Classes

I'm currently taking Rapid Launch a class for entrepeneurs. While I'm not an entrepeneur I do have ideas. Even if I don't ever proceed with any of these ideas I think that taking the class will add a whole new skill set. I've taken the first three classes so far.

The first class was Do you have what it takes? We had a panel of entrepeneurs who told us about how they started their businesses (or ran small businesses that they stepped into). Our takeaways from the class were:

• Network: Make sure everyone knows what you do.


• Put your ego aside: Get help in areas where you aren't strong or need outside perspective


• Process is critical to growth


• Always be recruiting: be constantly on the watch for talent


• Keep your long term plan in mind even when you are struggling monthly


• Know everything you can about your clients


• Stick to core and close adjacencies


• At a certain point just jump in

The second class we learned about segmentation sizing and selection. There is some real math in the process and a lot of guesswork. Since I chose to work on a non-profit scenario that changed up some of the valuation. For this class our takeaways were:

• Not all customers are created equal


• Talk to potential customers and competitors' customers


• Segmentation is not a marketing/advertising method, it is the foundation of your entire business.


• Be open to all segmentation data. You may find surprises.


• Know your competition well.


• Ask questions, you might be surprised at what your potential customers will tell you.

The third class revisited, clarified and advanced segmentation. The takeaways will be listed for us at the fourth class which we haven't had yet.

There is a lot of homework associated with the class. That is next on my agenda. I think the class is great! I paid $180 for 12 weeks of 2 hour classes. There are networking opportunities as well as learning opportunities. Who knows, I may even start a business at the end of it.

In the future I'm thinking about taking a computer networking class, but that is another story.

Census Sense

I'm currently a Census Enumerator, meaning that I go to homes where the Census form was not turned in or was turned in too late to be included in the tracking sheets that have been drawn up.

I am in my 3rd week as a Census employee. My first week was whirlwind training, with a lot of information but only a little practical application. The second week I was on the street, or more accurately in the apartment complexes. I'm not going to provide any names or locations because the census activities are confidential.

My first contact was at home during the day, during the week. After answering the door, he tried to get rid of me by saying he was sick. I asked him when I might be able to come back and explained that I would have to come back to get the information. I also offered that he could call me or I could call him. He finally said, let's just get this done.

But then he wanted to know what was in it for him. He was not a US citizen and was here only for business purposes. I explained that the census provided information used to identify the number of representatives in Congress, but was also used to identify funding for roads and schools. He was not convinced that it applied to him because he had no children. I suggested what if you get married and stay here? He finally decided that he wasn't going to be able to chase me away and reluctantly answered some (but not all) of my questions. I don't think he gave me his name or his phone number. At the end he thanked me for my time. That surprised me considering how resistant he had been to the whole thing. I also thanked him for his assistance and shook hands with him.

This man was my most difficult case. I had a couple people say they were just heading out and could I come back later. I still have one of those to catch up with. I also had one who said he did not live in the apartment on April 1, but when I asked at the apartment office they said his family did live their on April 1. It turned out he had misunderstood the question and had thought that I meant since April 1 2009. Otherwise, a few people have refused to give names or phone numbers, but everyone has pretty much complied and been nice.

My third week starts today. But it is Mother's Day. Since last week was hectic; but I only have 5 apartments remaining from that assignment, I decided to take today off. Tomorrow, I will attempt to finish those 5 apartments. After that I will be working with a new Crew Leader. I've been assigned to a completely new group because my group doesn't have enough work. The new group that I will be in doesn't have enough enumerators because many have quit. I'm not entirely excited about my new assignment because I will be working much farther from home. But I do get mileage (.50 cents per mile woohoo!).