6A- Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

Assignment 6A- Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends 

1.  Economic Trend: People are receiving part time jobs, who want to work full time 

Source:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/09/04/u-s-to-release-data-on-jobs-growth-in-august/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.df266c1f78f4

• Opportunity clearly exists here, in that people want to work.  While the unemployment rate is dropping steadily, it is not dropping enough. 
• “There are 6.5 million people who are working part-time and want to work full-time. I would say — and they would say — that we’re not at full employment right now.”
• The prototypical customers are people who want to work full time, but are only receiving minimum wage/ part time gigs.  Specific examples could be people in the mining industry, health care sector, etc. These sectors used to be the most reliable industries, but in the past two years the mining industry alone has shed at least 17,000 jobs, the worst monthly total in two years.
• I saw this opportunity because the unemployment rate is a prevalent problem that is discussed every day in our society and on the news. Also, over the summer I was one of these prototypical customers who wanted a full time job, but was only able to find part time gigs. 

2.  Economic Trend:  Interest rates are being raised by the Federal Reserve. 

Source:  http://fortune.com/2018/08/20/trump-again-expresses-disappointment-federal-reserve-raising-interest-rates/

• Opportunity exists here, in that many people may agree with Trump in that raising interest rates does not accommodate our economy.  
• If the president is not thrilled, odds are his supporters are not thrilled either.  With that, that gives us leeway into picking the perfect prototypical customers. 
• He believes raising interest rates is not accommodating the current economic growth we are trying to instill/ integrate. 
• I saw this opportunity because to me, the prototypical customers are very apparent/ obvious. 

3.  Regulatory Changes: Paid sick and medical leave

Source:  https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7671-regulatory-issues-changes.html

• This source outlines numerous regulatory changes, but I have decided to focus on paid sick leave and medical policies at local and state levels. 
• Employees as well as Employers, want to create a culture that supports people in times of need.  
• The opportunity exists, in that it is a attractive incentive when people are courting talent for their businesses. 
• The prototypical customers are people who have unfortunate events happen to them, want to feel secured if and when they become pregnant, or simply just run into rough times and want security. 
• I saw this opportunity because mandating paid sick leave and wages is gaining popularity within our society. 

4. Regulatory Changes:  School safety concerns and regulations 

Source:  https://www.grainger.com/content/qt-school-safety-regulations-guidelines-283

• This source discusses the numerous and different school safety regulations different states are required to follow.  It ranges all the way from violence control, to janitorial concerns and cleanliness. 
• After the recent shootings at Stoneman Douglas, school safety was the first thing I thought of in regards to regulations that need to be changed and are desired by "consumers."  There is huge opportunity here, in regards to gun control and safety. 
• The information in this article leads me to believe an opportunity exists in that this information still seems outdated.  For example, suggesting things such as an alarm system, emergency drills, etc.  But we have overused those plans, that simply don't work.  People are looking for better locked doors, bullet proof windows, etc. 
• I believe I was exposed to this opportunity in that I know many people who attended Stoneman Douglas.  I also, think about my little brother daily who is currently in high school in fear that he will have to experience something like this one day.