(Techno. 2) Assignment 5 "DEATH OF THE CONSUMERS"

"Death of the consumers" in my viewpoint the phrase only emphasizes the evolution of the different roles and perspectives of the consumer with regards to its activity and function in the economy. Actually, this subject was already discussed in our class. The death of the consumers only signifies that a new breed of consumers has arisen and this dictates how and what the economy should offer to attain the expectation of their clients. These are the PROSUMERS which are characterized by having greater independence from the mainstream economy. It can also be thought of as converse to the consumer with a passive role, denoting an active role as the individual gets more involved in the process. From a passive which are the consumers to active which are the prosumers who assumes great impact in the way the market or economy establish strong and well modified structure.

HOW DO CONSUMERS REACT?

In general, when we say consumers it is the ultimate user of the product and services. When we say consumer behaviour it essentially refers to how and why people make the purchase decisions they do. This involves the psychological processes that consumers go through in recognizing needs, finding ways to solve these needs, making purchase decisions, interpret information, make plans, and implement these plans. What influences that lead to the consumers to this kind of behaviour? If we think globally there lots of factors that affects the behaviour of the consumers.





Consumers adjust purchasing behaviour based on their individual needs and interpersonal factors. People buy to satisfy all types of needs, not just for utilitarian purposes. Personality traits and characteristics are also important to establish how consumers meet their needs. They will buy what is practical or useful, and they make purchases based more on quality and durability than on physical beauty.

Two interesting issues in decisions are:

* Variety seeking (where consumers seek to try new brands not because these brands are expected to be “better” in any way, but rather because the consumer wants a “change of pace,” and
* “Impulse” purchases—unplanned buys. This represents a somewhat “fuzzy” group. For example, a shopper may plan to buy vegetables but only decide in the store to actually buy broccoli and corn. Alternatively, a person may buy an item which is currently on sale, or one that he or she remembers that is needed only once inside the store.

A number of factors involve consumer choices. In some cases, consumers will be more motivated. For example, one may be more careful choosing a gift for an in-law than when buying the same thing for one self. Some consumers are also more motivated to comparison shop for the best prices, while others are more convenience oriented. Personality impacts decisions. Some like variety more than others, and some are more receptive to stimulation and excitement in trying new stores. Perception influences decisions. Some people, for example, can taste the difference between generic and name brand foods while many cannot. Selective perception occurs when a person is paying attention only to information of interest. For example, when looking for a new car, the consumer may pay more attention to car ads than when this is not in the horizon. Some consumers are put off by perceived risk. Thus, many marketers offer a money back guarantee. Consumers will tend to change their behaviour through learning—e.g., they will avoid restaurants they have found to be crowded and will settle on brands that best meet their tastes. Consumers differ in the values they hold (e.g., some people are more committed to recycling than others who will not want to go through the hassle). We will consider the issue of lifestyle under segmentation.

Adding to the complexity of the issue is the fact that purchase decisions are not always made on the basis of an "attribute-by-attribute" comparison (attribute-based processing). Consumers also make decisions based on an overall evaluation of their impressions, intuition, and knowledge based on past experience, or attitude-based processing. Learned attitudes also influence these decisions. For example, parents who drank Kool-Aid as children often buy it for their kids, either because they associate it with fond memories or just because of brand familiarity or loyalty.

There is time and effort associated with each of these strategies, though attribute-based processing requires significantly more effort on the consumer's part. To dedicate the time required for an attribute-by-attribute comparison, consumers need the combination of motivation and the time or opportunity to use such a strategy.

Other contributing factors were discussed in Mantel's study, such as personality differences and each individual's "need for cognition." Need for cognition reflects to what extent individuals "engage in and enjoy thinking." People with a high need for cognition tend to evaluate more and make more optimal in-store purchase decisions. This is in part because they do not react to displays and in-store promotions unless significant price reductions are offered. Low-need cognition people react easily when a product is put on promotion regardless of the discount offered.

Consumers are also affected by their perceived roles, which are acquired through social processes. These roles create individuals' needs for things that will enable them to perform those roles, improve their performance in those roles, facilitate reaching their goals, or symbolize a role/relationship, much in the way a woman's engagement ring symbolizes her taking on the role of a wife.

Other factors that influence purchase decisions include the importance attributed to the decision. People are not likely to take as much time doing brand comparisons of mouthwash as they are a new car. The importance of the purchase, as well as the risk involved, adds to how much time and effort will be spent evaluating the merits of each product or service under consideration. In cases of importance such as the purchase of a car or home appliance, consumers are more likely to use rational, attribute-based comparisons, in order to make the most informed decision possible.

In some cases, consumers make very little effort to evaluate product choices. "Habitual evaluation" refers to a state in which the consumer disregards marketing materials placed in a store, whether because of brand loyalty, lack of time, or some other reason. Indeed, evaluating all relevant marketing information can become time consuming if it is done every time a person shops.

On the opposite side of the coin, "extensive evaluation" is the state in which consumers consider the prices and promotions of all brands before making a choice. There are also in-between states of evaluation, depending again on the importance of the purchase and the time available to make a decision (some consumers, usually those who earn higher incomes, value their time more than the cost savings they would incur). Decisions on whether to compare various products at any given time may be a factor of the anticipated economic returns, search costs or time constraints, and individual household purchasing patterns.

When it comes time to actually make purchases, however, one person in the family often acts as an "information filter" for the family, depending on what type of purchase is being made and that person's expertise and interest. The information filter passes along information he or she considers most relevant when making a purchase decision, filtering out what is considered unimportant and regulating the flow of information. For example, men are more often the family members who evaluate which tools to purchase, while children pass along what they consider to be seminal information about toys. At times, family members may take on additional roles such as an "influencer," contributing to the overall evaluation of goods being considered for purchase. Or one person may act as the "decider," or the final decision-maker. Ultimately, purchase decisions are not made until consumers feel they know enough about the product, they feel good about what they're buying, and they want it enough to act on the decision

Consumer reacts constantly based on what they consume, buy, render and other products and services that are available in the market. These causes for the business components to keep on track on the consumer behaviour and provide the demands of the consumers. Business sectors dance with the tune on what their clients and customer’s wants and the type of the products and services that would satisfy their need.



