Honesty and Business Ethics

Why are Ethics Important?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSmUj_aLG0SlopOP-THynaYA2JW4C_gs1FiS4puRWF5CieRUS4gKpn44VeuVgBqVNk0oaFhM0_061gU/pub

By Frank Levinson

On this video I learned about this word that I do not want to forget “embezzled” which means, theft or misappropriation of funds. I do not understand why Frank Levison was fired, but what I understand is that it is very important to maintain a good reputation and a good conduct in our deals with others. And to keep good communication around colleague to avoid misunderstanding or false accusation.

Top 10 Must Have For a Startup

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRymHjQQdauoRm8am3gfKB6kZkBSW7HGuWWz7OO2KfKecaH6iItWw7NKRvdby_87kvzdcxCIqokq3zK/pub

From this video I would like to take these words from Frank Levinson; “You don’t really need market studies, you need customers. We’re going to talk about customers every time so it will get old. You don’t need ad campaigns because you probably don’t have any products. If you had products you’d show them to customers first and they’d tell you what’s right and what’s wrong. You definitely don’t need a website.” Now with technology we think that we need a website to promote our business and product but thinking well, not really. In the old time the advertisement campaign was through news or person to person communication.

Risks in Business

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTtUU6BTnbQumKpHU1J5qfF20bCq8V_SZTazqwROPaaF6_PdW9sHB7nsFDuId_5-Cv6sSJTDfGB3ivK/pub

Jan Newman says something that I would like to always keep in my mind because that is absolutely true; “when you take somebody’s money, prepare for pain. That’s all I’m telling you. You are going to be in the pain cave for a while, until you return that money with some interest, some increase.” I know, that is why debts are terrible, those can take you peace of mind and squish your packets paying interest and debts. Business is risky for that reason take the risk alone or if you have someone, he/she should have the skin on the game as Jan says, “It’s important that you get people to have skin in the game.” To take the same risk that you are taking, to lose or gain, to work hard as you work for the business.

Making a Living and a Life

By Elder Lynn G. Robbins

https://www.byui.edu/devotionals/elder-lynn-g-robbins

Elder Lynn says, that money itself is not evil, in fact, it represent the sweat of our face”

At the A-level, The Lord established the correct order with priorities as we read in Jacob 2:18-19,, “Before you seek for riches, seek the kingdom of God.  And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good . . .”  At this level the primary motivation is a love of God and our fellowmen. Those at the A-level aren’t working for mankind, but living for mankind, trying to lift and help others.  In addition to making a living, they are making a life.” I would like to make this counsel as part of my believe and personal conduct, when we seek for the things of God our life is in a good alignment with God’s will and we are better guide to take better decisions in our personal life and in our job. Money should not be the primary motivation to work, we all need to pay bills, but our work should be performed to benefit the customers and company.

True Blue, Through and Through

Sheri L. Dew

https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2004_03_16_Dew.htm

Elder Sheri suggests many great things, in this occasion as lesson learned, I would like to keep this, “Living with integrity isn’t necessarily easy, but it is far easier than the alternative. Integrity engenders confidence and peace of mind, whereas breaching integrity always has painful consequences.” Nothing like being truthful, like being ourselves. It is very appreciated when people look at you with good grace and respect for being honest and living an integrity life. And overall living an integrity life as Elder Sheri says brings peace of mind and brings happiness, that is the purpose of our existence to find our real happiness.  

I would like to continue learning knowledge that will help me to stablish better my foundation, to guide me in the business field with a better view and to prepare me to be wisely to take a responsible decision.

Celebrate Your Life (Week 14)

Recognizing and Shaping Opportunities

https://services.hbsp.harvard.edu/lti/links/content-launch

As mentioned earlier, crafting a business model for a new venture involves three interrelated sets of decisions:

 1 Defining a unique strategy that differentiates the new venture from the alternatives.

This is complex is not just providing a service or product needed by the population, It is providing something that is unique in performance, prices and benefits to compete with similar product or service in the market.

