Stop in Washington D.C.

So thankful for our God fearing, founding fathers of this great nation!  

Lincoln Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Washington Memorial

Check out one of the guys on the roof of the White House?

Final Day in Ireland

We spent the first part of our day having each team take a turn in the hot seat giving an overview of their project and lessons learned.  As I heard the various issues identified in each situation, whether it was an issue of team dynamics, lack of instruction from the business/CEO, or a lack of leadership skills on the CEO's part, I realized that I can save myself a lot of time and pain if I can learn from others mistakes, as apposed to learning them the hard way.

We then spent the afternoon at National Digital Research Center (NDRC).  NDRC's vision is to make ventures happen.  They create capital by building high-impact new adventures. where four startups proposed their business ideas to us as if we were the investors, similar to the show, sharktank. 

Sports Vantage - Day 4

Today was our final day to pull all of our research information together and organize it, so that we could present it to the partners of Sports Vantage.  It was a busy day, especially because I worked on the PowerPoint and additional research until midnight last night.

One of the most challenging obstacles related to the presentation, was not actually giving the presentation itself, rather, it was presenting them with information that, although very valuable, resulted non-ideal outcome.  Having said that, the technology platform behind Sports Vantage is unique, and I still believe there is a market for it; however, based on our market research, it may not be in the market they, and we, were hoping it would be.

I learned a great lesson while working on this project as a team; that is, anytime I work on a project as a team together, if there is not a project manager, elect one; regardless of whether or not you were informed to elect a project manager, always elect a project manager. Somebody needs to be in charge, somebody needs to manage tasks, and somebody needs the final say. Otherwise, you end up with confusion as everyone has a different opinion, but nobody has the final say...

From the beginning, I felt like we needed a project manager; however, me being the one with the most project management experience, I did not want it to come across as passive aggressive by bringing it up, and I also thought we may be able to do without one.  However, into day 2 and 3, it was very apparent that we needed a project manager.  I mentioned to the group several times by saying that I am not used to working on a project either as the project manager or for a project manager.  I added that what we were experiencing was the reason why there is only project manager, or only one boss.  In the end, I hold my self accountable. I should have led us down the path of determining that we need a project manager, even if we only had one day left.  I will learn from this and not make this mistake again...

It has been a tremendous experience and I am very grateful for the opportunity.  I have always wanted to study abroad, and now I can check it off my bucket list.  One day closer to seeing my family!

Sports Vantage - Day 3

Today was our third day working with Sports Vantage.  Each day seems to progressively get more stressful due to the amount of market research that is required and the limited amount of time to thoroughly complete our market research and provide recommendations.  Marketing used to be a topic that I was less interested in, as it is typically intertwined with sales; however, the more time I have spent doing marketing research, the more I enjoy it!

This week has been a great learning experience trying to find the right balance of time collaborating as a group and the individually doing the work.  Leading seems to come easy for most people in this Leadership course, thus, I am learning that there are many times when allowing others to lead benefits the group more than competing with others to lead.

Trip to Cliffs of Moher

The travel to Galway yesterday, along with not sleeping well, turned into a long day as we traveled to the Cliffs of Moher and then back to Dublin.  On the way, we were able to stop and take a quick tour of the Ireland's Dunguaire Castle, which was really cool.

Once we made it to Cliffs of Moher, it was all worth it. The cliffs were absolutely amazing.  In the end, even though it was a long journey to see them, it was so worth it! 

I have met some really good friends during this study abroad experience, that I believe, will be life long friends, and for this I am very grateful.  However, I am starting to get really homesick and hope this last week flies by. :)

Get your flex on :P

Ireland's Dunguaire Castle

Trip to Galway, Ireland

We left Belfast, Northern Ireland this morning and headed back to Dublin, Ireland. However, due to an unforeseen Ireland holiday tomorrow, we have a free day tomorrow, as well; therefore, we made a trip to the western side of the island today, Galway, Ireland.  