THE NEW BREED!

Prosumer has taken on conflicting spins wherein the business sectors sees the prosumer as a means of offering a wider range of products and services whereas activist see the prosumer as having greater independence from the mainstream economy. According to Wikipedia Prosumer is defined as a portmanteau formed by contracting either the word professional or producer with the word consumer. The term has taken on multiple conflicting meanings: the business sector sees the prosumer (professional–consumer) as a economy segment, whereas economists see the prosumer (producer–consumer) as having greater independence from the mainstream economy. It can also be thought of as converse to the consumer with a passive role, denoting an active role as the individual gets more involved in the process. More recently, in the mental health field, the word "'prosumer'" has come to mean "consumer/provider," also known as a "peer provider," such as a peer support specialist or other mental health consumer who also provides peer support mental health services (background on peer-run mental health services). The word "Prosumerise" has been coined by Widality to represent the merging of the IT and mobility requirements of the prosumer, consumer, and enterprise.

In general meanings Prosumer could be producers or professionals using consumer-grade products, consumers using retired professional-grade products consumer targeted products, at consumer prices, but containing some professional-grade functionality and progressive consumer. Out of these definitions, progressive consumer most likely fits the term “PROSUMER” wherein it implies a modern consumer who has changed their approach to the traditional methods and habits of purchasing products. A Prosumer is researching a products value, performance, and price through social networks (twitter, tumblr, facebook) and consumer product reviews (such as Amazon.com), and prices comparison shopping engines such as Nextag.com and Thefind.com, before making a final decision or purchase. Within these web sites a Prosumer researches all aspects of a products performance, price and social acceptance in relative comparison to similar products within the same category. The Prosumer is searching for the highest quality product that best meets their personal needs for the maximum amount of money they are willing to spend. Based on that search criteria, the Prosumer is also willing to venture into new shopping distribution channels in order to purchase that product. The Prosumer terminology was identified by the Earl Jean Brand, where the company recognized a new consumer niche of premium denim consumers who because of the economic downturn desired a high quality, status image, socially acceptable and high performing jeans wear products at value prices.

The Prosumer Revolution

_ Our industry is seeing a new breed of consumer that is more marketing savvy and demanding
_ We call them PROSUMERS
_ Prosumers are…
_ Empowered by technology
_ Proactive in seeking out information and opinions
_ Active in sharing their views and experiences with others
_ Ahead of the curve in their attitudes and behaviors
_ As important, prosumers are acutely aware of their value
to businesses and brands
_ They know they have more choices today in where they shop
and what they buy (20-fold increase in food and HH product introductions since 1970)
_ And they know that means that the balance of power has shifted—from manufacturers, marketers, and retailers to the end user




Prosumers are the 20–30% of people who make and break markets…
• Prosumers are not a group apart, but rather part of
every group
_ In fast-moving, trendy groups, such as teens
_ But also in more settled groups such as working moms
and seniors
• As part of the segment, rather than outsiders to it,
they reflect the segment, whether it be soccer moms
or on-the-go snackers
• But being more proactive than most, and more keen to find out information, test it, and share it, they also tend to lead their segments
• When people are given access to swathes of information, bombarded with claims and counterclaims, and have the means to gather, compare, and share opinions, some will
do it more than others—they are prosumers
• Not so far ahead of consumers as to be entirely different; just bumped up (or down) a notch in a pattern that is consistent and, we’ve found, predictable
• Within any given context—education, food shopping, vacationing, entertainment—prosumers are the ones
who are motivated to:
_ Find out sooner
_ Find out more
_ Act on what they’ve found out
_ Tell others

Prosumers Are Empowered by 3 Unstoppable Forces

• The Internet
Empowers them with information, forums,
and communication
• Media Proliferation
Makes word of mouth far more powerful
• Personal Globalization
Exposes everyone (potentially) to everything, everywhere



MARKET and PROSUMER

The prosumers see markets as:
“Conversations" with the new economy moving from passive consumers to active prosumers. For instance, Amazon.com emerged as an ecommerce leader partially due to its ability to construct customer relations as conversations rather than simple, one-time sales. Amazon supports exchange of information among customers; it provides spaces for customers to add to the site, in the form of reviews (A review is an evaluation of a publication, such as a movie, video game, musical composition, book, or a piece of hardware like a car, appliance, or computer.).
MODEL OF PROSUMPTION
• described a model of prosumption where customers participate in creation of product in active and ongoing way.
• the consumer co-innovates and coproduces the products they consume
• Customers can self organize to create their own products

The most advanced users in facts no longer wait

• User no longer waits for an invitation to turn a product into a platform for their innovations.
• Users or customers can form their websites and communicate online to share product-related information, collaborate and customized project, engage in e-commerce and swap tips, tools and products hacks.
• Working in the prosumer community for competitive advantage.(Second life originator Linden Labs has broken most of the conventional rules for building a multiplier video game and set the standard for customer innovation in all industries.)
• Prosumers think that they deserve the right to operate freely as customer-driven economy while big corporations think that they should be some sanctions and regulations

CUSTOMERS AS CO-INNOVATIONS

• Episodes of users driven creativity in history of invention.
• Great importance hobbyists and amateur creators play in advancing technology
• Most companies still consider innovation and amateur creativity as less representative in their core markets.
• Smart companies must reach out to involve customer and lead users directly in their product development process.
However customer innovation is going self-serve with the rise of prosumer communities.

Customers Co-Innovation Goes Self-Serve

David Pescovitz, senior editor of MAKE (a magazine, a magazine that is devoted to do it yourself innovations) states that:

-------the phenomena of DO IT YOUSELF have been spreading widely because innovators don’t have to wait for the next electronics meeting to express their ideas. With today’s technology it can be done anytime anywhere.

-----------People get big thrills from hacking a product, making something unique, showing it to their friends, and having other people adopt their ideas.

------The Lego Corporation, best known for making little interlocking plastic bricks has had a dramatic experience with prosumers.

------In fact, Lego had one of earliest and most vibrant prosumers communities that formed around it.
When many hobbyists sent letters of suggestions on how to enhance the products, Lego threatened to file a lawsuit

----- Lego’s policy backfired and users rebelled because they felt there ideas are not heard.

