M Davis Blog for UF

Interviewing three customers for alternatives helped me understand how different the needs are in the special needs community.   My first interview elaborated on the fact that she uses her physician recommendations to find services and activities for her child.   These may be further away from her home than she would like, but she would prefer to utilize services that have a good reputation and will give results.   As far as my solution, she said that even though it would save time to have a center with many options, what she looks for is the quality of the service.   So if the service is top notch she will travel to spend her money there. The second interview said that his family looked for activities closer to home.   It can be difficult to get their child anywhere on time, so the closer to home the better.   He said that it also mattered how much the activities where.   With all of the therapies, additional costs on top of that might put a str...

Tenaciousness is a Competency Behaviors I have used to keep up with the requirements of this course is being proactive by reviewing assignments for the upcoming week and getting a full understanding of the requirements.   Using time management skills by mapping out a schedule for the week giving me enough time to do interviews.   Another behavior used was watching the lectures prior to attempting any of the assignments.   Even though I had pre-planned and read the assignments, watching the lectures for additional details was key to completing tasks.   Tenaciousness is also about ATTITUDE I have a full time job, am a single mother to a special needs child all while taking three classes this summer online.   At the beginning of the class, once I realized how hands on and writing intensive it would be, I contemplated dropping the course for a later time.   Unfortunately, there was not a better time and as the phrase by Benjamin Franklin goes “Don’t pu...

Miracles Happen by Mary Kay Ash What surprised me the most about Mary Kay’s story, besides the adversity she overcame and her determination to be the best at everything she did, was the fact that she did not initially create the cosmetic line used to start her company.   After attending a party selling other products she noticed the complexion of all in attendance.   The hostess was providing skin care to her friends using her father’s creation.   After testing the products herself, Mary Kay decided this was the product she could package to start her own business while incorporating her years of sales experience.   Mary Kay had a vision of the type of organization she wanted to run and found the products she could turn into a success.   As an entrepreneur, what I admired about Mary Kay was her dedication to promote women and her determination for everyone in her organization to succeed.   Praise and recognition are key values that structure how the ...

Choosing a Segment:                I chose the market segment of families with siblings of special needs individuals who would participate in activities at the center.   Considering this was the initial market that assisted me in forming my idea, they would be the ultimate consumer.   I interviewed three mothers who were at therapies for their special needs child with other siblings waiting with them. Need awareness: While watching these mothers try to keep their children occupied, I asked them individually what they do during this time.   One of the mothers (Mom 1) said that she brings her sons homework or mobile device.   Another (Mom 2) said that her daughter plays games on her iphone and then changes for her soccer practice.   As soon as they leave the therapist they go sit at a field for an hour and a half.   The third mom (Mom 3) says it is a lot of coordination to get...

Who you are : As an older student I have had many years to culminate experience and skillsets to start a new business concept. I transferred to UF after achieving my AA in Business Administration at a local community college, with plans to continue with a Master’s degree. For the past 25 years I have worked in financial and management positions including sitting on the board of a local organization. If I were to start this business concept it would definitely have a fulfilling impact on my life and that of my daughter. Her special needs and our journey is what brought this problem to the forefront. I feel strongly about the issues surrounding families that support those with disabilities. I would love to include my daughter and give her something she could be a part of that is helping her and helping others. What are you offering to customers? I am offering a service to individuals and families with disabilities that will provide therapies, life skill classes and extra-curri...

Elevator Pitch 1 Please let me know what you think in the comments.

Who :      Having a very specific group of individuals targeted in my hypothesis, makes it difficult to find individuals who should have the unmet need, but for whatever reason do not. ·         I made it a stretch to interview someone who works for the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department.   As they offer activities to all individuals they do not necessarily focus on the portion of the community that has disabilities.   She said the city is committed to serving the autism community and has select adaptive programs, however it is only offered at one facility not at all.   They are constricted by budget and volume of children who sign up to participate in their programming.   ·         Two individuals I interviewed volunteer for a local buddy baseball organization.   They both said they volunteer because someone in their family has disabilities and they want t...

The opportunity that has been presented is the need for special needs families to have services and/or activities that involve the whole family.   As the Special Needs community grows, more and more families are affected in their daily lives.   With added doctor visits, therapies and exclusions from typical activities it can be an added stress to the caregivers and siblings.   This exposed an issue with quality activities that involve the entire family while also not adding to their already hectic schedule.   To solve the problem a service should be offered that can facilitate activities with a buddy/family member in order to encourage new experiences for both to enjoy.   Options to solve the problem: ·         A center to offer adaptive activities in a facility that is tailored to those with special needs.   Activities including music, art, adaptive sports, special craft classes, life-skills training and additiona...