Reading Reflection Week #15

Vikram Akula: Business Basics at the Base of the Pyramid (Harvard Business Review, June 2008)

What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

·         Wow! The entire article renewed my faith in humanity. Although I consider myself well-read, I would consider this the most interesting and most inspiring of anything I have read in a very long time. I did not know this type of social entrepreneurship existed.

Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

·         The entire article was confusing, but not because I did not understand it. I would probably use the word, marveled, as opposed to confused. I have never heard the term, micro-finance, except of course my personal financial situation has always seemed at micro-financial level. As I mentioned above, I consider myself well-read, so my confusion comes from my thoughts as to why don’t we utilize this in America? I work in an industry where I come in contact with HUD/Section 8 recipients, and I have often wondered why we don’t do more to insist they get off these programs and take ownership of their own lives.

If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

1.    What were the reasons you decided to take this concept as your own? I ask because this combines social entrepreneurship with profit-based concepts.

2.    Why do we not utilize this concept in America? The reason I ask is relatively obvious – our welfare programs are broken. We need programs that help created responsible citizenship to ease everyone’s burdens and thus, creates success for all. Those who are on welfare/poor, can now take ownership of their lives, and those who work to support the welfare programs so grossly out of control, can enjoy the fruits of their own labors.

Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

·         Wrong? Hardly. I would love to just hang out to see a day-in-the-life. What an amazing idea and opportunity for all. This is what they call win-win. Capitalism works when the government leaves people to create their own success. 

Final Reflection: Week #15

·        Read through your blog from this semester. Recall all of the experiences you've had along the way -- the highs, the lows -- the fun moments, and the moments of drudgery, and even the moments of dread.

o   I don’t have to read back to realize I dreaded leaving my home to go out into the “world” to do any of these assignments. Not because I am shy, far from it, nor is it because I have an aversion to speaking with anyone – but, frankly, I take online classes because I work in a high stress position that has me hiding out at days end. The reading reflection is a great tool, however, at this very moment I am dreading doing that final reading reflection.

·        What sticks out to you as the most formative experience? The experience that you'll remember years later? What was your most joyous experience? What experience are you most proud of yourself for accomplishing?

o   I would say my most formative experience for me was a type of “stepping back in time”, so to speak, and interviewing my old friend, an amazing entrepreneur, and finding out more about why he did/does what he did/does. He still has that entrepreneurial spirit, though tempered with time and by failures, both professionally and personally.

·        At the beginning of the semester, I mentioned that I wanted each of you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. And we repeated the mantra -- I am an entrepreneur. Now, at the end, do you see yourself as an entrepreneur? Do you think you have moved closer to developing an entrepreneurial mindset?

o   In reality, I think I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and this class just validated what I had always suspected. Not many days go by that I don’t dream of some venture. My only frustration is by the time I think I have a great idea, I move off that and onto another one. I don’t know if it is because I don’t take the time flesh out the napkin idea, or if it is that I don’t know where to go from the idea. I will say this class is amazing at doing just that – even though it seemed like huge moments of drudgery, it is ideal for developing a concept into a real business.

·        What is the one recommendation you would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future?

o   Be open-minded. You may have your career/life mapped out, and I salute you for being so proactive; however, don’t self yourself short. Go through the steps in this class and seriously consider what you learn.  

Ø  What would you recommend they do to perform best in this course?

o   My one recommendation would be take this class seriously. You might think this is just a class full of mind-numbing assignments, but even if you are not the entrepreneur-type, it is a great class that teaches creative thinking, networking and self-confidence. You have a bright idea, but how do you turn it into a successful business? This class is a great starting point in helping you see the reality of your dream.  

Ø  What would you recommend they do to foster that mindset?

o   Think outside the box (lateral thinking.) Don’t consider ways do things as they have always been done, but think in ways that others may not have considered. Moreover, blue-sky thinking, or open-minded thinking allows to consider the idea that everything is possible and you are not restricted by realities.