The Prosumption Dilemma:
Control versus Customer Hacking

• Customers get what they want
• Companies get free R&D

Apple’s iPod

• The original use: portable music player
• When customers hack it: Why not transform the iPod into a general-purpose wearable computer that has everything: portable music player, expanded memory, video games, PDA and Podzilla

In this kind of scenario, convergence and innovation takes place to give comfort to the satisfaction of needs of their customers. This is because People shift from consumer to contributor and creator. They react proactively that would result into a good business ideas and concepts that will increase or establish creativeness and competition toward business companies.



'Death of the consumer': Innovation policy needs new perspective on role of citizens
Understanding economys and people's purchasing patterns is important, but new research has found one area where the idea of citizens as consumers can be harmful: innovation policy. Work carried out at the CENTRIM (Centre for Research in Innovation Management) in Brighton and SPRU Science and Technology Policy Research in Sussex appears to show that to encourage innovation, policymakers need to broaden their view of the role of citizens in the knowledge economy: to embrace the idea of citizens-as-innovators, to take advantage not only of the specialist knowledge of scientists and other academics, but of lay choices, and lay knowledge that are also critical for innovation too.
During the past year, the User-Centric Innovation research team from the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex have explored user-centric innovation in a number of sectors. "We have studied innovation in medical engineering, the creative industries and elsewhere and in every sector we find examples of non-specialists who choose to innovate themselves," says Steve Flowers, of CENTRIM.
The team say that if the users of products and services can be more than an inspiration, but can also innovate themselves, then it makes little sense for social scientists to regard citizens only as consumers in national systems of innovation. "We need to abandon the notion of citizens-as-consumers, or at the very least temper it with the additional idea of citizens-as-innovators," says Flowers. "Innovation policy needs to recognise that user-centric innovation spans the whole spectrum from users contributing ideas to users creating or changing products, services and systems themselves."
"A striking example of user-centric innovation in the environment is the Transition Town movement," says Gristock. "Local people are mobilising themselves to create innovative products and services that help alleviate climate change and dependence on dwindling oil reserves. When local people in Modbury banned plastic bags from the entire town, the choice to innovate in this way came not from policymakers, or business, but from locals themselves. Citizens are not just consumers. They are innovators too."

References:
www.wikipedia.com
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/KnowledgeExch/Death.aspx

(Techno 2) Assignment 4 Trends and Opportunities in convergence

What is convergence? In technology, it is the tendency for different technological systems to evolve towards performing similar tasks. Convergence can refer to previously separate technologies such as voice (and telephony features), data (and productivity applications), and video that now share resources and interact with each other, synergistically creating new efficiencies.
Today, we are surrounded by a multi-level convergent media world where all modes of communication and information are continually reforming to adapt to the enduring demands of technologies, "changing the way we create, consume, learn and interact with each other".
Convergence in this instance is defined as the interlinking of computing and other information technologies, media content, and communication networks that have arisen as the result of the evolution and popularization of the Internet as well as the activities, products and services that have emerged in the digital media space.
Convergence is not just a technological shift or a technological process, it also includes shifts within the industrial, cultural, and social paradigms that encourage the consumer to seek out new information. Convergence, simply put, is how individual consumers interact with others on a social level and use various media platforms to create new experiences, new forms of media and content that connect us socially, and not just to other consumers, but to the corporate producers of media in ways that have not been as readily accessible in the past.
Convergence for me as an Information Technology student, it refers to combining technical tasks of specific gadgets into one multi-level gadgets or technology. Human intelligence and curiosity made this far for the world to be more comfortable to live and it increases the quality of life that we had. It became part of our society and daily life specifically in business, education, government. The fact that we are now working with information era and computer age had passed, innovation has been taking into action. Computers whether it is a special computer or a general purpose computer were excellently developed and innovated to provide optimal functionality of their products and services. In old days, cellular phones were created basically to provide communication such as voice calls and SMS (Short Messaging System) for the people to communicate but now a day, cellular phones stepped up into a multifunctional media. Images, videos, music, television, camera, and multimedia of all types were all converged with mobile phones. Including video recording, GPS receivers, data storage, and security mechanisms were also integrated into traditional mobile phones for past years. It means more features in less space, remains competitive. This is a concrete example how convergence affects the society and its major components. In this case, I can say that convergence could be a part of an innovation or vice versa and it contributed a lot in maintaining competitiveness between business institutions. Business concepts and improvements were now primarily focused on innovation and convergence. Why the word innovation is involved here? Simply because all of those gadgets, machines, devices, and etc. were already created and invented. Now, people were just innovating and converging this items or products to supply the level of wants and needs of the end users and to fit to the life style that we had. Back to the concept of business, they focused on innovation and convergence because consumers and users want something fresh and new that will most likely improve their quality of living.
WHY Convergence happens?
The information and communication technologies (ICT) sectors are in a process of
technological convergence. Determinant factors in this process are the liberalization of the
telecommunications markets and technological change. Many firms are engaged in a
process of mergers and alliances to position themselves in this new framework. Technological and demand uncertainties are very important. Convergence happened because a consumers and prosumers tend to want more out of something that they had. And by that, convergence should flow with trends to be updated to consumer’s wants and needs and to establish strong competitions between business competitors.
By technological convergence is meant that any type of terminal can access any
type of data, which in turn is able to be transmitted through any kind of pipe. Internet
has been the catalyst of this process. The technology that has been responsible for
platform-independence in the Internet is the IP protocol, which is the basis of a set of
protocols that allow routing and transmitting any kind of data (text, image, and voice).
Convergence has implications both for demand and supply. First, businesses and home
users may have access to a lot of information in an interactive way using any type of
terminal. Second, information that is transmitted is platform-independent. This means
that there are several alternatives to transmit a given content. For instance, it is possible
(or will be in the near future) to obtain local phone connection through the traditional
copper wire, wireless, cable or television antennae. It is expected that in a few years just
digital data will circulate through the pipes. Some of these data will be telephony voice
(which requires low bandwidth), but other content, like digital films, will require more
transmission capacity. But many problems must be solved; for instance, the current
copper networks, which are the main asset of the TOs, are not wide enough to carry the
bulk of information that is needed to broadcast a film. Hence, a telecommunications
operator that wants to compete with, say, a cable company, must make the necessary
infrastructure upgrades to provide broadband services. But problems may arise because
neither the new technology nor the market may be mature enough. When will the
demand size allow the firm to recoup the money? Besides, how will this demand be? Ifthe services provided are close to a competitor’s offer, consumers will choose the
solution that fits their budgets best. So, it is difficult to bet on a concrete technology
when the most popular uses of that technology are not clear yet. Leaving the demand
aside, who can tell that the investment that is made today will not be obsolete tomorrow because a more cost-effective technology has appeared?

