11A - Idea Napkin # 1

1) The about me isn't anything fancy, it's a simple way of thinking. Through the process of taking deeper dives into the exploration of entrepreneurship I am able to identify where my ability to tie an idea with a value come from. In this exercise using the napkin technique, I am able to identify how this concept as an idea and a possible future opportunity plays a role in my life. Outside of school and work my natural way of life tends to be busy therefore maximizing time is something I find valuable. I enjoy catching up with family or friends over lunch and dinner given I have spare time. I recognized that an idea sparked in reviewing my bug list assignment evaluating how my time is spent through my current chapter of life. In review of this reflection, this bug connected my thoughts to the convenience of eating out which then begged the question of my thoughts that maybe it isn't always very convenient.This brought me to my experiences a server in the hospitality industry as I tried to identify the problem between my confliction of convenience and wait times when planning to meet with family or friends.

2) My concept offers a time and money solution for the busy customers looking for quick and easy dining without the hassle of waiting and eliminates stress that takes away from the experience.  This is a service concept for customers and restaurants but could also be considered a productivity product in respect to technology.

3) My audience is geared towards community dining customers as well as large and small dining establishments scaling from corporate owned restaurants to mom and pop eateries.

4) This idea behind my solution is one that will be attractive to bottom lines for diners and those who wish to utilize their time going out to eat efficiently. My concept is designed to target app savvy customers looking to eat on the go with options to maximize time vs. money spent on eating out. Have you ever waited forever to get your food and still paid for it? Did you go back?

5) Through my research I have not identified a localized application that encompasses subscription features I've identified. My marketing strategy and business plan will test market competition for projections on metrics for this idea and business concept.


The exercise led me to the thinking about restaurant processes and questions of are servers motivated by money or time values? In times when I have needed to save for certain life events and or when money has been tight I've served at few different restaurants. All of which have their own process for front of the house and back of the house management to sell food and drinks to the best capacity the house can typically handle. The purpose of those jobs I took on typically as second jobs were not to milk a clock or to be lazy but knowing that the tip value I would gain depended mostly on my quality of service, interaction and of course what was purchased. Connecting all of the dots, I realized that wait time could be valuable to both customers and restaurants. The solution is not only one that I find useful not only to my unique needs where I've been the server and the customer, it provides a potential solution to help my community and local business small and large manage time and money.

10A – Elevator Pitch No. 1

In this post I've included the "Ultimate Solution to Fast Casual Dining".  I invite your reviews and feedback to help me bring this concept to your area! Check out my Elevator Pitch- Click Here.

9A- Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Who:  Franchisers, dining establishments and area subscribers with in the restaurant industry.

What: The link between wait times at sit down dining establishments providing the ultimate concierge service and dining experience for business meetings, lunch breaks, dinner with family, special occasions or just that valuable meal time in general.

Why:  The idea is one that will help restaurants identify foot traffic to increase potential sales with capabilities that will target participating dining establishments, help costumers locate time efficient restaurant options and place reservations.This process will deliver increased results and improve bottom lines. 

Inside the Boundary	Outside the Boundary
Who is In: My customer reach speaks to restaurant partnerships and demographic area subscribers.	Who is out: Outside of my reach are non responsive restaurants and customers who do not dine out.
What is the Need: To eliminate wait times at dining establishments and increase bottom lines.	What the Need Is Not: Establishments that do not experience waiting and customers who do not intend on placing any type of reservation.
Why the Need Exists: To provide a cost effective model that will satisfy market trends, increase customer satisfaction and sales volume.	Alternative Explanations: The reach can vary based on targeting metrics associated with the demographic data and target market capabilities.

8A – Solving The Problem

Study on Average Restaurant Wait Times

Restaurants with new technology now offer ways to make the "check out"  process much more convenient for customers and wait staff. Yet, most restaurants have not implemented ways to effectively engage customers during valuable time spent waiting. These wait times are valuable not only from the perspective of a customers time, but the missing link that can hold significant value to a bottom line. Specifically, I am talking about the effectiveness of sales during high wait times. In the research stage, I found that restaurants have wait lists of 6.6 hours per week, with parties waiting close to half an hour to an hour on average. So what's the missing piece?

