Week 3 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

     The biggest surprise to me in chapter 2 was the explanation of ethical codes of conduct.  Managers have a responsibility for providing constant improvement in products or services.  It is corrosive to the work environment to elevate unethical practices.  

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

     I was confused by the use of the grief recovery process.  According to the textbook the grief recovery process involves focusing in on a particular loss and examining why it was considered a loss.  I agree with this as I believe the best tool to learning is to first fail or learn from your mistakes.  But then the book explains that this process causes a loss of orientation towards grief recovery, leading to muscle memory to not make the same mistake twice.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

     What experiences of failure have you endured with your experience as an entrepreneur and how did you deal with it?  I would ask this to learn more about overcoming failures and using failure as a learning tool to improve your next entrepreneurial experience.  

     What forms of stress have you dealt with over your entrepreneurial career and how have you overcome those stresses?  I would ask the author about his stresses and involvement in projects that cause stress.  Stress is a very common obstacle for many individuals and learning to properly cope with stress in sectors like financial, career, family, social, or psychic risks.

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

     The textbook states that many people today believe that managers and businesspeople in general are slimy and try to get away with everything that they can.  I disagree with this opinion-based statement as businessmen teach the public about the parameters of business and the stock market.  Furthermore, a manager is responsible for managing the company and maintaining healthy ethical practices.