Difference between revisions of "Team:UCL/Entrepreneurship2"
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<p>The STEEPLE framework is used to assess external factors in the business environment. In its original form it was conceived as the PEST analysis and accounted for political, economic, social and technological factors. In this analysis the augmented format is used, which includes legal, environmental and ethical factors. These are tightly interconnected and will often overlap.</p> | <p>The STEEPLE framework is used to assess external factors in the business environment. In its original form it was conceived as the PEST analysis and accounted for political, economic, social and technological factors. In this analysis the augmented format is used, which includes legal, environmental and ethical factors. These are tightly interconnected and will often overlap.</p> | ||
<p>In the following analysis we have not only outlined what external factors are likely to affect our business but also whether we expect to be positively or negatively impacted by it, much like in a SWOT (strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, threats) analysis.</p> | <p>In the following analysis we have not only outlined what external factors are likely to affect our business but also whether we expect to be positively or negatively impacted by it, much like in a SWOT (strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, threats) analysis.</p> | ||
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<h4>Social</h4> | <h4>Social</h4> | ||
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<p>The power balance between the doctor and the patient in the west is shifting in the direction of the patient and with this greater level of empowerment the patient is more likely to opt for a lifestyle product such as our minimum viable product (MVP) which can be given early on rather than a pharmacological treatment. </p> | <p>The power balance between the doctor and the patient in the west is shifting in the direction of the patient and with this greater level of empowerment the patient is more likely to opt for a lifestyle product such as our minimum viable product (MVP) which can be given early on rather than a pharmacological treatment. </p> | ||
<p>Safety and transparency have been prime concerns from day one. In order to gain and maintain the public’s trust we must not allow our company’s image to become associated with the idea of the impenetrable corporation with a dubious agenda that persistently clings to genetic engineering. </p> | <p>Safety and transparency have been prime concerns from day one. In order to gain and maintain the public’s trust we must not allow our company’s image to become associated with the idea of the impenetrable corporation with a dubious agenda that persistently clings to genetic engineering. </p> | ||
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<h4>Technological</h4> | <h4>Technological</h4> | ||
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<p>Our MVP is based on a large and growing body of research in a transdisciplinary field that encompasses subjects ranging from genetics, to microbiology, to computer science to psychiatry. This allows us commission highly strategic studies to produce proprietary strains and patents which have information contained in the public domain as their foundation.</p> | <p>Our MVP is based on a large and growing body of research in a transdisciplinary field that encompasses subjects ranging from genetics, to microbiology, to computer science to psychiatry. This allows us commission highly strategic studies to produce proprietary strains and patents which have information contained in the public domain as their foundation.</p> | ||
<p>As the general public becomes more receptive to novel gadjets and the notion that technology can improve their lives we are witnessing a trend called the “quantified self”, characterised by devices that monitor several biometrics within the context of physical activity. This is not limited to performance athletes but also encompasses those who are both tech-savvy and focused on self-improvement. Since people in this group are likely to have large disposable incomes they could become the ideal target for our personalised MVP range.</p> | <p>As the general public becomes more receptive to novel gadjets and the notion that technology can improve their lives we are witnessing a trend called the “quantified self”, characterised by devices that monitor several biometrics within the context of physical activity. This is not limited to performance athletes but also encompasses those who are both tech-savvy and focused on self-improvement. Since people in this group are likely to have large disposable incomes they could become the ideal target for our personalised MVP range.</p> | ||
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<h4>Economic </h4> | <h4>Economic </h4> | ||
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<p>These conditions exacerbate the ever-present problem of a new technology offering potential benefits mainly to the most affluent. Not only is this undesirable in terms of the extent of the societal impact that we wish to make as a company but it also creates invokes unwarranted resentment towards technologies that should in principle become more affordable with time.</p> | <p>These conditions exacerbate the ever-present problem of a new technology offering potential benefits mainly to the most affluent. Not only is this undesirable in terms of the extent of the societal impact that we wish to make as a company but it also creates invokes unwarranted resentment towards technologies that should in principle become more affordable with time.</p> | ||
<p>In spite, or perhaps because, of the current economic state of affairs the investment in biotech startups has only increased over the past few years. This trend is true of startups in general, but more pronounced within biotech. While some investors like Peter Thiel believe that it is with the startup innovation model that you can unlock the most value there are others who believe startups have become a bubble.</p> | <p>In spite, or perhaps because, of the current economic state of affairs the investment in biotech startups has only increased over the past few years. This trend is true of startups in general, but more pronounced within biotech. While some investors like Peter Thiel believe that it is with the startup innovation model that you can unlock the most value there are others who believe startups have become a bubble.</p> | ||
