18 - Create a Customer Avatar

While I would hope my product could apply to anyone and everyone, since saving the environment should be important to everyone, I understand that a target consumer must be identified more specifically.

My ideal customer is a young (college-age) woman who enjoys spending time in places like Starbucks. This avatar likes to eat out, and orders drinks that often includes straws. The avatar is typically eco-conscious, so they ideally would drive a Prius (or similar electric car), and white seems to be the most popular Prius color. This avatar would likely not have kids, and be more willing to spend money on non-necessities. This avatar's favorite politicians are usually more liberal, as they care about environmental issues.

I would definitely have some in common with the created avatar. I chose the product "MetalliStraw" because I am eco-conscious and concerned about the future of the environment. While I do not currently drive an electric car, it is certainly something I would like to in the future. I also own a white car, which may subconsciously why I chose the avatar to have a white car. I am generally more liberal as well, which aligns with my interest in protecting and cleaning up the planet.

17 - Elevator Pitch No. 2

My peers both mentioned that I had forgot to include or mention a price in my first elevator pitch. One also mentioned that I should try to touch on consumers' empathy towards the environment.

I tried to accomplish both of these things by giving my product a $12.98 price, as well as speaking more onto the potential environmental damage a consumer is doing by not purchasing my product.

16 - What's Your Secret Sauce?

1)
Loyalty - I am dedicated to holding my word and always being there for those who are there for me

Empathy - I do my best to "put myself in another's shoes" and try to understand their perspective and why they feel that way.

Logical - I tend to approach things from a very data and fact-based perspective.

Experience Selling - I've worked for multiple years selling tech devices on the floor by conversing with customers, understanding their needs, and recommending the best solution.

Genuineness - For better or worse, I am not good at lying. I like to be honest and straight forward with everyone I meet, which is important to developing strong relationships in business and life in general.

2) Unfortunately, I conducted the 5 interviews, taking notes on pad and paper, without realizing the conversations needed to be recorded. Some of the interviews were done over phone, while some were done in person.

I spoke to my girlfriend, a few friends, as well as my parents. They did speak on my loyalty; that they all felt I would always be there for them need be. They all discussed that I'm very caring and good at taking others into consideration at all times. A few commented on my good posture, combined with my height, and how it helps me be presentable. My dad reminded my that I am a certified Cricket cell phone dealer, which gave me hands-on experience selling a specific product and service to a specific market segment.

3)
Others often tell me I seem confident, which is certainly not always how I feel. As someone who has struggled with insecurity and social anxieties, it was interesting to hear that most people don't perceive those things from me. My perceptions are more mental, and not outwardly projected. I generally am not one to brag or believe that I'm special in anyway, but my friends and family highlighted the things that make me unique, which I believe I should focus on to become a more complete and whole me.

15 - Figuring Out Buyer Behavior Pt. 2

I evaluated three more students this week. All of the students identified as frequent straw users.

Upon questioning them about alternatives, I learned a lot. While many see the need to reduce plastic straw use, many simply choose not to purchase any straw to reduce pollution. When I questioned them about plastic straws and reusable straws in comparison, I discovered that the higher price of the variety of reusable straws is often a deterrent to consumers, even though the straws can be reused. In a similar way, these consumers agreed that the physical appearance of a hundred pack of straws for a low price, compared to one reusable straw for a higher price, gives the perception that the plastic straws are a better value. All three agreed that paper or cardboard straws were less desirable as they tend to become soggy over time. Price and visual appearance seemed to be the most important attributes among the interviewees. While two of them agreed that quality was important to them, they had difficulty determining quality or comparing in-store with the products in packaging.

The group of students agreed that since straws are pretty standard day-to-day items, they usually purchase them from a grocery store. Most grocery stores don't sell reusable straws; usually they must be purchased and ordered online. Due to thinking of straws as a grocery item, this barrier causes many to lose interest in taking time to order something as simple as a straw. Because it is a fairly low-cost product, most preferred paying in cash, unless it was purchased with the rest of their groceries, in which credit was preferred.

The interviewees gave very interesting replies to how, or if at all, they evaluate their purchase afterwards. When purchasing plastic straws, that have a one-time use, most never thought about the purchase afterwards, but simply continued to use and throw away the product. However, when asked about reusable straws, their answers were different. Many were happier with the decision to purchase a reusable straw, rather than having little opinion post-purchasing plastic straws. The interviewees explained that whenever they use their reusable straw, they remember the action they are taking to help the planet, which in turn better satisfies their purchasing decision.

In conclusion, the main alternative in this segment is going to be either regular plastic straws, or not using one at all. Most people put little thought into purchasing straws, and end up just getting the most readily available ones. While consumers generally don't experience post-purchase dissonance from plastic straws, they do seem happier in their post-purchase evaluation of reusable straws.

14A - Halfway Reflection

1) It's important to stay on top of the Canvas calendar, and keep track of EVERY assignment, blog post, and quiz that could be due. Making a ritual of checking the calendar every morning has ensured that I stay on track and don't get behind in ENT3003.

2) There has certainly been times this semester where stress has set in and I've felt like giving up. A specific example is the week of Career Showcase. With my future career in mind, I had completely forgone worrying about assignments and let them pile up in ENT3003 and other courses. After that week, I've become better at organizing my time, as well as planning for upcoming events outside of the classroom. By being ahead on my assignments, stress is greatly reduced when there is outside events like Career Showcase.

