20A - Growing Your Social Capital

1) Who they are and what their background is.

The first person I contacted was Josh Keening who is a Heavner business school graduate and I decided to ask him what he thought of my idea.  I contacted him because of his natural ability to figure out problems.  He is someone who I look up to because he is very well versed in the business field and I believe he could help me immensely.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

He is the domain expert because he has achieved what I hope to achieve in the future.  He fills this spot with his business acumen which I need to be able to do when I am his age.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

I found Josh through my friend who is also older.  He introduced me to him and ever since then we have been friends.  Although I do not talk to Josh as much as I used to he is still a great source of information and a mentor for me.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

Josh gave me his professional opinion on my company and said he will be able to guide me through multiple processes of the business concept.

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity? 

 Josh Keening was very influential on campus and knows how to make things work quickly.  With his help, I think my idea could flourish.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

My next person was Barry.  He was a construction management major during his tenure at UF and now resides in Sarasota.  He is a very hardworking and organized person that is thriving in his current position.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

He is filling the market expert because of his IQ of construction. To help create a bus lane it is important to take note of the construction needed to make it happen.  

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

I found him through the greek community and called him to talk about my idea and his personal opinion.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

Barry was extremely helpful and actually said he would help me further my idea when the time was right.  That is a huge favor to be able to have his expertise at my disposal for free.

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?

Having Barry in my network is immensely valuable because he can give me the insight of the market that I am unfamiliar with.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

I had an email conversation with Reynolds who is knowledgeable of helping organization receive the supplies they need to be successful.

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

He is filling the supplier spot because that is his expertise.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

I found him through the internet and contacted him via email.  It took him 2 days to respond but he sent me some valuable information.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

Reynolds said my idea had the possibility to it but I have to work on it more in order to make it more feasible.  The favor he gave me was possibly being able to help me after I put more work into the idea.  This is still great because he is an important person.

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?

Having Reynolds in my network would be extremely helpful because he is a true, recognized expert in the supply field which would help make my idea a reality.

This helped me reach out to people that I did not initially think would provide me help, but after going through these processes I realize that everyone can help contribute.  I had a good network before but now knowing how truly important it is I will continue to network and expand my horizen.