Assignment 5A: Identifying Local Opportunities

Assignment 5A

Opportunity 1:

Title: Why Smarter Cars Aren’t Saving Us Money on Car Insurance

Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/169A2128224CDE58?p=WORLDNEWS

Description of the story: People are assuming that since the cars are newer, and that there are better safety features in new cars, the rates for insurance and accidents will decrease. However, this is not the case. Many factors are affecting this increase, such as older cars being on the road, more vehicles are drivers on the road due to a better job and market economy. More miles result in more accidents, which becomes a domino effect and results in more claims being filed. In addition to that, medical and car repair costs are rising. Nowadays, the complexity of repairs is greater and requires a higher skill set to fix vehicles.

Description of the problem: Reasons such has higher number of drivers resulting in higher claims, higher cost of labor and medical expenses is resulting in an increase in insurance rates even though people are purchasing newer cars because they are safer.

Who has the problem: Any individual who is going to be owning a vehicle or driving a vehicle will be affected by this issue. Insurance companies are affected by this issue because they will also be losing business.

Opportunity 2:

Title: ASO: Man points airsoft gun in crowd

Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/169A212872EF3AF8?p=WORLDNEWS

Description of the story: A 21 year old man was arrested after pointing a semi-automatic handgun looking airsoft gun at a group of people. Him and his fiancé were sitting on the back porch, where he thought juveniles threw an object at their apartment. Him and the Juvenile began to fight, resulting in him taking out an airsoft gun and started to point it towards a crowd.

Description of the problem: There was miscommunication and disrespect within a community. Instead of getting involved in a physical fight, they should have discussed the issue. Instead of allowing the situation to escalate, his fiancé should have calmed him down or sought help from someone who could have de-escalated the situation. This causes Gainesville to be unsafe.

Who has the problem: Citizens in the area, anyone who may become involved or come across a situation like that.

Opportunity 3:

Title Morriston woman dies, two injured in head-on crash

Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/1699C9B81E5E46D8?p=WORLDNEWS

Description of the story: 21 year old Morriston passed away after a fatal head on car accident on US highway 41. She was pronounced dead at 6:30 am. One of the two cars partially crossed the northbound lane causing a head on collision.

Problem: Drivers are not aware of the situation and do not pay attention to other vehicles on the road. In addition, some drive too fast, not allowing them to break on time when this occurs. This results in a bad driving environment for Gainesville and will increase insurance rates.

Who it impacts: All drivers on the roads, and anyone who is related to families that are involved in accidents. Insurance companies.

Opportunity 4:

Title: LifeSouth says cold weather has hurt blood supplies

Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/169976F5630E03A8?p=WORLDNEWS

Story: The winter storms in Alabama and Georgia have been hurting blood supplies. The weather caused numerous cancellations in blood drives and some centers had to be closed. Due to the weather, Florida’s blood supply has been low.

Problem: Hospitals will need the blood during an emergency. By having low stock of blood, this could potentially cause death or hardship for patients who need immediate treatment.

Who it impacts: Hospitals, patients, and any family of patients.

Opportunity 5:

Title: Mortgage Rates Friday: Rising and There Are Fewer Homes to Buy

Link: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/169921A115911E40?p=WORLDNEWS

Description: Mortgage rates are increasing, and there are 10% fewer homes for sale across the nation starting from December. People are urged to purchase homes as soon as possible while the rates are low, and houses are available.

Problem: Some people want to purchase homes but do not have the right credit or are still saving money. Therefore, when they are ready to purchase a home, their rates will be very high in the future depending on when they want to act. People who are looking to sell may not be able to sell due to mortgage interest rates increasing for buyers.

Who it impacts: Agents, agencies, sellers, and buyers. 

Assignment 3A: Your Entrepreneurship Story

Assignment 3A – My Entrepreneurship Story

Back in middle school, we were assigned into groups of four for our botany class. Each group was assigned one plant to grow over a course of a semester, and we were supposed to grow these plants together and think of ways to create these into products and “sell” them. This was our group project, and it lasted a course of one semester. Our group was assigned kale, and we were given four plants, and seeds. Towards the end of every botany class, we would have to go water the plants, fertilize them, and discuss and plan what we were going to do. Our group decided to make kale and tuna crackers. Each person was assigned to either purchase the crackers, the tuna, collect the kale from the classroom, or put the product together. We were able to sell them during our recess, lunch, and after school hours. The whole timeline of the whole project had to be carefully recorded, and towards the end of the semester, we had to present our whole process, including how much money we made and how much we lost. It was a fun experience, because for the first time we had to put our minds together to think of ideas, materials, budget, and find a way to make a profit. Overall, everyone in the class enjoyed working on the project, and everyone worked hard. At one point it felt like a competition!

