A group of authors examine the concept of building entrepreneurial communities as a strategy for community and economic development. The authors define an entrepreneurial community as one in which everyone (residents, business people and politicians and esp. government officials) think and act entrepreneurially.
Is it possible for an entire community to act in entrepreneurial fashion? The authors point to the following kinds of behaviors or activities that distinguish a community as entrepreneurial.
- First, entrepreneurial communities possess a critical mass of entrepreneurs actively engaged in capturing new market opportunities (the key point: capturing new market opportunities).
- Second, a group of entrepreneurs constitute a distinct and recognizable community within the community and third the community is open to change and invests in conditions necessary to encourage entrepreneurs.
Community can act entrepreneurially but it requires leadership from the stakeholders to create a vision and the capacity to build partnerships between the private and public sectors. Here is something to consider.
Building entrepreneurial communities is particularly relevant to Universities and their host communities in three key ways.
- First, Universities can facilitate entrepreneurial activity via its academic programs where students and residents can hatch new ideas and help build plans for new enterprises.
- Second, Universities are in unique position to lead a community as an “advocate for change" that can help transform the university and its host community.
- Third, as a transformational agent the University can help can create new partnerships that can build competitive advantages and create new places of value.
Tell me what you think? Can UNC facilitate an entrepreneurial community? If not why? If so, how.
Building Entrepreneurial Communities: The Appropriate Role of Enterprise Development Activities written by Lichtenstein, G.A., Lyons, T.S., and Kutzhanova, N. in the Jan 1 2004 issue of the Journal of the Community Development Society.
34 comments:
so how will be the first to blog?
I think it is hard for an entire community to be entrepreneurial. Every person in a community is different and some do not posses the need to be entrepreneurial. I think that a UNC can facilitate an entrepreneurial community. Students are encouraged to expand their ideas and go for it. The University is a place for students to succeed.
I'm not too sure that UNC currently is fostering an "entrepreneurial" community already. UNC is also not alone when I say this. Universities in general do not honestly foster an environment geared towards innovation- they just don't. In general, they are more rooted in their ways of custom and rules than thinking outside the box. Each classroom, with little variation, is conducted in a comparable manner to the next. Tests are given, papers are written, students raise their hands and answer questions. Nothing has really changed. I think that's why I have like THIS class so much because it dares to climb outside the realm of "normal" and challenge us to think like real entrepreneurs. In a sense of community, I see our own classroom as a community personally. Each one of us has been encouraged to think like we never have been before, and our ideas are contageous when we get going during class. (I know you have seen this happen!)
To Emily- I think in some sense you're right, but what about a "community" being something as small as our classroom? I don't think there is much room on our university to be innovative, simply because we do not know HOW to see that we can be. This is a psychological phenominon- that we cannot see what we do not know exists. We don't know it exists because we have not in general been pushed to think in ways that are unconventional.
I think in a university setting the majority of students aren't interested or challenged to think entrepreneurially. Most students study their desired major and don't think outside the box like we have been challenged to in this class. As for an entrepreneurial community, I suppose it's possible for a small community but it's hard to imagine everyone being on the same page and putting forth an effort to be entrepreneurial. In theory an entrepreneurial community would be ideal for growth, however I don't think an entire community would be involved, maybe just some of the key figures withen that community.
please re-read the question. widen your thinking beyopnd unc class rooms. and many many universities are expert at technoogy transfer - such as csu where engineering and other sciences create new research from whihc new innovations/patents and businesses are launched....re think the blog question..and take your time. i am hopping we can get some indepth analysis...
A community of entrepreneurs... What I understood by this is that within the community there would be a group of entrepreneurs who would be supported by the city.
A place where people who like to come up with innovations can go to, in order to sharpen their minds with others. This idea to me sounds FANTASTIC. If there is talent, then there should be a place where people who have talent can come together to better the living conditions, and many aspects of UNC and the community.
