Jumping Ship - Looking at Entrepreneurship

Jumping Ship!!!

Yes, that’s right – “Jumping Ship” – forget corporate America – forget your boss – be an entrepreneur!!!

By-the-way, I like that word “entrepreneur” – it took me a while to spell it correctly!!

By definition –an entrepreneur is a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.  

Is that you?  Are you ready to take on greater than normal financial risks to organize (start) and operate your own business?  In some (fortunately not all) it is a ‘sink or swim’ proposal – so really ‘jumping ship’!!!

So … let’s think about that today:

-          Is that really you?  Are a risk taker?  Are you a go-getter?  Are you ready to put in LOTS of time and effort to start your own business? 

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Have you REALLY thought about it – in terms of time, relationships, and money?  Some entrepreneurs spend almost every hour they are NOT sleeping doing their business.  Is that you?  What will your spouse think – when he or she – suggests a nice quiet dinner and a movie – and you say “Nope – I’ve got to get this <whatever> done.  What about family times?  Will you be able to see your daughter in her dance recital?  Or son play basketball?  Or go to their concert?  

What if almost every penny you have will go towards that business?  Are you willing to do that?

-          Are you good fit to be an entrepreneur?  Are you good with people, good with ideas, good with customer service? Are you creative and good at problem solving and critical thinking?  Can you find ways around road blocks that would stop others?

-          What are your strengths?  Can you use those for success?  Being able to have BHAG (big hairy audacious goals) is good for an entrepreneur – but is that all you have for strengths?  Visionaries are different than dreamers!!

-          Do you have PASSION?  Do you hang in there – or do you quit when things take a downturn?

-          And …. Are you determined to get to that goal – making your ideas, your company, your vision a reality?  Are you part of the statement “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”?

Now if you THINK you have the passion, the ideas and the drive to become an entrepreneur, are there ways to make it work?   I’m in the middle of becoming an entrepreneur – after retiring from being a professor for 38 years.  In some respects, I’m not doing a lot of risk.  I have a nice retirement account and could coast, but I also have a drive and passion for what I’m doing – coaching and mentoring people to make changes and reach their visions. 

Let’s say you have a great business idea – can you work on it evenings and weekends – part time while maintaining your current position?  The chapter opener was “Jumping Ship” – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are jumping into nothing.  Following the jumping ship analogy, you can be building your boat – your life raft in your spare time for years.  Maybe you will even take some baby steps in getting it into the water and trying it out. 

Who are your mentors?  Who is coming along side you to help you on this journey?  You want mentors who are both encouragers and realists. 

More questions:

-          What is your product?  What is the market like?  Is this a “me too” idea – or really unique? With your mentors, spouse, family, brainstorm your ideas.  Tweak your ideas.  Your idea may get better as others help with modifications and suggestions.

-          How financially viable is it?  Are people going to pay a premium price for your product – even if it is a much better product?  Spending $10 on an ice cream cone that you can get for $3 at a local ice cream shop maybe not fly.  Even if the ice cream is so much better are your customers going to pay the price?

-          How are you going to market it?  You have a great idea, maybe a great product – but it is nothing until somebody hears about it and helps push it.  For my first ebook, I gave my email to those I thought would (a) read it; and (b) talk about it.  Seth Godin talks about ‘sneezers’ – those that will, in effect, ‘sneeze’ out how much they like your product or service.  And … your network can help you here.  Don’t be ashamed to ask people to recommend your product or service.  Tell your network to write a great review for you at Amazon or Yelp or similar sites.  And … if they are not willing to recommend your product, ask them why not.  Maybe they have ideas that you have not thought of and their reluctance can help you make your product even better.

-          Can you prompt it free?  Can you blog about it?  Can you present at local entrepreneur competitions?  Are you still in college?  Does you college have entrepreneurial events, speakers, consultants?  Even if you are not in college, you might be able to find support.

-          Does your community have small business / entrepreneurial incubators?  These can help you with office support, some of the common tasks under a reasonably priced (or free) umbrella.

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How long are you committed?  How long can you live without a regular income?  Can you sell your car to raise funds for your business?  Can you sell your house and downsize to an apartment to get more money to startup? Can you survive on Ramen noodles for three months (or six months or a year)? Are your parents supporting you?  Assuming you are married, is your spouse committed to this?  Six months of no income can make a spouse say “enough – I’m getting a divorce”. 

