9A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Leftyz Are Right

I have found five people to interview who should have this unmet need but do not. I have interviewed one boy around the age of 13, two mothers, a young adult around the age of 21, and an adult around the age 33.

Who: There are left-handed individuals who have this unmet need but have learned to deal with this unmet need which has left them comfortable with using right handed products that cause a small amount of uncomfort when using them. They fall out of this boundary. Some children like the left handed boy I interviewed were okay with using scissors that didn’t cut well. He didn’t even know there are left-handed scissors for him and he was so excited and wanted a pair. He was taught to use right handed products with his left hand because his parents and teachers taught him. Therefore, some children fall out of this boundary as well. Young adults (like those I interviewed) are curious to use products made for their dominate hand but may find it uncomfortable because they are so used to using right-handed products growing up. Most companies have this unmet need but cater to the majority that gives them more of a profit which makes most companies fall outside of the boundary. Majority of right-handed will obviously fall out of this boundary. (except for right-handed parents)

What: Is being left-handed the same as having a learning or physical disability? Not exactly. Being left-handed and using right handed products forces your body to go against what it is naturally capable of doing. Having a form of a disability normally does not have always have an alternative. Left-handed individuals, especially children can have resources brought to them and given to them with a simple company that has reasonable prices.

Why: Right-handed individuals would not benefit from this company. Adults who are comfortable and are not willing to change out of their comfort zone will not benefit from this company. Some children who have adapted to this change may find it stranger using products made for their dominate hand because they have developed ways to use the opposite.

Inside the boundary	Outside the boundary
Who is In: Left-handed children, Some left-handed adults, and parents of left-handed kids	Who is Not: right-handed individuals, some left-handed adults and children
What the Need Is: left-handed products catered to them with an affordable price	What the Need Is Not: This need does not mean it will cater to ALL left-handed individuals
Why the Need Exists: Not enough left-handed products are on the market. The products that are, have a big difference in price compared to the same product but slightly made different.	Alternative Explanations: find ways these left-handed individuals will benefit from this. See how right-handed people can become apart of this. The products will not be used by right-handed people but possibly may be bought by right-handed individuals to left-handed friends or family.

8A – Solving The Problem

#LeftieLivesMatter

The opportunity: Left-handed people do not have the same benefits as right handed students due to the lack of  companies creating products equally for left handed people in more locations.

The Solution:

I would like to create an online company that will produce or buy off other companies left-handed products to the public at a reasonable price and sell it. While most of this company will be selling online, I would like to have a store in Gainesville, Fl where I can sell these products too. This company will be willing to sell to the public, Amazon, Walmart, or anywhere else. This company will specifically begin with selling products to the U.S., Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, and the U.K.

I will mainly focus these products intended for kids with few products for adults. The company will be selling basic products such as scissors, notebooks, tape measures, computers mouses, can openers, baseball/softball gloves, guitars, and even pens for lefties. I'd like to allow advertisements to be put on my website and even in my store where I can make a small profit over advertisements. I'd like to have events for left-handed kids to have activities such as face painting and coloring and possibly partner up with painting with a twist for adult game nights which would also be profitable. I'd even find any researchers that would like to study left-handed individuals to find the reason why we're left-handed and charge them for having their research. Right-handed individuals are welcomed too!
I'd love to make my company feel like a community and keep people happy!

(I chose specific countries because that where majority lefties are)

7A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Left-handed people do not have the same benefits as right handed students due to the lack of  companies creating products equally for left handed people in more locations. The reason for this is only 10-13% of the population is left handed, so companies don’t make a big profit on making left-handed products.

The who: Left- handed people

The what: Companies rarely make products equally for left handed people

The why: There are not many left handed people in the world and companies don’t make products for the minority.

Testing the who: The left-handed population has this unmet need

Testing the what: Is there not much profit making more left-handed friendly items? Is it possible to create more left-handed items? Does it cost more to produce left-handed friendly items? exactly how many people will benefit from a solution to this opportunity? Such a small population has this need that either companies don’t pay much mind to this or they are just focused on the majority.