Technological convergence has both a technical and a functional side. The technical
side refers to the ability of any infrastructure to transport any type of data, while
functional side means the consumers may be able to integrate in a seamless way the
functions of computation, entertainment, and voice in a unique device able to execute a
multiplicity of tasks. The convergence affects those industries that are concerned with the delivery of data and content, as well as those that take care their displaying, and will affect their market power because, as already noted, it implies the merging of different markets.

Opportunities in Convergence

Technology convergence offers massive opportunities for the development of new value-added
services, convenience, efficiency and the expansion of markets and consumer choice. It also raises a number
of issues of adjustment to the new environment by telecom operators, service providers, policymakers,
regulators, and users.
The term technological convergence is often defined in a very generalized and simplified terms as a
process by which telecommunications, information technology and the media, sectors that originally
operated largely independent of one another, are growing together.
Technological convergence has both a technical and a functional side. The technical side refers to
the ability of any infrastructure to transport any type of data, while functional side means the consumers may
be able to integrate in a seamless way the functions of computation, entertainment, and voice in a unique device able to execute a multiplicity of tasks.

Convergence Increased Market Competition
Convergence has lowered barriers of entry to the market for new operators and service providers.
The emergence of new market players intensifies competition, giving consumers an extensive pool of
providers and services to choose from and lower communication costs.
Additionally in a technological convergent environment industry boundaries become blurred,
allowing service providers to offer services in multiple markets. For example, besides access to television,
cable operators can also offer voice telephony and internet services.
Content providers can now easily access consumers with no need to own the distribution network.
For example, a company may produce TV content and distributed it through cable networks without havingto own it..

Emergence of New Services and Applications
Established companies will find in convergence an opportunity to operate more efficiently, increase
returns on technology investments and realize other business benefits through development of new services
and rapid market expansion. Convergence opens up new sales markets for companies, a case observed in
mobile operators. As the market saturates, they look to non-voice services, such as video streaming, portals,
messaging, information services, and gaming, to drive future revenue growth.
New applications have given rise to new ways of entertainment (i.e. online gaming) and
socialization (i.e. chat rooms). The convergence of voice, video and data gives consumers new ways of
communication as we can all talk, send text and video over one single network, using one single application
at much lower costs than before.

Convenience and Simplicity
At device level, consumers find in convergence an opportunity to enjoy the convenience of having
many devices all in one, saving on both size and ownership costs. For example, a single mobile phone device
can receive television programmes and play videos, thus enabling simplicity and convenience in device
ownership as one device can be used to access multiple services

Challenges in Convergent World
Technological convergence has raised a number of issues of adjustment to the new environment by
telecom operators, service providers, policymakers, regulators, and users.

New Regulatory Framework
The combination of services over the same platform is challenging common perceptions about the
best means to license and regulate providers. Traditionally, regulatory frameworks were designed for an era
when clear functional differences existed between services and infrastructure, but these regulations are
increasingly inadequate for dealing with today’s world. At first glance, interoperability, interconnection,
consumer protection and universal access appear as the most relevant challenges.
Existing interconnection mechanisms focus basically on interconnection of telecom networks based
on circuit switching technologies, while for instance broadcasting networks are either unregulated or subject
to different types of regulation. Additionally, in a convergent environment, which relies greatly on packet
switched networks, circuits are neither connected nor provided. In this way distance and time become less
determinants as cost factors, requiring adoption of new units of measurement.

Bandwidth Shortage and Infrastructure Upgrade
Convergence gives rise to new services and applications which are bandwidth intensive, requiring
an existence of broadband infrastructure. Only with broadband access is the use of complex services (e.g.
multimedia services) attractive or possible in the first place. While developed economies may not face a
bandwidth shortage dilemma, the same may not be said about most of the developing economies where
telecommunication infrastructures are still relying on narrowband technologies. These countries face the
challenge of having to upgrade their infrastructure or miss on the benefits of the technological convergence.
In meeting this challenge, as it was in the past, financial constraints will continue to be a problem.

Strategic Alignment by Operators and Service Providers
As barriers to market access are significantly reduced, allowing an increased number of new players
to enter the market and provide a wide variety of different service packages, established operators and
services providers are required to reassess their business models and strategies not only to face these new
providers, but also to upgrade their networks to integrate it into their own offering. Another challenge lies in
convincing consumers of the value added by the new services for which they must pay.

Privacy, Security and Reliability
As society becomes increasingly interconnected and dependent of ICT networks, cybercriminals
continue to invent increasingly cunning ways to exploit human and computer vulnerabilities to their
malicious benefits. This, challenges operators, service providers and users to take measures to minimize risks
of network intrusions, attacks and viruses. In a similar way, as technologies and systems become complex,
the higher is the risk of their instability. Product designers, manufacturers and operators are challenged to
guarantee the reliability of these new technologies.

(Techo 2) Assignment 3 Your reflections/learning's/thoughts on the video clip of Guy Kawasaki

Who is GUY Kawasaki? I ask my self while answer this task given to regarding the video clip that we have seen.
So i ask my friend Mr. Google to give me information to this guy. Mr.Guy Kawasaki is a managing director of Garage Technology Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm and a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine. Previously, he was an Apple Fellow at Apple Computer, Inc. Guy is the author of nine books including Reality Check, The Art of the Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy, Selling the Dream, and The Macintosh Way. He has a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA as well as an honorary doctorate from Babson College.

WOw!