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<h4>Environmental</h4> | <h4>Environmental</h4> | ||
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<p>Given the poor environmental track record of genetically engineered seeds and other plant product we need to take steps to minimise our environmental impact not only for ethical reasons but also because of the public relations backlash that a poor environmental record entails.</p> | <p>Given the poor environmental track record of genetically engineered seeds and other plant product we need to take steps to minimise our environmental impact not only for ethical reasons but also because of the public relations backlash that a poor environmental record entails.</p> | ||
<p>The food ingredients should also be considered. Each element in our supply chain should be produce their contributions to our product in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.</p> | <p>The food ingredients should also be considered. Each element in our supply chain should be produce their contributions to our product in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.</p> | ||
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<h4>Political </h4> | <h4>Political </h4> | ||
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<p>The top-down hierarchy of the healthcare industry in general poses a significant obstacle to those looking to launch new products within the space. Since people do not possess the knowledge required to make informed medical decisions on their treatment they generally defer to a doctor on these matters. Because the doctor has several dozen (if not hundred) patients his willingness to take risks or try new products is far lower than if it were a patient ready to assume a risk for himself. It can be said that the incentives of doctors are not perfectly aligned with those of patients. This is not to say that doctors do not have their patient’s best interests at heart, but they also have to consider their own reputation and exposure to litigation. This effect becomes more pronounced as you move up the hierarchy of public health, thereby slowing down technical innovation tremendously.</p> | <p>The top-down hierarchy of the healthcare industry in general poses a significant obstacle to those looking to launch new products within the space. Since people do not possess the knowledge required to make informed medical decisions on their treatment they generally defer to a doctor on these matters. Because the doctor has several dozen (if not hundred) patients his willingness to take risks or try new products is far lower than if it were a patient ready to assume a risk for himself. It can be said that the incentives of doctors are not perfectly aligned with those of patients. This is not to say that doctors do not have their patient’s best interests at heart, but they also have to consider their own reputation and exposure to litigation. This effect becomes more pronounced as you move up the hierarchy of public health, thereby slowing down technical innovation tremendously.</p> | ||
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<h4>Legal</h4> | <h4>Legal</h4> | ||
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<p>Given that we will be producing a food product we need to be aware of the limits to which we are liable for damages purportedly caused by the consumption of our products and what sort of safeguards we can install to minimize our legal risk. This isn’t restricted to the bacterial components in our product, but applies to all ingredients that could potentially be harmful to some people (allergens) as well as product contamination issues.</p> | <p>Given that we will be producing a food product we need to be aware of the limits to which we are liable for damages purportedly caused by the consumption of our products and what sort of safeguards we can install to minimize our legal risk. This isn’t restricted to the bacterial components in our product, but applies to all ingredients that could potentially be harmful to some people (allergens) as well as product contamination issues.</p> | ||
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<h4>Ethical </h4> | <h4>Ethical </h4> | ||
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<p>The human rights aspects of the project need to be carefully considered. The supply chain should not only be environmentally responsible, but also socially responsible. Helping people and improving their quality of life are at the center of this enterprise, it’s ultimate goal is to provide those who have mental health an equal opportunity at a dignified life and the pursuit of their goals.</p> | <p>The human rights aspects of the project need to be carefully considered. The supply chain should not only be environmentally responsible, but also socially responsible. Helping people and improving their quality of life are at the center of this enterprise, it’s ultimate goal is to provide those who have mental health an equal opportunity at a dignified life and the pursuit of their goals.</p> | ||
<p>The mentally ill are one of the most disenfranchised groups in modern society, much more so because they have insufficient influential spokespeople for their cause. By helping the mentally ill we are attempting to correct one of the most jarring drivers of inequality in society: the arbitrary division of the sane and the insane.</p> | <p>The mentally ill are one of the most disenfranchised groups in modern society, much more so because they have insufficient influential spokespeople for their cause. By helping the mentally ill we are attempting to correct one of the most jarring drivers of inequality in society: the arbitrary division of the sane and the insane.</p> | ||
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<h3 id="2"> Regulations </h3> | <h3 id="2"> Regulations </h3> | ||
Revision as of 00:20, 19 September 2015
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