Incredible things can be achieved through perseverance. Our RBE team encountered problems every class. Had we been working individually, we would have likely stopped our business because of a problem. Yet, by working through these speed bumps that we were presented with, our team, Omni-Vend was donated a piece of equipment valued at over $1000. The perseverance was not easy, there were many times when our team was discouraged, or frustrated. The team members accelerated our business into what it is today, addressing problems as they present themselves.
Throughout this experience I learned that it is crucial to lead aggressively, yet caringly. By leading effectively, our team produced a high quality of work. After struggling through several presentations, it was necessary to set up numerous weekly meetings to finish deliverables, and work ahead. These meetings helped our team a great deal to get done with assignments in time, and improved the overall quality of work that was completed by our team.
Towards the end of the experience, we worked hard towards our presentation to the funding panel. After countless hours of practicing and preparation, we were able to present smoothly and effectively. When the time came, Omni-Vend presented to the funding committee who granted Omni-Vend the entire loan that we requested.
This experience left me with two primary takeaways. First, don’t be afraid to take on new problems. There were times in this experience when things were not looking good. Everything seemed to be working against us. By using creative problem-solving techniques as well as general perseverance, our group was able to work through these discouraging problems and have a business that we can be proud of. The second takeaway that was important for me was that I am capable of effectively leading. Occasionally in group projects I am tempted to either do the entire project myself (insuring that I will get the grade that I want), or I may be tempted to sit back and let another team member decide how we split up the work. I seldom emerged as a leader in previous projects. By stepping up during this project, I learned that I can be an effective leader, and I should continue to aspire to be one. (Kegan Saajasto)
Growth as an individual is vital for the success to anyone. Real Business Experience (RBE) matured, educated, and shaped me into a better undergraduate business student. The experiences that I encountered in this class taught me many valuable lessons that can be applied to my future professional career.
Leadership was a value that was exemplified by all team members in Omni-Vend. RBE taught me how to effectively lead, adapt to change, and plan for the unexpected. My project planning skills improved greatly because of the many tasks that needed to be completed in a short amount of time. Time was always against us, therefore we all had to be diligent in completing our respective tasks. In the past, I used to complete assignments right before they were due. RBE didn’t allow for that kind of work ethic, which consequently reduced my procrastination tendency.
Conflict resolution proved to be a valuable skill that was developed through RBE. Omni-Vend encountered many unforeseen roadblocks that required members to adapt and work through difficulties. Working together as one cohesive unit and setting aside our differences was paramount for Omni-Vend to succeed. Overcoming the adversity that loomed around us was probably the most rewarding experience. The competency for one to recognize when to act as a leader and then acknowledge when to follow someone else is important for a well-round business group. All Omni-Vend team members were able to lead the group at one point, which was one reason for our success.
Conclusively, Real Business Experience offered at Butler University has better equipped business students. The real life situations students encounter in this class provided a different type of learning that cannot be matched in the classroom. (Thomas Brueggemann)
Throughout the duration of the Real Business Experience (RBE), I have learned multiple lessons. The lessons gained have not only been in a personal sense, but in a business and teamwork sense. I believe that personally this experience has influenced me greatly.
Participating in RBE as a sophomore here at Butler University is something that I will never forget. The RBE class has taught me how to lead in a more effective way, how to work better with others in pressure situations, and adapt to change. In the past, I feel that my leadership has always come from putting pressure on myself to push whoever I am working with to succeed. After the class, I still feel that success is key, but my leadership style has changed. I can now adapt to others if they do not respond to one way of criticism as opposed to another. I am now able to be calmer individual when the pressure is turned on high and deadlines are fast approaching. In the past, I have always been against change. RBE taught me that business is all about how a person reacts to change. After seeing the different roadblocks presented to our group, I now understand the importance of adaptability.
A lot of the personal lessons I learned from this experience apply to the business and teamwork lessons as well. The leadership, pressure situations, and change are all omnipresent in today’s business world. A few of the business and teamwork lessons that stuck out to me were that a business person must be able to trust their teammates and use one another’s strengths to excel. The trust is more than just being on time and showing up for meetings. It is about holding each other accountable and not letting one another slack off (the little things matter in business). I believe that the last lesson is obvious. In a team setting a CEO always wants to use everyone’s strengths, but at the same time I believe that they should also help strengthen the group’s weaknesses.
The Real Business Experience offered at Butler University is second to none. RBE places students in opportunities that are rare in occurrence today. I will take these lessons with me for the rest of my life.
(Aaron Snoddy)
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward” (Martin Luther King Jr.). These words have rung true in numerous instances throughout my life and again were able to assist me in going through this Real Business Experience (RBE).
For our business, Omni-Vend, as well as many start-ups I believe, people tend to fly out of the gate at a sprint; however, we soon realized that we had to slow that to a walk in moving through the various obstacles we encountered along the way and coming towards the end of the semester it truly seemed as if we were at a crawl while patiently moving forward to open the last few doors that stood between us and the plausibility of our business. In order to work through the formidable challenges ahead of our team in procuring a vending machine, gaining permission from several Butler governing bodies, compiling an inventory that we felt could be successful, and putting all of this together culminating in a presentation to a funding board, I learned several lessons that don’t just apply to these individual situations but can also be taken with me in life and future business endeavors. I’ll highlight a few lessons that struck out to me as most crucial in my development:
a) Similar to the quote I began with, I found even more-so the importance of being proactive and constantly moving forward in one way or another. Even if one area of the business is stagnant for the moment, rather than stopping everything until that is solved, it is much more productive to continue on in other areas of the business that still need advancement.
b) Next, I firmly believe that being adaptable while maintaining perspective is essential. Change is something that was stressed in RBE for a good reason, as our group experienced the need to adapt almost every step of the way; but building on change and maintaining the perspective to keep in mind your final goal will aid you in many situations—business and life.
c) Lastly, the principle that the best leaders are also the best followers was solidified in my foundation as a person during this experience. It is not a trivial attribute to possess and the ability to use it is paramount. I feel as though I grew in knowing when to step up in areas that I am adept in and simultaneously let others lead me in areas that they are skilled in. By utilizing these important areas of development, our team, Omni-Vend, was able to not only overcome obstacles placed in front of us, but we were able to surpass them and our own goals in the process.
(Austin Oldham)
Looking back on this last semester in Real Business Experience I realized how much of a difference maker this class was. This class did exactly what it was expected to do teach us how to create and run our own business. I would say that everyone in our group thought that this would be a walk in the park and would have no problem doing this but we quickly realized that we were pretty unprepaired. But we didn’t let that get to us with every obstacle thrown our way we hurdled it and kept trucking.
Some of the major issues were that we had to get a vending machine with the little money we have and that was truthfully not possible so we had to attempt to rent one and while doing this we ran into a company who was generous to give us one. Now this is a good example of determination because when we found out how expensive vending machines were we could have given up and try something new but we new that determination and not willing to give up is how people create successful businesses. So we kept going and triumphed when no one thought it possible.
To do well in RBE is just like doing well in real life, you are going to have to work hard to accomplish anything. If you are not willing to try you won’t do well but if you are willing to show that you are working hard and doing what ever you have to do to succeed. This class has show what is possible by a group of sophmores in college and how they can succeed. It has proven that people are able to do what it takes even at a young age.
(Eamon Casey)