On the video clip of Guy Kawasaki said that “The core and essence of entrepreneurship is about MAKING MEANING. Many people start making companies to make money. I have noticed that noticed that both I’ve started and founded and been associated with are those companies that are fundamentally founded to change the world, to make the world a better place, or to make meaning or the companies that makes difference. They are those companies that succeed. By naive and romantic belief is that if you make meaning you probably make money, but if set out to make money you probably not make meaning and you won’t make money. So my first thought is to make meaning that should be the core why you start the company. There three ways to make meaning, first is to INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. My background is Macintosh division of apple computers. Then I can tell you the total urgency that we were not motivated by making money. We were motivated by changing the world, to make people more creative and more productive .We were trying to increase to increase the quality of life of the Macintosh users and that was good motivation to kept stowage in many, many difficult periods. We were waking up in the morning thinking how we could change people’s lives. The second way to make meaning is to RIGHT A WRONG. To right a wrong means you find something that is wrong in the world or you noticed something is wrong, you wanna fixed that! This might be particularly applicable to knot of profits where there’s pollution, or there’s crime, or there’s abuse. They just the very cores to end that wrong. And the third to make meaning is to PREVENT THE END OF SOMETHING GOOD, that you see something beautiful, something wonderful and you can’t just stand the fact that is being eroded, being changed, and being ruined …”


The video clip of Guy Kawasaki reminds everyone to be motivated and be guided by making meaning, making meaning as the core and essence of building up a company is a best motivation. For me, making meaning means that we provide an important purpose and good intentions; it will guide us in achieving our ambitions and goals in every field that we choose. Majority of those people who start making companies are being motivated to make money. May be it is not unusual to us this kind of scenario simply because when we talk about business or entrepreneurship, money keeps the business in operation and makes it grow in accordance to its goals. Come to think of this, best business ideas won’t work without money, ideas won’t make us rich. Money becomes the fuel of any businesses. This mindset is always present in many cases and end up with bankruptcy. In building up a company or business it should be motivated in making meaning. Set your goals and priorities that will guide you in making meaning.
He mentioned three key points on how could we make meaning and these are.

First is to increase the quality of life. Based on the instances that he cited, as part of the apple computer’s company they wake up every morning thinking how they could change the people’s lives to be more creative and productive. As I remember, way back 3rd year days at the old curriculum I ask my friends why people keep on developing gadgets, computers, and other inventions and innovations. Some of them answers that it’s because people don’t have satisfaction and keep on asking for more, and most of them answered the same as what Mr. Guy Kawasaki mentioned in the video clip, it’s because people want to increase the quality of life. To provide what is needed in performing human’s daily tasks and making it more convenient. In the old days, in order to drink coffee every morning they should have coffee, sugar, and milk and a hot water. But now, coffees are packed in 3 in 1 wherein all of this elements are mixed in a sachet , all you have to do is to get a cup and a hot water ad mixed it. It is much easier and convenient to have coffee every day. Based on our communication, old days make use of birds, and horns to communicate with other people not until cellular phones, computers, and internet were invented. Through these developments, we can communicate with other people in just one click of our fingers. These improvements are motivated to increase the quality of life in order for the people to live conveniently.


The second way to make meaning is to right a wrong. To right a wrong means that if we observed something wrong in the world and community, find solutions to fix that wrong. An entrepreneur should take advantage of this because it is an opportunity to conduct business through providing solutions that will give comfort to the people’s lives. I read an article about an old lady who makes paper bags with regards to the environment, we know that plastic bags are not good for the environment because it destroys the ozone layer that will result to global warming and side from that, it is a non-biodegradable. Non-biodegradable needs decades in order for it to be decomposed. The old lady make plastic bags to resolve this problem and it made her rich. These plastic bags are recyclable. She is motivated to make meaning through her concern to the nature and environment that we live.


The third way to make meaning is to prevent the end of something good. Meaning to say, if we see something good and wonderful in our surroundings or in our community don’t let it be destroyed but develop it and nourished. The cutting down of trees to make papers, houses, pencils, furniture, and etc. makes our forest to be destroyed. Green computing helps us to minimize these situations by providing soft copies of documents.
Making meaning does not only limit in business, as a student it also motivates me in doing my responsibilities as a student and those responsibilities will developed and mold me to be worthy in acquiring those ambitions. If we were building a company or planning for something whether in business, school, or community let it be motivated by making meaning to achieve your goals and intentions.


Have a nice day ahead

(Techno 2)Assignment 2 Try to walk around somewhere and discover technopreneur idea