As far as UNC goes, our class can be doing a lot for UNC. In reading through our book, I came across the idea of having a box (that I'm naming the "ThinkBox") where people can submit their ideas. My thought was that all of the analysis that are done in class and are feasible (if the student does not want to pursue the idea)can be submitted into the ThinkBox located in the library or one of the buildings in UNC. If the idea is liked and used, the school can then give recognition to the student and if need be, allocate some of the funds generated by the idea to support other ideas from the ThinkBox that are in need funding.
This would bring positive attention to UNC and its students and would also encourage others to come up with ideas to innovate or solve current problems within UNC and the community.
If one defines the term “community” as a group of people having common interests, and an “entrepreneurial community” as one where entrepreneurs help each other and work together, then UNC can facilitate an entrepreneurial community.
Through its ties to alumni, community leaders, and its staff of knowledgeable professors, UNC is in the unique position of taking a leadership role in creating an entrepreneurial community. However, creating an entrepreneurial culture takes time and sustainable programs must be community driven. Therefore, UNC’s first step to building an entrepreneurial community would be to raise awareness about the possibilities entrepreneurship provides for:
developing strong local businesses(small businesses make up the majority of employers),
enhancing quality of life, and
creating local opportunity.
Next, UNC should host social networking meetings that allow individuals to meet others with similar interests and generally brainstorm ideas. As ideas materialize and the community recognizes the possibilities, UNC can provide business coaching, training, and technology assistance. Additionally, entrepreneurial communities build on the talents and resources of those involved, and, as UNC has a diverse population, it should encourage participation as these individuals can provide new ideas, creativity, and innovation.
Like CSU who has partnered with the City of Fort Collins and others to create a Net Zero Energy District to develop new sources of clean energy, UNC must first find a cause. This cause must be one that students, professors, and the public are passionate about and willing to pursue be it a solution to a current problem, or a new product idea.
If on the other hand, one takes a literal interpretation of the term community to encompass every resident, business person, and politician as the main post implies, creating an entrepreneurial community is practically impossible. No matter how persuasive one might be, there will always be those members who put themselves first rather than looking at what a project or opportunity can provide for the entire community.
I think that having an entire community be entrepreneurial is difficult. One of the characteristics of an entrepreneurial community is acceptance to change. Not everyone accepts change so easily and therefore, those people may be the first ones to protest the change. This makes it especially hard to implement something when support is not 100%. I also think that different personalities play a big part. Disagreements on ideas is normal but some resent having their ideas rejected. While some may stop contributing to the entrepreneurial community altogether, others may go forward with their ideas regardless of the overall arguments made against them. Although the results of the idea may turn out well for the person because they really did do their research, some people take the long, hard way to learn things because their personality forces them to refuse constructive criticism and instead regard them as insults.
Universities can make a big difference in entrepreneurial communities because of the abundance of fresh minds being exposed to the latest information. Different universities can make different impacts depending on their standing academic success. For instance, UNC can make an impact on business-related issues and CSU can make an impact on computer science-related issues. I think that entrepreneurial communities can definately benefit from the different universities and can be that much more successful when different knowledges work together.
I agree with Deb in how UNC should contribute its part in the community. It would help build people's minds, develop workable ideas, strengthen confidence, and give an overall positive image in the community.
Entrepreneurial communities what is it? What this means to me is that anyone can think and act entrepreneurially. When a community comes together and thinks of new way to improve their community in a way no one else has is entrepreneurial communities.
Can UNC do this? I believe that UNC cannot be able to facilitate this. This is because the university is so big that everyone together to agree on something that everyone will change and better UNC. I do not even think many classrooms would be able to do it because what one person thinks will better the community someone else may think that it is the worst idea ever. Yet getting all of UNC to agree on one idea would be such a wonderful idea I just do not believe it will happen.
I think the first thing that needs to be changed in order to get the university to become more entrepreneurial, is to offer better classes. Let me explain, not a single class I have taken at UNC has made me think in the way I have in Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship. Most classes have been the same old routine, half-way read the assigned material, skim the power points, show up to class and occupy a chair. Then the professor rattles off the same material they have taught for 10 years and watches as the students take the multiple choice exam. There is little room for a student to challenge what the professor is saying, and little room for critical thinking. We get so comfortable in our current routine that we could care less about what the professor says because most of it won’t be on the exam. Not having a single test in our class forces everyone to read the material and think about something to say BEFORE class.
