Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Identifying Local Opportunities


Description of the Story: This article describes the ways in which adverse weather and associated game delays have persistently impacted the experience of attendees at Raymond James Stadium.
Description of the Problem: A cost-effective roofing solution to cover Raymond James Stadium and provide protection from adverse weather conditions has not been found. This presents an opportunity for an entrepreneur to develop and propose a cost-effective roofing solution that would fulfill the unmet needs of Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
People Affected by the Problem: Players, staff, fans, and stakeholders of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Description of the Story: According to this article, active-assisted stretching techniques can be beneficial for elderly individuals, who are often affected by mobility limitations that preclude traditional stretching.
Description of the Problem: Stretching is proven to be effective in improving flexibility, blood flow, and overall well-being. Elderly individuals, however, are likely to experience difficulty or pain that restricts their ability to perform these movements. This presents an entrepreneurial opportunity for development of stretching aids that would allow elderly individuals to take advantage of the health benefits associated with stretching.
People Affected by the Problem: Elderly individuals who have difficulty performing traditional stretches.
Description of the Story: This article describes the challenges experienced by several Safeway stores in Florida, which are preparing to close permanently. It explains that the failure of Safeway to gain a significant foothold in Florida’s grocery market can be attributed to the overwhelming presence of Publix.
Description of the Problem: Publix’s domination of the Floridian grocery market has discouraged investment from other grocery store chains within the state. This presents an opportunity for an entrepreneur to identify the ways in which Publix may be leaving customer needs unfulfilled in ways that potential competitors such as Safeway failed to address.
People Affected by the Problem: Grocery shoppers in Florida, proprietors of competing grocery chains (Kroger, Safeway, etc.)

Description of the Story: This article, written shortly before the recent Democratic and Republican primary elections, suggests that certain cybersecurity deficiencies may leave these elections vulnerable to hacking.
Description of the Problem: Unmet cybersecurity needs have left Florida’s elections vulnerable to potential interference from hackers. This presents an entrepreneurial opportunity to develop a more effective cybersecurity software that would allow for increased cybersecurity during Florida’s elections.
People Affected by the Problem: Florida voters, election officials, candidates for political office in Florida, all parties with vested interests in the outcomes of elections in Florida.

Description of the Story: Researchers at the University of Florida are seeking alternative ways to prevent birds from interfering with their experimental crops after deciding that they will no longer kill the birds.
Description of the Problem: Birds have been feeding on experimental crops being grown by agricultural researchers at the University of Florida. The university had previously been killing the birds, but this procedure was eventually deemed inadequate at fulfilling their unmet needs (i.e. removal of birds interfering in their research). This presents an entrepreneurial opportunity to provide an innovative, non-lethal method of preventing avian interference in UF’s experimental crops.
People Affected by the Problem: Agricultural researchers at the University of Florida

1 comment:

  1. Hi Zachary,
    I enjoyed reading about the articles and opportunities you included in your post. I see you chose Tampa Bay Times, I'm assuming your from Tampa? I chose my hometown too. I think my favorite article you included was the opportunity about stretching. I believe stretching and fitness is so important to have in your life, especially for elderly individuals. I feel this is a group of people who often aren't given as many opportunities to get active like we have as young people (businesses tailoring to our needs and abilities rather than theirs).
    Thank you for sharing,
    Sydney

    ReplyDelete

Final Reflection

1)        One thing that stands out about my work in this course is the way my comfort with presenting new ideas to people grew each week....