Try to walk around somewhere and discover technopreneur idea ...your experience(s) .. at least 2000 words It’s been weeks since I’ve been thinking for effective business ideas for Technopreneurship II. Like last semester in our subject Technopreneurship I, we were also task to conduct a serendipity walk it’s been a difficult task for us to initiate something that would be a good business idea that primary deals with technology. It took us months to think of something great. And now, we are given weeks to start up an innovative and a new technopreneurship idea. During those days I have been thinking and forcing myself to yield something that would be a great idea for business. I have been walking in every street and every building and got into many business centered areas. But still nothing really seemed new to me. It has been the same as before. While I was going to eat, this friend of mine always ask me to open a canned beef loaf because in his 20 years of existence in life he still doesn’t have an ability to open a canned beef loaf using a knife. Since we don’t have a can opener, I even thought of designing a canned good for the ease of life of every human. Haha!! But I know it will not make any sense at all. Until one day, as I went to a café where I used to surf in the internet I was surprised that almost all of their desktop computer units and gaming cards were all stolen and only their server and keyboard were left. They were all clueless on who were responsible for that robbery. It happened last November 2 this year during dawn, since it was holiday nobody noticed the robbery, some said that the suspects were riding in a “TAXICAB or TRICYCLE”. The stolen properties costs 200,000 or more. After what happened they cannot trace and track those stolen properties not unless they will see it personally, so for now, they are just relying on the information being gathered in the investigation of the authorities. The authorities are investigating the robbery and till now they don’t have any development upon the case. I know they are not the only one who experienced these scenarios. This event gave me an idea about building up a new technoprenuership idea about security gadgets on valuable properties and belongings. Security is defined as the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and criminal activity. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies (ISECOM) in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection where a separation is created between the assets and the threat". This includes but is not limited to the elimination of either the asset or the threat. Security as a national condition was defined in a United Nations study (1986)[citation needed], so that countries can develop and progress freely. Security has to be compared to related concepts: safety, continuity, reliability. The key difference between security and reliability is that security must take into account the actions of people attempting to cause destruction. Different scenarios also give rise to the context in which security is maintained: First with respect to classified matter, the condition that prevents unauthorized persons from having access to official information that is safeguarded in the interests of national security. And lastly measures taken by a military unit, an activity or installation to protect itself against all acts designed to, or which may, Security now a day are too loose in terms of tracking valuable properties whether in business or in personal belongings like what happened in the café. Security gadgets that could track those valuable properties and personal belongings are the most effective strategy to provide protection against danger, damage, loss, and criminal activity that anyone may encounter. This security gadget offers features that could track, provide necessary information, and early warnings based on situations, events and on security conditions. This gadget is very useful because it works as long as its sensors can detects heat whether is being used and turned on or not, through this heat the software can trace, track, and provide needed information of the belongings and properties being stolen or misplaced. This gadget can be embedded in products like cellular phones, PDA, laptops, desktop computers, mp4, mp5, television set, wrist watch, and any valuable devices that use embedded systems. If this security embedded device will be forced to remove then the personal gadgets or properties will no longer work because it function as part of the main system of the personal gadget or property. It is not only limited to that, those properties that don’t use embedded system can also utilize this gadget through implanting the micro chip sensor that will communicate to the software in working with those features. In terms of the damages of the property caused by intentional or by accidental damage it will give an alarm, or warning to the owner that the certain property/properties is being damaged. This gadget is a high end security device through this you can be sure that you’re properties is secured. Aside from the software and alarms its features could also work in your cellular phones, yahoo mail, facebook, and any communicating device. This will send /inform you through voice or alert calls, and messages about security issues regarding on your valuable properties. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security
Jovanne Nick Cacayan Posts: 35 Points: 36 Join date: 2009-06-20 Age: 21 Location: TAGUM CITY	Subject: Re: Exercise 2 (Due on before November 30, 2010, 1pm) Sun Dec 05, 2010 7:42 pm Try to walk around somewhere and discover technopreneur idea ...your experience(s) .. at least 2000 words It’s been weeks since I’ve been thinking for effective business ideas for Technopreneurship II. Like last semester in our subject Technopreneurship I, we were also task to conduct a serendipity walk it’s been a difficult task for us to initiate something that would be a good business idea that primary deals with technology. It took us months to think of something great. And now, we are given weeks to start up an innovative and a new technopreneurship idea. During those days I have been thinking and forcing myself to yield something that would be a great idea for business. I have been walking in every street and every building and got into many business centered areas. But still nothing really seemed new to me. It has been the same as before. While I was going to eat, this friend of mine always ask me to open a canned beef loaf because in his 20 years of existence in life he still doesn’t have an ability to open a canned beef loaf using a knife. Since we don’t have a can opener, I even thought of designing a canned good for the ease of life of every human. Haha!! But I know it will not make any sense at all. Until one day, as I went to a café where I used to surf in the internet I was surprised that almost all of their desktop computer units and gaming cards were all stolen and only their server and keyboard were left. They were all clueless on who were responsible for that robbery. It happened last November 2 this year during dawn, since it was holiday nobody noticed the robbery, some said that the suspects were riding in a “TAXICAB or TRICYCLE”. The stolen properties costs 200,000 or more. After what happened they cannot trace and track those stolen properties not unless they will see it personally, so for now, they are just relying on the information being gathered in the investigation of the authorities. The authorities are investigating the robbery and till now they don’t have any development upon the case. I know they are not the only one who experienced these scenarios. This event gave me an idea about building up a new technoprenuership idea about security gadgets on valuable properties and belongings. Security is defined as the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and criminal activity. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies (ISECOM) in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection where a separation is created between the assets and the threat". This includes but is not limited to the elimination of either the asset or the threat. Security as a national condition was defined in a United Nations study (1986)[citation needed], so that countries can develop and progress freely. Security has to be compared to related concepts: safety, continuity, reliability. The key difference between security and reliability is that security must take into account the actions of people attempting to cause destruction. Different scenarios also give rise to the context in which security is maintained: First with respect to classified matter, the condition that prevents unauthorized persons from having access to official information that is safeguarded in the interests of national security. And lastly measures taken by a military unit, an activity or installation to protect itself against all acts designed to, or which may, Security now a day are too loose in terms of tracking valuable properties whether in business or in personal belongings like what happened in the café. Security gadgets that could track those valuable properties and personal belongings are the most effective strategy to provide protection against danger, damage, loss, and criminal activity that anyone may encounter. This security gadget offers features that could track, provide necessary information, and early warnings based on situations, events and on security conditions. This gadget is very useful because it works as long as its sensors can detects heat whether is being used and turned on or not, through this heat the software can trace, track, and provide needed information of the belongings and properties being stolen or misplaced. This gadget can be embedded in products like cellular phones, PDA, laptops, desktop computers, mp4, mp5, television set, wrist watch, and any valuable devices that use embedded systems. If this security embedded device will be forced to remove then the personal gadgets or properties will no longer work because it function as part of the main system of the personal gadget or property. It is not only limited to that, those properties that don’t use embedded system can also utilize this gadget through implanting the micro chip sensor that will communicate to the software in working with those features. In terms of the damages of the property caused by intentional or by accidental damage it will give an alarm, or warning to the owner that the certain property/properties is being damaged. This gadget is a high end security device through this you can be sure that you’re properties is secured. Aside from the software and alarms its features could also work in your cellular phones, yahoo mail, facebook, and any communicating device. This will send /inform you through voice or alert calls, and messages about security issues regarding on your valuable properties. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security

Subject: Assignment 1 (Techno 2)

