Our second week with NTUitive’s Venture Building programme could probably be summed up by a single word — hustle. While still buzzing from the flames of excitement fanned during the first week of introductions and orientation, we quickly realized the sheer passion and steadfast dedication needed to make our dreams a reality.
This week marked the first full week in our teams, which we had formed by the end of the previous week. We had officially gotten acquainted with our mentors, who would be our invaluable source of guidance, critique, and key industry expertise as we began our next phase of becoming purpose-driven entrepreneurs.
In a virtual sharing by our Chairman, Professor Inderjit Singh, he broke down the similarities and differences between an Entrepreneur and an Intrapreneur.
I noticed that both have the entrepreneurial mindset and resilience to navigate through unchartered waters and the capabilities to overcome challenges. Both have to put in equal amount of hard work and time to succeed. However, the gains differ greatly because of the risks that one took.
It made me question what is the definition of “risks”? Is risk unforeseen pitfalls and just failures that have not been realized. Is it possible to take calculated risks to reduce my probability of failure? — Dickson
The first order of business was good ol’ market research. Depending on our project, we needed to come up with viable action plans, or critically identify market gaps and engender solutions to these perceived gaps that were both commercially justifiable and innovative.
Whilst some of us hit the NTU library, others chose to grind down on the trove of online resources, and still others preferred to gather and brainstorm, allowing iotas of ideas to bounce and resonate off each other.
Armed with what we felt were credible pieces of market research, we then made our maiden pitch to our mentors. The ensuing banter and exchange of critique with our mentors elicited in return a wide variety of responses, reactions and introspection.
Many of us faced the initial barrage of teething challenges towards our pitches, but it was precisely through such insight that much valuable introspection was gained. As one participant put it:
As we zero in on our projects, we are starting to encounter teething challenges. We realize:
1. Our problem statements might have no easy solutions (if they did, someone else would probably have already thought of and marketed them);
2. A lack of insight due to unfamiliarity or inexperience;
3. The need to validate our assumptions. — Peter
Other mentors chose examples to illustrate their point:
“Think like a Principal, not like an Agent!”. These were the words of Mr. Edward, an entrepreneur in residence at NTUitive. In order to achieve a target that we set for ourselves, we have to be our very own seeker for the answers. This would only be possible, if we stop waiting for the instructions of opportunity to knock on our doors but instead start mapping out what we need in order to reach our final destination. — Vikram
It was indeed a week of introspect and discernment. As much as we desired to make big changes fast, we learned that success takes hard work, smart work and lots and lots of industry wisdom and resources, which we were fortunate to have flexible easy access to as being part of NTUitive.
With every challenged idea came the opportunity to come up with other novel solutions; with every critiqued action plan, comes resolve to do better.
Alas! All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Adriel brought up a unique sport he played — Spikeball — whereby teams took turns to bounce or spike balls onto a central net and prevent the other team from catching the rebound. A few of us took to it immediately — and realized we probably needed much more practice at this ingenious game. Otherwise, those lucky enough to catch the amazing sunsets in school chose to do some group running to de-stress and recharge.
Our second week with NTUitive’s Venture Building programme could probably be summed up by a single word — hustle. The hustle to be the best version of ourselves. The hustle to become NTUitive entrepreneurs!
From the Venture Builders of NTUitive
