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Show BusinessHES& Science 4 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011 MODERNIZING HOW WE TRAVEL ILLUSTRATION BY HADEN HAMBLIN By Jessica Klemm b&s reporter I The Signpost Someday in the very near future, it might be commonplace for people traveling by plane in the United States to be able to weigh and tag their own luggage. A group of Weber State University business students have proposed that a set of advanced check-in kiosks found at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, should replace the kiosks currently used by Delta Air Lines at the Salt Lake City International Airport. These kiosks are described as being "full-service," which allows passengers to check themselves in for their flights just as Delta's kiosks do, in addition to weighing and tagging. The project began when the group of five students chose to study Delta Air Lines and its check-in process as part of a supply chain management simulation course. Two members of the group, Sarah Tribe and Alex MacKay, initially came up with the idea for the full-service kiosks through their own imaginations, but then discovered the kiosks existed. Tribe said she found this type of full, self-service technology only being used through the Air Canada airline. In order to research just how efficient these kiosks would be, she and MacKay decided to travel to Paris, and were able to fly for a total of $500 through the help of Tribe's mother, who works for the Salt Lake City International Airport. "We decided it would be . . . a lot more efficient, and people would spend less time waiting if they could weigh and tag their own bag at the kiosk," Tribe said. Aqeel Rasheed, another member who took part in the project, noted that, although each of the full-service kiosks are priced at a starting cost of $5,000, he said this is only an initial cost for the airline, and the kiosks would eliminate the need for seven of I THE SIGNPOST the 10 employees who were helping with the kiosks and the baggage. "So, it would be a payoff over some time," Rasheed said. The group's report states that at least $231,000 could be cut from the annual payroll. To arrive at their findings, the students spent hours at the airports during peak hours, counting passengers and the time it took them to go through the check-in and weighing process. Upon inputting the data into Arena, a business process simulation software, See Kiosk page B9 GETTING THE GOLD FOR Student encounters BUSINESS IDEAS go head to head with the By Derek Peterson winners from other parcorrespondent I The Signpost ticipating universities. "We hope to get Alan The Wildcat EntrepreHall and Dave Norton as neurs Association is ofguest judges; however, fering up to $3,000 for neither have confirmed the next big business they will be available," idea. This is part of the said Eric Waterfall, WEA Weber Entrepreneur Asassistant director. Both sociation's Opportunity Hall and Norton are part Quest, for which stuof Grow Utah Ventures, dents can submit busia group that screens inness proposals to the vestments for a number WEA for review. The top of angel investors and three business ideas groups, and public will receive grants funds. that could total up to The WEA is still $3,000. A grand total working to put toof $5,500 will be split gether the panel of between the three judges for the final top ideas. The deaddecision. line for submissions "It is an opportuwas Nov. 23. nity to encourage new Opportunity Quest growth, which is hugely has been going on needed in for three years JOHN B. GODDARD SCIIOOL C71 BUSINESS & EcoNon,nc.,, our economy and is a joint Weber State Univer sity right now," venture beWeber Entrepreneurs Ass OCiatiOrl said WSU tween the senior Dave State of Utah Pehrson, who entered his them to analyze how and the University of Utah. Zion's Bank pro- they will reach their tar- idea for a new marketing vides the prize money get audience. It also asks company. Pehrson cited that he for the universities that them how much money they think they would is in the midst of startparticipate. "We are responsible need to get their busi- ing his own company and was excited to see for getting the message ness going." The winner at the an opportunity to obtain out there to the students of WSU," said WEA Presi- state level could win up jump-start funding. "When I heard about dent Storee Nelson. "The to $40,000 to help launch winners will then go on his or her business idea. this opportunity, I to the U of U to compete Students can go online jumped on it," Pehrand fill out the applica- son said. "Not only for for the grand prize." The application pro- tion, which requires only the chance to win some cess will help students their name, business money to get my busitake their ideas to the name and a few sentenc- ness growing, but for a next level, according to es about their business chance to present it to Nelson, whether they idea. The WEA commit- people who can give me win or not. The applica- tee will then review the positive input on my idea tion is designed to help applications, and the top and help me to refine it." students put their ideas seven finalists will cominto simple three-sen- pete for the $5,500 from Comment on this story at WSU and the chance to tence statements that wsusignpost.corn. get straight to the point. This is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to put their ideas into action, Nelson said. "It forces them to identify and define their target market," she said. "It also helps students to identify the need or problem that exists and then how they plan to solve it. It then helps success in startup By Michael Diamond correspondent I The Signpost Weber State University students continue to build businesses along the Wasatch Front. Lee Naylor is one of those students on campus with the entrepreneurial drive and has started a business with some remarkable momentum. "Prints Charming Photo Booths has really taken off," Naylor said. The WSU senior, in his last year of the accounting program, has been representing WSU for the past few months with a brandnew photo booth business. He and his business partner out of Utah County have been busy since their first booking last February from Ogden to Provo. They accredit their beginning and success to their college experience. "Weber State has been a whole new market for us," Naylor said. "It is a great resource for expansion in gaining a network and methods. It's been a starting platform for me, but now is a great stage to grow" Naylor explained the original goal of the new business was to replace the classic signature book at weddings with photos of wedding guests from the booth, printed instantly after being taken. He said this is a more intimate and personal way of remembering the day. A busy study schedule can slow down most entrepreneurs, but Naylor said their experience and discipline attained on campus helped them expand to new venues. Now they have been booked on multiple campuses, providing their product to a variety of events. "Besides a form of income, this has been a learning experience," Naylor said. "My advice would be never give up, push yourself, set goals and surround yourself with great people." Naylor's partner and friend from Brigham Young University, Chris Walker, also shared some of his experiences that he attributed to the success of their new business. "The time commitment was immense because this was all new to me," Walker said. "But after research and tapping into resources nearby, we have been running flawlessly . . . My college experience has assisted with growth because it has taught me to endure through the hard stuff." Jon White, a graduate of WSU in business administration, started his own lip-balm company called Unleashables. He currently owns and runs a private labeling and marketing business in Ogden, and works with Naylor. "It's very impressive to see such a young mind, and student at that, starting and managing such a fast-growing business plan," White said. "I can see him (Naylor) and the business going very far." Comment on this story at SOURCE: LEE NAYLOR wsusignpost.corn. |