Conclusion Week - Only the beginning....

When I first signed up for this course I was not really sure what I was going to be learning, but I thought it was probably how to become a self-made woman. How to take an idea and turn it into the next “big thing”. I will admit I was not looking forward to it, as I didn’t feel I had the drive necessary to take on the world. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to come up with a prize winning idea. I felt there are those who desire to be the boss and those who are happy to be the worker bees. I felt happy as a worker bee, and didn’t want to push my comfort zone. I quickly learned that there is so much more to this course than that. Yes, we all want to be financially independent, but this is not the focus of what I learned here. One of the greatest takeaways I got from this course is you don’t have to be making a fortune as, or even working at being an entrepreneur to use the principles learned in this course. Everything learned can be applied to every aspect of life. I have learned how to have vision, and what tools I need to bring it to life. I have learned no matter how independent I am, I will always benefit from choosing great travelers to take the journey with me. I have learned that you have to put yourself out there and take risks from time to time. But I also learned that it is not just the risk taking and the hope for success that drives people it is the desire to do better; to leave this place better than you found it. I have learned to focus my thoughts, to take things one step at a time, and determine what is important to me in all aspects of my life. We were asked to ponder some tough questions, or scenarios this semester. I have learned that it is okay to be afraid, but not to let my fear consume my life and my choices. I have learned how to channel this fear, how to use it to my benefit. Once I know what I am afraid of, I know how to push the irrational fears aside and draw strength from myself. I have learned how to be patient with myself. I can be successful, and I don’t have to be ashamed of wanting to do better, it is how I choose to make this happen that counts. The most important thing I was reminded of in taking this course is to have faith, to know the boundaries and to trust in my Heavenly Father, not only in my spiritual life, but also in my temporal life. I am excited to see what is coming in my future and know that if I take what I have learned here, I can accomplish great things.

Week 12 - Great Week

This has been a very busy week for me, both with school and work, but a great week none-the-less. Of all the case studies we have read and discussed over the past semester, I have to say I enjoyed this week’s reading the most. We read “Randy Haykin: The Making of an Entrepreneur” (Harvard Business School). I know the other people we have studied and read about are real people, but Haykin really resonated with me. His honesty and his directness helped me gain a deeper understanding of how I would like to proceed on my journey. It may not be the journey of starting my own business, but I feel I can take and use these things he discussed in all aspects of my life. Haykin is a life-long learner, always seeking new opportunities to gain knowledge and improve his standing. This falls right in line with the BYU-I learning model. I also enjoyed the video clip of Stan Christensen’s “Avoid the Wrong Job.” I have fallen into some of the trappings he discussed; staying with a company I was miserable at because I felt it was the thing to do; I am determined to be the best at what I do and often times become the expert; I try to give others what I think they want. I am grateful for all the great information we have received this week, and I look forward to putting it into action in my life, both professionally and personally. 

Week 11 – What can I do to make a difference?

I was so moved by the videos and readings this week. I cannot imagine that anyone could have listened to Elder Gay’s talk “Entrepreneurship and Consecration” and not been moved. I have had some struggles this semester, both personal and with my studies, but as I listened to the letter Elder Gay read, from the young woman in Darfur, I gave thanks for all that I have. She will never know how much her letter impacted my life, and changed my thought process, but I will be forever grateful to her, for sharing her story. I don’t want to trivialize what this young woman and her family went through, but her strength and faith are an inspiration to me and many others I am sure.

In Elder Holland’s talk “Are We Not All Beggars?” I learned more about giving of my excess to help others. Elder Holland reminds us that there is always something we can do to help another. It may not be financially, it may be through an act of service, a smile, or a prayer; but there is always something we can do. We just spoke about this topic in a meeting at church, and it was wonderful for me to hear what others did and do for each other each day, as they manifest the Savior’s Love for their fellow man. I think to myself, what more can I do. I struggle when I see someone holding a sign at an intersection, do I give them cash, or do I go and buy them a meal, how am I supposed to act in this situation. Elder Holland instructs us to do that which we are prompted to do; lately I have found myself offering a prayer for these people to know how I may best serve them.

We have been asked again this week to comment on one of our readings: “What’s a Business For?” by Charles Handy.

Question 1:

Based on what you read in the first two pages, why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

It is my belief that in order for businesses to be successful, they must have honest business dealings. If the head of a company is only in it for himself, he has no concern for his employees, shareholders, or society. If we do not take care of our society we will begin to crumble and fail. By being dishonest in their dealings, either intentionally or unintentionally these leaders of business will ultimately be responsible for the collapse of society. We have to know they can be trusted, if we don’t trust them, we will not invest in their companies and growth will cease. People will horde their money, and less and less will be funneled back into the markets, thereby leading to their decline.

Question 2:

According to Charles Handy, what is the “real justification” for the existence of businesses?

Handy states that “The purpose of a business, in other words, is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better.”

Question 3:

What are two solutions proposed by Handy that you agree with? Why?

Employees should be treated as assets not expenses. I have worked for companies who have seen me only as a cost to the business. If for any reason productivity slowed, there were repercussions. It was a terrible environment to work in, and as a result, I became less and less productive. I also worked for a company who celebrated its employees. We were seen as the driving force behind the company’s success. Norman Brinker often said “happy employees are productive employees”, and I will agree with this.

Companies must take notice of the environment and their impact on it. We only have the one planet and if we keep abusing it, how long can we expect it to last. I feel it is important for companies to be proactive in this endeavor. If companies will look for ways to help the environment, we, the human race will be far more successful. We are to be stewards of our environment, not destroyers of it.