Looking further into my research, I was able to identify a need to improve the "check in" process for the restaurant industry. I came across review sites, general hours of operations and times that restaurants are busy. After looking for concepts that would resemble this idea for all I knew could already be out there, I found that my concept provides a solution. Through these stages, I read several articles about the customers experience at restaurants. In 2013 a survey that was taken of 267 restaurants by a leading technology supplier designed to enhance the guest experience called Long Range Systems (LRS), the chart below are the results of their findings according to FSR Magazine.

In the stages of my personal analysis, I studied my own preferences along with the individuals that participated in my hypothesis. As for me, on average I will be more inclined to put myself on a waiting list at a restaurant but that typically is just a place holder. I found that I've adopted a strategy to avoid waiting. Here's how, after I put my name on the list, while waiting, I will call  alternative dining establishments close by to find out if they currently have a wait. Most often, I will  leave a restaurant for a less involved wait time if the opportunity presents itself. Though this strategy is not for everyone, most people do develop subconscious methods to manage time in order to prioritize their everyday lives.

  

Ultimate Solution for Fast Casual Dining

The idea came to mind after thought of my own dining process which led me to the curiosity of my own beliefs. The more I thought about time efficiency and the basic needs of eating, I've developed an idea that I believe. Not only have I identified a way to help people save time, find food and offer convenience. I have identified a solution that will allow me to provide a cost effective product to the restaurant industry. It's simple, at the end of the day most people don't like wasting time or money.

The Wait List App: The idea is to eliminate wait times at dining establishments through my prototype, The Wait List. The app will be designed to increase sales and customer satisfaction by allowing customers to reserve a table with participating establishments in a given arrival time maximum, notify the restaurant that a "party of 4 " is on the way, request a section, request a server, check for bar seating, check for pet friendly, check for entertainment, check for specials, check for coupons, check for private dining and carry out ordering. The app requires a partnership with a chain of restaurants, for example Darden is the local franchiser for Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Long Horn etc. The app will also partner with mom and pop restaurants and independent diners. A profile for users will be the build of the platform to best categorizes their wants and pairing with the need. These features will include the type of dining to locate in a timely manner. These features may include business casual,  providing optional reservations for business meetings ( lunches or dinners ), family dining, budget friendly dining, dinner for two, carry out ordering, special occasions (birthday), private dining, just the girls or just the guys are a few that I have drafted. The idea is one that will help restaurants identify foot traffic (potential sales) with capabilities to provide time efficient service, increase sales and improve bottom lines. The app targets participating dining establishments based on a category and GPS model to help costumers locate time efficient restaurant options. Through this concept I have identified a technology service and industry product. The Wait List App, a user friendly landscape designed by subscriber criteria based on selected preferences through use of the application.

7A- Testing the Hypothesis

The Wait List App for Dining Establishments

Opportunity:

The fast food industry has come a long way in delivery services and certainly has earned some recognition. How is the wait time at dining establishments margin comparing to that? What about the wait time at sit down hot spots for business meetings, your lunch break, dinner with family, special occasions or just in general? These that I have mentioned can range from fast-casual to fine dining establishments and typically have wait times anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour and that is just to be seated at a table, for most businesses this could mean the process is slowing down their sales.

The who:

Franchisers, Restaurants, Service Staff, Community Consumers

The what:

Eliminate wait times at dining establishments.

The why:

The why will test why process adaptation is a cost effective model to satisfy market trends and increased business. Testing why the customer does or does not like to be placed on a waiting at dining establishments will be the intention of this question.

Testing the Who:

The who is anyone who goes out to eat and specified by appropriate categories. Testing the who will categorize who the app would be appealing to and provides platform reach-ability.

Interview #1: After interviewing 2 Olive Garden servers, ages 21 and 23,  a Gentleman waiting on a wait list at Olive Garden, age 50, a Nursing Student, age 20, and a BMW Sales Associate, age 28 I was able to identify categories that would be associated with the audiences account and subscriptions. This would enable the app to refine dining preferences to meet their needs. Some of these include responses for the following options: business lunch meetings, budget friendly options, family friendly options to name a few.