So the questions still remains, how to encourage entrepreneurial thinking? If the university took students from different majors and found a way to get them into small groups for a project. Bring as much diversity to the group as you can, like age, gender, nationality, and major. The more you make people feel out of their comfort zone, the more you can challenge their current way of thinking. The first few days of class I was a little nervous speaking my mind in class. I felt like I had a huge spotlight on me and I was being interrogated, but I broke that barrier down and felt the same thing happen to others in the class. It was something I felt like I could actually see, and it was a great feeling. I like to hear other people’s views and beliefs because it challenges me to think more about how I see things.
I like the fact that there is now a business minor and that I see more and more non-business major students in my classes. I feel that we get so locked into our own little bubble (major) that we close off the entrepreneurial part of our brain. My roommate is a journalism major and his classes incorporate a lot of business strategies and concepts. Why aren’t those majors taking an idea or concept and doing a feasibility analysis? I know he has had some projects that make him look at the market and other forces, but none that challenge him to think entrepreneurially. There are not enough assignments that challenge students to think outside the box. I would like to see more professors working together to make this happen, and watch as the students surprise you.
let's think about how we can get the thinkBox off the ground and running. give us some logistics of how the ThinkBox can be implemented...we should try it. also, this notion of persoanlity driving acceptance of criticism deserves more comment. very interesting. our lone sociology major may find this a great place to pipe in...
To Es- I really like your idea of the "Think-box" You are thinking outside of the norm with this idea, and I think that it would be widely used. Instead of this "Think-box" being a physical box at the library of UC, as you had stated, maybe an online blog like this one. Somewhere on the UNC web, to start, where anyone from the community can go on and trade ideas.
Talking and trading ideas amongst each other is one of the best ways to generate new ideas and to expand on these ideas. When you can get ideas and thinking continuously on this blog, it could become increasingly important for the community. People may begin to believe in this and want to start sharing more with the people who may use the blog. I think that this is a way to start to foster an environment for an entrepreneurial environment.
As stated by Deb above, in order to have an entrepreneurial “community” you must have a community in which entrepreneurs help each other work together. This is why I think that an entrepreneurial community is possible. With the idea that Es had and the expansion, that is very possible, you can start this idea on the internet and expand it to the actual community. Bringing the people interested enough to blog together, could potentially bring together this “community” of entrepreneurs.
With weekly meetings of anyone who wants to come, and daily posts on the blog, ideas will swirl around until it is confined to its central core and can be acted upon. The more advice one can get on an idea, the better the idea will be in the future. This is where the entrepreneurial community all begins, to me.
I think that this is a great idea and can’t wait to hear some more feedback on this.
I do beleive that UNC could foster an entrepreneurial community because the majority of students and people surrounding UNC are young adults who are still open to change. The economy is a big hurdle to overcome but with challenges come opportunity.
In order for more people to want to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit there would have to be greater opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship. I think that a lot of people see entrepreneurship as very risky and scary. However, if the students here at UNC were more educated on how many benefits there are to running your own business, that spirit would change.
I do believe on the contrary that entrepreneurs are a rare breed so not everyone could become one. This would provide some challenges while trying to create an entrepreneurial community, but I do believe that for the most part UNC would be a great place to generate an community such as this.
The one question I have is how will the ideas and opportunities of the community be financially supported. I know that a bulk of the college students would not be able to back many ideas. Nonetheless, if some financial help were available, then this community would have a high chance for succeeding.
If I were to implement the "think box" I would put them in the UC, dorms and the library. My reasoning for this is that is where a lot of the underclassmen are and they may have some ideas that will not only help UNC, but them as well.
I would create a student club called "Think outside the textbook club" and have them vote on the top one or two ideas. With the top ideas they could present them to the President of the University and try to get them approved. If the idea does get implemented it will be run by the school but the inventer will be compensated.
