"Week 15 Reading Reflection"

Business Basics at the Base of the Pyramid 

Akula Vikram

1)    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? 

a.     As a person who believes in the utilization and knowledge of business in helping the community, reading this article was a big surprise for me. Microfinance is the helping the poor by giving them the opportunity to work for themselves, and also, keep them away from being taken advantage of at their home country. This article as a whole was a big surprise for me. I have learned about microfinance, but this is the first time I have read article that describes a personal experience.

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

a.     There was nothing confusing from the article.

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

a.     If I were to ask the author, I would ask:

                                      i.     Where do you see microfinance in the future? As you know, more millennials are attracted to the idea of helping society, and they will be largest demographic in the world. Do you see them leading the microfinance industry to another level?

                                    ii.     What would be your advice to a student who wants a career in microfinance? More specifically, a student whose interest falls into helping society through their knowledge of business.

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

a.     No.

Reading the article was incredible. Knowing that change can occur is incredible. Most importantly, giving these people to work for themselves is incredible.

"Elevator Pitch No. 4"

The feedback from my second and third “Elevator Pitch” has allowed me to consolidate my business venture and to understand how I can make my pitch stronger. There was no feedback that seemed silly. All of my feedback was very constructive, and I did not receive suggestions on what to change.

Based on my last two pitches, I changed minor things. On this last pitch, I added that the workers would be required to attend a course where they will be taught the right information to lead a workshop properly.

Good afternoon, my name is Ana Guevara and my business proposal is called Florida Financial Literacy Program. The program is a non-profit venture that is designed to teach financial literacy to low-income families, as well as young students.

This program will consist of workshops and a website where videos will be posted. The workshops will be lead by community organizers who have the information needed to perform and lead the workshops. They will be asked to attend courses to have the information needed to educate the community. We will consult with business professionals, and business professors to create a packet that each organizer will learn. Once a month we will have a speaker come in to share their own stories to the consumers.

            Since we will be a non-profit, there will be no charge for those who will attend the workshops. We will be located in Palm Beach County, and we will utilize the resources provided by community organizations to reach our target market.

Thank you!

"Final Reflection"

As I reflect on my semester, I have realized how far I have come. In the beginning of the semester, I was in need of adding another course, and my options were limited. Then I came upon this class and read the syllabus, and honestly, I was shying away from it. As an introvert, I was self-conscious in conducting interviews, and recording myself for the pitches. As I contemplated on the idea of taking the course, I decided that I would step out of my comfort zone and take the course.

            During the course, I had a lot of ups. I was able to step out of my comfort zone, and interview different students and community members, and after sharing my venture with another student, we became good friends. There were times that I was overwhelmed with the work, but it was usually during exam weeks, which was normal to me.

            Interviewing the consumers is something I will remember for a very long time. At first, I was extremely nervous, but by the second set of interviews, I was surprised on how comfortable I had become on interviewing the consumers. Also, the experience I am mostly proud of continuing to work on my business venture.

            My venture is a non-profit, and I started working on it in 2014, but I decided to put it aside during my last year at of community college. I wanted to focus on transferring to a great university and applying for scholarships. This led me to stop working on my venture, but my passion for it never ceded, and this class allowed me to bring my passion back. I truly want to utilize my business knowledge to help my community.