Sunday, November 21, 2010

My reflection/learning's on Technopreneurship 1

Certainly Technopreneurship 1 was one of the most challenging subjects for me for the last semester. Perhaps this subject counts as one of my focused subject. Although it can be considered as one of the most exigent subjects yet it relinquished lessons and knowledge for me to develop myself to be an effective technopreneur and to be a better student. The subject and of course our instructor taught me of observing time management and meeting deadlines. 

Now, let us go to the main point. What have I learned? What are my reflections? Last Semester as what I have mentioned I took up Elective 1 which happened to be Technopreneurship 1. On our first meeting I was very nervous knowing Dr. Gamboa was our instructor because based on what I have heard from our seniors he is really one of the terminators among the teachers in the Institute of Computing. Based on his tradition all the so called “virgins” or the first timers in his class will be performing something that would give entertainment to the class. Unfortunately I was one of the so called “virgins” so I was forced to dance even though I was not at ease that time since I was shy. On our first class we had a quiz in which we were instructed to connect the dots without raising our hands. There were 9 dots and we were instructed to connect in just 4 strokes I suppose. Unluckily I wasn’t able to get the correct way of connecting all of the dots because of the not exploring too much. With the kind of activity we had, we were given the lesson of being able to think beyond the box. In any situation we have to think beyond the box. We should not be limited on things we know instead we have to explore for us to see a better view and a larger opportunity. I also learned something that changed my approach to studies in connection to the future. It was all about our mindset. Typically we envision of landing into the employment world as employees so our parents send us to school to achieve this goal. We also do well on our studies for us to have good jobs after we graduate. In which this kind of mindset was discouraged on the subject Technopreneurship. Instead of holding this way of thinking we have to level up and change our mindset into something better. It should be, my parents work hard for me go to school, i must have a good performance on my studies and lastly for me to achieve my objective of being an employer someday. This is how technopreneurship wants us to be.

The next thing is about knowing what Technopreneurship is. Technopreneurship is the way or essence of making money out of technology. It is a business which is incorporated with technology. Since nowadays our world is getting more high-tech, business in merged with technologies plus the skills would be a great source of power in creating a competent business. Technopreneurship goes with 4 important points. It is called the SEED acronym which stands for Self Mastery, Environment Mastery, Enterprise Mastery and Development of a Business Plan.

For the concept of Self Mastery we took some tests to identify and know more facts about ourselves. These tests include personality test, intelligence quotient, adversity quotient and emotional quotient. With the help of these tests we were able to determine on what fields we excel, what fields we have are needed to improve and on what fields we have to work on. Of course each of us persons possesses different personalities. We have unique way on dealing with the situations around us. We have various ways on treating our comrades and family. We respond distinctively on things we experience and encounter. Some traits can help us to be better and some don’t. Being aware of yourself is very vital for you to become an effective technopreneur. On our journey of being a technopreneur struggles may come our way such as criticisms. Criticisms can sometimes aid us or break us. In my case as of now I am still sensitive to this issues in which I have to work on for the reason that a god technopreneur must possess a strong personality that can handle heavy problems and can easily solve problems. Last semester I also learned and realized that reaching a high IQ test result is not that important in business. Emotional aspects in particular handling risks and being able to handle disapprovals is more important. Skill is also one of the most essential parts that a technopreneur must encompass.

With the test that we had taken, I also realized that to be a good technopreneur you don’t just have to think of your business alone or technical matters. You don’t need to focus on producing money and becoming very rich. You must also consider your own life, think of yourself and not just only on your business. You have to be emotionally strong and have a good relationship towards others. You must also posses these kinds of personalities in order to be effective on your endeavors.

Emotional Stability, it is important that an entrepreneur have the stability because along the way they will meet problems. They must be firm in handling the stress and pressure from business. Not only from business matters also for their personal parts of their lives. Their problems that are unrelated to their business must not affect their performance. They must not be easily worn out and be discouraged but instead see setbacks as challenges and be their motivation to do better. Charismatic this is one of the personalities that an entrepreneur must possess. They must have good communication skills that can convince customers and clients. He or she must possess good interpersonal skills. You must be productive most of the time. “Time is gold as they say”. You should make sure that you will not waste any time. If there’s an opportunity then better grab it immediately. Also, as the saying goes “The early bird gets the early worm”. To be a good entrepreneur you should be productive always and be first in producing good qualities to be able to get the customers or clients first. An entrepreneur also must be passionate. An entrepreneur must have the passion for the business to be effective and successful. It is nice to have a business while enjoying it. Also as what I learned from a prominent technopreneur, he says, “People with passion can change the world for the better. This statement shows that we must have an outlook of considering passion as a big factor to great change and in achieving the triumph we all want.