I enrolled in ENT3003 because I’ve always been so interested in the subject. I have not been extremely exposed to the subject as much, therefore, I really want to learn about it. I had the option to choose an elective, and I decided to take this course. Maybe one day I may be able to apply what I learn in this course towards my future career!

 

Assignment 2A: Bug List

ENT 3003 – Assignment 2A Bug List

1.     People talking on the phone while ordering food

Why it exists: People want to socialize while waiting for their food. They often believe they can multitask and since they are so distracted, aren’t aware they are affecting others.

2.     Wet counters in restrooms

Why it exists: People allow water to drip off their hands after washing, but do not wipe the counters after they are done.

3.     People switching into your lane in front of you on an interstate, then slows down.

Why it exists: People may speed up to get ahead, then switches back to the left lane. Cruise control may not be used, or they do not pay attention to the traffic speed behind them.

4.     When in a rush, Windows laptop decides to update

Why it exists: Windows needs to update to maintain high performance and be up to date with new technology and security. The pc does not know when you are in a rush.

5.     Waiting an hour after appointment time at a doctor’s office

Why it exists: Some offices overbook their patients, doctors must spend a good amount of time with their patients, therefore, it may flow past your appointment time.

6.     Youtube ads in the middle of videos

Why it exists: Youtube advertises for companies and are paid to do that. They want you to subscribe to Youtube Red.

7.     Rubbernecking on the highway when the accident is on the opposite side of the interstate

Why it exists: There may be an accident on the opposite side of the interstate, but people are curious, therefore they slow down to see what the incident is. This eventually becomes a domino effect and leads to stop and go traffic.

8.     When you order clothes online, but they send you the wrong size or product

Why it exists: Mistakes often happen at warehouses, since some things may look similar or employees may not look carefully enough at the details.

9.     Publix Esplanade on Archer Rd never making subs on time when ordering online.

Why it exists: Employees at the deli do not look at your online orders, and prioritize the customers in line.

10.  When people use 10 coupons at grocery stores during check out

Why it exists: People desire to save money, but in return, delays the checkout time for others.

11.  Geico constantly spamming my mailbox even though I have called them to stop sending me mail.

Why it exists: Geico wants to advertise or convince me to switch insurances.

12.  People parking in handicapped spots when they do not have the handicapped permit

Why it exists: People are in a rush to park when they can’t find parking.

13.  Chewing gum under tables

Why it exists: People do not have anything to wrap the chewing gum with or there aren’t any available garbage cans close by to discard the chewing gum.

14.  Every time I want to order a smoothie at McDonalds, the machine is broken. This happens at every location in Gainesville.

Why it exists: No ingredients but must use that excuse, machines may not be cleaned or maintained correctly.

15.  People blocking intersection with their vehicles

Why it exists: People try to cram themselves into the intersection even though there is traffic in front, so they won’t be stuck when the light turns red. This leads them to block the intersection when their light turns red, not allowing any other cars to cross the intersection.

16.  When the weather man says there is a fifty percent chance of rain

Why it exists: The weather researchers are unsure of their predictions, therefore, give an estimate of a fifty percent chance of rain, to avoid inaccurately.

17.  When you pay $200 a month for health insurance, but are not able to make any claims because you have a $1500 deductible to be met.

Why it exists: Insurance companies engineered their premiums per classifications, and evaluates the risks per individual. Insurance companies do not want to pay out heavy claims, and try to make a profit.

18.  When everything you touch shocks you during the winter time

Why it exists: Static electricity builds up while we are in our homes because the air is drier. Electrons are not dissipated; therefore, the charge collects and clings onto us.

19.  When you order something to go or through the drive through, and the order is incorrect, or you are missing items.

Why it exists: Drive throughs can be very chaotic, and sometimes your food may be handled by more than one person, increasing the chance of errors.

20.  USPS shoving your package into a small box

Why it exists: The mailman may be restricted on time and have so many other homes to deliver, causing recklessness, instead of using the larger mail box that is available.

Reflection:

      This assignment was quite easy because we were able to evaluate certain things that bug us, and come up with reasons why that occurs. Having to point out reasons why that occurs, does bring a different perspective to the situation, because we now think about the reason it happens rather than focus on why it bugs you so much. In addition to that, I can’t help but think of ways that could be possible solutions to these “bugs”, since I was able to identify key reasons behind them.

      Overall, I really enjoyed this assignment, as it was able to bring a different perspective of the things that “bug” me. Finding “why it exists” is actually much harder than it seems, because as humans, we would conclude that the reason is because of the individual, but having to think logically and critically, we see that there may be much more depth to these reasons. 

Test Post

This is a test for assignment 1D.