Testing the why: Left-handed people may just get accustomed to using right-handed products and get use to it. Maybe left-handed people know there are not many of left-handed people so they keep the bothers to themselves. Companies don’t pay any mind to the small percentage of those with the unmet needs.

Interview summary: I interviewed three left-handed people, one right-handed mother with a left-handed child, and a right-handed person. The reason for interviewing a right-handed person is because I wanted to see if this need was noticed from the opposite. Interviewing her made me realize that not many people pay attention to small details, especially if it is not a concern for them. Interviewing the mother give me a great insight on children that are left-handed. She expressed how difficult it was for her to teach her child how to tie his shoe. The mother also expressed how frustrating it is to see her child struggling with writing and using tools for activities. She explained that she has tried to accommodate to her son and buying him left-handed friendly products but they just seem to expensive. For example, her son is beginning to play baseball and when she went with him to go buy a glove, there was about three left handed gloves that did not fit him. She had to order his glove online which was expensive for her. I realized that this opportunity can affect people who don’t have this opportunity. Speaking to the left-handed customer seemed to make me thinking about if it was really worth finding a solution for this. These customers were between the ages of 20 and 30 years old. As a child they had the most difficulties being left-handed but as they got older they seemed to just deal with the problem and don’t even notice it is a problem. One interviewer told me “I don’t know if i’d even bother buying left-handed products because i’m so used to using right-handed things.” As of now, I think left-handed children have the most unmet need which I didn’t think about. Creating a left-handed friendly company would probably receive the most from parents who have left-handed children. This changes my “who” too. Not only is it left-handed people with the opportunity, it is also the parents of left-handed children who have this problem too. I don’t think a solution to this opportunity will make a huge difference to all left-handed people. I believe it will help most for children that are affected by this problem.

6A Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

6A  Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

Economic Trend

https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666

“Baby boomers aren’t retiring”

Opportunity: The great recession have left the baby boomers paranoid. This has caused baby boomers to continue working rather than retiring. Since baby boomers aren’t retiring, millennials will have to find another career track. This causes a disruption in career planning for millennials. Now, millennials are seeking other ways to work like creating their own jobs, seeking higher level degrees, or temporary jobs. Companies are less likely to hire full time employees which millennials are complying with by creating their own work force and willing to work part time jobs. The opportunity is with many millennials not willing to work full time, companies hiring less full time employees, and baby boomers not willing to retire is going to affect employment with younger individuals in the future. What should be done is help baby boomers retire by offering affordable living, and retirement benefits and offering better opportunities for millennials who do want to work full time. This opportunity difficult to exploit because it is targeting baby boomers and millennials (a huge portion of people). It seems millennials now need to be more creative when trying to find a job.

Prototypical Customer:  Millennials who do want to work full time jobs, U.S. employment rate because the employment may sink in the future, and Baby boomers who do want to retire.

What I see: As a millennial, I do intend on having a career that is full time which worries me if this is going to be harder to achieve. Baby boomers are not allowing millennials to fill in these positions either which is a concern I have.

Economic Trend

https://www.thebalance.com/top-usa-future-economic-trends-3305666

“Interest rates are rising”  

Opportunity: The federal reserve is going to raising fed funds to its 2% goal. The federal reserve will continue to raise interest as long as we are not falling into a recession. The opportunity is Americans will having higher interest rates in just about everything. This is a problem because Americans and the government don’t have much power on the federal reserve so not much can be done about this.

Prototypical Customer: Americans who have to pay more for things

What I see: This is an annoying because this means I will be paying more for future loans, paying more for a car, and paying more for a mortgage because of the increase in interest rates.

Regulatory changes

https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2017/html/1607

Religious expression in public schools

Opportunity: Students in Florida are now allowed to express their religion in public schools. They may also pray in school during anytime. I’m all for this and think it’s great students can express their religions. The change explains that students can not be discriminated. The opportunity I see here is that while it is okay to express your religious beliefs in school, students may be bullied and discriminated by other students. That can create problems for the school and end up creating bigger problem for the state.

