Wek 3 Reading Reflection

What stood out for me the most in this week's reading was the sheer amount of traits found in entrepreneurs. It's typical to think of an entrepreneur as simply a "Go Getter" and nothing more but there is much more to them than that. There was nothing I found particularly confusing about this chapter. The entrepreneurial mindset has a duality and the author illustrated this well. The main question I would ask is where does one draw an objective line when notating the difference between an entrepreneur and a gambler? I found nothing wrong with the information presented in the chapter as most of it was objective. Motivation is a tricky thing to measure and categorize, and it manifests itself differently in all of us, so perhaps the only thing i would question is the ability to create an accurate flow chart of motivation.

Idnetifying Local Opportunities

1. "Interstate Project Gets Bad Ranking." 

 http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7F0B4DA2C0ED8?p=AWNB

This story highlights a report that was recently published that listed Tampa's never ending interstate expansion project as one of the 12 worst in the nation. The problem is well known to anyone who has ever driven into or out of Tampa. The highway system has become an entangled mess, half of which is under construction at any given time. The report also highlights FDOT's intention to demolish a historic church in Tampa Heights that is currently used as community center and garden. At this point I honestly believe they would do something like that. The problem here belongs to FDOT directly but its effects are felt by the community. There is a reason the I-4/ I-275 interchange is known as "Malfunction Junction."


         2. "As Ranks Of Drivers Fall, Mass Transit Needs Surge".

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A8445B9C882360?p=AWNB

Tampa has next to no public transportation. Buses make up nearly all of what little there is. This story connects Tampa's longstanding problem of lack of mass-transit (most of the money having been spent on bigger roads, a problem detailed above), with a new study showing that fewer people are learning to drive. This means that more people will rely on public transportation and therefore be forced to live in a city that can provide it. As above the problem belongs to the City of Tampa but its effects are felt by the people. More investment in public transit is needed in this area.

         3.  "Citizens Below 500K Policies."

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A8445B9C882360?p=AWNB

This article illustrates a problem being solved in Florida and also an opportunity for businesses. Citizens Property Insurance Corp. commonly referred to as just "Citizens" now has fewer than 500,00 policies, which is a good thing. Citizens was formed as the state's insurer of last resort and quickly became the largest insurer in Florida after many private insurance firms bowed out due to the hurricanes we received. The problem created then was for the homeowners, Citizens' rates were enormous, as I learned first hand when I worked for a marketing firm for contractors. Now that Citizens' membership is decreasing, it shows the private insurance market is returning, which results in much lower rates for homeowners.

         4.  "Tampa Seeks Park Funding."
 
 http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A2A900EEA3BA50?p=AWNB

The Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa is now projected to cost over $30 million. The city faces the problem of budgetary restraints in order to finish the project and is now asking the state for help. The main problem is in the use of money set aside by Amendment 1 in 2014 is disputed. Some say it was against the intent of the voters for so much money to be put in a park. The problem belongs to the legislators who as usual, are unable to compromise.

         5.  "Innovation Is Problem For Florida".

 http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A2A900EEA3BA50?p=AWNB

In a recent report, Florida was listed as 35th in a ranking of the most "Innovative" states. While we scored well in a few categories such as tech density and number of patents, we we held back by very low scores in STEM concentration, R&D density, and number of STEM degree holders. This is a problem for business and education in Florida. For our economy to keep pace we need to have high tech industry and and educated populace to man it's ranks.

Very Short Interview No. 1

The entrepreneur I interviewed is my boss, Chris Britt. She and her husband Gary purchased a Signs Now franchise 30 years ago and it is still in continuous operation to this day. Over the years they have owned three other Signs Now franchises in Tampa and Carrolwood but eventually sold those off, keeping their original. Chris manages the shop in person while Gary manages the finances.

First I asked her what set entrepreneurs apart, and after some consideration she said it was a determination to never give up even when times got tough. They were hit hard in '08 but managed to stay afloat, again through sheer determination. Next I asked what I should hope to learn to be a better entrepreneur and her response was time management. It is easy to get caught up focusing on a single task for so long that you miss your other responsibilities. Finally I asked her what she disliked the most about entrepreneurship and owning her own business and she came back quickly with "The long hours." I expected that response as Chris works late almost everyday, sometimes stretching into the wee hours of the morning. As an hourly employee I have the privilege of leaving at 5:30 regardless of the workload. She of course does not share this privilege and knows it is on her to ensure all of our work is done by the customer's deadline, even if that means picking up the slack herself.

I found this interview to be informative. Ever since I was first hired I have passively observed how she ran things. I have considered it to be a case study in how to run a successful business. This interview allowed me to make a more active observation and provided valuable insight into the mind of an entrepreneur.

Worlds Biggest Problems

1. Water Scarcity. Some have predicted we may very well see "Water Wars" in our lifetimes. This isn't a problem unique to the poorer areas of the planet. Over the summer we saw these problems take shape here in our own country in California. This is a complex problem with many causes, overpopulation being front and center. My suggestion would be for municipal governments in at-risk areas to take a more active role in managing water supplies, and ensuring agricultural consumers are not abusing the public supply.
2. Finite Energy Sources. While we are currently enjoying gas prices we haven't seen in a decade, it will not last forever. Eventually the wells will dry up, and when that day comes we had better have a proper infrastructure built to supply our energy needs. My suggestion would be to open up the fuel market to ethanol, methanol, and CNG in the near term, and expand investment in electric and hydrogen propulsion for the future.
3. Poverty. Poverty is a problem that has plagued man since the dawn of civilization. It has to many causes to list and has led to war and revolution around the globe. My only suggestion would be for international organizations to focus on ensuring people have access to education and a free market. 
4. Apathetic, distracted populations. Democracy fails when people stop paying attention and become complacent. This allows individuals who do not have the interests of their people at heart rise to power. Returning civics education to our schools would be a start, but the best answer would be to foster an environment where citizenship is prized not just for its handouts but also its responsibilities. 
5. ISIS/ International Terrorism. Terrorism represents a threat to civilization, both west and east. As the late Jeff Cooper said "The only answer to violence is more violence, applied by the right people in the right way. A true international coallition must be formed to meet this threat. Not one based on alliances from the Cold War, but one that brings together the West and the East together in common cause.
6. Corruption. Governments are supposed to be the voice of and advocate for the people. To fight corruption the laws must change to view the betrayal of the public trust in this manner as the heinous crime that it is. One corrupt individual undermines the entire system of government, especially when the perpetrator is given nothing more than a slap on the wrist. 
7. Waste. No society can ever achieve 100% efficiency, but we can certainly try harder than we are now. When living on a planet with finite resources we should take better care of what we have. We are now seeing the effects of previous generations' mishandling of resources, and if we want to have anything to pass on to our decendants than we must understand that that will entail sacrifice. 
8. Social division. Society seems more divided now than ever before. If we do not learn to put aside our differences soon it is highly likely we wont have a society any more. Difference of opinion will never go away, but what is most important is that we restore a sense of national identity. Once we can all agree that we are at least on the same team perhaps then we can more forward. 
9. Greed. Greed is seen in every class of society, from the top 1% to the bottom of the ladder. Some would argue that greed is a part of human nature, an extension of our survival instinct. The only solution, if you can call it that, is for society as whole to understand that fulfillment doesn't come from having the most stuff. 
10. Suicidal altruism. Our western liberal values and Christian traditions have taught us that we must provide help to those in need. These values certainly aren't wrong, but they must be measured against the cost. No society can withstand an unlimited constant influx of unassimilated foreigners. For us to help the world first we must ensure our own people are safe and secure.