This document summarizes an entrepreneur's perspective on opportunities and innovation. It defines an entrepreneur as someone who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business. While not everyone can be an entrepreneur, it is not the only path to success. The document discusses finding opportunities by identifying pains or gaps in the market. It also emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box, experimenting, and networking to drive innovation. Storytelling is presented as key to spreading ideas and engaging customers. Working as a team and having clearly defined roles is also advised.
2. Who is an Entrepreneur?
ENTREPRENEUR
one who organizes, manages,
and assumes the risks of a
business or enterprise
@KurtUhlir
3. Who is an Entrepreneur?
ENTREPRENEUR
one who organizes, manages,
and assumes the risks of a
business or enterprise
@KurtUhlir
4. Who is an Entrepreneur?
ENTREPRENEUR
one who organizes, manages,
and assumes the risks of a
business or enterprise
@KurtUhlir
5. Who is an Entrepreneur?
ENTREPRENEUR
one who organizes, manages,
and assumes the risks of a
business or enterprise
@KurtUhlir
6. Can Everyone be an Entrepreneur?
CAN EVERYONE BE AN
ENTREPRENEUR?
No!
IS BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR THE
ONLY PATH TO SUCCESS?
No!
@KurtUhlir
7. Who is an Innovator?
Kurt’s version
INNOVATOR
A person that has an insatiable need to 1) figure things out 2) put
things in order 3) step out when no one else will 4) desire to serve
others and help them grow to their potential
STORYTELLER NEEDY
UNIQUE
SMART
EFFICIENT
PERSISTENT
ELASTIC
NIMBLE
TALENTED
@KurtUhlir
8. Exercise: 30 Circles
YOU HAVE A SHEET WITH 30 CIRCLES
When we say GO! Transform each
circle into something
recognizable, such as a ball, a
planet, bike wheels, etc
It’s OK to draw outside the lines
The goal: transform all 30 circles
in FOUR minutes
@KurtUhlir
10. Exercise: 30 Circles
IF < 30, WHY?
Not clear about the rules
Could the circles be combined?
How different should they be?
Not a fan of deadlines
Couldn’t draw fast enough
Not sure how much you wanted to get into this
@KurtUhlir
11. Path to Innovation
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!
Connect all dots with 4 lines without lifting pen/pencil.
@KurtUhlir
12. Path to Innovation
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!
Connect all dots with 4 lines without lifting pen/pencil.
@KurtUhlir
15. Path to Innovation
INNOVATION IS A PROCESS
EXPERIMENTS
QUESTIONING
ASSOCIATION
NETWORKING
OBSERVATION RISK
@KurtUhlir
16. FINDING AN OPPORTUNITY
What’s causing people pain?
IDENTIFY
Gaps, pains & impossibilities
NARROW
Define the opportunity as
narrowly & specifically as possible
FIND STAKEHOLDERS
Talk to those that will use it,
pay for it & could stop it
@KurtUhlir
20. Business plan, investor pitch and marketing strategy
WHO CARES ABOUT
YOUR STORY?
STORYTELLING
HOW WILL THIS IMPACT
YOUR CUSTOMERS STORY?
WHAT’S YOUR STORY ARC?
WHAT QUESTIONS WILL
THEY HAVE? @KurtUhlir
21. The story will lead you
YOUR AUDIENCE
STORYTELLING: SPREADING THE WORD
ADVERTISING
MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS
@KurtUhlir
22. STORYTELLING: MARKETING TIPS
The story will lead you
PAINT A BIG PICTURE
SHOW SHORT-TERM BENEFITS
BE ABLE TO ANSWER HOW A CROSS-PROMOTION
COULD HELP MARKETING
PARTNERS
KISS PRINCIPLE
@KurtUhlir
23. TEAM: CULTURE TIPS
You are better together
DEFINE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
HELP OTHERS
REMEMBER THAT CREATIVE TENSION IS
NORMAL AND HEALTHY
LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO ENCOURAGE
ENDURE & EXECUTE
@KurtUhlir
24. Summary
If you were sleeping - just remember the following.
INNOVATION IS A PROCESS
THINK BIG
FAIL OFTEN & FAIL FAST
TELL A GOOD STORY
YOU CAN DO THIS
@KurtUhlir