--- title: Big Idea Center Blog (11) description: "Do you have a #pittbigidea come to the Big Idea Center and stay in touch with us to hear the latest from our blog. (11)" --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/page/11#main) [wordpress](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/) Menu Close - [About](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/) - [Why Us](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/why-us/) - [Staff](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Notable Alumni](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/notable-alumni/) - [Programs](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/) - [How We Help](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/how-we-help/) - [Pitt x CMU Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/pitt-x-cmu-global-entrepreneurship-week/) - [She Innovates](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/she-innovates/) - [Big Idea Blitz](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/big-idea-blitz/) - [Start Smart Series](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/start-smart-series/) - [Big Idea Competition](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/randall-family-big-idea-competition/) - [Blast Furnace](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/blast-furnace/) - [The Forge](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/the-forge/) - [Team Finder](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/team-finder/) - [Post a Team Request](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/post-a-team-request/) - [Entrepreneurs in Residence](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/eirs-student-programs/) - [Events](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter) - [Get Started](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/big-idea-get-started) Search for: Search [Big Idea Center](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittbigidea/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittbigidea) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittbigidea/) Search for: Search Research Sites Pitt Research (main) Research Computing Research Protections Sponsored Programs Trade Compliance - [About](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/) - [Why Us](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/why-us/) - [Staff](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Notable Alumni](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/notable-alumni/) - [Programs](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/) - [How We Help](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/how-we-help/) - [Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/signature-programs/gew/) - [Big Idea Blitz](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/big-idea-blitz/) - [Start Smart Legal Series](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/start-smart-series/) - [Big Idea Competition](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/signature-programs/big-idea-competition/) - [Blast Furnace](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/blast-furnace/) - [The Forge](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/the-forge/) - [Team Finder](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/team-finder/) - [Post a Team Request](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/post-a-team-request/) - [Entrepreneurs in Residence](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/eirs-student-programs/) - [Events](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter) - [Get Started](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/big-idea-get-started) # Blog ## [The 4 Principles of Entrepreneurship](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/the-four-principles-of-entrepreneurship) [![](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Puzzle%20Pieces.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/the-four-principles-of-entrepreneurship) Jan 31, 2020 9:20:10 AM The most important realization for every entrepreneur is understanding “how business gets done”. Just as there are laws of physics and engineering principles, there are fundamentals at work in the business world too. Most of these fundamentals are rooted in very basic human behaviors. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/the-four-principles-of-entrepreneurship) ## [Randall Reflections: What I Learned from the Randall Family Big Idea Competition - Emily Siegel, CEO of Trek](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-reflections-what-i-learned-from-the-randall-family-big-idea-competition-emily-siegel-ceo-of-trek) [![](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Emily%20Innovation%20Award.png)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-reflections-what-i-learned-from-the-randall-family-big-idea-competition-emily-siegel-ceo-of-trek) Jan 23, 2020 9:27:35 AM [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-reflections-what-i-learned-from-the-randall-family-big-idea-competition-emily-siegel-ceo-of-trek) ## [Building an Innovation Team - Babs Carryer, Director of the Big Idea Center](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/building-an-innovation-team-babs-carryer-director-of-the-big-idea-center) [![Finding a Team](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Building%20an%20Innovation%20Team%20Website%20Pic.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/building-an-innovation-team-babs-carryer-director-of-the-big-idea-center) Jan 17, 2020 9:10:47 AM I have an idea, but no one else to help me. Can you help me find a co-founder type of teammate? [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/building-an-innovation-team-babs-carryer-director-of-the-big-idea-center) ## [Where Do Big Ideas Come From? - Tiffany Bicek, Program Administrative Assistant](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/where-do-big-ideas-come-from-tiffany-bicek-program-administrative-assistant) [![idea](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Whiteboard.