Bug List

Skilled entrepreneurs tend to share a number of common attributes, or competencies, with each other. One of these competencies is the ability to seek out and identify the "unmet needs" of others. This competency is called "opportunity identification." For the next several weeks, we will focus on developing your own competency at identifying opportunities.

But before we turn to identifying the unmet needs of others, we first need to identify your own unmet needs. In other words, lets talk about the stuff that really bugs you! Products that don't work right. Services that leave you disappointed. Aspects of your day-to-day life that aren't quite up to snuff. 

For this exercise, keep an eye out for all of the things that "bug" you. Identify 20 of them, and list them in a blog post. For this exercise to have the most "experiential" impact on you, I'd ask you to include a number of things in your post:

1) Be as specific as possible about each "bug." While its OK to say that the drive-thru at McDonald's is too slow, it's much better to say something like "During rush hour, the drive-thru at McDonalds on Baymeadows Road is so slow that the line backs out onto the street!"

2) For each "bug," ask "why" the bug exists and write the answer underneath each bug. This is a little trick that can help us get closer to the root cause of the problem.

3) After you have written the list of 20 "bugs," write your reflection on the challenges you had in coming up with the list. Did you find it difficult? How so? 

Previous students have found this exercise extremely challenging -- we just aren't used to looking at the world this way! But with practice, they became amazingly better at identifying these "bugs." You will, too! 

Please include the phrase "Bug List" in your post's title as well as the "Week 2" label. When you have published your Bug List, please share the post's address below. 

Once you have completed this exercise, click on over to the Declaration page, complete that, and you're set! 

Congratulations on getting through Week 2.

Text for declaration:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

I have completed the "Bug List" exercise and published it on my blog.

I have proofread my post, and have run spell check.

I have included all of the elements asked for in the instructions -- 20 bugs, 20 "whys" plus answers, and a reflection on the assignment. 

I have included the phrase "Bug List" in the post title.

I have included the label "Week 2."