Prototypical Customer: The school board, the school, the student who expresses their religious beliefs

What I see: I think this is a very nice thing to have done but it’s 2017 and America is having a lot of problems with religion, gender, and race. I think students will get bullied for expressing their religious beliefs. So maybe this wasn’t the best idea.

Regulatory changes

https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2017/html/1529

Taxation

opportunity : There is now a 3 day “back to school” holiday in Florida that requires clothes and footwear to cost $60 or less. Computers will also have a sale price of $750 or less. The opportunity I see here is Companies will now earn less for products during these 3 days. These companies will be earning less of profit. If I was an owner of a clothing line and had to reduce prices of clothes, I’d be a little upset and my pockets wouldn’t be too happy.

Prototypical Customer:  Companies that sell clothes, footwear, or laptops.

What I see: If my job had to lower the price of food for three days, that would hurt our store sales, and could possibly hurt all the associates bonus checks (we receive bonuses according to sales) I understand back to school can cost a lot of money but from a business standpoint, companies are losing money.

4A southpaw needs some lovin' too

Southpaws Need Some Lovin’ Too

I believe there is an unmet need regarding left handed people not having the same advantages as right handed people. 10-13% of the population is left handed. Most left handed people don’t use things properly because they are not made for us. Many people don’t realize the struggle of being left handed unless you are left handed. Southpaws struggle with writing in a three ring binder, using scissors, going to a bank to deposit or withdrawal money because the pen is on a chain on the right side, trouser zippers, learning to tie shoelaces (as a child because the right handed parents are showing you their way rather than a comfortable way), dining in a restaurant (when all your friends are right handed). This opportunity has always existed in many countries but was not socially acceptable back then as it is now. China has a 2% population of left handed people because the writing style is not suited for the left hand so you are trained to use the right. Left handed people don’t always run into any problems until you want to take notes down in class, cut paper, or do any other small tasks. Left handed people either become accustom to these differences and just deal with them or spend that extra money to be more comfortable. Therefore, I believe companies need to provide more left handed products at a reasonable price or more companies that cater to left handed customers.

#1 Young college student female who is left handed

• Do you find it a problem being left handed doing any tasks? If so, what tasks and why?
• “Yes I find it a problem trying to complete tasks being left handed because companies don’t make their products compatible for left handed people. For example, it’s difficult for me using can openers and I end up hurting my hand when trying to use my right handed. Also, scissors are always made for right handed people and won’t cut well when I use my left hand. It’s hard to find left handed scissors.”
• How are you dealing with being left handed?
• Being left handed is stressful when it shouldn’t be. At work, learning how to cook properly is difficult because mostly everyone at my job is right handed so I have to go out of my way to mirror their actions in my head and translate my motions. When I write, my hand always drags through the ink and smears. I hate that so much.”
• Are you satisfied with being left handed and using products for right handed people?
• “No. It is not fair that left handed people have to accommodate to using right handed products. There is enough left handed people in the world to make equal products.”
• Did you have any struggles being left handed as a child?
• “As a child, my parents taught me how to write. When my mom saw I kept using my left hand, she would take the pencil and put it on my right hand instead. Looking back on that situation really hurt my feelings. I felt like I wasn’t good enough. I felt like being left handed was alway a disadvantage.”
• Did you know there are very few companies that cater to left handers but at a higher price?
• “I know there are a few that produce left handed products, but I was not aware that those products cost more. I don’t know how they can morally do that. I feel discriminated for something I can’t change.”
• Would you consider buying products designated for you need if they were priced equally and sold everywhere?
• “Of course I would buy left handed products if they were available everywhere and sold for the same price as right handed products. Having those products would lessen my daily stress.

Reflection: She definitely still experiences daily issues. I’m a little surprised that she has the struggles at work. I expected companies being able to accommodate left handed people especially cooking jobs. She would benefit so much for having products made available to her left handed needs.

