Here is my elevator pitch for my (fictitious) business venture:
The complete presentation can be viewed:
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Project Lakshmi
Author: Liz Hood
In approaching Activity 2, I wanted to evaluate an open source technology. While Google has developed several open source applications, I chose to focus on Google Docs.
Face 1: Market Focus
Google Docs is being used in a variety of settings from K-12 to higher education institutions as well as in business venues.
Face 2: Types of Offerings
Google Documents encompasses a variety of offerings from word processing to presentations.
Face 3: Who is the Buyer?
Because Google Documents is open source technology, there is no “buyer” per say, but rather a customer. The decision to use Google Docs can be made by individuals or by institutions. In the educational arena, many utilize Google Docs for its collaborative features.
Face 4 – Global Markets
Google Docs is uniquely positioned in the global marketplace. Due to the popularity of Google’s free web browser and electronic mail service, customers can easily access Google documents. For those who are unfamiliar with how to use Google documents, tutorials are readily available such as this one from CommonCraft.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5270543939540408357
Face 5 – Development of the Market
A growing demand for open source applications ensures the continuing development of the market for application such as Google Docs. Other open source roducts such as OpenOffice provide competition in the market. As a company, Google is committed to ongoing development and open access to an both products and an infrastructure which allow for ease of access (portability). For more information see http://www.google.com/intl/en/corporate/.
Face 6 – Learning Technology Competing with Other Forms of Learning
I am not entirely sure how to address this aspect. While Google Docs is not solely a learning technology, the growing demand from various sectors for open source productivity applications stimulates competition. Within the educational realm, the need for dependable, collaborative applications ensures that Google Docs and other developing open source productivity applications will be well received.
Based on my rookie role as an EVA, I summarized my perceptions of Ingenia and Recombo2005:
|
Ingenia |
Recombo 2005 |
|
| CEO Credibility | Ramona Materi appears confident and knowledgable. She is very clear and concise in her presentation. Materi presents her credentials as an emerging “guru” in this field. She does not have a rapport with the camera and comes across as detached rather than charismatic. | Brad McPhee’s credibility is affirmed by his introduction as the CEO of a company which has grown in the three years ETEC522 has been following Recombo. McPhee has a good rapport with the camera and comes across as knowledgeable, confident and charismatic. |
| Management Team | Materi concisely summarizes the structure of the company and the management team. Her explanation is clear and in layman’s terms. | While no details are given on the specific members of the management team, McPhee mentions the guiding principles of the team and the strategies |
| Business Model | The business model is feasible. Materi ensures that potential investors are aware of the political and financial security as well as the challenges of the chosen marketplace (SE Asia). | The business model appears to be feasible. It is evident the company has researched and as a result of that research has transitioned the company to be a service company in response to the current market trends. |
| Competitive Products | Elearning is an emerging field, particularly in Asian companies. While Materi does not specify ONE product as a focus of Ingenia, it is clear that Ingenia will be developing elearning services. | According to McPhee, a critical and missing piece of the IT market is the content integration router which provides a platform for customers to use their existing components to stream data. |
| Market Readiness | The focus of Vietnam on establishing private sector businesses indicates there is a market for Ingenia. Materi’s comprehensive presentation emphasizes a gap in the elearning sector in Vietnam. | The Recombo connector is attractive to both IT managers and product managers. As long as there is a gap in the data streams from existing LMS and performance evaluation systems, Recombo is well situated to achieve their goal of being a $100 million business |
| Technical Innovation | Ingenia appears to be positioned to meet their goal of becoming a major learning services provider in Vietnam. | Recombo appears to be uniquely positioned in this emerging market. |
| Exit Strategy | While Materi presents a solid timeline of the business development (15 months) and an expected rate of return, it is not clear when the expected rate of return will occur. | McPhee is quite clear on the business focus of the company and even alludes to a possible merger with companies such as IBM as a possible outcome. |
| Overall Investment Status | I like the assurances of payment in a well-known and dependable world currency. I am reassured by the presence of financially and politically stable banking institutions in the target market place. The gaps in the timeline and the vagueness of what the “product” is make me wary of investing based on this pitch. I would want a Q&A session before investing. | Based on the information presented by McPhee, I would invest and recommend investment with Recombo. |
As a side note (not sure if it is appropriate here or not) I found the differences in the Recombo presentations fascinating. The 2005 presentation was (in my opinion) more polished and engaging than the 2004 pitch, with the same CEO presenting.
I was web browsing for ideas and stumbled across this chapter of a book which I found helpful. As a business “rookie” I am not able (yet) to judge it for merit.
www.eoni.com/sbdc/BookChapters/chapt2.doc
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Hey ETEC 522
My name is Liz Hood and I am a media specialist in Rock Hill, SC, USA. (I believe we are called teacher-librarians in Canada). I currently serve in an IB-MYP school.While I am currently involved in K-12 education, my goal with the MET program is to move to training educators in the best implementation of technology within their specific curriculum area. I have completed 6 MET classes thus far and plan to graduate in May 2010.
Throughout my educational career, I have been fascinated by the dichotomy which exists between the business world and the educational arena. This course will provide business perspectives on education. I am in hopes that the education as an industry will incorporate some of the best practices evidenced in successful business ventures, though I myself struggle with the implementation.
My educational background is quite eclectic. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, a Master’s degree in Spanish and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. I have worked as a K-12 educator for 20 years, evenly split between teaching Spanish and being a media specialist. I hold National Board Certification as a library media specialist, a rigorous process in the USA, which greatly influenced my teaching.
I fell in love with Canada virtually and have spent the last two summers travelling throughout BC, this past summer with my two boys. All 3 of us loved it. Our goal is to emigrate to the west coast of Canada.
Canada Day 2009 @ Prince George Park