This could be a fun thing for students to be a part of and could end up benefitting both parties. Just some thoughts that I had.....
let's do the ThinkboX...give me some ideas about how it might work, who could manage it, and what about a funky tratment of the word,,,? great blog
I would have to agree with ES when I first thought of a community of entrepreneurs I was thinking that there would be a group of entrepreneurs within a community.
I do wish that there was something like this on campus, a group that would meet to come up with different ideas on how ti improve the campus and the greeley community.
I would also like to say that the "thinkbox" idea is great. We definitely need these around campus. I know that it was suggested that it be used online instead of an actual box, but I think that both ways would be a good idea. For those who would rather post their ideas in a blog having it accessible online is a good idea.
When it comes to putting it all together, I think as a class we should come together and start this box. I also think that since ES has come up with this idea that he or she should be the lead on doing this. Meaning that he or she should pick who will manage the box or the website and bring this whole thing in to full swing with the help of the class. I also think that this would have been a great idea for the FA project. Nice thinking ES!
By the way this is Kasey. Dr. T, I think that I did something wrong and it put my email address instead of my name.
Using a physical thinkbox is logistically inefficient. You would be limited to putting the box in high traffic areas, and assuming that the people traveling through said areas are your targeted “thinkers.” I agree with Mikey’s suggestion that the thinkbox be online. Something as simple as creating an online forum—much like our discussion board—would to the trick. This would allow people to post ideas, and receive feedback. Feasible ideas could be put into action with the help of the business school and local business leaders.
Regarding creating an entrepreneurial community, one thing that has not been mentioned is engineering schools. Engineering schools often have large group projects wherein they compete at a national event. The following link is an example of one such competition: http://media.www.sdsucollegian.com/media/storage/paper484/news/2008/03/12/News/Mechanical.Engineering.Students.Build.Car.For.Competition.In.California-3265850.shtml
Some of these projects result in the creation of new and innovative technologies. Often companies are formed later to further pursue these technologies. I suggest that UNC take feasible ideas from the thinkbox, and create a group of students from relevant majors who would create and manage a business based on the idea. When these students graduate, they would train new students to manage the venture.
I really like the idea of the Think Box. I am in the President's Leadership Program on campus. For those of you that are not familiar with the program, it's a leadership program very similar to the honors program, only much more unique. We get PLP distinction on our diploma and have to engage in a lot of community initiatives on campus, community service projects, study abroad/internships, rigorous classes, and other requirements. The reason I bring this up is because the President's Leadership Program was instituted under very much the same banner as what we are potentially presenting the "Think Box" to be. The only difference is that the idea was originally submitted by a professor, and then implemented by a student. Having been in the program for 3 years now and serving on the leadership board as the activities director, I naturally have learned about the history of PLP. The honors program needed a piggy-back program that would use their same center but have slightly different values- the need was recognized and to create an open space for growth on campus. Today, there are 20 students per grade (so 80 total) in the program- which started off with 10 people in the early 2000's. So, really, what is to stop us from coming up with something similar? Ok forget something similar, what about something different? I think that students often fail to realize their own power on campus. I have witnessed many students start their own classes, institute scholarships in their own name, have the "cum laude" requirements changed, etc., so I know it is definitely possible. However, what is keeping us from all using our ideas and putting them into action right here on campus? If we had a box to submit our thoughts I think it would multiply students' efforts to feel more involved and contribute their good ideas to better this campus and possible earn them some extra money. Professors do NOT encourage their students enough these days to take chances and pursue their own ideas. In fact I would venture to say that professors rarely have any class time that is dedicated to brainstorming new ideas and encouraging some sort of atmosphere of entrepreneurship. They get out the books, mark up the syllabus, and teach according to the notes. What if I took it a step further and ventured to say that we should have a "think box" in every classroom? Granted we would then have to have a larger "board" that would sift through these ideas and potentially implement them. But if anyone reading this is anything like me, sometimes ideas just come to us in a fleeting moment- and we don't exactly have time to take ourselves all the way over to the UC and THEN deposit our ideas. They are sometimes quick, brilliant, and do not last long. What if we were able to capture those thoughts by putting a think box in each classroom and broadcasting across campus what exactly it was? Students from all over would have ideas pouring in- ideas from class lectures, group projects, lab experiments, psychological analysis discussions- think about it. The potential ideas are endless. In the heat of the moment there are sometimes borne the best ideas. Why not bottle that and use it?
