Halfway Reflection

I have used better time management, planning, and reflection as behaviors while taking on the requirements of this course! I’ve even utilized habits such as going to sleep on time (2 jobs + 16 credits = NEEDED sleep) and creating a weekly schedule in order to know what’s going on within the next few days. When I have the time, I also have developed a habit of self-reflecting and understanding where I’m at and what I am here for.

The primary moment of feeling like “giving up” during this semester came when I was feeling a burn-out due to workload and commitments. I was working almost 30 hours a week, with assignments due every day and a girlfriend to commit and enjoy time with. My schedule had me everywhere, so it was hard to understand what to spend time on while still growing as a person. What pulled me through was my friends and girlfriend. I had people check up on me and a special someone that could listen to anything I needed to say. Now, I feel like as long as I can enjoy what I’m doing and to take care of myself, I can see myself as more tenacious with a more positive attitude.

Three tips I would give:

1.     Create a routine YOU enjoy and can keep accountable for yourself.

2.     Understand that you need to enjoy something in order to learn more about it; so embrace what you need to do!

3.     Don’t worry about failure and realize nothing will be perfect.

Reading Reflection - "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight

         The autobiography I selected was “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight. What surprised me the most was the way Knight was able to socially engineer a relationship with Mr. Onitsuka off of a single cold-call. To be able to establish a connection in this manner is an amazing skill to have as an entrepreneur. I admired Knight’s passion for an idea, as well as his allowance of letting others “do their thing”. However, this allowance is not that well received by me, as sometimes I believe there should be standardization and training to utilize talent. Knight always caught onto an idea with passion, and this helped him overcome any adversity he faced. He dealt with limited funds and support but kept a positive attitude and a solid commitment to his self.

         Phil Knight was socially engaging and displayed a great drive. He was able to discuss with others his concerns and mistakes while also confiding goals and visions for the future with who he was close to. His work ethic was admirable and allowed him great success once he “hit the ground running”. I felt as if I understood almost every aspect of the book, so my only concern was regarding what I least admired about him.

         If I were to ask two questions:

1.     How did you deal with the pressure and stress of attempting to launch an idea as big as Nike?

2.     What was your initial vision of the company and how do you compare it to its current success?

I believe Knight has a very creative way of expressing hard work. I don’t have a similar style, but I may adopt techniques I read to help with my social skills that can translate to hands-on work.

Finding out Buyer Behavior No. 1

SEGMENT: Students following a fitness lifestyle.

BACKGROUND (INTERVIEWEES):

1.     Female, Asian, 22 years old

2.     Male, Hispanic, 20 years old

3.     Male, Asian, 20 years old

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1.     Do you consider yourself to follow a lifestyle related to physical fitness?

2.     How long have you followed this lifestyle of physical fitness?

3.     How did you initially start this “fitness journey”?

4.     What resources did you utilize in order to start on this journey?

5.     Did you ever feel as if there was not enough specific information for your fitness goals?

6.     Did you have people to help guide or participate with you for your fitness goals?

7.     Have you ever purchased products that help with your fitness goals? If so, which ones?

8.     What resources do you currently use to help with your fitness goals? (i.e. Mobile apps, calorie trackers, equipment, coaching)

9.     Is there something you think might be missing from the fitness industry that could help you progress in your fitness goals?

FINDINGS:

1.     Each participant answered yes to the initial question.

2.     The length of lifestyles relating to physical fitness related from 2 months – 4 years.

3.     The first two participants initially started their fitness lifestyles to make themselves feel better and to live healthier lives. The third participant initially got started to improve his performance in sports.

4.     All participants mentioned the use of Google and using terms such as “fitness tips”, “workout routines for women/men”, “nutrition”, “meal plans”, “how to start working out”, and “workout programs”. Two of the participants mentioned using Bodybuilding.com and YouTube.com as helpful resources.

5.     Two of the participants mentioned that they felt as if there wasn’t much initial knowledge to work on when “getting into” a fitness lifestyle. The third, who originally had experience with sports, stated that he “could see why people have trouble understanding fitness terminology and everything if they haven’t really gotten into it yet”.

6.     The first participant stated she started her fitness journey by her own research and accord. The second participant stated he had one of his friends offer free workout plans to him in order to get in a particular routine and lifestyle. The third participant mentioned his parents and athletic coaches as being large influences in his fitness routine.

7.     The first and third participants mentioned using supplements as help with their workout routines; such supplements included whey protein, pre-workout, vitamins and BCAAs (Branch-chain amino acids). Additionally, the first participant mentioned she purchases fitness-brand apparel and workout equipment to help with different aspects of her training. The second participant mentioned that has not currently used any kind of supplement but aims to do so in the future.

8.     The first participant currently uses supplements and calorie/macronutrient trackers in order to facilitate her fitness routine. The second participant mentioned use of his friend as a “informal coach” that allows him to “bounce questions” and receive useful feedback. The third participant claims to just follow a simple nutrition routine and “whatever feels best” for him in the gym while exercising.

9.     The first participant feels as if there is a lack of being able to find innovative/engaging workouts for herself in case she feels bored with her certain program. The second participant claimed that he is still finding plenty of resources to use online and with his friend’s knowledge. The third participant wishes he could have a way to compare and share his results and knowledge with others as he is interested in helping coach others.

REFLECTION: Looking at how the interviews turned out, I think my questions could have been slightly more focused on how each of these people NEED a certain aspect of the fitness industry. I could have mentioned questions such as “What is your favorite fitness related product?” or “Is there something you don’t have that could help with your fitness goals?” that could help specify a certain niche or market that is available. However, with the answers given, I think there is solid potential for my business idea to be able to “leave the ground”.