#2 Latino male that is left handed, mid to late thirties

• Do you find it a problem being left handed doing any tasks? If so, what tasks and why?
• “Yeah, I definitely noticed sometimes certain tools like scissors are more marketed for right handed people. Sadly some of those tools require precision that i have in my left hand so it’s always an adjustment I have to make.”
• How are you dealing with being left handed?
• “I run into problems from time to time at school when I have to change my seat away from right handed students so our arms don’t bump against each other . But it’s just a delay for certain tasks sometimes.”

• Are you satisfied with being left handed and using products for right handed people?
• “I don’t get too stressed about being left handed and using tools, i just find ways to adjust to them”
• Did you have any struggles being left handed as a child?
• “I hated being left handed as a child because it would always be a constant conversation conversation with teachers and fellow peers and I would get teased about it. I got self conscious and tried to not write as much as possible which cost me poor handwriting legibility for my older years”
• Did you know there are very few companies that cater to left handers but at a higher price?
• “Yes, i have seen some products that are for left handed people costing more but that’s not something I can control. I never understood why it would cost more.”
• Would you consider buying products designated for you need if they were priced equally and sold everywhere?
• “Yes because it’s just a matter of logic if I feel products more in line with what applies to me I would be more interested in purchasing those products.”

Reflection: I’ve learned that left handed adults have become so accustom to using right handed products that he hardly notices it at this point. I’ve noticed as a left handed child, that’s when the unmet need is at its highest. Young children are at the peak of brain development with movements and learning things. During his childhood, the generation still had social negativity against being left handed. I’ve learned that maybe products should definitely be made for the younger age groups so as they grow older there will be more comfort in their lives.

#3 Latina female that is right handed, mid twenties

• Do you notice when someone is left handed when watching someone do any tasks?
• “Yes, normally when someone is writing in front of me.”
• Did you know most of those tasks they are doing such as, writing in simple three ring binder, or cutting paper with scissors, are actually designated for right handed people?
• “No, I actually didn’t stop to think about how those objects could affect someone who’s left handed.”
• If all products were made for left handed people, do you think you’d be comfortable and satisfied with using them? (ex: left handed scissors, the zipper on your pants had to be zipped with your left handed, a number pad on a computer being put on the left side) Why?
• “If I grew up my entire life having to adjust to left handed products, I believe I would eventually adjust but still find it monotonous. I can imagine it not being very comfortable to use things that aren’t intended for you to use.”  
• Since 10-13% of the population is left handed, do you think left handers should have more products made for them?
• “It sounds like such a small percentage, but when I stop to think about how many people I know that are left handed or how many times I notice strangers using their left hand, I can see the need for products to be catered to that 10-13%.”
• Would you consider buying products designated for left handed friends or a left handed future child of yours if they were priced equally and sold everywhere?
• “Yes, I would gladly purchase goods designed for left handed persons.”

Reflection: I was surprised to see this right handed individual understands what left handed people struggle with. I did not expect her to purchase these products whatsoever. It’s good to see from a different perspective how it right handed people may feel and it’s almost like a left handed person in terms of thoughts and what they would do if products were made for their opposite hand.

Summary: My original opportunity has changed. I see that these problems bother certain people but they are very small problems that are easily forgotten after their tasks are done. Also, these products may be more beneficial for children. I still believe there should be more companies selling left handed goods at an equal price. This opportunity would need much more thinking in terms of “how many people would order these products online? Would I be more successful selling them in store? How many left handed people are in Florida? Would this cost me more as a producer?” Customer feedback is so important. Customers are what keep the business going. Adapting firms consider customer feedback and accommodate to the customers needs. Staying firms stick with what the firm believes and don’t change. Creating a business that caters so left handed people would be an adapting firm because listening to what left handed people want and need is what is going to be essential for keeping the business successful and keeping customers happy.

5A Local opportunities

Local opportunities

Title: Gas prices surge in South Florida and nationwide while refineries recover from Harvey - Several Gulf Coast refineries are still dealing with fallout from Harvey's torrential rainfall - and Florida drivers are feeling it at the pump.