-          Set SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound.  “I will earn $5 million on this project in two weeks” is probably not attainable or realistic. 

Assignment:

-          Is entrepreneurship for you?  What questions and doubts do you have? 

-          Do some research,  What ideas and concepts do you?  How can you build on them?

-          What about your mentors?  Have you talked with them?  Have you taken the time to work with them?

Finding your "Magic Feature"

Finding your Magic Feather (attitude)

Remember the old Disney classic Dumbo?  Dumbo the elephant has big ears and is derided by the other elephants.  Timothy the mouse becomes his friend and tries to comfort him.            

(From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbo):

“The next morning, Dumbo and Timothy wake up in a tree. Timothy wonders how they got up in the tree, and concludes that Dumbo flew up there using his large ears as wings. With the help from a group of crows, Timothy is able to get Dumbo to fly again, using a psychological trick of a "magic feather" to boost his confidence.”

Dumbo BELIEVES the feather is magic and is able to fly with his big ears.  In the story, as Dumbo is flying off a high platform and loses the feather and starts to fall.  Timothy convinces him the feather really wasn’t magic – and that Dumbo can really fly – and he believes and he does fly.

So, how about you?  Do you have a magic feather?  Or do you really believe in yourself?

BUT … having a “magic” feather isn’t all that bad.  I’ve had a picture of my grandchildren in my billfold.  Is it magic?  No, but when I look at that picture, my spirit soars.  Some women might wear some earrings or jewelry that was their mothers – is it magic, no, but it does affect them in a positive manner.  Others I know have a religious item in their pocket or around their neck.  Is it magic?  No, but it also gives their spirit a boast as they think of their relationship to God and His providence.

Maybe you have a “magic” mirror.  As you look in the mirror, you can stand straight, you can affirm that you can do what is ahead that do. 

Do keep your spirit up and let the magic of your thoughts, attitude and believe keep you soaring – just like Dumbo!!!

Body Language Poise and Composure

Body Language – Poise

Particularly as you apply for positions and go through the interview, but all the way through your work environment, poise is a valuable trait.

Poise is defined as “graceful and elegant bearing in a person.” A comparable work might be ‘composed’ which is defined as “having one's feelings and expression under control; calm.”

As you go into interviewing, you need to be calm. This is another case for your attitude.  “I can do this”; and adjusting your self-talk to say “I am great at interviewing”

Stand tall, a pleasant smile on your face and let your confidence flow through you. 

Watch your posture.  Slouching might come off as underprepared or not focused enough.  There is the old adage, “You only get one chance at a good first impression”.  Let your body language say positive things about you.

Some pet peeves about posture and body language.

Over my many years as a professor, I found that women who were nervous would play with a strand of their hair.  Their hand would slide down the strand of hair and before long I was noticing that motion and missing their words.  A second observation from some females was fingering a necklace – running their hands up and down the necklace as a nervous gesture. 

Men are not immune to nervous habits.  The toughest one for men is ‘what to do with my hands?’ If you are standing in front of a group or giving a presentation, all too frequently, men will put their hands into their pockets.

http://www.2knowmyself.com/Reading_body_language_hands_in_pocket says “The subconscious mind, which thinks in a primitive way, believes that putting your hands in your pockets is a good way to hide and to avoid the situation.”

So .. guys – what to do with your hands? Let your hands drop to your side – but using arm motions to accentuate.  Arms crossed in front of you generally is considered to be you are ‘closed’; Hands touching your chin as a motion indicating thinking; hands touching your ear has been interpreted by some as possible lying.

Using http://www.2knowmyself.com/Body_language_of_the_hands, this site gives these hints:

·         Clinched fist -    anger (not good in an interview)

·         Showing palms – understood as being open or honest

·         Hands clasped behind your back – confident

·         Hands on hips – facing a challenging situation and maybe not ready to confront it

·         Finger tips touching – feeling confident

·         Hands touching chin – Thinking or evaluating

·         Hands touching ear or nose – generally viewed as negative

·         Squeezing hands together – as a form to relieve stress

·         Rubbing hands together – interpreted as possible excitement

·         Using your hands – gesturing – positive use of the hands / arms

·         Resting your hands on a chair (or similar) – generally a good sign.

