Growing your social capital

1)    Who they are and what their background is

William Jackson is the director of network and desktop support services at Flagler College (my past school before I transferred to the University of Florida), he’s worked in Flagler’s technology services for eight years.

2)    Which slot they are and how they are filling the slot

William fills the domain expert in my market. I’d go to him with questions about websites and the importance of having a helpful platform.

3)    A description of how I found and contacted the person

I needed help with wifi in my dorm when I did attend Flagler, I saw him regularly for a club I attended at Flagler, I still had his email from then so I emailed him.

4)    The nature of the exchange we had

It was difficult because he didn’t actually develop any of the school’s apps so he couldn’t answer any questions on how to develop/start an app if I were to ask, he knew more about how the school’s websites were run.

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

It was a step forward into this app, William hadn’t created the school’s apps but he had a little more of an idea in this area and explained it to me. 

 

1)    Who they are and what their background is

Brenda is a mother to her seventeen year old son Eric, who has autism.

2)    Which slot they are and how they are filling the slot

Brenda is the expert in my market, she represents a major piece of my market as her son would be using the app, as the mother to her autistic son.

3)    A description of how I found and contacted the person

She was a mutual friend, a friend to my friend’s mother. I contacted her by calling her through the information I was given by my friend’s mother.

4)    The nature of the exchange we had

We talked over the phone about how her and her son had taken to online schooling, what her son does daily, what she thought of my app idea.

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

It was just another interview of a potential customer, almost directly speaking to her son about what he does daily and what apps he uses. Created realistic expectations of what my customers would think of my app.

 

1)    Who they are and what their background is

Anna is a family friend who works at a software company where apps are developed, her company actually creates these apps for those who have these ideas.

2)    Which slot they are and how they are filling the slot

Anna fills the slot of an important supplier to my industry, by creating the app so everyone can access it.

3)    A description of how I found and contacted the person

I found Anna because she is my father’s friend’s wife, I contacted her through calling my father’s friend.

4)    The nature of the exchange we had

She tried to explain how her business first begins to develop apps but it was hard to follow along, especially because I have no intention of actually creating my app.

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

It would actually be creating this app so special needs children and families could use it, it’d be the final step.

 

Reflection

This experience goes to show how having many friends can create many connections to all different business areas, will shape me into not being afraid to ask how. It differed because these weren’t just potential customers but were who I’d contact to begin creating this app.