Galway is quint little town that reminds me of the small little towns along the pacific coast of Oregon and Washington.  

We ate some delicious seafood at Cooke's restaurant and had some Gelato at Gino's Gelato. Tomorrow will will head to Cliffs of Moher...

Tour of Belfast, Northern Ireland

Today we took a tour of Belfast and learned a lot about the history of Northern Ireland and the ongoing conflict that is based on both political and religious differences. It is no wonder so many have lost their lives over the years due to the conflict resulting from these two differences; politics and religion are two topics that people are passionate enough about that they are willing to sacrifice their own lives.

This is the Belfast Peace wall that prevents access between the Protestant and Catholic areas in the evenings and weekends. 

Belfast Castle

Left to right - Myself, Patrick Hutchinson, Kaley Bundy, David Willman, and Anna Ferreira kissing the big fish.

Trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland for the Weekend

Today was an amazing day as we had the opportunity to hear from some of the most elite entrepreneur business men in Northern Ireland. 

I felt like a soaked sponge by the end of the day as I tried to soak in every bit of knowledge that was shared by these great leaders. 

I know that compensation is a big factor in peoples'decision of where they choose to work and whether they choose to stay or not, but is was interesting to hear the statistics on two greater factors for people other than compensation. 

1) Complexity - variety of tasks and challenging work. 

2) Accomplishment - actually seeing results that your work is providing. 

One of my favorite quotes of today that I will paraphrase, "if you do what you say your going to do, it will see you through." I think this is so true as in any role, however, I think it is especially true as a leader because those who follow you will continue to trust and follow you if you do what you say you are going to do.  It also applies to all aspects of your life, not just your career. 

Additional insight I captured is that goals are not strategies.  Goals are used to measure strategy.  If you don't have good strategies, you can go through a lot of money in a short amount of time, with little to show for it, which may be the difference in a startup's success or failure. 

Titanic Museum Tour

This is where they built the titanic. 

The size of the Titanic was remarkable for that time period.

Tie-down anchor 

Sports Vantage - Day 2

Today was our second full day working with Sports Vantage. We spent most of the day continuing analyzing the market and the competitive landscape.  We are making good progress; however, due to the broadness the market in which Sports Vantage could operate, there are numerous avenues with semi-competitors in each.  There is also a lot of ambiguity around the rights to the information that we need to sufficiently deliver a premium product to the end users.  We are at a good point now, as we have identified the various business problems and have some recommend solutions.  We will continue to work through the current competition in the recommended space, identifying owner of the rights, other possible B2B opportunities, and minimal go-to market requirements offering.  

We have an excellent team dynamic; however, at times it is challenging as we do not have a dedicated "project manager" and we all prefer and enjoy leading.  There are many situations where more than one team member desires to lead. In these situations, it is vital to realize that being a leader also encompasses being able to allow others to lead and assist the leader/group by asking the right questions and providing suggestions for consideration. 

Mercer Court 

Group dinner

Sports Vantage - Day 1

Today was our first day working with Andrew Parish and David Moran - partners of Sports Vantage.  We started the day with introductions, and as Andrew and David discussed their professional experience, it was easy to pickup on their leadership qualities; particularly, I noticed that they both spent more time asking questions and listening, then they did talking.  It was very apparent that they are passionate about their work and, and they spoke optimistically about both their successes and failures.  Failures were looked at as a part of the process to getting them where they are today.  I think that this same concept applies to every aspect of our lives.  As we take risks and go out of our comfort zone, we are bound to make mistakes along the way.  It is how we respond to these mistakes that makes us who we are...

Leadership & Management Advice
• Management is handling complexity
• Leadership is managing change…and leaders must be able to anticipate change.
• Managers manage things and leaders manage people.
• Biggest mistakes you can make are "hurry" mistakes.
• It is important to avoid hiring the "bad apples" or just the wrong people in the wrong roles.

Our nightly Gelato trip :)

We had an incredible meal at The Kitchen. 

Lift me up bro ... I want that sign :P