My learnings last semester regarding the subject Technopreneurship 1 (IT Elective 1) is that, technopreneurship is the means of conducting and managing a business with the use of technology as their driving factor. These technologies give effective way in providing good services to the customers and clients. Our facilitator sites some advantages of a technopreneur against an employee. A technopreneur while an employee is bound into limitations at work, the boss can go at its office anytime he wants while an employee must have to come on time, end etc. I also learned about connecting the dots wherein we should look forward on our decisions and come to think how these decisions would connect the dots in achieving our ambitions and goals in life. Trust the decisions that we made and be strong to face the hardships and obstacles. We also discussed about the SEED model which is very important to technopreneurs in starting up, developing, and management of a business. It is necessary for them to acquire these elements in order for them to build a strong foundation and provide competence as the business grow and mature. SEED model stands for Self mastery, Environment mastery, Enterprise mastery, and development of the business plan. Each of these areas supplies a good starting point and foundation in putting up a business plan. Self-Mastery is relevant to technopreneurs because it evaluates the capability of a certain person in field of business. Basically, it essential to technopreneurs to be self mastered person in order for them to point out their strength and weaknesses , and develop it so that when time comes that the business problems arises, they will be prepared enough to overcome these challenges. The strength and weaknesses that needs to be developed are evaluated through tests. First we have Personal traits test that assess whether ones have potentials in handling a business. Second we have Adversity Quotient test wherein ones is determined how strong to stand up after hardships, failures, and obstacles arises. Third we have Emotional Quotient test wherein it evaluates your emotional capacity, how you handle your emotions in some complicated situations. And lastly, we have Intelligence Quotient that evaluates you intellectual capacity. These areas should be assess and develop to technopreneurs to provide strong foundation. We also had a film viewing about the life of Steve Jobs entitled “Pirates of the Silicon Valley”, it illustrates the factors that contributed to the success and failure of Steve Jobs. It's nice to know the history of success and failure of the two giants in the Technopreneurship industry, Mr. Steve Jobs the owner of Apple computers and the wealthiest guy and the owner of the Microsoft Company, Mr. Bill Gates. Both of them came out from nothing but they are able to dominate in the fields of technopreneurship. Through their unique ideas and a work of arts they build a legacy that will be written in history of business and fame. They have the vision and passion that even other big companies like IBM don't have. It's like finding opportunities during the time of crisis. It’s our mindset that molds us on what we want to be in the future. Look! Mr. Bill Gates is just a drop-out student but he is able to generate a business and made it to the top of his competitors. Even though Gates and Jobs were financially insufficient during those days but they are able to utilize the resources that they have and create strategies to improve their craft. They face problems not as a hindrance to their success but as a challenge and a chance for new opportunity to be the best of all the best. We can also be like them not by following their footsteps but in our own ways. This subject Technopreneurship could be an opportunity for us to be a successful technopreneur. Like what our facilitator said that “think of a business and put it into action” by using our skills and intellect we could be like them. I know that putting up a business is not easy as 1, 2, 3… it’s a risky decision but the most important is that you know how to stand-up from difficulty and hardship. Who knows! May be one of us could be the next Bill Gates someday… think of this guys! Nothing is instant in this world except noodles… Even these two giants start from a nowhere and end up to a success. We also discussed about the commencement address of Steve Jobs, the lessons that he shared based on his life story. He pointed out some interesting lessons that made him strong in overcoming his challenges in his career and life. Finding what we love will lead us to success. If we love on what we are doing we will do our best to achieve it and become more inspired despite of the challenges that we may encounter. Loss generates new opportunity for a new wonderful chapter of our life. It seems so hard when we loss but always remember that winners never quit! If you want reach success, never quit on finding what you love and loving what you are doing. Everybody is afraid to death even how religious and devoted you are, you still don’t want to die to be in heaven. We all know that all of us will surely face death because it is part of receiving the gift of life from God. We only borrowed the life that we had from him, so let’s make the best in it. “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” this quote motivates Steve Job to do what he loves. Knowing that we will be dead soon is a driving factor that motivates us to follow our heart in everything that we do. If I will live each day as if it was my last, I would choose to do the things that I love and do my very best for it. Finding our life’s purpose on earth through the will of heart makes us happy in every aspect of our life. Cherish every moment of our life because when we die all of our failures and hardships fades away leaving only what is truly important. The achievement of following our heart’s will, will bring to success and strengthen us as time goes by. Stay hungry for more learning to come, for more experiences that will strengthen our foundation, for more challenge to accept and for more opportunity to come. Don’t be afraid to be criticized follow our will and follow our heart. mErRy ChRiStMaS!!!

1st Sem. 2010-2011 Assignment 5: Technopreneurship Business

Handling and managing a business is not simple task to do, it requires hard work, self-confidence and courage to overcome the challenges and obstacle that he/she may face as the business grows. This subject “TECHNOPRENUERSHIP 1” has a lot of learning that we will absorb and train us in order for us to grow as a good technoprenuer. Technopreneur is an entrepreneur who is technology savvy, creative, innovative, dynamic, dares to be different and take the unexplored path, and very passionate about their work. They take challenges and strive to lead their life with greater success. They don't fear to fail. They take failure as a learning experience, a stimulator to look things differently and stride for next challenge. Technoprenuers continuously go through an organic process of continual improvement and always try to redefine the dynamic digital economy.
Technopreneurship is not a product but a process of synthesis in engineering the future of a person, an organization, a nation and the world. In a digital, knowledge based society, strategic directions or decision-making processes will be demanding and complex. This requires tertiary level and professional development programs and training to produce strategic thinkers who will have the skills to succeed in a dynamically changing global environment. Traditional educational programs, however, lack the methodology to transform today's students into creative, innovative, visionary global leaders who understand the importance of technopreneurship.

UPDATE-ON-SALE

Most of us are fun of shopping some good stuff and items in malls and stores. Some are tired of shopping spree wherein lots of money is spent. While during sales, you don’t want to be on crowd at the malls graving to buy you favorite items. What if you’re favorite stuff is too expensive and you’re out of cash. Or may be the price is too expensive and you want to purchase it when the price will be right to your budget. Most of the times, I or majority of us experienced this scenario. We go to the malls and find some good stuff but the price is out of budget.

Given the chance to have my own techno business, I would have a business that would cover and cater the needs of those people who undergone those scenarios.
There's a good chance that one of those purchases is going to be subject of a price cut. A deal is great, but there's no time to comparison shop
after a purchase has been made, which is why my business idea is offering a solution.