 2 Identifying the resources and capabilities required to execute the strategy.

To take the venture to a high level of productivity, it is necessary to analyze all the possible resources and revenues to finance the project. And to consider and measure the impact of the product in the market, how customers will respond.

 3 Identifying the compelling benefits and value proposition for key stakeholders (including cash flow forecasts, a crucial piece of information for investors)

To continue leveraging and progressing is necessary to create forms to attract stakeholders and investors. What values and benefits the business will provide.

Taking time to think through potential growth options while crafting the initial business model helps entrepreneurs ensure that they are building the business not just to succeed in its entry position but also to navigate the tricky transition to growth.

It is like getting ready for the unexpected event in the business life time, what might happen if there are changes in the economy or if demand falls.

Acton Hero Tom Monaghan

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQe5Y8iVtNqux2l6zKZ_OQ454tC_j8Ssbg62sSe5UYOtwrA2zQSv5P_IkBhH6gbBzH-eyfSc51HC4hh/pub

Tom Monahan mentioned in the video, that he lives in a dorm. The secretary calls it himself cell.

I would like others Entrepreneur to remember to be humble to think in others the day they are making money. Tom Monahan really wanted to continue experiencing a simple life by living in a dorm, I feel that in an environment like that an individual who can have all riches reflects a lot in life, in the es of others and to think a lot in ways to help others.

Peak Performance

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQIyAVDEwOSi2MAIetdGlYTixRgPoqPYSLEo_NksLoDKQ6FKacVIGvSgcaq6YQLywu-SH8gVrw2L1bU/pub

Let’s make it happen. Get prepared, because your opportunities will come and if you are not striving to be in ideal performance data at your best, your days of standing on the victory podium will pass to another.

If you had one final lecture to share with a group of students on what you have learned from this course, what would you share?

.  would like to tell what president Thomas S. Monson shared in his talk “Fishers Wanted.”  Job did not falter. Job became a finisher. In the Entrepreneur journal will be difficulties where decisions must be made that might change the course of the path to success. That does not mean that the journey is over, that is a new opportunity to applied what had been learned and change strategies to improve personally with family life and in business. Job is an example that after all, God is there to comfort and to provide new path to follow to a happier life.

May we turn from the lives of those who faltered and consider for a moment some who finished and won the prize.”  There is a taste of life that I do not wish to no one, it is to feel failure in life. Here in Earth is the platform to learn and experience tribulation that will lead us to sadness but also will be moments of happiness and success. It is not easy; it can be painful but possible to overcome with God.

What would be your last bit of advice to someone wanting to begin the entrepreneur journey?

Something that stick in my head is to have a personal constitution where your priorities should be named first and to placed in a visible spot to remember always. For sure those standards will keep the entrepreneur close to the things that he/she most love and work for.

What words of advice, direction, or caution would you give him or her if you had only one chance to give your own last lecture?

If you are married, take he/she wherever you go in your mind or in person, do not let you spouse behind, communicate your projects and dreams to the one who will support you all the way. Prioritize your family time, dinner is one of the best ones.

A Journey of Gratitude (Week 13)

An Attitude of Gratitude by Thomas S. Monson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1992/04/an-attitude-of-gratitude?lang=eng

This week I learned to be much grateful for all that the Lord Jesus and Heavenly Father did for me. These following lines from a hymn truly confront, I never feel these words so meaningful until now.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

    Showing gratitude for all that the Lord had provided and for all He does for our life give a feeling that no matter what He still there, that we are not alone on this endeavor of life. President Monson says, “He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.” Our Father in Heaven and our Lord Jesus are the only ones that can help us to overcome our difficulties to find new for to live and follow our dreams. And when there are no more ways to follow, they help us to go back to the right one.

