My brain ain't really working this few days as I was rushing to complete a portion of my research. My symposium is just around the corner and I am stuck with idea on how to proceed. Same goes for today. Lastly around 1130a.m, I stand up, lock my door and have a walk around my new faculty block. I have just move to this new block a few days back. Hell of a day moving all those "shit"(s).
As I am wondering along a corner of lecture room, I stumble upon my ex-student from a year back (roughly). He saw me, excitedly and happily walk towards me and greet;
Student: Hi, Sir. How have you been doing?
Me: Fine.
With his eager face expression;
Student: Sir, I want to promote something to you.
Me: What? You do marketing now? You know me. I do not entertain marketing stuffs.
Student: No, Sir. I open up a franchise shop.
At that point, my mind flash back to a year back where this student actually come and consult me over this matter. I remember him not as a bright, lazy or exceptionally smart student. But a normal student like others. He perform normally, I mean averagely but a different attitude compare to other students in my class. He like to ask me questions. Questions which have nothing to do with my lecture. I taught Creative and Innovation Management at that time. Basically, its about how to manage your knowledge, retain and use it in terms of business environment.
Most of the questions he ask is related to business. At that point of time, I ask him;
Me: Why you do not approach and ask your business teacher for this type of questions?
I believe they are more comfortable if compared to me in business issues.
Student: No, Sir. I like your advise compared to them.
I remember that I told my students before that my first degree is in finance. Maybe that is why he came and consult me on such issues.
Just days before the semester end, he came over to my room and consulted me on a franchise business. At that time, he told me that he wanted to open up a milk tea beverages. You know; those Bo 8 Tea, Ochado, Chatime, etc.
At that time, I straight away ask him to forget about his plan.
Student: Why?
Me: From my point of view, there will be more and more.
I would say there will be at least 8 - 10 similar shops will be open.
What do I teach you in my lecture?
You remember I taught you blue sea, red sea?
The probable situation that you will be getting in is red sea.
You can venture in if you have way to overcome your red sea.
Student: Why you said so?
Me: Look around you. If you see a potential thing(s) which might work, will you go for it?
What I am trying to say, I am seeing a point where a lot of people will open the same type of shop as you are thinking now.
Why don't you look for something that has a lesser probability that people will venture in at that time.
Why don't you look for something that has a lesser probability that people will venture in at that time.
Student: So, what should I do?
Me: I would suggest you to think of other business area, such as fast food, etc.
Maybe you can try ask around franchise for ShiLin and other similar food
franchise possibility.
franchise possibility.
At that time, I suggest ShiLin because my wife once told me that she would love to have a ShiLin shop in our work surrounding. I think financial should be an issue for my student as franchise need a huge amount of money. That is why I suggest a smaller scale of franchise shop to him and ask him to look for some other shops also. I mention to him the downside of ShiLin shop as I do not want him to jump to conclusion so fast. He is a student with no experience anyway. So, my try will be asking him to ask ShiLin for how much the total franchise fees for him to start venture his business. If he is comfortable compared to other kind of franchise, just do it.
Student: Sir, how am I going to know that people here like ShiLin food?
Me: After your exam, go to bus stop. Bring a piece of paper.
Sit there from 9 to 5. Jot down how many people go to McD.
Make sure you mark down the gender, age, and regularity in visiting McD.
Because of financial issues and experience, I just opt the most simple and cheap and at the same time the most tedious method for him, direct observation.
Because of financial issues and experience, I just opt the most simple and cheap and at the same time the most tedious method for him, direct observation.
Student: Why?
Me: Just do it. After getting all the answer, compile it and you will understand.
I have a very bad habit in education which I do not like to teach things directly to my students.
I would prefer them to understand and enlighten by themselves.
No spoon feed policy in my dictionary. People do not learn properly this way.
That's it. That is the last time I ever saw him. Today, I mean just now, when he saw me, he gave me this.
Sorry for the bad quality of the picture. Taken from my old and loyal mobile phone. This student ended up opening the ShiLin shop.
Me: You get what I want to tell you last time?
Student: Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.
This is the first time I feel relief in education line where a student really trust and take advise. Or should I use other word that relief? Uncertain on this case.
At this time, there is actually more than 8 shop of milk tea in my area. If he were plan to open up a milk tea shop that time, the time he complete everything and start to open his shop, it would be too late. My best guess is he will be struggling to survive as most of those shops now are struggling with buy 1 free 1 or 50% promotion.
Or am I just lucky in guessing that similar shops is going to blooming like mushroom at that time? I don't know. I can't predict future. If I am able, I am in 4D shop now!!
Conclusion, sometimes even your are equipped with a certain experience or knowledge, you do sometimes need to listen to your heart on decision making. It helps.
Adios y gracias.
~Milo~
Georgetown Time
