle.
11) Getting into a line that isn't moving at the store - this is usually because the cashier is out of a particular coin or dollar bill. Having this displayed would be nice.
12) Getting into a movie only to realize it is so packed you cannot sit next to your friends - this happens because movies are popular and many people want to see them. Knowing how many seats are available ahead of time would be nice.
13) I wish the AI on smart phones were smart enough for me to indicate that I want to drive from point A to point B while avoiding tolls - maybe some smart phones can do this, but mine doesn't and it is fairly new.
14) It bugs me when I ask for a medium rare steak, and I get a medium - I imagine this is because the restaurants are afraid of their customers getting food poisoning.
15) It bugs me how easily sunscreen washes off - salt, sweat, and water washes it away.
16) It bugs me how long it takes clothes to dry in the dryer - different materials dry at different rates.
17) It bugs me when gyms aren't strict about members putting their weights away - this is just laziness.
18) It bugs me when people curl in the squat rack - gym workers not noticing, don't want to scold customers
19) It bugs me that a hot shower can turn cold based on what your roommate is doing in his/her bathroom - it's hard for me to say why this happens because I'm not a plumber/pipe person, but I would really love if this didn't happen anymore
20) It bugs me that there is only one lane on SW 20th Ave when it is so busy with traffic and buses - whoever designed the road did not anticipate the high volume of traffic.
I comprised this list in a few hours. It really wasn't difficult at all for me to think of things that annoy me. Lots of things annoy me, but putting them all in a list was a little weird but not terribly difficult.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
My Entrepreneurship Story
Last summer I volunteered for a company called Youth Combine. It's a non-profit after-school exercise program from children. We basically led the kids through different fun exercise routines in attempt to get them more active. I didn't get much insight into specific details of what it took exactly to get this start-up company off the ground, but one thing I did notice from the entrepreneur who started the company was that he was extremely passionate about what he started. He was always promoting it with a smile, and always looking for ways to improve it. It was almost as if he needed the company to happen. I could tell he loved it. So I suppose you could say that my first experience with an entrepreneur taught me that if you're going to do it, live and breathe it, and give it your all.
I enrolled in ENT 3003 because it is an approved elective worth 4 credits, and I need 4 credits of electives in order to graduate. I know that isn't an outstanding reason to enroll in a course; however, already within the first week I can tell that I will get some valuable information out of this course that I can hopefully use to my advantage in the future. Looks like I got lucky!
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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