So, how might you come off as poised and composed? 

Practice being poised and composed

Accountability

Accountability

Today we are talking about accountability

Webster’s Dictionary (online) defines Accountability thusly: “the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility”

In everything we need to be accountable. 

Scenario 1:  We are freelance computer application developers – our own boss – to whom are we accountable?  To whoever has hired us; to whoever is paying for our services; and ultimately we are accountable to ourselves and to God for who we are.

Scenario 2: We are the CEO’s of a company – to whom are we accountable?  We are accountable to our employees, customers, stockholders, to our neighbors (to be good neighbors in terms of noise, pollution, paying taxes, etc.), and again, to ourselves. 

Scenario 3: We are employees of a company – to whom are we accountable?  We are accountable to our bosses (and bosses’ bosses) to get our work done well, effectively and efficiently; to other employees (so they don’t have to do our jobs and clean up after us); to our customers; and likewise to our neighbors and ourselves.

How about self-accountability?   Can we look ourselves in the mirror at the end of the day and say “I put in a day’s worth of work today.  I accomplished my tasks and achieved all that was expected of me – and MORE”.  Or … at the end of the day, do we want to point fingers and assess blame?  “I would have gotten more done if <name> had done his work.”.  “I just wasn’t feeling up to getting my work done today” ; “I wasn’t motivated to get my work done”.

Aside, Christians have a concept that Jesus will say “Well done good and faithful servants” at the end of our lives. 

There have been times in my life when I wasn’t being accountable to others and to myself.  I was wasting time; I was thinking and doing things that maybe were not in my best interest and the best for society.  Those hours spent playing “Words with Friends” and doing computer games are gone.  Those hours with mindless television are also gone.

Accountability should also involve others.  If you are employed, you should have (at least) annual reviews – where your boss, board of directors, customers and other stakeholders give you feedback.  Even when I was a tenured professor, I always had my students do evaluations and urged them to include comments so I could improve classes.  Many times the comments first hurt a little (“You should go slower when introducing new topics” – or – “You went too slow at times and were boring”) – but I took the comments to heart and made the next time through the course better. 

As a professor, I had an annual review with my boss (either dean or department chair), I needed to review my previous year’s goals and how well I had achieved them and set out my goals for the upcoming year. Was I going to have higher student evaluations, was I going to have more publications, was I going to pursue publishing in higher-level journals, was I going to do more service.

Likewise at home, I need to be accountable to my spouse (in my case, my wife).  Did I spend my income on ‘wine, women and song’?  Am I giving her the attention and love she deserves?

Accountability might include a mentor or personal advisor.  Meet for coffee periodically.  I meet with former students – either electronically or in person (when I can) to ask how they are doing, where they are going, what their goals are, how they are going to reach their goals.  I’d like to think it is non-judgmental on my part – but causing them to reflect on their own goals and lives.

Corporations frequently seek feedback (which is a form of accountability).  Every time you go through McDonalds, the receipt asks the customer to give feedback (and get a coupon for a buy-one-get-one for a sandwich).  Many department stores ask for feedback.  Yelp and Tripadvisors ask you to evaluate restaurants and hotels.   I have had hotels reply to my comments and thank me for my evaluation and opinion!!!

Even in academic settings, students are accountable to their professors to do the work.  Excellence work that is over-and-above what is expected earns an “A”. 

Assignment: 

Who are you accountable to?  Do you have regular reporting to them?  Does your reporting match up against your goals and accomplishments?

If you haven’t done this, sit down and create a specific plan for the next week, next month and next year.  What specifics will you complete?  How should you be evaluated?

Preparing for the Computing Future

Preparing for the Computing Future

Disruptive technologies have changed our lives – and the lives of our students. 

On the consumer side of disruptive technologies have been things such as e-commerce, 3D printing,  facial recognition, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), Internet of Things (IoT), security, hacking, music, gaming, virtual reality and more.

In our eyes, there is so much more to come.

Artificial intelligence – is coming on fast and will change many things we do:

“From SIRI to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is progressing rapidly. While science fiction often portrays AI as robots with human-like characteristics, AI can encompass anything from Google’s search algorithms to IBM’s Watson to autonomous weapons.

