As outlined in my previous post, here is my growing plan. I will update as I go throughout the Catalyst course. Specifically, I would like my classmates feedback here: 1) What should I include in my Assessment? What books, entrepreneurs, or courses, do you recommend? I am excited to see what you recommend.
2016 schedule:
Term 1: July-September
Break and Term 1 assessment (what to modify for term 2?): October 1-15
Term 2: October 15-December 15
Break: December 15-30
Term 3: January-March
Break: April 1-15
Term 4: April 15-June 15
Finals: final report, post-assessment, graduation
Final Deliverables:
- Pre and post assessment
- Notes and 1 page summary/take away from each book I read (minimum 6)
- Completion of courses
- Expanded network of health and wellness professionals
- 12 meetings with entrepreneurs/health professionals
- Continue blog with book summaries and posts regarding meeting with entrepreneurs- what I learned from them, thoughts that I can use, advice, next steps: my blog is part of my accountability
- Final report/take aways/next steps
My Alt MBA Plan- fine details
May 2016
- Send invite for quarterly health and wellness networking group happy hour
- Research and create pre-assessment
- Research courses for first term from July- September
- Places to research: Lynda.com (free resource through OHSU), OHSU courses for employees,
PUGS, general Internet search
- Pick two books for term 1
June 2016
- Complete assessment and set up initial meetings
- Continue research and sign up for courses, buy books and supplies
- Investigate mentors and set up meetings to find a good fit
- Complete health and wellness happy hour: __________
July 2016
- Complete meeting with _____________
- Write post regarding meeting with entrepreneur/wellness professional
- Read book: ____________
- Complete one page book summary blog post
- If applicable, start course: _____________
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteGreat goal. I have owned my own business since 2008 and am happy to be a resource.
In terms of your 2016 - 2017 Schedule it might be helpful to create themes for each month or each sprint.
- Explore Business Models / Kinds of Businesses You're Interested In Pursuing
- Finance / Accounting / Accreditation / Credentializing, etc.
- Operations / Management
- Social Media / Marketing / PR / Leveraging Your Existing Networks / Business Development
and so on.
And I worry that the actionable items are reporting back rather than making moves that get your business idea to the next level. I would spend some time refining that. Take notes as you read and make those part of an action plan. Think: More action, fewer book reports.
Here are some Portland-specific resources:
State of Entrepreneurship in Portland: http://www.pdc.us/Libraries/Document_Library/The_State_of_Entrepreneurship_in_Portland_pdf.sflb.ashx
If you don't know about Startup Weekend, it is a lot of fun and happens regularly. Looks like the last one was April 8. People pay $100 to go, you pitch an idea for a new busienss, 12 or thirteen are chosen and you build a team out of the participants present (mix of idea people, project managers, marketing, developers, designers, etc) and you pitch a company at the end of the weekend. Great way to meet folks with different skills all interested in entrepreneurship: http://www.up.co/communities/usa/portland/
Resources:
http://www.pdc.us/our-work/entrepreneurship.aspx
SCORE - I used to volunteer for them in NYC. You can get a mentor and take (very inexpensive classes on a host of topics).
https://portlandor.score.org/
SBA https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/resourceguide_3140.pdf
Books (possibilities are endless)
This is a must read: http://www.amazon.com/Accounting-Numberphobic-Survival-Business-Owners/dp/0814434320
Good work. I will keep ruminating.
Also, Sorry that the links don't take you where they should. You can copy and paste to your browser.
DeleteWow Melea! This is awesome. So many ideas and none that I have heard of. I love the idea of the start up weekend and these other resources seem very helpful too. I would love to meet with you. I really enjoyed meeting you briefly at the bar and an extended, more focused conversation would be great. I like your point about acting versus book reports. For someone who likes to take classes and learn, this is a real potential problem. I hear your point and take it heart. I also like your idea of themes to the sprints as well. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me such valuable ideas.
DeleteMaggie - I wrote a long post earlier, but I'm looking here and it's not here. In short, I suggest:
ReplyDelete1. The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship. You can find it on Amazon.
2. The best learning in entrepreneurship is running a small business. The nexus between trying it and learning from books is where the learning is. Add starting a small business as one of your tasks? It'll make you more attractive to any people you want to talk to as well. People are more willing to people acting, as opposed to people contemplating.
I have a long list of possible resources as well. Coffee sometime?
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI loved your goal setting post. It's very clear and direct. You mentioned the potential distraction of summer and this jumped out to me. Don't forget to build in a nice dose of play and adventure into your plans. You never know who you'll meet or where life will take you without fluidity.