In order to be a successful individual, both in the business world and everyday life, it is beneficial to picture yourself as an enterprise. Upon pondering this concept and identifying how the different components of an enterprise, including marketing, management, supply chain management, management information systems, finance, and accounting, fit into my life, I was decently surprised to see how similar myself as an enterprise is to an actual enterprise in the business world. After careful consideration, I determined that marketing and management are the most prevalent and applicable to my self-enterprise at this point in time.
According to the Mays Business School website, “More than anything else, modern marketing is about developing innovative solutions to customer problems and taking better care of your customers than your competitors do.” If I were to apply this concept to my life, it would likely translate into making myself the most viable and competent individual when compared to all of my peers or competitors. When others, whether they are classmates, professors, or potential employers, evaluate me as a potential team member, I want to stand out in a manner that makes them feel confident I will perform the job most effectively. Furthermore, marketing students are typically information seekers and “strategic problem solvers who consistently deliver reliable results.” I found this material particularly useful because it gives me a goal and purpose within my self-enterprise. I now realize that I should aim to be the most qualified person among my peers and seek to solve problems through strategy with enthusiasm and gusto.
Prior to evaluating myself as an enterprise, I was very lackadaisical in the manner in which I marketed myself. The majority of my self-marketing was done unintentionally and unconsciously. Though my morals consistently ensure that my posts on social media platforms and outward appearance are appropriate and tasteful, I found myself reevaluating all that I had said and done from the world’s perspective rather than my own. There were a few instances where I discovered that my words could have potentially been misinterpreted and given others an inaccurate perception of my personality and work ethic. This realization was rather unexpected and has prompted me to consider other aspects in my life where something similar has occurred.
In an effort to be more intentional in exercising the marketing component of my self-enterprise, I will make a conscious effort to think about “the other side of the table” and how my words are actually perceived, as opposed to how they are intended. For example, I aim to consider my words from an unbiased standpoint prior to saying them in order to ensure there is only one possible interpretation and that it is a positive reflection my character. In order to differentiate myself from my peers, I will seek out volunteer opportunities and leadership positions that will provide me with unique experiences and knowledge. I believe that the more intentional I am with my involvement, the more I will learn and the more qualified I will be for future teams and organizations. In addition, I will approach conflict differently and attempt to solve it through strategy as opposed to trial and error. I feel that this attribute will be most effective and conducive to teamwork.
The essential characteristics of a management student, as defined by Mays, include “strong analytical and decision making skills, efficient organization and systemizing abilities, an ability to cultivate strong industry relations, and superb communication skills.” Though the attributes of the management component of an enterprise are very straightforward, they can be particularly difficult to master, simply because there is always room for growth and refinement. In regards to decision making and organizing, efficiency becomes crucial and can almost always be improved. Fostering relationships, whether professional or personal, takes practice and requires extensive nurturing. Finally, communication, though something we engage in daily, can be a challenge simply because it requires us to evaluate the other end of the conversation and determine the best means for conveying our message.
Before coming to college, my schedule was very easy to manage. I rarely ever had conflicts between organizations and had no problems at all with having time for fun with friends. When I reflect on high school and the management aspect of my self-enterprise, I realize that it was highly underdeveloped. At first, I found this insight rather alarming, but after evaluating the circumstances, I discovered it was simply because I had never needed to manage my time, effort, or energy so carefully. My parents aided me when necessary, my organizations made an effort to avoid scheduling conflicts, and my teachers corresponded when assigning large projects, so all the dirty work was done for me. Though it was nice at the time, I wish I had been given more responsibility so that I could have begun to develop my management skills then as opposed to now, when they matter most
As an involved student at Texas A&M University, I find myself juggling responsibility on a day-to-day basis. I am constantly forced to make a conscious effort to organize my life and manage my time in the most effective manner. Between attending and studying for classes, being involved in church, increasing participation in my sorority, maintaining old and creating new friendships, and attending sporting events, developing my management skills has been crucial. Just over the last eight weeks, I have seen an improvement in my ability to analyze situations and determine the best course of action, particularly in how to study. In addition, I have discovered that writing out my daily schedule serves as an easy way to remain organized and on top of my to-do list. Through different organizations and classes, I have successfully developed numerous relationships that have the potential to benefit me both personally and professionally. Lastly, because I am new to campus, I am constantly meeting new people and engaging in conversation. Through my classes, I have discovered that my presentation skills are still in need of fine-tuning, but I have sought out resources and plan to utilize them to the best of my ability. Being aware of areas in need of improvement allows me to seek assistance and continue to develop my self-enterprise to the best of my ability.
Overall, there are many benefits to picturing oneself as an enterprise. At this point in time, I feel as though I have all of the resources I need to make myself stand out among my peers in the eyes of future leaders and employers. Visualizing myself in this manner allows me to evaluate myself from an unbiased standpoint and identify areas for improvement. I feel as though this perspective will encourage me to be more intentional in my conversations, organization involvement, and time management.
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