Link to the aritcle: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166ADEAD40D21158?p=WORLDNEWS

Description: Since hurricane Harvey, The gas prices have gone up significantly in Florida.  The gas prices rose 20 cents in a matter of one week. The reason for that is because ten refineries in the Gulf coast have shut down as well as the major pipelines due to hurricane Harvey’s impact. This also affects fuel delivery to Southeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions so they are selling “winter blend” gasoline to all these regions to make up for the shortage. The article went on to say that the prices will go back down to before once all these refineries get back up and running.

The problem: Shortage of gas affecting many states with a dramatic rise in price for gasoline.

Who has the problem: people from Southeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions needing gas, Gas companies (shutting down refineries and a loss in profit), owners of gas stations (have shortage of price and possible loss in profits).

Title: Miami Beach - South Beach to experiment with Ocean Drive, making one traffic lane a sidewalk

Link to article: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166B32D3464E0768?p=WORLDNEWS

Ocean Drive in Miami Beach is the party spot and where many tourist go to visit. There is never enough room to walk down that strip which has been a concern to the city of Miami Beach. The Mayor will be conducting an experiment by turning a street on Ocean Drive into more walk way for people. That now makes a one way street for drivers. Adding more room for a walk way will be more safe for the people enjoying their night. This experiment will reduce street parking which will probably cause a problem for people trying to park and go to the beach or a bar. The mayor has put in noise limitations for clubs and shops. November's ballot will include voting to have all bars and clubs in Miami Beach to stop serving alcohol at 2 a.m rather than 5 a.m.

The problem: They are removing lanes to have more room for people to walk but that will frustrate many people. Cutting the alcohol limit will have a negative impact on Miami Beach’s clubs and bars because tourists go there for those reasons.

Who has the problem: Drivers, Residents of Miami Beach, Club and bar owners (will cause a loss in profit and less people to go to clubs and bars if they stop serving alcohol at an earlier time because Miami is a nightlife) , party goers, restaurant servers, busser, and owners.

Title: Hard Rock to move corporate headquarters out of Orlando

Link to article: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166BF194405AB6A8?p=WORLDNEWS

This article is about the Hard Rock moving its corporate headquarters out of Orlando. The company released that it will be moving to Hollywood, FL but did not release whether the 200 hundred employees are going to lose, keep, or move their jobs. This is surprising to many because Orlando has a high-growth market. The Hard Rock corporation wants to move this headquarter to combine it with their other two companies. The seminole tribe is located in Hollywood, FL so that may be way they want to move the headquarters there. The Hard Rock is constantly growing and have plans to expand to many other places. This is a concern for all the employees working in the headquarters in Orlando.

The Problem: Employee are concerned that they may lose their jobs when the Hard Rock headquarter moves from Orlando to Hollywood because there has been no notice of what the plan is going to be.

Who has the problem: 200 employees working for the Hard Rock

Title: Oregon issues new plant limits for medical pot

Link to article: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166BFEFE59E70310?p=WORLDNEWS

This article is about new regulations being limited on the amount of pot marijuana cardholders can grow. The article shows exactly how much these cardholders can grow according to whether they are growing it in residential neighborhoods or outside of residential areas. The limitation is based on “how many patients have been served since 2015.”

The problem: Marijuana cardholders now have to limit how much pot can be grown which can affect future cardholders in terms of how much pot can be purchased and how much dispensaries can sell.

Who has the problem: Marijuana cardholders, dispensaries, and future cardholders.

Title: Veterinarian told you to stop bringing your pet in? It's probably your fault

Link to article: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/166C12F4B3AEA2F8?p=WORLDNEWS

This article is about Veterinarians mailing letter to dog owners saying they will no longer be taking care of their pets. The reasons veterinarians send these letters out is due to either, behavior problems and the pet owner being in denial about it, financial issues because  pet owners don’t pay the bills, unfair demands from the pet owner, shady behavior, and verbal abuse from the pet owner. This article seems a little blown out of proportion on the reasons why a veterinarian will stop giving care to pets.

The problem: Veterinarians are fed up with pet owners with bad attitudes and financial issues.

Who has the problem: The veterinarian, the veterinarian’s staff, pets, owners for the pets, and animal medication companies.