Artificial intelligence today is properly known as narrow AI (or weak AI)  in that it is designed to perform a narrow task (e.g. only facial recognition or only internet searches or only driving a car). However, the long-term goal of many researchers is to create general AI (AGI or strong AI). While narrow AI may outperform humans at whatever its specific task is, like playing chess or solving equations, AGI would outperform humans at nearly every cognitive task.”  Taken from: http://futureoflife.org/background/benefits-risks-of-artificial-intelligence/ - November 6, 2016

Internet of Things – another huge growth area:

“The Internet of Things (IoT) has been called the next Industrial Revolution — it will impact the way all businesses, governments, and consumers interact with the physical world.

In total, we forecast there will be 34 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020, up from 10 billion in 2015. IoT devices will account for 24 billion, while traditional computing devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) will comprise 10 billion. – Taken from: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-internet-of-things-market-will-grow-2014-10 November 6, 2016

Autonomous vehicles:

“Carmaking giants and ride-sharing upstarts racing to put autonomous vehicles on the road are dead set on replacing drivers, and that includes truckers. Trucks without human hands at the wheel could be on American roads within a decade, say analysts and industry executives.

At risk is one of the most common jobs in many states, and one of the last remaining careers that offer middle-class pay to those without a college degree. There are 1.7 million truckers in America, and another 1.7 million drivers of taxis, buses and delivery vehicles. That compares with 4.1 million construction workers.

http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-automated-trucks-labor-20160924/

Real time Data Analytics:

“Among all the technological innovations emerging, real-time big data analytics will absolutely be the most disruptive force in 2016. This type of instantly-actionable insight vs. rear-view mirror data analysis is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity—particularly given the pace at which we move both as consumers and businesses. We want relevant, personalized information now!  Luckily this type of data integration and processing power is no longer only available to the ‘behemoth’ cloud vendors— the likes of Netflix, Google or Amazon— it’s becoming mainstream.. In 2016, companies of all sizes across all industries will be able to embrace opportunities that were previously unimaginable, such as improving patient care, increasing crop yields in order to feed the world and, overall, to make more informed business decisions. Taken from http://www.talend.com/blog/2015/12/21/2016-predictions-%E2%80%93-4-ways-big-data-analytics-will-impact-every-business November 6, 2016

Impact on education:

“The number of students around the globe enrolled in higher education is forecast to more than double to 262 million by 2025. Nearly all of this growth will be in the developing world, with more than half in China and India alone. The number of students seeking study abroad could rise to eight million – nearly three times more than today.”

So … more college educated people.

Many jobs will be done by artificial intelligence, other jobs by robotics, data analysis.  And many jobs currently done in high paid locations (like the United States) will be outsourced to cheaper labor areas (like India and China).

Competition for jobs will be global. 

Jobs will be different and many fields will be significantly impacted by technologies

Soft skills and critical thinking skills will still be in demand.

What to do / Who are we:

Dr. Andrei Semeniuta and Dr. Bruce White bring a combined academic total of over 65 years.  Dr. Semeniuta is currently a Professor at<official name institution> in Gomel Belarus;   Dr. White retired from academic life in 2016 and is a management and motivational consultant. 

We will bring a state-of-the-art disruptive technology presentation to your campus.  This will be followed by one of the following:

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  A Six week online academic course in disruptive technologies, discussions on preparing for the technological future, and serious  interactive discussions

-        
  A three hour interactive workshop on your campus on disruptive technologies and the future

-        
  A three hour interactive workshop on your campus to be followed by a two week online interactive course.

-           

Combination Thoughts - GIGO / Networking

Combination Thoughts:  GIGO / Networking

Today I’m going to talk about GIGO – Garbage In / Garbage Out – and Networking.

Now, GIGO is a solid term – garbage in / garbage out.  That applies to many things. 

-          Food – eat junk food; your body will take on a junk food environment

-          Data – the original GIGO – garbage (bad) data will give you bad results

-          Directions – bad (garbage) directions will lead to bad results

-          Television / media – garbage (shows / articles) in – will lead to garbage out (in terms of wasted time that could have been more productive)

-          Networking – garbage in (bad friends / acquaintances) can lead to garbage out (wasted time / garbage in thinking)

I mentioned not going into the teacher’s lounge – the talk was so negative.  