Identifying and Exploiting the Right Entrepreneurial Opportunity…for You

https://services.hbsp.harvard.edu/lti/links/content-launch

I am looking for to make things better in my life and find happiness with my family. And in my journey as entrepreneur, I would like to stick with positive phases and counsel. The following is one to consider; “The ultimate goal is to harmonize your business and personal lives. Compromises will always be required, but the challenges will vary depending on where you are in your life cycle.” I never thought, how a busy life can take you away from the family, but is a hole in a cycle of life that is very danger. I am learning to create that harmony of balancing my activities and setting aside a lot of time for my family.

“The world is full of possibilities for an entrepreneur. Your challenge is to identify the opportunities and seize the “right” ones. Those choices—and others—will collectively shape your life. There will be many factors in your decisions: a mentor who steered you in a new direction, a health condition that imposed some constraints, the simple fact that you do not live in a vacuum and other people are making decisions all around you.”

From this counsel I would like to continue learning about those opportunities that the world offers and be ready to choose the right ones always considering those around me such as my kids, those that will be affected by my decision. For sure those decision will shape the person that I will become, I hope the Lord Jesus and my Father abide with me in all that I do. And help me to be shape in a manner that I can still love and care for others.

View about Money (Week 11)

What is your attitude toward money?

 I think about money and I need that money to resolve my matters to maintain my family, but not as much as think on my family. Money just serves as material to exchange for something necessary. I am not crazy about money.

How can your view of money affect the way you live?

With a stable job and money I can think to buy a house for my family. With money I can start traveling with family more often to Peru, with money I can offers good vacation and buy food and cloths for my kids.  I could not do all of these without a job and money. Yes, money is necessary, but not replace the happiness that comes with a simple united family. Money will affect my life bringing some kind of prosperity and commodity.

What rules are recommended for prospering?

Stephen W. Gibson says, “Truly money does, in the hands of good men, make them better. I can testify to that in my own life. Money can make good men better. “

President Stephen W. Gibson suggest some rules to prospering:

Seek the Lord and have hope in Him.

Keep the commandments, that includes the temporal ones, tithing and fasting offering.

Think About money and plan how you can become self-reliant.

Learn the law upon which the blessing of Wealth is predicted.

The rule of not sending the Nake away.

With all this rules in our hands, God guide us to manage better that money. The progress can be beneficial not only for the one who works for that money but also for those that indirectly are affected by that progress. And by having these rules in mind a person can become someone that seek progress for others too. When there is money that is allocated to help others in a productive manner there is progress, money worth and is valuable.

Disciple Leadership (Week 9)

https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/devotionals/2004_08_31_bednardavid.htm

Brigham Young University–Idaho:  A Disciple Preparation Center (DPC)

Elder David A. Bednar

I learned from this talk that BYU-I is a Disciple Preparation Center, I am very thankful to be part of this university. For experience I can tell that BYU-I has this indeed mission of preparing students to become disciple of Jesus, individual who will continue follow Jesus’ example of Love and service. I can feel the teaching of Jesus in this talk and everything that is impart in the university.

http://www.actonmba.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/a_message_to_garcia.pdf

From this pamphlet I learned something interesting that I would like to remember always. It says, “The ability to execute is more valuable than education or talent, because it is far rarer. As Hubbard notes in the next section, this means most people are trapped in dysfunctional organizations, imprisoned by the curse of low expectations.” This is a very strong and essential quality that an individual can possess. Because a business can succeed when there are capable individuals that can take initiative and work by themselves, who cares about their performance and productivity.

https://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/graduation/2007_12_14_clark.htm

Leadership with a Small “L”

President Kim B. Clark

I really look to learn more about this principle of leading with small “L,”  In this manner a leader is require to lead with example, to influence so others can follow him. Not only an example with action but also with good words and strong principle.  To lead with vision, seems to be sometime difficult to follow a leader with his own vision. As leader the vision should have a well common where those who follow compromise to work toward that vision. A leader with small “l” must lead with love. Really the leader must be same as Jesus, I am looking for to learn to lead same as him.

