Entrepreneurship Talks For Engineering Students ( 2015 Version)

I’ve updated the “Entrepreneurship” slides that I present to UBC Engineering students each fall. /enjoy.

1. Introduction to Technology Entrepreneurship (2015 version)

I first ask the question. “What is Entrepreneurship?”

I follow-up with my favorite definition of a business from Peter Drucker.

Then I address the questions:

  • What is the journey like?
  • What is the process?
  • How do I learn about customers?
  • How do I keep score?

I focus my answers on 5 Points — Purpose, You, Process, Customers, and Scorecard.

  • Purpose » Drucker’s Purpose of Business,
  • You » Martin’s Knowledge Funnel + Soft-Skills,
  • Process » Blank’s Customer Development,
  • Customers » Moore’s Crossing the Chasm + Product/Service Journey Sketch,
  • Scorecard » Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas.

2. Entrepreneurship Skills – Dating Skills For Engineers (2015 version)

I begin with “What Does A Project Look and Feel LIke?” (YC’s “Startup Curve” and Austin Kleon’s “Life of a Project”)

Then I focus on four fundamental personal skills –

  • Communicating (Heath Brothers),
  • Listening (Marshal Goldsmith),
  • Helping (Edgar Schein), and
  • Don’t Be An Asshole (Robert Sutton).
    • I also add in the Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck) as part of Don’t Be An Asshole.

I used to call this talk “Entrepreneurship Fundamental Skills” and the nickname that emerged was “Dating Skills For Engineers”.

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