Testing the What:

Testing the what will provide a min, medium and max amount of time the interviewees are willing to wait at a dining establishment through these questions:

What is the average amount of time a consumer is willing to wait at a restaurant? What is the ideal amount of time a customer is willing to wait?  What is the amount of time a customer is unwilling to wait?

Interview #2: After interviewing 2 Olive Garden servers, ages 21 and 23,  a Gentleman waiting on a wait list at Olive Garden, age 50, a Nursing Student, age 20, and a BMW Sales Associate, age 28; I was able to identify the ideal, average and most amount of time willing to wait. Here is what we came up with, the ideal time willing to wait was 15 minutes, the average time they end up waiting is 30 minutes, the most time willing to wait was 20 minutes.

The Why:

Testing why the customer does or does not like to be placed on a waiting at dining establishments will be the intention of this question using the following questions:

Why is the reason they are willing to wait? Why is the reason they are unwilling to wait? Why is the reason this app would improver their dining experience.

Interview #3: After interviewing 2 Olive Garden servers, ages 21 and 23,  a Gentleman waiting on a wait list at Olive Garden, age 50, a Nursing Student, age 20, and a BMW Sales Associate, age 28; I was able to identify why the consumer is wait longer than anticipated. Both servers said they would wait if the quality of food was worth waiting for and they had enough time to wait. Gentleman at the restaurant said he is willing to wait if he is not too hungry, the nursing student said for the purpose of her schedule, she has little time to spare and will usually go somewhere else if the wait is more than 15 minutes. The BMW associate said it depends on the occasion but prefers not to have a wait time.

6A- Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

The Wait List App for Dining Establishments

Opportunity:

The fast food industry has come a long way in delivery services and certainly has earned some recognition. How is the wait time at dining establishments margin comparing to that? What about the wait time at sit down hot spots for business meetings, your lunch break, dinner with family, special occasions or just in general? These that I have mentioned can range from fast-casual to fine dining establishments and typically have wait times anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour and that is just to be seated at a table, for most businesses this could mean the process is slowing down their sales.

The who:

Franchisers, Restaurants, Service Staff, Community Consumers

The what:

Eliminate wait times at dining establishments.

The why:

The why will test why process adaptation is a cost effective model to satisfy market trends and increased business. Testing why the customer does or does not like to be placed on a waiting at dining establishments will be the intention of this question.

Testing the Who:

The who is anyone who goes out to eat and specified by appropriate categories. Testing the who will categorize who the app would be appealing to and provides platform reach-ability.

Interview #1: After interviewing 2 Olive Garden servers, ages 21 and 23,  a Gentleman waiting on a wait list at Olive Garden, age 50, a Nursing Student, age 20, and a BMW Sales Associate, age 28 I was able to identify categories that would be associated with the audiences account and subscriptions. This would enable the app to refine dining preferences to meet their needs. Some of these include responses for the following options: business lunch meetings, budget friendly options, family friendly options to name a few.

Testing the What:

Testing the what will provide a min, medium and max amount of time the interviewees are willing to wait at a dining establishment through these questions:

What is the average amount of time a consumer is willing to wait at a restaurant? What is the ideal amount of time a customer is willing to wait?  What is the amount of time a customer is unwilling to wait?

Interview #2: After interviewing 2 Olive Garden servers, ages 21 and 23,  a Gentleman waiting on a wait list at Olive Garden, age 50, a Nursing Student, age 20, and a BMW Sales Associate, age 28; I was able to identify the ideal, average and most amount of time willing to wait. Here is what we came up with, the ideal time willing to wait was 15 minutes, the average time they end up waiting is 30 minutes, the most time willing to wait was 20 minutes.

The Why:

Testing why the customer does or does not like to be placed on a waiting at dining establishments will be the intention of this question using the following questions:

Why is the reason they are willing to wait? Why is the reason they are unwilling to wait? Why is the reason this app would improver their dining experience.

