ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNAL

       This week I enjoyed reading about marketing and understanding methods my own personal mentor may have marketed their successful businesses.   I was taught that the customer is everything, their opinion may not always be the best, but you must make them believe it is.   I’m truly grateful for some amazing mentors.   I’ve been able to share burdens with some great men and woman in both my personal and professional life that showed me the things in life that don’t kill you, will only make us stronger.   I found the methods of marketing very interesting.   While some businesses thrive on television and print ads (car dealerships) there are others like Starbucks that have virtually no marketing, only word-of-mouth networking.   I think it takes a lot of forethought to know what kind of audience you need to make your business successful, then develop a plan to engage and attract those clients.     ...

This week I really enjoyed my study time, reviewing a case study on Southwest Airlines.   I’m surprised how a seemingly simple idea of localized service grew into one of the eight largest airlines in the world.   During my review time I would continually jot down quotes and ideas presented by past and present employees of Southwest.   I found these quotes to be highly motivating and leadership positive.   Upon further research, it seems as though all of the persons selected for employment either learned to focus on work-life happiness or they already possessed an acuity towards Southwest Airlines leaderships values and goals.   Also, I was surprised at the laidback atmosphere developed and portrayed from the top down.   It was clear the employees and case study author found this endearing and desired to find the root cause.   As I completed my study time, I found the root cause of this to be actual love and caring for their fellow employees and lea...

I was completely astounded this week while studying about different company motivations, hiring practices and employee engagement practices.   I read about a software company SAS Institute.   This company has an internal daycare, personal ergonomic coach, employee cafeteria, employee gym and unlimited sick leave for employees to enjoy.   Jim Goodnight believes that a company will only succeed as long as the employees are healthy and happy.   I didn’t realize there were companies that practiced these kinds of principles.   My current employer has a mission statement that includes words like “Mission, Vision, Values and Goals”, however upon further reading of my own company propaganda it appears that most of these words are fluff, with no real intent or plans behind the hype.   Hopefully, after earning a degree, I might be able to find a company that can afford to treat its employees as well as the stock holders believe they do.    ...