Lab 1 Objectives

Lab 1: Unearthing Opportunities - What's the Problem?

Embark on your entrepreneurial journey with Lab 1, where you will unravel the art of identifying real-world problems and transforming them into opportunities. This lab sets the foundation for your path in entrepreneurship.

Durable Skills Covered:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Innovation
  • Self-Awareness
  • Economic Understanding
  • Problem-Solving
  • Creativity
  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Reflection

  • Objectives:

    Exploring Entrepreneurship:

    • Lab 1 Intro from Sylvester Chisom: Get an overview of the lab and the importance of identifying problems as the first step in entrepreneurship.
    • Engage with Inspirational Stories: Learn from a guest speaker or through an informative video to understand the essence of entrepreneurship. Hear real-life stories that illustrate the journey from concept to creation, such as Kevin Systrom, Cofounder of Instagram, discussing problem-solving.
    • Understand the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Grasp the key qualities of successful entrepreneurs and how they view the world differently.

    Problem Identification:

    • Discovering the Entrepreneur in You: Recognize the traits and skills that make an entrepreneur successful.
    • What are the 4 Major Economic Systems: Understand different economic systems and their impact on business opportunities.
    • Master the Art of Problem-Solving: Develop skills to identify everyday problems that need solutions, using techniques that entrepreneurs employ to spot opportunities.
    • Finding a Problem to Solve: Engage in activities that enhance your ability to think critically about the problems around you, guided by insights from Kevin Systrom.

    Building Your Personal Brand:

    • Create Your Unique Identity: Engage in a personal brand activity that helps you understand how to present yourself and your ideas in a compelling way.
    • Personal Brand Workshop: Craft a personal brand statement that reflects your entrepreneurial vision and values.

    Design Thinking:

    • Understand the five stages of the design thinking process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
    • Apply design thinking to identify and solve real-world problems.

    Idea Development:

    • From Problems to Solutions: Learn to transform identified problems into viable business ideas.
    • Idea Generation Techniques: Use creative thinking exercises to brainstorm and refine your business ideas.
    • Idea Development Activity: Participate in hands-on activities to develop your business ideas further.

    Teamwork:

    • Teamwork Insights from Steve Jobs: Understand the importance of teamwork in entrepreneurship through lessons from Steve Jobs.

    Outcome:

    By the end of Lab 1, you will have a solid understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset, skills in identifying problems worth solving through design thinking, and the beginnings of a personal brand and business idea. You will set the foundation to pitch your idea with confidence, setting the stage for your entrepreneurial journey.

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