3) If I had to compile three tips for a future student, I would say,

- Don't get behind. Stay several days ahead on coursework, and in case of emergency or outside conflicts, there will still always be time to make up that work before it is due.

- Create a schedule. Dedicated a particular "period" or hour slot certain days of the week solely for ENT3003. It has to be finished sometime, and between two classes midday is much better than at 11:55PM after a long day of work.

- Use all your resources. Most of the coursework is not difficult if you're diligent about making use of all class lectures, readings, as well as UF libraries and more. These tools are there for us to succeed, it's only logical to make use of them.

13A - Reading Reflection No. 1

I read about Muhammad Yunus

1) I had personally not heard of Yunus prior to this reading. I was extremely surprised as to the impact Yunus has had on economics, specifically microcredit and micro-lending. The thing I most admired about him was his pure drive to succeed as well as his desire to help others. As someone who struggles with motivation sometimes, Yunus' dedication to success, for not just himself but his people, is very admirable. There was very little about his story that I did not admire. Yunus certainly dealt with hardship and overcame difficulties. From being born in a less than prosperous family and community, to his mother's illness when he was very young, he has constantly overcame hardship. While attempting to create a foundation for microcredit in Bangladesh, he experienced conflict from many political and cultural sides for his pursuit to change socio-economic standards.

2) Yunus took the concept of lending and made it more accessible on a much smaller scale. Throughout his career, he displayed knowledge of his target market, understanding of risk and repayment, as well as being able to successfully pitch microcreditting to Bangladesh's national bank. Later, Yunus would horizontally segment his business interests, creating separate SBU's such as the Grameen Fishing Foundation and the Grameen Agriculture Foundation.

3) Some of Yunus' education, as well as Bangladeshi banking holding different economic and cultural values and structure compared to the United States. It was surprising that the national bank, prior to Yunus' work, didn't aid poorer citizens.

4) If I could ask Yunus two questions I would ask,

When did you realize you had a passion for economics or what pushed you in the direction of studying economics?

- As someone born in the U.S., business and associated degrees are heavily emphasized, which is why I felt I naturally fit into this study. During Yunus' youth, earning a degree wasn't as standard and expected, making me wonder what peaked Yunus' interest into further education.

Do you feel that your studying in the United States made a significant impact versus had you studied else for your PhD?

- Degrees from the United States may arbitrarily hold more face-value than some countries. I wonder if studying in the United States presented him with more opportunities than his home country.

5) I believe to Yunus, hard work is achieving success not only for yourself but for your community and family- Doing your best for the betterment of all. Yunus always strove to challenge himself, without every forgetting his origin and home. I do share the belief that success should be shared, not for just one's own personal gain.

12A - Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 1

Segment - Young students who live in U.S. coastal regions.

I interviewed three students from the University of Florida. All three agreed that plastic straws do pose a problem today. They all mentioned various places where they encounter this need; typically at restaurants, with one also being a straw-user at home. They all found that this need is usually encountered once or more per day. As I presented them with some data of the increasing issues of plastic pollution, two of them mentioned that the future of this need will increase.

One student said that to solve this need they had already tried reusable straws in the past, and found them annoying as they would get dirty or sticky, and they would be unable to clean the inside. The other two mentioned that they would simply choose to use straws less at home and in restaurants. I asked if they had ever sought to fill that need before, and two of them had searched online, the one having purchased a different reusable straw. It seemed that no company provided them with a full explanation of the importance of the product, as well as it often being highly priced in comparison to plastic straws.

I would describe this market segment of younger students as generally uninformed but passionate about solving environmental concerns. It seems the largest problem is market penetration and actually informing these students of how much an impact using reusable versus plastic straws can make. I would emphasize the words "reusable", "metal straw", and "plastic waste solutions" based on the responses of the interviewees.

11A - Idea Napkin No. 1

1) You.
My name is Steven Perdue. I (will) hold a bachelor of science in Food and Resource Economics. As a Florida native, I've always greatly valued our oceans and environment. I see the future of the Metalli-Straw as the future of Florida's clean waters.

2) What are you offering to customers?
A metallic straw, that comes with a helpful cleaning brush, and is entirely reusable and washable. The product also comes with a booklet insert to inform just how Metalli-Straw makes an impact on our environment.

3) Who are you offering it to?
Generally, I would like to put this product in everyone's hands. Our target market is typically younger consumers, particularly students. More specifically, our product targets this demographic within coastal regions, where plastic pollution is more readily visible.

4) Why do they care?
Plastic straws continue to be produced and continue to damage the environment and the oceans. Metalli-Straw offers an alternative that is reusable, and works to eliminate the need for plastic straws. The Metalli-Straw can be used for a lifetime; a single purchase rather than needing to repurchase hundreds and thousands of straws. The customer will be helping the planet, while also making a smart financial investment for the long term.

5) What are your core competencies?
While there have been other reusable straws in the past, we aim to make your commitment to the environment as simple as possible. Where some straws fail in ease of cleaning, we have included a brush to clean the inside of Metalli-Straw, as well as made it completely dish-washer safe. Not only do we provide a product to promote the health of the environment, but we have done our research. Our updated booklet insert with every product will provide data for the current state of pollution and plastic-use, as well as Metalli-Straw's impact on that data. In this way we provide a unique product to our customers.