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Think beyond the box, a cliché phrase we often heard in the business arena. A metaphor that means to think the unthinkable. To approach problems in new innovative ways; conceptualizing problems differently; and understanding your position in relation to any particular situation in a way you’d never thought of before.

One of the noticeable quality of an entrepreneur is having a highly creative mind. Entrepreneurs always questions how will they improve? What does the market needs and etc. They always think of unconventional solution towards a conventional problem. Creativity is an essential factor for a business to thrive without it there a high possibility of stagnation and failure.

Thinking beyond the box is about generating new ideas. Addressing a typical problem in a not so typical way.

Change is constant. Weather changes from time to time. There are times that the situation goes wayward. To keep with the ever changing environment businesses has to check their progress and current state to ensure that they are still in the right track.

Keeping up with the people who are involved in the business is necessary. The thoughts of the Customers and Partners must always be considered and make adjustments if necessary. They have insights that will help the business to prosperity. The validation of the customers will be a basis whether or not the business will be accepted in the market. Moreover, the partners validation tells what is the probability of the business to be done.

Business idea and Funds are ready. At this point of time, it is now to take a leap on putting the plans into action.

After thorough deliberation and the long process on defending the feasibility of the business. The next challenge is to officially start the business. The time where the ideas became reality. Just like the previous steps in starting a business, it is highly needed to think of the decision deeply that requires understanding of the situation and make it favorable for the business.

Materializing the plans have to be done in a correct manner and avoid bad decisions. Firstly, Set the priorities right. Decide on which things have to be done right away. Make a systematic step to ensure the necessary things are accomplished. Next, Review the progress done. This is to see if the business is on the right track considering the goals and objectives. And if not, find out what is the cause. Lastly, Make adjustments on your plans if necessary. Based on the evaluation of the business, make changes to be back on track.

Fund, it is the essential factor  to start the business. No business can be operated without funding. To acquire the needed funds businesses must attract investors to raise the money require for start up. Business pitching is the way to entice investors.

Business pitching may vary onto the type of pitching the investors  would require. It may be a short form pitch, elevator or long form pitch.

Before the business pitching activity, we were given instruction that each group has only 3 minutes to present their business through power-point presentation containing 10 slides 20 words 30 font size. Each slide is designated with a vital information of the business, words are selected thoroughly to keep it as concise as possible and details are explained by the pitchers. As the pitching commenced, the pitchers give a slight discussion about the problem through that the panels were given insights on why you came up with such solution which is the product, it is also a way of engaging and getting their attention. Next, the target market was discussed. The target market enable the panel to judge to what extent the product is feasible, it also helps in rolling out plans for the business. After that the revenue accumulation was presented which is often the investors tend to give care. This presents the ways on how the business earn money, the pricing of the product and the expected inflows and outflows of cash in the business. To support the feasibility of the business, a slide containing the traction is brought into view. The traction is crucial to give the business credibility, it is a short introduction of the product to the market and how the public reacts about it. The competitive edge of the business was also emphasized and made clear. Then, the main point of the pitching was laid out which is to ask for funding back up with financial projections. Directly after, the team was showcased the role of each one and their specialties that will help the business. Thereafter, the contact details were given. Lastly, there was a question and answer portion which fortunately the panels didn’t ask Through the stressful situation, it is important to have fun this will make your pitching more interesting. 

Who are investors? Why do business need them? What are their roles in the business? How do business attract investors? By definition investors are people or entity who allocates capital with the expectation of future financial return. They are the people who make high-risk decisions to fund a business presuming that it would have a high return. The business needed investors to raise capital, assist in making decisions, gives advises to accurately manage funds, and they help in earning maximum profit with least losses and damages. Due to this reasons businesses need to acquire more investors as possible. Business pitching is the most efficient way of attracting investors.

Business Pitching presents the business to potential investors. The pitchers primary aim is to stimulate the interest of investors towards their product. Business pitch include a presentation of slides that follows the 30/20/10 rule. 10 slides with 20 words that is in 30 font size such format is employed to ensure that the pitch contains only the important details. The business pitch is classified into three types the elevator pitch, short form pitch and long form pitch. Elevator pitch have a duration of 60 seconds, short form usually last for 3 - 10 minutes while long form pitch can last up to 30 minutes. 

Starting a business ain’t easy and a monumental task, to start a business the owners must have a clear vision on where their business will be, the paths and turns must be pre-evaluated to have a guide on when confronted with difficult situations. 

A business model canvas serve as a blueprint of the business. It is an outline on how the business will deliver, capture and create value. Business model canvas is subdivided into nine vital aspects: (1) Key Partners, (2) Key Activities,              (3) Value Proposition (4) Customer Relationship (5) Customer Segment (6) Key Resource (7) Distribution Channel (8) Cost Structure and (9) Revenue Stream. Each component plays an essential role in understanding your business model in a systematic in structured way through this you will have an in depth understanding on your customers, what is the appropriate marketing strategy that match your business channels and how will business accumulate revenue.

Launching the business, the hypercritical step on having a business that needs judicious judgement. Carefully scrutinizing every detail that may affect the conduct of the business in the long run and make vivid decisions to establish a strong foundation for the business.

Business proposal helps visualize the goals of business and the method on achieving the said goals. It requires the process identifying a problem, finding appropriate solution, knowing the target market and how will the business accumulate profit.

The business proposal is the way to convince investors and customers in the same light as you do. It will will win them over to make your idea a reality. This is the passport of the business to legality and materiality.

Customers, the heart of any business. Their approval is the lifeline of the business. How they react to a product can make or break a business.

Starting a business is not easy as 1,2,3 there are several things that needs to be overlooked before introducing something to the market. On top of the list is the customers, their validation is the fuel to the business. As depicted on the marshmallow activity, prioritizing your customers first will make the business stand through time. Building a good pasta structure that is enough to support the weight of the marshmallow. The marshmallow serve as the representation of the customers while the pasta structure is the product. If the structure is not strong enough to support mallow the tower will not stand no matter what. Just like the customers, their satisfaction and positive perception on the quality and value of the product is essential in the viability of the business. 

Entrepreneur, a word that often misused and misunderstood. Who really is an entrepreneur? What does it take to be one? Can I be an entrepreneur? Or maybe you can be an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurs have distinct characteristics that sets them apart from others like a single rose in the middle of the valley of sunflowers. Entrepreneurs rise among the crowd they are in. They can usually be observed with the following behavioral patterns:1. Pay it forward  2. Storytelling   3. Friend or Foe   4. Seek fairness  5. to fail   6. Diversify your networks    7. Perfection vs. Good enough 8. Collaboration 9. Believe that you can change the world 10. Be a role model to other entrepreneurs. These patterns lead  them to be successful in their endeavors. They are visionaries who is changing the world at a radical paced.

Entrepreneurs knew how to find a way even in the most tangled web. They strive to uplift not just their lives but to give convenience to many. They always seek to improve and be better than they were. This can be evident to the fluctuating increase of things that caters commodities and luxuries. Establish and high value companies like Apple, Grab, Coca-cola and etc. are owned and operated by entrepreneurs who knows to  identify a need and to properly address it.  Entrepreneurs also handle setbacks like a pro, they don’t see failure as a failure but another ladder towards their success. No matter how long they reach their goal they won’t stop and just go kvetching instead push their selves more than anybody think they can.