Week 14 Reading Reflection

Image by: Trananh1980

1)      What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

One of the most surprising things I read was one of the founders of 3M, Francis Oakie, had an idea to replace razor blades with sand paper. I didn’t know that sand paper was once an idea for shaving. For all of the elements we use sand paper for, I didn’t expect this. I wondered if Oakie tested this theory on himself, because that would hurt. However, I believe that you can find a use for anything. One of my readers on my blog mentioned a use I didn’t realize for my product. I had a whole new market I didn’t consider.

2)      Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I was a little confused on the concept of Technical Know-How Licensing. I wish the author explained this in further detail, and gave an example to see what this would look like. This seems similar to a patent.

3)      If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

1) Is it the Japanese culture or government that is taking a part of discouraging employees from diverging from their defined roles in a business? I’m asking this because the Japanese are very smart and innovative people. Don’t they realize that discouraging employees from thinking outside the box is hindering success? It seems like they need to change their management strategies to encourage innovation in order to help the growth of the country as a whole.

2) With regards to James Andrew hot dog stand social enterprise, would it have made a difference if he focused on homeless rather than ex-convicts for his venture? Or would it have been misleading as well, because of a charity concept? Why couldn’t he help society while making a profit? Why does this need to be defined? Andrews could donate some of his profits back into what his business is supporting. He is also helping the economy by creating more productive workers. His business is also helping convicts, and homeless have better lives by supporting them with work and money to become mentally and physically stable. Wouldn’t this fall under “social responsibility”? I just wouldn’t have advertised that convicts worked there. I would have focused more on the homeless.

4)      Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I disagree with the author about the two “extremities” of social entrepreneurship. I don’t think that the concept of a social venture, and capitalist profit are at two opposite ends. Should they be? Why can’t a business help society and make a profit doing so? I think that James Andrew created a clever venture. He wanted to get people off the streets and become a productive individual of society. After all, they were just people needing a second chance at life.