Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Rowan University



Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Prepared by Dr. D’Intino / Modified by Dr. Ross

Entrepreneur Interview

Written Assignment

A goal of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation course is to introduce students to the experience of what it feels like to be a working entrepreneur. You are being asked to conduct an interview with an entrepreneur to help you better understand how entrepreneurs view their world; how they recognize opportunities, and the various ways they take action on these opportunities to create a business or social venture.

Your assignment is to interview an entrepreneur, transcribe, clean up your interview notes, craft a narrative three – four page paper in which you go beyond restating the subject’s words but put the information you acquire in the context of your reading to date and related relevant concepts of entrepreneurship. The focus should be on the entrepreneur’s approach to innovation and new business development. The following provides the background and a related questionnaire help you conduct a structured interview. Please note that you do not have to ask every one of these questions. They are provided to help you prepare for your interview and help you walk through the process in a structured way.

Your three - four page written entrepreneur interview is due at the beginning of class on the date of _______________ The Entrepreneur Interview paper is worth 10% of your course evaluation.

Rowan University

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Entrepreneur Questionnaire

GROUND RULES FOR INTERVIEW:

Who qualifies? See class notes and the original assignment sheet for the criteria. If the person you interview is not someone I have approved, you have taken the responsibility for any misfires.

• The person you interview should be the owner (not a manager.)

• The business owned by the individual should be young enough to still be in its entrepreneurial phase yet past its first or second year (2-10 years old is ideal.)

• The Business should have more than 1 employee so the owner has responsibility for someone other than him/herself.

Getting in touch: Call on the telephone if possible. Make an appointment for a specific date and time (repeat that information to the owner to make sure you have it correctly.) Ask for directions if you are unclear about the locale or time it takes to get there. Follow up immediately with an email to confirm it in writing for the owner.

What to tell your interview subject when you contact them for an interview:

Hello, my name is Mary Smith. I am a student from Rowan University. I am taking a class in entrepreneurship. I am interested in learning more about your business and your experience as an entrepreneur for a course assignment. Would it be possible for me to come to your place of business and meet with you so I ask some questions and take some notes. Could you help me?

The interview should be done in person at the place of business whenever possible, not over the phone and certainly not by email Q & A.

This interview leads up to a written class assignment. It is designed to give the student (you) a chance to learn about a person who was instrumental in building and owning a new business.

It is completely voluntary and will take about 30 minutes. None of the topics covered should be sensitive or embarrassing.

Their identity will remain confidential outside the classroom. Any question they consider confidential or sensitive can be skipped. Some of their answers and their identity will be shared with your Rowan University undergraduate entrepreneurship class.

The purpose of the exercise is to enhance education. No formal analysis or description of the results is anticipated at this time. This is not a survey research project. Any written reports developed would be prepared to avoid sensitive information about their business from being disclosed.

DURING THE INTERVIEW:

1. USE Your Script. Select your questions in advance and highlight the ones that are most essential. Stick to the questions you planned to ask. Take notes.

2. If the individual rambles or doesn’t stick to the topic, politely interject something like this:

“That is really interesting. I wonder if you could also tell me about xxxxxxx.” I see that my time for the interview is speeding by and I don’t want to have to leave without asking you about these questions. It will really help me write a better paper.”

AT THE END INTERVIEW:

1. Remember to say: "Thank you for your help." Sending a short handwritten thank you note is both polite and appreciated by your interview subject.

2. Expect to Shake Hands! Offer yours first. Practice a handshake on a friend before you go if in doubt!

3. Let them know that they may receive a telephone call or an email from a staff member at the university inquiring about their experience.

Provide your instructor with a complete name, address and phone number and email address for the business and individual interviewee.

STUDENT’S NAME: _________________________________________

Entrepreneur Interview Transcript

Name of Entrepreneur interviewed: _________________________________________

Name of Company: _________________________________________

Complete Mailing Address: _______________________________

Phone number: _______________________________

email: _____________________________________________

Date of interview: Day Month Year _______________________________

Time of day: _______________________________

Interview context: (where): _________________________________

Describe respondent's attitude (cooperative? interested? reluctant?)

Note: Ask 1-a and 1-b BEFORE setting up the interview.

1-a) Are you an owner and founder of this business? Yes _____ No _______

If “No” DON”T proceed with the interview.

1-b) When was the business started? __________ after 1998? Yes _____

1-c) How many others, beside yourself, are involved in the ownership of the business? ______

1-c) Are other owners people with whom you have a family or kinship relationship? _______

Describe:

2) Please describe what kind of business you have? What is the major product or service? (Do some initial research so you know the obvious.)

3) In which industry would you classify this business? (You can find this in RefUSA) _______________________________

_____ Agricultural production or service

_____ Mining or mining services

_____ Construction

_____ Manufacturing: Durables, items expected to last 3+ years

_____ Manufacturing: Nondurables, items expected to last ................
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