1. Amman, Jordan | November 2015
John Mueller
Opportunity Identification
[ or discovery, or recognition, or creation ]

2. Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity
without regard to resources currently controlled
Howard Stevenson (1993), Harvard Professor
“
“

3. Idea Generation Evaluation * Exploitation
(or exploration or execution)
* Keep evaluation separate from idea generation
Entrepreneurship
Adaptation from Shane & Venkataraman (2000) & Altman (2014)
…it is a process full of multiple actions…
Startup Building the BusinessModification / Pivot
Opportunity Identification
(discovery, recognition, or creation)
Idea Product / Service Team Execution

9. Idea Generation Evaluation * Exploitation
(or exploration or execution)
Entrepreneurship
…it is a process full of multiple actions…
Startup Building the BusinessModification / Pivot
Opportunity Identification
(discovery, recognition, or creation)
* Keep evaluation separate from idea generation
Adaptation from Shane & Venkataraman (2000) & Altman (2014)
Idea Product / Service Team Execution

10. Business
Opportunity
Idea
Entrepreneurship

11. 11
Rainy Day Cigarette Holder (1954)
– Is this an opportunity?

12. Idea Generation Evaluation * Exploitation
(or exploration or execution)
Entrepreneurship
…it is a process full of multiple actions…
Startup Building the BusinessModification / Pivot
Opportunity Identification
(discovery, recognition, or creation)
* Keep evaluation separate from idea generation
Adaptation from Shane & Venkataraman (2000) & Altman (2014)
Idea Product / Service Team Execution

13. Idea Generation
Will provide a general sample of how to generate ideas
How does an individual(s) come up
with an idea that can possibly turn
into a business opportunity?

14. Observe / be aware / be alert / be curious

15. Positive Attitude & Open-mindedness
– Hiring at Zappos (CEO: Tom Hseih)
– Question they ask in an interview:
– Study:
• Asked them if they were lucky
• Then had them read a newspaper and count how many photos
• Some headlines said: “There are 37 photos, stop now and collect
$100”
• Conclusion: Lucky people tend to be open to a wider realm of
options and solutions – thus can work with more people and come
up with more creative ideas (“be creative and a little weird” – from
Zappos culture definition)
Do you consider yourself lucky?

16. Positive Attitude & Open-mindedness
– Believe it can be done
– Get in the habit of thinking up ideas
– Keep an idea journal
– Look for better ways to do things
– See problems as opportunities
– Relax, daydream
– Think young
– Be curious
– Inspire yourself
“Problems don’t get solved by
the smartest or the fastest or the
strongest; they get solved by
the one who sees the
possibilities.” – Dan Roam

17. 17
Introduction
Look for Problems (see them as opportunities)

18. Introduction
Look for Problems (see them as opportunities)

19. Look for Problems (see them as opportunities)

20. Look for Patterns / Changes

21. Prior Knowledge (and interests)

22. Connected, engaged with the environment

23. Connected, engaged with the environment

24. Connected, engaged with the environment

25. Effectuation (vs. Causation)
Sfeehas.com

26. Idea Generation (sample – 7 only)
1. Observe / be aware / be alert / be curious
2. Positive attitude and openmindedness
3. Look for problems (see them as opportunities)
4. Look for patterns / changes
5. Use your prior knowledge and interests
6. Connect / engage with the environment
7. Effectuation (vs. causation)
26

27. Idea Generation Evaluation * Exploitation
(or exploration or execution)
Entrepreneurship
…it is a process full of multiple actions…
Startup Building the BusinessModification / Pivot
Opportunity Identification
(discovery, recognition, or creation)
* Keep evaluation separate from idea generation
Adaptation from Shane & Venkataraman (2000) & Altman (2014)
Idea Product / Service Team Execution

28. Action: Evaluation – Startup [ Books ]

29. Action: Evaluation – Startup [ Books ]

30. Idea Generation Evaluation * Exploitation
(or exploration or execution)
Entrepreneurship
…it is a process full of multiple actions…
Startup Building the BusinessModification / Pivot
Opportunity Identification
(discovery, recognition, or creation)
* Keep evaluation separate from idea generation
Adaptation from Shane & Venkataraman (2000) & Altman (2014)
Idea Product / Service Team Execution

31. 31
Have Fun and Learn
(Be Curious / Be Creative to Create)

32. Contact Info
John Mueller
E: john.mueller@wmich.edu
E: jmueller@golfsolutions.com
Twitter: @golfmomo
Facebook: facebook.com/golfmomo