Interview #3: After interviewing 2 Olive Garden servers, ages 21 and 23,  a Gentleman waiting on a wait list at Olive Garden, age 50, a Nursing Student, age 20, and a BMW Sales Associate, age 28; I was able to identify why the consumer is wait longer than anticipated. Both servers said they would wait if the quality of food was worth waiting for and they had enough time to wait. Gentleman at the restaurant said he is willing to wait if he is not too hungry, the nursing student said for the purpose of her schedule, she has little time to spare and will usually go somewhere else if the wait is more than 15 minutes. The BMW associate said it depends on the occasion but prefers not to have a wait time.

5A- Identifying Local Opportunities

Lawsuit: Oaks Mall Plaza owes $14M, could soon be sold; Gainesville Sun,  March 29, 2018 

Headline: This article was published on March 29, 2018 by the Gainesville Sun. The writer discusses local financial challenges The Oaks Mall Plaza has faced after Toys 'R' Us made the decision to close all U.S. retail stores.

Description of Article: The commercial property has struggled to stay open for several years and now facing a foreclosure lawsuit. In 2017 the retail plaza included stores like Toys' R' Us, Jason's Deli, Super Optical Express, Scrubs by Design a Comic Store, Nail Salon and additional unmentioned retailers. The independently owned shopping plaza was built in 1988 to accommodate over 105,000 square feet of retail space located relatively close to The Oaks Mall.

Problem: A variety of tenants have conducted business at this location, including Gator Cinemas another primary revenue source who closed doors in 2015. After years of financial challenges, The Oaks Mall Plaza is at mercy of over $13 million dollars on an unpaid loan owed to the U.S. National Bank Association. The article indicates that if court-ordered judgements are not paid, Alachua County Clerk of Courts will publically sell the property at highest bid scheduled for April 26, 2018.

Who has the problem: The property owners, tenants, employers, employees, families of the employees, the bank and the retail brands involved.

URL: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16AFDAE4FA824968?p=WORLDNEWS

After 50 years, Sears will close doors; Gainesville Sun, The (FL); April 20, 2018

Headline: This article was published on April 20,2018 by the Gainesville Sun. This article confirms  that Sears will close after 50 years of business in the Gainesville area with no current plans to develop a new location.

Description of Article: Several area retailers are decreasing in sales including Sears located at the Oaks Mall. The article talks about the increase of sales through online shopping and the e-commerce shift in retail that began in 2000. Sears announced their store closing to the public in July 2018 and the time frame of when their liquidation sale would begin with no mention of a new location. According to the article, Gainesville has seen a boom in retail development 7 miles to the south at Butler Plaza and Celebrate Pointe.

Problem: The in-store shopping market at Sears in no longer cost effective. The local retail store is not generating enough revenue to continue business at the store front location.

Who has the problem: Community, customers, employees, shopping center and brand

URL: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/16AFDAE4FA824968?p=WORLDNEWS

Macy's at Oaks Mall is closing; Gainesville Sun, January 10, 2018

Headline: This article was published on January 10, 2018 by the Gainesville Sun.

Description of Article: Retail market changes are discussed in this article as eleven Macy's stores schedule to close in 2018. The Oaks Mall location will retire in 2018 after 30 years of local retail business providing severance packages for qualifying employees as they close the doors. The company expects to close 19 additional stores as leases expire on store front locations for transaction of sales ranging from Miami and California.

Problem: While retailers work with consulting companies get "right sized for the Internet" job loss is the leading problem for local store closings in the retail market.

Who has the problem: Customers, associates, community, shopping center and brand

URL: http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/1696293B73579DA0?p=WORLDNEWS

May Rains Start Mosquito Season - The Independent Alligator May 24, 2018

Headline: This article was published on May 24, 2018 by the Independent Alligator.

Description of Article: County officials provide helpful tips for the community as the Mosquito population is on the rise. As of now, no Mosquito related illnesses have been reported to the county but residents don't follow recommended procedures that statistic could change. The Alachua County Health Department warns the public about Mosquito related illnesses through the Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Program, where chickens are tested for illnesses from another country.

Problem: It is possible that we will experience newly exposed illnesses due to the increase of stagnant water from rains, which increase the Mosquito population. This can be dangerous to a community if the proper steps are taken to repel Mosquito bites. The exchange of blood from humans and or animals through Mosquito' is the underlying health concern. Mosquito bites can increase the transmission of illness in the community.