Click to access Good%20to%20Great.PDF

“Good to Great” by Jim Collins

From this summary about the book, I learned two important topics; to have the right people on board and to eliminate the need for hierarchy. I feel that once there are people with the same objective and commitment to make of the good company the great, there are opportunities to improvement. They all can work together with freedom, no hierarchy in middle that limits the flow of inspiration and innovation.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQJ50ZgzqPvM5zWybMLIlF_SMjrRgSSD28XRbIfGXGTD_MLp7FYq3pSufxsRC9BaHxKCy11IwH0LXhC/pub

“Trust me” I am looking for to learn ways to build a trust amount customers and followers. And.  bake a lot of pies. It seems that it had to start with me or my company, but really I have to trust the customers, that they will buy and eat my sandwiches.

Overcoming Challenges (Week 8)

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-and-patricia-t-holland/however-long-hard-road/

“All of the tools and texts are here, right at your hand. But sometimes we cannot recognize the real purpose and significance of the moment which is ours to experience. That’s because too many of us learn only through our heads and not through our hearts! A common man or woman will hear only the commonplace, but a man or a woman connected to the powers of heaven will learn to be an inheritor of those powers.” I learned from Patricia T. Holland that once an individual learned through the heart, there is a connection to the power of heaven. When I think about this true statement, I feel that everything we do is connected to God and my fellowmen. If I am learning through the heart acquiring all the knowledge to run a business, I will do it not just with the benefit of obtaining money but with the benefit of help others. It makes the purpose of my dream or endeavor much meaningful. And in that manner I am contribution to building and embellish the kingdom of God here in Earth.

“Be all that you can be! If you have oil in your lamps, you will find how often you get a chance to light them. If you have cared enough to prepare, your light will attract many, both men and women who will seek and cherish your companionship.” By Patricia T. Holland

This week was an opportunity to interview an entrepreneur, in my opinion all entrepreneurs have my admiration and respect, their actions tell a lot about their great effort and work. Their journey is not easy, but they love and enjoy what they do.  Their lights really shine and attract.

I love these lines of words by Jeffrey R. Holland, “I am asking you this morning not to give up “for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.” That “great work” is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That “great work” is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling. You are entitled to “eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days,” but it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying.” Sincerely, it is so important as mother to build up a strong foundation for my kids and my future generations. I started some late at age 37 to pursue high education, because I did have the opportunity and the money necessary. But with the initiative that BYU-I had to help very old adults through on-line education, my dream came true, still in the process but I am hanging in there, and I will hang on until I graduate from the university. It is sometime difficult, when the language is complicated to understand, in my case I speak Spanish and my retention is slow, it is tuff. But my willingness is huge and with the help of God the Father and Jesus I will accomplish that dream.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/04/looking-back-and-moving-forward?lang=eng

We join in uttering the biblical plea “Is there no balm in Gilead?” We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face.” By President Thomas S. Monson. Certainly, that happens on those raining days and times of frustration. In the video you can do Anything, the speaker said, don’t doubt yourself, and what you can do, just like Nephi you can build a ship. I learned one more time that I can build a ship with the guide of our God all is possible.

https://video.byui.edu/media/You+Can+Do+Anything/0_lwhltsne

7 Habits (Week 7)

Click to access The%207%20Habits%20of%20Highly%20Effective%20People.pdf

The habit that has a lot of meaning for me is the fifth one, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood. The author explains in his own words; “Most people don’t listen with an intent to understand – they listen with the intent to reply. They are either speaking or preparing to speak. They see others through the lens of their own autobiographies. The key to understanding another person is empathetic listening.”

This habit is very important to perform my job much effective. I do some case management by supporting residents in their endeavors and connecting them with helpful resources. To accomplish this mission of supporting I need to listen and be alert to their needs, worries and desires for the future. I just can not talk and talk to just respond, I need to be productive and the conversation should be directed toward their needs. In my case I need to understand so they can trust me to be willing to follow my advices. It is totally true that the key is empathic listening, this listening should be same as I would like others to listen to my concerns, and to understand as same as I am in their place or condition.

