W07 Reflection

 Week 7 was all about lean start up. the concept was originally intended for start up businesses, but large corporations have assumed the concepts to their advantage, and it applies well to social innovation as well. The three key principles are the Business Model Canvas, a document that allows a startup to visualize how they will create value for themselves and their customers. The second principle is the customer development, where they develop minimum viable products (MVP) and immediately seek customer feedback. And third, utilize agile development, where their product goes through incremental iterations, improvements, and testing, (repeatedly) to develop their MVP.

This was super interesting to have agile development explained in this way, as I have heard my husband, who is in Quality Assurance, refer to it. I assumed it was a software program, not a development concept, and learning that there are different applications was eye-opening. 

• How can sharpening your business skills help you help others? What skills are most important?

Sharpening your business skills has many applications to helping others. I am aware of a previous bishop who utilized his accounting background to help council families who were in financial trouble. My school has a member of our Parent/Teacher Organization who helps with social media with her expertise. Any knowledge we gain in this life can be beneficial to others, if we look for the right application. I think having sound financial literacy is one of the most important skills, and one that is the hardest for me.