Ch $1$ Case $-$ Ralph's Shoes Case Discussion

Create a discussion with your class mates:

Ralph created his business because he wanted to help people. When he focused on his real purpose of helping people, it helped him focus on priorities that could expand his business to allow him to help more people. What if his priority was to make the most comfortable shoes for athletes instead of helping more people with comfortable well fitting shoes? In the discussion, describe what different steps you think Ralph would have done to move his business towards success if he had a different purpose of making the most comfortable shoes for athletes. How would this differ from the $3$D printer technology he incorporated into his process to rapidly grow his business?

After your initial posts and responses to peers comments, keep the discussion going with answers to these questions:

Why do you think Ralph's Shoes owner became successful? What do you think he did that made the most impact on being able to compete against larger competitors in the marketplace?

What does it mean to work On the Business instead of In the Business? What should Ralph do differently to focus on working On the Business?

What entrepreneurial traits do you recognize in the owner? Which trait do you think had the greatest impact on the success of his business?

Respond to peer comments. Indicate if you do or don't agree, and state why. Comment if you see something different, or in addition, to what your peer stated.