The first time I read the 7 habits, I liked so much. These are great counsels, very effective to apply them in many job performances and in daily life.  The one that I like for my personal life is the second and third “Begin with the end in mind,” “Put first things first.” If I have the result in my mind all that I do will be toward that objective. The progress of my family is my end in mind, once I take care of my personal matters first such as my kid’s necessities and wellbeing that is my most private achievement. After putting the most important things first I can accomplish other things that are productive and beneficial for other.

Week 6 “So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?”

Success is Gauged by self-Mastery N. Eldon Tanner

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1975/04/success-is-gauged-by-self-mastery?lang=eng#d

From This talk I learned that self-mastery is achieve through total control of our-selves, that it will require to walk on the narrow path to accomplish it. Elder Eldon Tanner says; “There are two important elements in self-mastery. The first is to determine your course or set the sails, so to speak, of moral standards; the other is the willpower, or the wind in the sails carrying one forward.” I was thinking on that will power, my motivation, the motor that empowers all the things I do. Determination and willpower really go together, to elect my course I need to have that determination to continue my journey and when the narrow path become difficult, still I need to have that willpower that I had at the beginning that will empower me during the journey to take me to that objective.

So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur?

file:///C:/Users/gom11/Downloads/bus110_document_soYouWantToBeAnEntrepreneur%20(1).pdf

I learned by experience that knowledge in all aspects of business administration and startups are so crucial, and money is necessary, not much but necessary. The author of this article states, “Sources of money come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. It is important to consider how much money you may need in the future and how risky the investment may be prior to developing your network.” Preparedness is the base to start any business, by doing this we also measure risks that come with each decision made. The author counsels to be prepare by obtaining the knowledge and experience according to the field that we would like to undertake.

 The Entrepreneur and the Family

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRmAuvHvbj7QpeJaFvwA_K4v4xi6fHkBRKPQwrL7N2tUeppA_GNG9a_kspeMKdnGCN7rF3cpTnt1FD_/pub

From this article, I would like to take these words, “You got to make the rules, or the startups will take over your life and you’re going to be maybe successful but quite lonely.” This is true, family life is so important, what could be the purpose of being entrepreneur if there is no one to share the success and company.

Steveblank.com has more counsels to preserve a family. I am stick to the dinner before 7 Pm then get the kids ready to bed.

Loyalty to God and Family – Jan Newman – March 7, 2011

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQ8y0yWZBfhMTsttc_mCZGx7OeA2Yh6UuUEdwaqr8xtQIcXbwqybYV4meUmQwjI8CD1DdYl6ANKoXVd/pub

I like the invitation that the author presented, “Think of this a thousand years from now, no one is going to ask you what company you ran, how much money you made, your greatest legacy will be your family and your service in the Kingdom of God. Never forget that. Always be a light to the world through your actions and your integrity.” This is a lesson to never forget, God is our motivation, He presented the purpose of our existence, our connection and respect should be huge, our commitments to Him go beyond this life.

Three Lessons About What It Means to Be and Entrepreneur

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQXXUSgs7lSGwx024keBvYhM_tgdejSKMQCOxChNDK4-IfYleXoomQXS664TUf03d0-bWWtPrxIze9x/pub

Same as Wences Casares, “I did not choose to be entrepreneur, I am stuck to it.” It is a passionate and enjoyable create and build things. The other counsel that I like in his talk is about being constant in doing the same thing for a long time.  Feel in this manner the focus is just in one objective with different strategies necessary to continue with the objective.

I would like to adopt all about being entrepreneur and do all the necessary to accommodate the entrepreneur- life to my family- life. And I would like to apply this principle by Plato; “The first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile.” I cannot let my self have dominion over me, “Jenny” it will be terrible, I will not have the ability to guide my family and my own life. An entrepreneur has the strong determination to achieve goal and accomplish what in many times is impossible.

