Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management Coursework Blogs

This assignment comprises five blog posts exploring various facets of entrepreneurial creativity. The first blog delves into enhancing creativity within entrepreneurial teams, discussing definitions, the impact of Tuckman's stages, and brainstorming techniques. The second blog examines whether entrepreneurial opportunities are discovered or created, analyzing different theories and providing examples. The third blog focuses on predicting entrepreneurial failures, outlining the 'Seven Blockers' and the use of tools like the Pugh Matrix. The fourth blog assesses the impact of social media on entrepreneurial creativity. The blogs combine theoretical frameworks with practical examples to provide insights into the entrepreneurial process.

Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management MSc
Entrepreneurial Creativity
(BUSI 4454 UNUK) (AUT1 21-22)
Coursework 1 – Blogs 1-5
Due Date: 11/1/2022 3 pm
Dareen Tubeileh (20410086)

Blog 1
Enhancing creativity in
Entrepreneurial Teams
I was brought up to think that creativity is synonymous with art and drama. In other words,
creativity was limited to one field. I had to learn the hard way that that was not true, it is a
subjective and abstract concept that applies to every field and stage in life. Therefore, I decided to
learn the definition of creativity to know how to both hone and enhance it in every setting and stage
in my life, whether it was my personal creativity or of those around me regardless of the field or
career choice.
Creativity was defined in Collin’s dictionary as “the ability to transcend traditional ideas, patterns,
relationships, rules or the like, and to create significant new ideas, methods, interpretations, etc…” [1]
I realised that horizons can be limitlessly broadened; you can continuously develop skills. I redefined
creativity in my mind first. As true as it is that some tend to be more naturally creative, however,
that doesn’t mean you cannot enhance your creativity and thinking process. As Kawasaki mentions
in his TedTalk 'rethink, redefine, recreate' to remain creative and innovative.

'No need to think outside the box, simply realise there is no box'
- Unknown
In entrepreneurial groups, according to Chuck Swoboda a Leadership Strategist, 'you'll never find the
best ideas until you recognise there is no box'. At its core, innovation is about solving difficult
problems. And, invariably, the advice that teams get when tasked with finding innovative solutions
to new challenges is to “think outside the box” so much so that the phrase itself has become a
mantra across the business world. This Guilford phrase itself creates an unintended, self-limiting
mind trap that prevents people from seeing what might really be possible [3].
1 - Tuckman's stages of group development [4]
Tuckman's model depicts the 5 stages that mostly takes place when creating an entrepreneurial
group. It outlined the consequences of each stage, while simultaneously providing recommendations
to handle challenges through each stage to optimise the generation of creative solutions.
Furthermore, where storming is the stage that delays and efficiency of work and productivity might
be a concern, however, norming and performing could also have their own set of issues that might
hold the outcome and project completion back [4]. Moreover, Tuckman referred to Osborn's (1953) [5]
recommended rules for brainstorming within a group, where conflict and obstacles could be
mitigated, and creativity maximised. They were then edited upon and expanded in future studies [6].

'You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more have'
-Maya Angelou
Several of the different recommendations to enhance creativity in entrepreneurial groups, of Osborn
and Litchfield, Fan and Brown research, during the brainstorming stage are [5,6]:
• Prohibit criticism
• Limitless number of ideas
• Amalgamate and improve ideas
• Reflection
• Promoting diversity
• Abundance of positive energy
• Quality
Can you continually enhance your creativity, or can you just hope for random moments of creative
genius?
A food for thought that could never be truly answered, unless we continue to put the effort to
advance and optimise both our own and group creativity.

Blog 2
Are Entrepreneurial
Opportunities Discovered or
Created?
' If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door' - Milton Berle
Some studies suggest that opportunities are created spontaneously by entrepreneurs [7]. Where their
experiences, motivations, personal mentalities, and upbringing shape them and push them to create
their opportunities. Furthermore, it is implied that it is an innate ability to imagine an idea and
create a niche for it by marketing creatively. However, other research suggests that opportunities
are actually there and they could be discovered, but they could only be seized and made profitable
by people with entrepreneurial mindsets [8]. The former requires a high degree of innovativeness and
imagination, and the latter requires quick thinking and calculated impulsive decision making.
Opportunities can be created with the appropriate innovativeness. Schumpeter's theory of
innovation really supports the opportunity creation perspective [9]. It states that creating
opportunities is an essential skill to have as an entrepreneur. Furthermore, it shows that
opportunities are created coincidently by entrepreneurs' interaction with their surroundings in their
everyday life, no matter how mundane or routine an action might seem they will find a business idea
that could potentially be successful. Consequently, since these ideas are based solely on the
entrepreneur's creativity, imagination, and outlook on life there is both a degree of ambiguity of the
level of success and potentiality of failure to a project.