I really like the idea of the Think Box. I am in the President's Leadership Program on campus. For those of you that are not familiar with the program, it's a leadership program very similar to the honors program, only much more unique. We get PLP distinction on our diploma and have to engage in a lot of community initiatives on campus, community service projects, study abroad/internships, rigorous classes, and other requirements. The reason I bring this up is because the President's Leadership Program was instituted under very much the same banner as what we are potentially presenting the "Think Box" to be. The only difference is that the idea was originally submitted by a professor, and then implemented by a student. Having been in the program for 3 years now and serving on the leadership board as the activities director, I naturally have learned about the history of PLP. The honors program needed a piggy-back program that would use their same center but have slightly different values- the need was recognized and to create an open space for growth on campus. Today, there are 20 students per grade (so 80 total) in the program- which started off with 10 people in the early 2000's. So, really, what is to stop us from coming up with something similar? Ok forget something similar, what about something different? I think that students often fail to realize their own power on campus. I have witnessed many students start their own classes, institute scholarships in their own name, have the "cum laude" requirements changed, etc., so I know it is definitely possible. However, what is keeping us from all using our ideas and putting them into action right here on campus? If we had a box to submit our thoughts I think it would multiply students' efforts to feel more involved and contribute their good ideas to better this campus and possible earn them some extra money. Professors do NOT encourage their students enough these days to take chances and pursue their own ideas. In fact I would venture to say that professors rarely have any class time that is dedicated to brainstorming new ideas and encouraging some sort of atmosphere of entrepreneurship. They get out the books, mark up the syllabus, and teach according to the notes. What if I took it a step further and ventured to say that we should have a "think box" in every classroom? Granted we would then have to have a larger "board" that would sift through these ideas and potentially implement them. But if anyone reading this is anything like me, sometimes ideas just come to us in a fleeting moment- and we don't exactly have time to take ourselves all the way over to the UC and THEN deposit our ideas. They are sometimes quick, brilliant, and do not last long. What if we were able to capture those thoughts by putting a think box in each classroom and broadcasting across campus what exactly it was? Students from all over would have ideas pouring in- ideas from class lectures, group projects, lab experiments, psychological analysis discussions- think about it. The potential ideas are endless. In the heat of the moment there are sometimes borne the best ideas. Why not bottle that and use it?
Steve-
Why not have a Think Box as well AT Kay Norton's office as well? Who knows, she may also have some good ideas! Granted, somehow, all these ideas have to get approved and she most likely would be the one doing the approving, but I was just thinking. Would she be more likely to approve a student's worthy idea if she herself had a say in the entire process and could also submit ideas herself? She would feel more included for sure and a part of the university's initiative to be entrepreneural.
P.S.- Sorry for posting my last post twice. Thought the first one didn't take.
To Musgrave...
I agree with you on how there are people who don't know how to handle constructive criticism. I also know that there are some people who shut down when asked for their opinions because they fear that what they say will be considered to be, "stupid".
What comes to mind to counter-attack that problem is TACT. Although some ideas don’t work out, there’s always a nice way of saying things that can foster an open atmosphere where all ideas are at least looked at and not criticized. Usually the first idea is only the base for what the final product is, just like a business model, ideas change until a good product/service is achieved.
About the entrepreneurial community… I agree that it wouldn't be easy to have the whole community be entrepreneurial, however there are brilliant minds out there and excellent ideas awaiting to come out. Those who wish to contribute can, and those who'd rather not, won't. It's kind of like today’s entrepreneurs; some were comfortable with the challenge that something new brings and this pushed them to start their business or project while others would prefer to work for someone else--which is ok as well.
I think what’s important is to give everyone a chance to share ideas with everyone else.
