Week 15 Reading Reflection

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? 

I was somewhat surprised, but more interested to see that the profit-oriented approach helped him gain the capital needed to start his business. We don't really think of that when trying to find someone to invest in our company. We think of ways to persuade them to essentially give us their money, and we do things such as show our business model, or show how we will be successful. I think that what most VCs are looking for is profit. If you don't talk about profits, how do they know that you will make any? If you aren't centered around that, then they see that as a longer time on their return meaning they are less likely to invest.

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

This weeks reading was relatively easy and because it wasn't textbook oriented, I don't feel as if any of it was confusing to me. For the most part, HBR is directed towards the average reader so I don't feel that many will find concepts or terms they aren't already familiar with.

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

What is the quickest way that one can grow their business and achieve the volume they need to stay afloat? Starting a new business and acquiring capital is never easy, but it is especially hard when working on small margins. Volume is also not easy to come by with a new business as you don't have a name for yourself.

Do most new startups have to suffer through with the dreaded first three years, or is there ways around that through things like marketing and word of mouth? Again, with achieving volume, you need a name for yourself which comes in time. For a new venture, they need to start pushing out products or services as soon as possible to pay back any loans they have and to stay in business. Do they just have to accept the first few years will be slow? Or can they do something to get the process started?

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

Not at all. Vikram Akula seems to know a lot about what he is talking about and he has a lot of first hand experience. I don't see anything that would lead me to believe he is misinformed or wrong about anything.