1. The Domain Expert:
- John Lynch is an electrical engineer at the University of Florida
- John is one of my older brother's roommates, and he is a fourth year in the engineering program.
-My brother gave me his number and I talked to him about my product and the way I wanted it to work.
-We talked about the importance of getting the engineering right since it is a tricky concept and how I would have to make sure to market my product so it is not just like every portable charger that exists right now.
-John is very valuable to my social capital because he is an engineer and can make my product something real and valuable. The engineer would create the product and make sure it works before I market and sell it.
2. The Marketing Expert:
- Zachary Smith is a marketing manager of a company that promotes the increase of technology in Public schools in the US.
- I contacted Zach on the phone since we are cousins, and I have a close relationship because he traveling to Florida with his company a lot. He and his employees come up with ways to market new software and devices for kids to use at school. We talked about my product, and how I could be marketing it in Universities all over the United States.
- Zach was a valuable addition to my Social Capital because he already successfully has marketed different kinds of products to schools and will be helpful when I need to market my product to different Universities.
3. The Supplier:
-Mario Uber, owner of an phone and computer company.
- Mario is one of my uncles from my mother's side.
- I contacted him over Facebook and told him about my product, and how he has been able to grow his company by adding new additions.
- Mario is a great addition to my social capital because he could take on my product or help me develop mine with a bigger company. He can teach me a lot about taking it further.
Reflection: Talking to these people wasn't as hard because I already knew them, but it was still a little nerve wracking when I had to tell them about my idea. They weren't rude, but one or two of them were a little skeptical at first, but they were quick to help me out and give me some pointers. Talking to these people will give me the courage to venture out and talk to people I don't even really know to expand my product.
I think you did a really good job on this blog post. I as well knew most of the people I was talking to but was still really nervous to tell them my idea. They were also super helpful and gave me all the pointers I needed. I think you made some valuable connections that you can use in your future if you decide to go through with your idea or any idea in general. You can view my blog post at: http://saraheverts.blogspot.com/2016/03/growing-my-social-capital.html
ReplyDeleteHey Alex! I think its really cool that you could use a bunch of people that you already knew because that means you don't have to go through the phase of getting to know one another. I only knew one of the people that I talked to so it was very awkward for me t reach out and tell random people my idea. I think you did a really good job at establishing a solid base of connections that you can build off of to make your business extremely successful. Check out my post at: http://sowersent3003.blogspot.com/2016/03/growing-social-capital.html
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey Alex! I love how invested you seem in your idea! I also think it is really cool that you know so many people that can help you carry out your charger idea. Those long term relationships could help you tremendously! I personally did not know of anyone to contact for this assignment, so I decided to sit this one out. Overall, great job and good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Alex,
ReplyDeleteIt is good that one of your contacts was an engineer, like you said they can really help you to work through all the specifics and ensure that they work as designed. I can agree that talking to family about business ideas can be nerve wracking. For me it almost seemed easier talking to people that I really did not know. You can view my blog here if you would like: http://jww3.blogspot.com/ Great job and good luck going forward.
Jim