Perseverance (week 5)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/perseverance?lang=eng

“Perseverance” by James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

From this talk I learned of many ones who did not gave up and continue working with strong determination to achieve their objective. President E. Faust says, “Success is usually earned by persevering and not becoming discouraged when we encounter challenges.” Joseph Smith is one great example of perseverance, he had the courage to tell that he had a vision, that God the Father and the son Jesus appeared to him. He humbly accepted his calling in restoring the Gospel of Jesus in our days, he persevered to the end. Now we all can be bless having the restored Gospel of Jesus in our life. This was a process that took a lot of time and oppositions. I learned that the most difficult of Perseverance is not only the opposition and obstacles on the way, also it is hard when there is no support, someone there to give incentive to keep going, someone, who encourages. But same as Joseph we have our greatest support God and Jesus to overcome those challenge to reach that success, we can find that strength and incentive on them.

http://www.actonmba.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/are_successful_entrepreneurs_born_or_made.pdf

Are Successful Entrepreneurs Born or Made? By Jeff Sandefer

In this article I learned something very interesting that connects all entrepreneurs with one word “perseverance” simple by saying but strong in action. The author in this article asks, What is the secret of success skill character or luck? Personally, I was thinking on character, then I learned that the secret of success is perseverance. Character is important it is about our personality, Skills are necessary for improvement, I am not sure about luck. But all entrepreneurs persevere all the way to accomplish their objective.

“How do you Find your Passion and how do you do” by randy Komisar

Something from this video that I would like to keep with me is this counsel, ”  free yourself up to think about a portfolio of passions and the task is to marry that portfolio of passions to the opportunities in front of you.” Always I have in mind to look for opportunities and take advantage of them. Now I learned that first is better to have a portfolio of all the passions (ideas, desires, goals) to match them with opportunities that we encounter on our way, we need to be very alert to make the connection.

I would like to work on brainstorming on all my passion, ideas, and goals that I want to accomplish, then to keep working to connect them with every opportunity that I can find. Opportunities will come but also, I need to look for those. Same other entrepreneurs I would like to continue perseverance on my endeavor of achieving that success.

How Will You Measure Your Life

Week 4

From Elder Clayton Christensen I learned that the powerful motivator in our lives isn’t money, there other things behind this concept, opportunity to growth, to cooperate and be part of a project, create opportunities for others to succeed. I like this phase too, Don’t worry about the level of individual prominence you have achieved; worry about the individuals you have helped become better people.End the end we just take our memories and the good things that we did to others.

From Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin I learned “Each minute is a little thing and yet, with respect to our personal productivity, to manage the minute is the secret of success.” That is something that I am working on, the best way to allocate my time prioritizing my sources and necessities. Really, I like this counsel; “By breaking down your short-term goals in a daily task list, you’ll begin to feel the growing sense of control over your life.” It really has sense, it is better in this way to create that habit, the sequence become part of the daily routine in the life.

From Jim Ritchie I like the concept that says, “Our personal constitution is a document where you decide the type of person you want to become” This so important foundation to have in my life, I want to be someone like Jesus, who never give on us, who always is for us. AndI would like to be some one that take the experience to learn, as Sharon “May says Maybe you don’t know enough yet, but you can learn.”

This week brought many ideas and reflections concerning the person that I am now and the person that I want to be in the future. I love a lot the exercise concerning the Core Values. In the past I learned about personal Ethics that guide my action around others, I was dealing with others according to my personal Ethics. Now that I learned about Core Values I would like to work on these values and guide my life according to these values which brings stability to the person that I want to be.

Be what you want to be, the life could short, if I have to have the end in mind I have to enjoy life so, I have to take control of it. I have to fine me in my believe, in God, in my kids and in all around me, day by day.