Who has the problem: Community, adults, children, animals, health officials

URL: http://www.alligator.org/news/may-rains-start-mosquito-season/article_5ffb472c-5f10-11e8-b95d-d38e2eb9b85c.html

Gainesville, UF Anticipate Upcoming Hurricane Season- The Independent Alligator May 29, 2018 

Headline: This article was published on May 29, 2018 by The Independent Alligator.

Description of Article: We are reminded of certain areas in Florida, as we approach another hurricane season on June 1st. This is an informative article for students at UF to plan ahead for the possibility of food shortages, shelter and or evacuations encouraging them to think progressively when hurricane forecasts are predicted to hit Florida.

Problem: Every year Florida experiences a new hurricane season, all are different and the problem is we never will know what to expect until these storms hit land fall. The negative impacts from natural disasters that a communities go through will vary. This time of year can have emotional effects and increased levels of distress in certain circumstances.

Who has the problem: UF community, local businesses, family of students and faculty

URL: http://www.alligator.org/news/gainesville-uf-anticipate-upcoming-hurricane-season/article_ac483354-62fa-11e8-b46e-df025f57b2fd.html

3A- Entrepreneurship Story

I am driven by my entrepreneurial spirit and thrive in environments that invest and grow their businesses.

Much of my entrepreneurial experience comes from running an education services company. My role consisted of marketing services, signing service contracts, staffing employees, providing customer service, and complying with education requirements. We delivered a great product to schools in need of physical education and after school programs. The impact of this business was tremendous, parents and their children's lives were enriched. After 5 years of running this business I came to realize that I needed to develop further and find other opportunities that would allow me to do so.

2A- Bug List

20 Bugs

Bug: Walking 1/2 mile to parking garage for a parking spot that costs $20.00 a month.

Why: The location of the parking garage at the apartment community I belong to has designated lots for resident parking, the surrounding lots are not public lots therefore residents must commute to the designated parking garage and pay additional parking fees to ensure a reserved spot.

Bug: My backpack on a rainy day in Gainesville.

Why: Seasonal down pours are hard to get around when you have a schedule to maintain, most students are prepared with umbrellas, raincoats or ponchos just in case. Nevertheless, backpacks are often drenched after campus commutes leaving papers, computers and all the essentials in damaging conditions.

Bug: When candles run out of wax.

Why: Scented candles are a great option for aromatherapy, often times the shelf life of a candle burnt 3 times a week will cost you more than a monthly subscription to a massage spa to keep up with the candle burning maintenance.

Bug: No call ahead waiting or reservations at sit down dining establishments in the Gainesville area.

Why: Year 2018, most of the population works around the clock with limited time to spare. While fast food restaurants beat their competitors by minimizing wait time in the drive thru with the innovation of technology, customers now place orders by iPads, Chic- Fil-A is one of the only I've seen in Gainesville so far. But what a great concept in meeting the customers need while doubling their food production by speeding up their ordering process. Most sit down diners will not reserve seats in order to serve customers coming in, therefore the wait time can run from 15 minutes to 1 hour which takes away from the convenience of going out to eat.

Bug: When Siri doesn't understand what I am saying.

Why: Apple is the market front runner of mobile phones and Siri is a handy alternative to texting when we are on the go. The virtual assistant can help locate or type most things, unless the consumer's request is not recognized. Google Talk has better voice response reviews.  

Bug: Hughes Net internet streaming on a cloudy day.

Why: Folks that live in rural communities ( and my family does ) are limited to internet service providers depending on the location. Thus, Hughes Net is a company that serves these internet deprived areas with a satellite alternate to internet. The downfall to the service is that satellites do not weather well, on rainy days service is hard to come by.

Bug: Living on the 1st floor and with a large dog above me.

Why: The that flooring of the apartment above me does not provide a great deal of sound absorbance, from time to time the dog chasing toys, exercising or just being a regular dog could be compared to what it may sound like if the neighbors were bowling on a Friday night.

Bug: Forgetting to schedule dentist appointments.

Why: Old fashioned mailing systems make reminders tough to come by when you move to a new address.