To Brian Evans…
I agree with you that some professors could work a little harder on helping their students actually learn the material and not just memorize to pass a test. I personally work better hands-on. I know that there are many other people who also work better hands on, but there are also many other learning styles; for example those who learn better through reading, discussing, or listening.
To expand a little on your idea, each professor should incorporate a little bit of each learning style to give each student a chance at learning to their full potential. Although I recall reading something about the vast majority learning better through hands-on.
Either way, while the boring “read, study, and fill in the bubble” might be needed for new students, Juniors and up should definitely get more hands-on experience.
To Kels…
Kels, I’m going to have to disagree with your point. This is actually what we have been doing thus far in class. Personally I think the Bear Drive, the on-line Calendar and the Juice Company are all excellent ways of improving things around UNC.
There weren't any objections on either ideas and I think the reason for this is because these ideas solve a problem. When an idea that offers a solution or fills a need is generated, and passes a feasibility analysis… then you should totally go for it before someone else does.
I do agree that change is sometimes hard for people to assimilate, but this doesn’t mean that ideas shouldn’t get generated nor does it mean that change isn’t necessary.
interesting note on learning styles and enterprizing activities..the future success of any business or individual is rooted in being open to new learning opportunities and that means re-thinking your skills and how appropriate they are to your desired future...
I think an entrepreneurial community on campus is a great idea and I believe it is encouraged. But as for the realistic chance of it, I think it is rare. I believe that there is a about 2/10 people think like an entrepreneur. Those people are the leader of the group and are very innovative. The university does encourage student to be creative and things in that matter but not all students that the initiative.
The ThinkBoX
I like Batista’s idea about having a ThinkBoX in each classroom. ESPECIALLY in the classroom where the Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship will be taught since those ideas will already have gone through the feasibility analysis and passed. I agree that ideas sometimes come at the most unexpected times; therefore we should always be ready for brilliant thoughts.
As far as who can go through the ideas and make sure they’re followed through… maybe UNC can have a group of interns to manage these boxes, select ideas, and contact the people who’s ideas were selected. The interns can serve the purpose of facilitators.
Sometimes people in power may object to an idea even if it is a good one, and the originator of the idea may find him/herself in need of support. If the idea was voted on, then the facilitators can help the originator of the idea follow through. Maybe help out to make connections and see the originator until he/she is comfortable to be on their own. Or hand the idea to the correct department (if the originator doesn’t want to follow through). This gives hands-on experience to the facilitators/interns on how to start and handle a business while also helping UNC (recognition can be given and used in a resume for ideas that are implemented),
To get started we could have our design team (from class) get a head start on working on a logo for the boxes or take the idea to their design professor and we can then vote on the best design and give a certificate for recognition to the winner (also good to use on a resume).
Other suggestions are more than welcomed.
I believe that UNC could facilitate an entrepreneurial community, but I also agree with Brian that the university would need to offer more in-depth, thought provoking classes. As an Environmental Studies minor, I really only have one primary teacher for those classes and rather than being your average, stereotypical professor, he really makes you think about your answers and forces you to dig deeper than just “memorizing the facts”. In other words, he makes you think like an entrepreneur and encourages you to constantly be thinking about how you can not only change and better your own actions, but also the actions and views of others. So I guess from more of an environmental perspective, I would have to agree that UNC could facilitate an entrepreneurial community because we are already one of the leading universities when it comes to “green” thinking. While the environmental studies program is certainly not the same as the business programs, they share some of the same entrepreneurial ideas of being innovative and striving to find better, more technologically advanced solutions to today’s problems. Unlike what Kels said, I understand an “entrepreneurial community” to be a place where people don’t have to necessarily think alike and come up with one main idea, but rather can enjoy having their own innovative ideas and simply be able to share and expand those ideas with others. Since today’s society is constantly revolving around change, innovation, and new perspectives, I don’t see a problem with UNC establishing an entrepreneurial community.
To Es…
I also like the idea of a “ThinkBox”. I feel as if it would be a huge success at UNC because there are enough students here who are ready for change and have great ideas about how to improve particular products or services and/or create new ones. I think the more places we have it set-up, the faster people will learn about it and therefore use it.