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/where-do-big-ideas-come-from-tiffany-bicek-program-administrative-assistant) Jan 10, 2020 8:28:23 AM Ideas are everywhere -- literally! Almost everything that you have seen, bought, ate, touched, etc. started out as an idea. Disney World. A chocolate chip cookie. Play-Doh. But how did anyone think of such things? Where did these ideas come from? Certainly they didn’t just suddenly appear out of thin air like an impressive magic trick. Every idea must have come from somewhere – but where exactly? If you are wanting to create your own idea but are having some trouble getting started, perhaps you have asked yourself these same questions. Luckily, ideas can be found in more than one place. With that being said, let’s start looking, shall we? [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/where-do-big-ideas-come-from-tiffany-bicek-program-administrative-assistant) ## [Are you a Leader or a Follower? - Jeanine McCreary, Entrepreneur in Residence](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/are-you-a-leader-or-a-follower-jeanine-mccreary-entrepreneur-in-residence) [![leader](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/leader.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/are-you-a-leader-or-a-follower-jeanine-mccreary-entrepreneur-in-residence) Sep 26, 2019 3:17:55 PM Our own Big Idea Center Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Jeanine McCreary shares what she believes it takes to be a leader and tackles the age-old argument of whether leaders are made or born? [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/are-you-a-leader-or-a-follower-jeanine-mccreary-entrepreneur-in-residence) ## [Randall Recap Pt. 3 - Meet Your Mentor](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-pt.-3-meet-your-mentor) [![thumbnail3](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/thumbnail3.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-pt.-3-meet-your-mentor) Jul 2, 2019 10:45:55 AM At the end of the semi-final round of presentations for the Randall Family Big Idea Competition, 100+ teams of dedicated students where whittled down to 50 and were to be making the journey through the next month of planning and strategy to, ultimately, present to final round judges on March 21st, 2019. As part of their introduction to the next phase of competition, students were matched with mentors during this year’s Meet Your Mentor and Finalist Bootcamp event. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-pt.-3-meet-your-mentor) ## [Randall Recap Part 2, Semi-Finals](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-part-2-semi-finals) [![semi thumbnail](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/semi%20thumbnail.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-part-2-semi-finals) Jun 11, 2019 11:23:05 AM The first competitive round of the Randall Family Big Idea Competition took place on February 22nd, 2019. Throughout the course of the day, judges heard big ideas from over one-hundred teams and three-hundred Pitt students. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-part-2-semi-finals) ## [Randall Recap Part 1, Bootcamp](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-part-1-bootcamp) [![thumbnail1](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/thumbnail1.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-part-1-bootcamp) May 28, 2019 10:00:48 AM In February 2019, three hundred Pitt students of all degrees and disciplines, gathered at the O’Hara Student Center to kick off the two-month long Randall Family Big Idea Competition. The road would eventually end on March 21st with $100,000 given to deserving teams who showed dedication to their idea and promise towards starting their own entrepreneurship endeavors. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/randall-recap-part-1-bootcamp) ## [Is the BIG IDEA right for me? - Jess Malandro, Student Program Coordinator](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/is-the-big-idea-right-for-me-jess-malandro-student-program-coordinator) [![IMG_2211](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/IMG_2211.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/is-the-big-idea-right-for-me-jess-malandro-student-program-coordinator) May 14, 2019 2:50:52 PM Entrepreneur (noun) – one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. As student program coordinator for the Big Idea Center, the main question I receive is: “can I participate or is all of this just for business students?” My response varies person to person, but always follows the same theme: Entrepreneurship is for anyone and everyone. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/is-the-big-idea-right-for-me-jess-malandro-student-program-coordinator) ## [Team Conflict - Jeanine McCreary](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/team-conflict-jeanine-mccreary) [![20181014_EJ_2256_hackathon_edited_7](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/20181014_EJ_2256_hackathon_edited_7.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/team-conflict-jeanine-mccreary) May 7, 2019 4:22:20 PM As a certified mediator, I have seen my share of conflict and I like it! Conflict leads to resolution, growth, and innovation. In every team of goal-oriented individuals, it’s not every day that things run smoothly. Thanks to their diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, and perspectives, team conflicts are typical and will inevitably crop up. They will creep in, causing disharmony and confusion, sometimes even throwing the whole project into jeopardy. 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