Such an interview will provide your group with significant information about the organization as seen through the founder’s eyes, especially the issues faced throughout the stages of the company.
Interview an entrepreneur using the questions below as a guide. Summarize your findings in a short presentation to the class
The interview should include the following topics
- Who is the entrepreneur/founder?
- What is their business or venture?
- What is the Vision, Mission and Goals of the Business?
- What were your early goals and what steps did you take to realize them?
- When did they start it?
- How effectively does the founder/entrepreneur feel he/she was adequately prepared for starting and running a business?
- What experience would have been invaluable to obtain prior to starting the business?
- How was the idea conceived for the business? When and how did you get the idea for your business? How is your business organized?
- What process did the founder follow in developing the business? For instance, did the founder write a business plan, search for financing, etc?
- Who provided the support (monetary or otherwise) that you needed?
- Was the process successful?
- What interests and hobbies did you have that influenced your business idea?
- How did your family, friends, or events in your younger life influence your venture?
- What would the entrepreneur have done differently at the initiation of the venture?
- What have been the biggest issues the entrepreneur has faced at different stages of the venture?
- What obstacles did you encounter at the beginning of your venture? What has been the toughest part of being in business for yourself?
- How many employees do you have and what do you look for in an employee?
- How did he/she deal with these issues? How did you overcome these obstacles?
- What is your major source of competition and how do you stay ahead of it?
- What are the major personal goals and organizational goals that the entrepreneur has going into the next several years? What are your hopes for the future of your business?
- How have your motivation shaped the way you run your business?
- What do you like about being in business for yourself?
- How has your life changed since you started your business?
- What compromises are you willing to make in order to preserve the worth of your business?
- If you had to do it over again, would you?
- How do you handle people that you do not want?
- What aspects of your business reflect your unique handprint?
- What is your definition of success?
- How have you engineered your business with the picture of success in mind?
- What early successes kept you going?
- What made you feel that you were a success?
- What attitudes and characteristics does one need to possess to be a successful entrepreneur?
- Any advice for would-be entrepreneurs?
- Anything else you would care to add?
- Identify the key takeaways from this conversation.
Some other guidelines:
- Business should be operating for more than 3 years.
- Conduct the interview in person.
- Note the critical milestones that the entrepreneur has achieved.
- Don’t just report the interview, but also critique the entrepreneur’s process (e.g., do you agree with the way the entrepreneur launched the business? What should he/she have done differently? If it was an effective process, why?).
- Include Direct Quotes.
- Schedule the interview ASAP. Time is of the essence for the owner
Deliverables:
- A Well-written HARD BOUND paper (compiled for all groups) and CD that summarizes the questions above with documentation and transcription. (double-spaced; 12-font; Arial).
- A 3-minute presentation in class of the company and the interview. The presentation should address the questions above. You do have the option to develop a video of the interview for class presentation or a Powerpoint or Keynote presentation.
- You are required to rehearse your presentation with a fellow team (peers) prior to your in-class presentation. In addition, you are required to have your peers review your paper.
- Deadline:Presentation will be done A WEEK AFTER MIDTERM EXAM with DRAFT WRITTEN REPORTS.
- Final Hard Bound Written Report and CD will be submitted on the FINAL EXAM.
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