To Es
Rather than having interns sort through the ThinkBox ideas and suggestions, I would solicit the help from UNC clubs like Entrepreneurship and SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise). SIFE, in particular is very active in the community and always open to new projects that will help local businesses, groups, and individuals. Why not have them also focus their efforts, resources, and manpower on UNC projects? Because these groups also have connections that they can tap into to help get an idea off the ground they would be in a position to work with the individual whose suggestion was selected and help to work through the logistics of time, money, management, marketing, implementation, and refinement of the idea or suggestion. Marketing and Management clubs could be tapped for ideas in their respective areas. Additionally, UNC has a graphics department that might be able to help with the design of the logo. And, finally, UNC teaches web design (a class I took last year). As our final project we worked in teams to create and developed a website for one of UNC’s programs. We could also tap into this resource and solicit help from the Web Design class to come up with ideas for a website for the ThinkBox. This would allow students and others to input their ideas immediately from their phones or email. It would also be a place for the UNC community to read about new ideas, provide input and suggests to further develop ideas that have been suggested or volunteer their time to get involved with a project. By involving all these groups and resources, I see the ThinkBox idea as helping to create an entrepreneurial community.
To Deb…
I like your idea of having some of the groups from SIFE and Entrepreneurship to take care of sorting out the ideas from the ThinkBox. I also like the idea of having the graphic design class compete for the best design for the ThinkBox and have the Web design class help out with the design of the website.
Now, my question is, who do we need to contact to get permission to get the ThinkBox off the ground? I also agree that the ThinkBox could help create an entrepreneurial community (at UNC), so ideas as to how to get started would be awesome.
In response to the initial question of whether or not we can have an entrepreneurial campus here at UNC; I would love to see it happen but I do not see it actually working. To have this type of community there would need to people to come up with the ideas and convince others to have passion with them. The most successful people I have seen are passionate about what they do. I attribute their success to this passion. If everyone is coming up with ideas they they think will be beneficial and they like, not everyone will want to "play ball" on the ideas. I feel that it would be easy to get lots of ideas; but almost impossible to get any of them off the ground and to succeed. I also feel that being entrepreneurial is something that only certain people want to pursue and having a whole community of it would almost be overwhelming.
I do not see UNC becoming a community that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit without drastic changes.
Let me first say that college is what you make it. That said, it is surprising to see how many students are content with the status quo. I beleive everyone has entrepreneurial thoughts and may even talk about them. But actions do speak louder than words and ideas are rarely carried through to fruition.
I have been the driving force behind many exciting new changes in my Alma Mater, Northeastern Junior College, before transferring here. I ran myself ragged in the student government, student clubs, and the community. The other student officers and I pushed and pushed to actively engage all students in events and community activities with little avail and mediocre parties at best. I realized that the few who truly care will work themselves into the ground for those who are indifferent.
My point here is that many students aren't even sure why they are here and few care about creativity which would mean a diversion from their daily routine.
I will illustrate this with the noble swine. Pigs which are raised in a nice muddy pen with plenty of food and water are quite comfortable to stay there. In fact they become very upset if they are moved and will often break through tremendous barriers to escape back to their pen.
This is the average college student. "don't tell me how to think. Just tell me what to do." The bare minimum. The status quo. "I'll eat whatever knowledge is thrown to me but don't ask me to go get it for myself."
Indifference, dependence upon others, and fear of discomfort are the problems facing a truly entrepreneurial community. Life is what you make it. You reap what you sow. You get out what you put in.
You may be able to collect ideas in a box and hand that box to someone who cares, but until you can get everyone to care, you will be chasing pigs out of their pens.
To Es,
If you want to really get this started, I would suggest talking to someone from the Student Senate. They should be able to tell you who to talk to about getting a project like this off the ground. If they can't, you might try someone from SIFE or the Entrepreneurship Club, Dr. Thomas, your advisor, or Mary Graves in the Advising office. Although these people would not necessarily be the ones to help you get it off the ground, I believe they would all be valuable resources in that they could point you in the right direction. Good luck.
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