Week 5 Reading Reflection

What surprised me the most in the reading was how difficult it is to get a patent.  The average time it takes to get a patent is about three years.  I thought that it was a simple process that could be completed within one year.

A part of the reading that was confusing to me was when the author explained the difference between trademarks, copyrights, and patents.  Although they are similar, they are also unique in their own ways.

I would like to ask the author how to know when a partnership should be considered.  I would like to know this because sometimes partnerships can be disadvantageous.  I would also ask the author why there is no cost or risk involved in protecting material that is generated by copyright.  I would ask him this because it seems logical to me that there would be some kind of cost or risk.

I did not disagree with anything the author had to say.  All of the information was clear and comprehensive.  The author really helped me better understand the legal process in our country.

Interviewing Customers No. 2

After my first round of interviews, I decided to stick with the same opportunity.  The opportunity is to help college students find a reliable mode of transportation when they are commuting home.  I tried to talk to people that did not have cars this time.  If an interviewee did own a car, I had to tweak my questions for them.  I would ask the car owners if they would be willing to drive others home in their vehicle.
I learned a lot more about the opportunity this time around.  I am still confident that it can be successful, if it is implemented correctly.  I also now consider myself an expert at interviewing strangers.  These exercises have boosted my confidence tremendously.  I would like to give these three tips to future students doing interviews:
1. Do not be nervous.  Most people are friendly and are more than happy to answers your questions.
2. Step out of your comfort zone by asking questions that you may not usually ask.
3. Have fun with it!  I believe that it is alright to laugh and joke around a bit during the interview.

Elevator Pitch No. 1

The holidays can be a stressful time of the year!  Finding a way home from college can be very frustrating, especially if you do not have a car.  My solution would be to create an app that functions like Uber.  This new app would be called College Mover.  You would be able to get a ride with another student that is going home for a reasonable price.