Update-On-Sale is a business idea that will use technology as their driving tool to keep in touch with their clients and customers. It is a web base because internet is the primary need in conducting this business idea. The transactions are conducted on the internet and participating leading super markets.

BUILDING UP THE BUSINESS
-the business should have a web site wherein clients and customers can access the offers of the business. It is also needed to gather information of the clients and customers.
-the business will cooperate to the leading supermarkets in order to be updated with the latest information of sales and promos of items.



ADVANTAGES:
cheaper
keeps customers/ members updated on sales of their favorite items
hassle free
Saves Money and Time

Here's how update-on-sale works
THESE TRANSACTIONS ARE FREE DELIVERY

-If you want to buy an item but the price is too expensive, then you have decided to purchase it when the price drops. update-on-sale will cater your need, all you have to do is to sign-up and fill up the informations needed on the Update-on-Sale website and post the information of the stuff that you want to buy when it's price is on sale and we will update you regarding the price cut of the item that you love. the membership of the clients are for free.

- If you want to buy your favorite item but you don't have yet the cash for it and your afraid that sombody will purchase it, then Update-on-Sale will keep it for you. Update-on-Sale will keep it for you for 2 weeks until you have the cash to pay for it.

-allows shoppers to provide their contact information so that they can be notified if their items go on sale
after the post of their items. As an added benefit, since no one wants to drag themselves back into the crowds at the mall during the holiday season if they don't have to, the price is actually credited to Update-On-Sale account.

-Update-on-Sale members will also receive inside access to private sales, sneak peeks at new arrivals.

-the business can gain through cheap payments depending on what and how the business should be delivered.

- the Update-On-Sale will also post items that are on sale and new arrivals that are available to the participating leading company.

-Payments can be transacted on credit cards or in the leading supermarkets.
LIMITATIONS:
- the business is only available on participating leading supermarkets.


TARGET CLIENTS:

The nature of the business targets everyone who want to buy stuff and items to particuipating supermarkets.All of us experienced those scenarious especially during christmas and valentines or any seasons of the year and any special events.

1st Sem. 2010-2011 Assignment 4: Commencement Address of Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs again? What’s new? This was the first thing that enters my mind when our facilitator gave us this assignment. As I read the commencement address of Steve Jobs, it was a different story, a story of failure, success and full of life. I found him so much interesting. Why? Because I see and appreciate how Steve Jobs survive from his challenges, obstacles, and adversity in his career as a public figure and his personal life. I did realized that successful people also faces a big bang! in their career. I mean, people who are in the highest pick of their career may also fall. He was able to find an opportunity in time of his adversity and it generates new and unique ideas. The whole message was of his commencement address was great. It inspired me in my studies and finding what I really love to do. There were 3 stories that he mentioned. The first was about connecting the dots, second were about love and loss and the last was death.
“CONNECTING THE DOTS”
As I remember, our facilitator gave as an exercise wherein the main goal was to connect 9 dots in 4 strokes without lifting the pen. Few of us got the idea, but most of us didn’t figure it out. The main thought of that exercise is to think outside the box. If we based it on the dots we really cannot connect it if we focused inside but when we think outside the box we can connect it.
Steve Job’s life wasn’t very much fortunate like most of successful people have. Aside from being a dropped out student, his parents was also not a college graduate. Even though he had been given the chances to finish a degree in an expensive university, he decided to dropped out because he couldn’t see the value in it and he have no idea how college would help him on what he really wanted to do to his life.
Some people would think that Steve Jobs really messed up during these days. But it gave him opportunities to find and do what he loves. From that day that he decided to dropped his subjects, He have the chance to took those subjects that made him interesting and fascinating. Despite of those consequences for those decisions, it made him happy living in a simple life doing what he love, and it turned out later on to be priceless because of his achievements. He build Apple Company and became a big tower in the technopreneurship industry. Maybe if Steve Jobs was not a dropped out student there would be no modern computers with excellent interface and functionality (Mac).
It is impossible to connect the dots looking forward not unless we realized that those decisions that we made by now can be the key that will mold on who we are in the future. We should trust our decisions if we want to be somebody in the future.

“LOVE AND LOSS”
Finding what we love will lead us to success. If we love on what we are doing we will do our best to achieve it and become more inspired despite of the challenges that we may encounter. Loss generates new opportunity for a new wonderful chapter of our life. It seems so hard when we loss but always remember that winners never quit! If you want reach success, never quit on finding what you love and loving what you are doing. When Steve Job got fired from his own company, he didn’t give up on doing what he loves and on what makes him happy. But instead he decided to start over. “Getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me”. It was the best thing ever happened to him because of less responsibility from being a successful to beginner and the freedom.
If we haven’t found what we love, don’t settle and keep looking until you find it because it is where you can do great achievements. And that’s the only time wherein you can still say “yes” despite of all the failures and hardships that you encounter along the way. No matter how high you fall you are always willing to accept the challenge.
“DEATH”
Everybody is afraid to death even how religious and devoted you are, you still don’t want to die to be in heaven. We all know that all of us will surely face death because it is part of receiving the gift of life from God. We only borrowed the life that we had from him, so let’s make the best in it.
“If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” this quote motivates Steve Job to do what he loves. Knowing that we will be dead soon is a driving factor that motivates us to follow our heart in everything that we do. If I will live each day as if it was my last, I would choose to do the things that I love and do my very best for it. Finding our life’s purpose on earth through the will of heart makes us happy in every aspect of our life. Cherish every moment of our life because when we die all of our failures and hardships fades away leaving only what is truly important. The achievement of following our heart’s will, will bring to success and strengthen us as time goes by.
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. Give the best in the doing the things that you love. It’s better to do what you really love than doing nothing at all because of fear that you may have something to lose.
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Our heart is the core of our personality, it guides us in all aspect of your life. We know that we will die soon, follow what your heart says. Don’t live in the footprints of someone else’s life because you’ll never able to follow what really makes you happy. It’s hard to push yourself in doing the things that you don’t love because every day of your life you will notice that there is always a missing piece in the picture of who you are.
“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.”
Stay hungry for more learning to come, for more experiences that will strengthen our foundation, for more challenge to accept and for more opportunity to come. Don’t be afraid to be criticized follow our will and follow our heart.