Week 8 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? 

The section "Dispelling Venture Capital Myths" was pretty surprising. I thought it was interesting that the text pointed out that venture capitalists invest in good ideas and good management, not just good ideas. I also thought it was surprising that venture capitalists will generally avoid investing unless the returns are very high. 

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

The section "Equity Financing" was confusing to me. I am not entirely familiar with many of the technical terms mentioned in the section so I wasn't able to gain much usable entrepreneurial knowledge from reading that section.

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

Do you think that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for debt financing?

    

Which factors do you think are most critical for venture capitalists to use in the evaluation of new       ventures?

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

The author claims that venture capital firms do not want to own control of your company and tell you how to run the business. I am hesitant to think, however, that venture capitalists do not have solely their own financial interests in mind when making an investment. I would take everything a venture capitalist says with a grain of salt.

Half-way Reflection

1) Tenaciousness is a skill. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course? 

Refraining from procrastinating is very helpful in this course because you will increase your chances of finishing the more difficult assignments before their deadline. I have also embraced talking to strangers on campus a little more because of some of the requirements of our assignments.

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this?

Our first few assignments that required a video were definitely extremely difficult to do. I missed a deadline for two or three assignments early in the semester but I have gotten more familiar with the course and have gotten much better at these assignments. Watching my classmates' videos on their blogs was very helpful in giving me an initial idea of how to approach doing certain video assignments such as the interviews. I have definitely developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months. I have noticed improvements my time-management and also thoroughly enjoy some of the video assignments such as "Free Money" and the "Elevator Pitch" because they make you go out of your comfort zone. 

3) Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset' ?

     a) If you miss an assignment or two, don't get down on yourself. Instead try and          make up some points on yellow-dig. 

     b) Plan ahead and give yourself a few days to do the video/audio recording                  assignments.

     c) Don't get discouraged if you are having trouble doing an assignment that requires      a recording. Continue talking to people and you will be surprised how quickly you        can get assignments done once you get the hang of it.