An example of an opportunity created are the Lani Boo
Bath products by 9-year-old Jelani Jones. A fourth
grader launched a line of bath bombs and handcrafted
moisturising soaps, whilst learning the different skills to
become an entrepreneur at such a young age. Jelani
learnt the basics of how to make bath bombs in school
and then headed home to experiment on her own. After
perfecting the blends, she started to sell her soaps to
family and friends. Eventually, she had 3 online pages
on different platforms that sold her products across the
nation. She continued to be a straight-A student whilst
growing her business, with the help of her parents, and
expanding her products [10].
'Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one
coming’ - Richard Branson
The Discovery Theory suggests that opportunities are pre-existing and are just there for
entrepreneurs to discover them. Opposed to the Creation Theory, this implies that entrepreneurs

are not one with their opportunities, they are separate entities that would possibly amalgamate [11].
This is parallel with Kirzner's theory and the definition of an entrepreneur and a non-entrepreneurial
mindset [12]. Research showed that opportunities must be identified and discovered by
entrepreneurs, and a true entrepreneur would be able to find an opportunity in every situation and
exploit it. They would be able to picture an innovative solution to a problem, or a luxurious product
to make life easier or many other examples [13].
An example of an opportunity discovered is the
accidental creation of play-doh. In the 1930s play-doh
was accidentally invented by the brothers Joseph and
Noah McVicker who were trying to create a wallpaper
cleaner. It was not a success in its intended purpose.
However, over time became favourited by
schoolteachers as part of the arts and crafts projects.
Consecutively, in the 1950s the company was
rebranded and remarketed and became a kids toy's
enterprise and sold more than 700 pounds of play-doh
ever since. It continues to do so until this day and their
recipe is still a protected company secret [14].

I believe it would be too complex to really measure how many businesses stem from each theory as I
think they are intertwined. The more an entrepreneur delves into their project, a created
opportunity could lead to the discovery of another opportunity and vice versa. Moreover, they both
have a degree of uncertainty and ambiguity regarding their success, due to the lack of statistics and
numbers in the business they're trying to start. In essence, they both need a level of risk. I think to
be able to put the effort to create something is a bit harder than to exploit a pre-existing
circumstance. However, they are both just as difficult to turn into a profitable enterprise.
Blog 3
To What Extent Can We Predict
Entrepreneurial Failures?
'I have not failed; I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work'
- Thomas Edison
From my multiple interviews with various entrepreneurs, I noticed a trend where new
entrepreneur’s worst nightmare is failure. However, for a seasoned business owner you learn that
failure is inevitable in some ventures, and you try to mitigate it or completely prevent it by
abandoning the project early on or using different recommended tools and practices. Regardless,
there's one constant, you always aim to learn from it and persevere.

Visionless Entrepreneurial Mind
On the July 1, 1970, the Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre opened its doors. Commonly known as
Xerox PARC, the research centre was set up as a division of Xerox Corporation and was given the
mandate to invent the technologies of the future. At Xerox PARC great scientists, engineers and
programmers were assembled and they set about the task of inventing the future of computing.
They invented technologies that are so widely successful, we take them for granted today.
During its early years, Xerox was not able to capitalise on the market potential of the research and
development that was getting done at PARC. The benefit of that work accrued to other companies.
For example, Apple launched the Macintosh Computer in 1984. This personal computer featured the
GUI and a mouse, which for that era, was a revolutionary innovation [15].
In order to innovate successfully, companies need frameworks, tools and processes that can help
them take their inventions from ideas to commercial success. So, while the Xerox’s own personal
computer the Alto was a commercial flop, Apple’s Macintosh became a legendary success that
kickstarted a revolution.

According to research there are seven reasons why failures occur, namely, the 'Seven Blockers'. They
are ignorance, lack of skills, faulty product processes, overconfidence, lack of discipline, hasty and
lack of resources with an abundance of projects [16]. Determining which practice to abandon, will lead
to efficient critical thinking and potential prevention of failure. Which Xerox failed to do, and Apple
were pioneers at.
The Pugh Matrix
Research depicted how the use of tools such as the Pugh method can be an effective evaluation
process. The method includes a decision analysis matrix with either a positive + or a negative - or an
S (Same) evaluating each aspect of a venture, indicating whether it has a positive or negative effect
or neutral consequence. Hence, giving a quantifiable analysis and estimate on whether the project
will either succeed or fail depending on the number positives or negatives present [17].

2 - Pugh Matrix Example [17]
The biggest advantage of this tool is that it allows entrepreneurs to clearly identify their businesses
or ideas strengths and weaknesses. It provides a visual representation on which aspects should be
bettered and which should be emphasised. Additionally, it would help them to highlight their
advantages if they were to need sponsors, in their pitch.

'The true entrepreneur is a doer not a dreamer' -
Nolan Bushnell
To conclude, ultimately you cannot control all global and upcoming variables that will either help or
be catastrophic for your business. However, all you can do is the required due diligence in order to
ensure that your dreams and aspirations are executed strategically and profitably. Furthermore,
relying on previous research and practices, as well as recommended tools and methods for
evaluation and assessment.