Bug: No AUX option in my car and CD 8 disc player does not work.

Why: Vehicle was made in 2007, upgrades are necessary when the age of a car reaches a certain point.

Bug: No visitor parking spots in my apartment complex.

Why: Limited lots for commercialized businesses, the use of UF's parking lot optional for guests with in certain hours AM / PM of my apartment community. This option for guests is 1/2 mile from my apartment, in walking distance.

Bug: Pumping gas.

Why: The cost of gas is something we just have to accept as consumers, for those who wish to drive a gas operating machine.  Regardless, pumping gas takes time and money and usually requires additional planning to compete the task.

Bug: Not having a printer.

Why: The convenience of an in home printer saves you the trip to any outside location, for those who do not and need to print often pay additional money and time to get to the location which should be planned ahead for any unexpected wait times.

Bug: When my shoes come untied while running on the treadmill.

Why: The safety of running can become compromised when shoe laces get in the way.

Bug: The Oaks Mall.

Why: The retail shopping experience is becoming a option of the past, what plans does the Oaks Mall located in Gainesville, Fl have may disrupt homes of employees as companies look for ways to keep the doors open as e-commerce is on the raise. 

Bug: Hair tie breaks while working out.

Why: Sometimes we suddenly are without a hair tie because it breaks, but the treadmill keeps going. The thought of stopping a workout to find another hair tie is a waste of time.

Bug: Parking in downtown Gainesville.

Why: Very limited parking spots available due to private parking regulations. 

Bug: Home cooked meals VS. spending money of convenience.

Why: It takes time to prepare and cook food at home. It costs roughly $8.00 for a lunch on the lower scale for the convenience of eating on the go, which can be tight on the budget.

Bug: Clutter. Anywhere.

Why: Clutter invites and overwhelming the environment.

Bug: The ongoing laundry process on a rainy day in Gainesville.

Why: You are drenched when you get home and the first thing you do is find dry clothes, so start doing laundry on a daily basis or keep wet rainy clothes in your hamper.  

Bug: When the fire alarms go off.

Why: Periodically the sound of a fire alarm will present itself at my apartment complex, though no emergency has taken place, we evacuate in order to go on with our lives.


Reflection- I was challenged in finding 20 bugs.The process of this assignment provided an opportunity for me to stop, and think hard about my own day to day situations that could be improved.

4A- Forming An Opportunity Belief

Folks who live up north bundle up in layers of clothes on cold winter days. Those who are fortunate enough to drive vehicles with the most sophisticated technology adaptations, may have built in features that resemble this concept, but what about those who need an economic option that is attractive to their budget? Have you ever been inside your car on a cold winter day with no gloves and no heat? What if your steering wheel had a heated cover that could be placed on your steering wheel for days like this? You wouldn't have to buy an upgraded model to have the feature, you could simply purchase the heated steering wheel cover that fits appropriately to your make and model. For years we drove without heated seats, now we can buy cars that have seat cooling systems and add the heated steering wheel feature. The vehicles we see these features in are among the luxury brands. Until the manufacturing companies  focused on the economy car, catch on to the luxury trend and begin to offer this built in option, we have a need to fulfill. The idea of a heated steering wheel cover could adopt some thought for your average consumer. Thinking of this concept in the way that we are inclined to purchase a cell phone cover for our mobile phones, I've asked a few family members who live in Tennessee and experience weeks of snow in the winter and daily lives to maintain found this to be a catchy concept. I went on to ask a group of friends in Atlanta and Texas, a few of the individuals own vehicles with features included so those folks where not potential customers. The idea took positive responses from 5 individuals that would be considered potential customers. Speaking to these people gave me some perspective on the conditions of the product and what type of customer would be in need. I found that among the individuals driving a certain branded vehicle were more inclined to give the concept a try than others. Responsiveness on the length of the need varied, some said as long as they could remember, others replied since they were able to drive and two explained that they never knew they needed it until now. The opportunity cost, after doing more surveying and research, has a significant potential to take on the pipeline of the Amazon phenomena. I believe the concept could be sold on the market after analyzing the need.

1A- New Post

Natali's blog