Likewise associating with negative friends or the ‘wrong crowd’ will lead you astray (garbage out). 

Network with friends (yes), but try to network more closely with friends that will encourage you; that will build you up; that give a positive outlook on life. 

At one point in your life – did you ‘run’ with the wrong crowd?  Did you let them influence you? 

Expanded discussion – how about the electronic network?

I am on several different platforms – I am a greeter on a faith based forum; I am on Twitter; Facebook; Instagram.

Who am I networking with on these platforms?  Am I finding positive thinking or negative thinking?  Is the time on these platforms good – or wasting my time?

Likewise another major electronic platform – television.  Do I waste time watching television?  Even good programming – taken hour after hour might keep me from exercise, from writing, from reading uplifting and positive books and materials and from thinking. 

Zig Ziglar presented this data:

“A study was done at a typical American plant and it was discovered that the people working on the line and paid an average wage watched an average of 30 hours of television each week. The person in charge of the line watched an average of 25 hours of television a week. The foreman watched an average of 20 hours of television a week; the plant superintendent watched an average of 15 hours of television a week; the vice president of the plant watched an average of 12-15 hours of television each week. The president watched an average of 8-12 hours of television every week. The chairman of the board watched an average of 4-8 hours of television a week, and 50% of that time the chairman was watching training videos.”

Is your television watching a form of Garbage In – Garbage out?

Personal Comment: Eighteen years ago, I assigned students to create a web page (in native HTML).  One student had included on his page:  “You must be eighteen to follow this link”.  The link went to a pornography site.  I soon found myself in a huge GIGO situation.  I found I was spending hours a day looking at pornography – and letting that rot my brain and mind. I was allowing lustful thoughts to replace good, positive thoughts in my brain – and garbage in. 

For me, it took accountability before God to clean this addiction out.  I learned networking and use of time in a tough way.  I could have been using those hours for improving my classes, for doing research, for doing productive things in my community, and for being a better husband and father. 

We are only allocated 1440 minutes in a day.  An hour (or two or three) wasted takes away from possible productive time.  Some down time / fun time / relaxing time is good.  But my time on pornography was wasted time and also was garbage into my brain.

Lately, I have found that I can overdo social media –Facebook and Twitter especially – and I have had to question that use of some of my 1440 minutes.

Who should be your influences / crowd / networking group now?

Assignment: 

What garbage are you allowing into your brain?

Are you using social media properly – or letting it take time away from other activities?

Is television getting to be a time waster in your life?  What can you do instead?

How can you lessen GIGO and work on positive networking with social media and television?

Emotion and Career Change

Be Ready for the New Employment: Career Change for the 21st Century

 

Emotions and Career Change

YOU ARE YOUR OWN BOSS

Think about that – You – by your choices – are your own boss.  If your brain has checked out of your job, your work is pretty much worthless.  If your brain is stimulated and excited about your work, you will do your job with PASSION and ENTHUSIASM.

You originally choose your job and career.  You may have gone to college in a particular major to be ready for a career in that field.  You went through research, applications and interviews for jobs.  You had job offers and you got to say “Yes” or “No” to accept or reject the job.  You choose your job.

You went to your first day of your first ‘real’ job maybe a little scared and probably very excited.  You had high expectations and looking forward to a long career. 

At some point that excitement became humdrum – your expectations lowered and you wanted to get through the days.  You looked forward to the weekends and the vacations.  You didn’t get up on Monday and say “WOO – YES – I get to go to work!!”  You did what you needed to ‘get through it’.  If you are like some people, you started to come in late and leave early.  You complained to your spouse

We have talked ATTITUDE many times – and here again – passion, enthusiasm and attitude. 

Recently Southwest Airlines on their ads on NFL football has a military situation and the general (or commanding office) needs to give his password to the technician to stop the situation.  His password is: “ihatemyjob1” – that is an ATTITUDE problem.  (by-the-way, I can’t imagine a commanding officer having such an attitude problem!!)

Your career is too important to approach with apathy!!!

If you approach your career as casually as getting a glass of water from the tap, you are not going anyplace – and you might the next one to use the “ihatemyjob1” password.

Work for others – tell your story to the world – be assertive, be ambitious. 

Find your passion and go for it!!!