With the things I stated above, Thus, our personalities contribute a big factor on achieving success. It is an aspect on being a good technopreneur. The daily situations we come across and how we are able to positively respond to those can be a step on molding ourselves to be strong enough in facing greater responsibilities ahead.

We also watched the movie “Pirates of the Silicon Valley” where I learned a lot of things about two of the most successful business man in the world. I was amazed with Steve Jobs’ ability and facilities that made him achieve his greatest objectives but on the other hand he showed some negative sides that brought him some lost. In Steve Jobs’ case I can consider intelligence as one of the dynamics of his success and also his interpersonal skills. I can see how he considers efficient factors. The way he decided to sell his products, his way of reasoning and convincing large companies is amazing. He also has the ability to foresee future demands of technology. He also thinks systematically in which he can incorporate elements and ideas to make a product or project effective. He was able to grasp the essentials in a given situation and can respond appropriately to them. Perhaps these factors should be the aspects that I must possess. By watching the movie I have also reflected that Passion and confidence is truly important in dealing with business matters. We got to find what we love in order to achieve success. In the movie I can observe the love Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have for their job. They get involved with something that coincides with their interests. In the movie I can see how much they exerted efforts to finish the computers they made. Even if it seemed to be tiring and difficult, they never gave up which made me realize that I must not give up easily on things. I must possess confidence and I must believe in myself and in what I can do. It is important to have the trust for yourself in order to pursue and defend your ideas. With the confidence you have you can also deal with other people effectively which may be a big help for your business. You should be the kind of person that would take risk because of you know you can do it. You must trust in your intuition and have to be prepared to lose something to have the possibility of gaining what you want or more. 

One of the most inspiring speeches I have read is of Steve Jobs’. Last semester on Technopreneurship 1, one of the assignments given to us is to read the commencement address of Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs is such an inspiration, indeed! Every word that comes out to his speech imparts bunches of learning and knowledge that marks a scar on whoever reads or hears. A lot of statement struck me. The first and perhaps the most important thing he said is “you’ve got to find what you love”. As I can remember he mentioned three stories that elucidate his hardships and path as he takes on his journey to attain triumph. These stories bring different lessons that made me realize of many things.

In the story, the first part was about connecting the dots. Steve Jobs as I didn’t expect went through different hardship that include family desertion. Steve Jobs had no idea on what he really wanted to do with his life so he decided to drop out on a course that gives him no interest and drop in to something that caught his attention. I learned that I must have the courage and self-confidence in order to reach the peak of success. Right now, I may not know the purpose of enrolling to this course but soon I may be able to connect the dots and know the reason and purpose behind the hardships that I had and will undergo through. I must trust the dots that will somehow connect my future. The next thing was about love and lost. Hardship do really comes our way but like Steve Jobs, even if we will be down we must still know how to stand up again and continue the fight. I have failed two times in this college life. The first time disappoints me a lot. When I reach college I didn’t expect to fail. I wasn’t able to prepare myself on the kind of adversity that I will face. It was awful tasted medicine but I really needed it. I needed to fail to bring out more effort and to let me realize to give my best shot on whatever I am doing. I must not get easily discourage and I should not lose hope easily. I must have the passion because it is one of factors that can make you reach your goals in life. Lastly, it was all about death. Steve Jobs was diagnosed with cancer. It was definitely a very hard situation to accept. Death is something we can’t escape. It is something that enforces him to think of living each day as if it is the last day. In our daily journey, we have to think of giving our best. I was really struck with what he said. I realize that each moment is important. We don’t know maybe tomorrow or the next day we will be facing the destination we all share. I must treat each day as if it is the last day. We have given limited time on this earth so as long as I’m here I must know my purpose, do my best to reach my goals. I should not be afraid to take risks. I am afraid of rejections but I learned that I must face my fears and be ready on everything because the story of my life may end anytime and I may not have much time to do things that I must. Don’t live with results of others. Honestly, I am also conscious on other’s words and sometimes I do get affected easily especially if it hurts. But I learned from Steve Jobs speech, I must let the noise of others’ opinions to drown out my inner capabilities. I must have the courage to speak out and show what I can do. I must follow my heart and be who really I am and I what I truly want to become.

Steve Jobs inspires me in many ways. He let me realize many things. I know time will come I will be able to reach my goals. Also by the help of the people around me I already found what I love and I’m sticking to the anticipation of reaching the peak of success. 

I also realized about the things I love, the things I am best at and the things that irritate me the most. It was one of the activities we did for us to determine things regarding our likes and dislikes for use to lead into a better idea of what business we must propose. This could help us on creating a good idea because as what I have mentioned above being able to seek what you love can help you go on and break through any barrier that would possibly come along the way to your success. Lastly, as an inspiration from what I have learned. I can say that I must stay hungry. I must stay foolish. Do my best and God will do the rest.