Assignment 20: Growing Your Social Capital

1) Who they are and what their background is.

This person is a man in his 40s. He is married, but has no children and has four dogs. He is from New Jersey, and he owns a pet kennel.

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

This person is the domain expert. 

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

I found this person through my neighbors from home. I was telling them about my homework, and they informed me that their family friend owned a pet kennel. It is small, and it is not at a ski resort, but it is a similar business. 

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

This person helped me by giving me basic advice for owning your own business. He knows what it's like to own a pet kennel, so he is the best kind of person to gather information from. 

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

They have experience, so if I had any questions, this would be my best person to go to. He would be able to answer small problems and the big questions that I have.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

This person does not sell products to kennels, but she sells products to skiers and snowboarders. A lot of the people who go to her store drive to Vermont to go snowboarding and skiing. She owns Brave New World which is a surf and snow shop in New Jersey.

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

This person is the market expert.

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

I did not know anyone who sold the same products to the same market, so I found someone who sold different products to the same market. I grew up near this surf and snow shop, so it was one of the first places that came to mind. 

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

This person gives me a glimpse into the attitudes of the people in my market. She explained that most of the people are middle to upper class, so their expectations are slightly higher. She told me to keep an open mind and take criticism as it comes. She also told me to hire a genuine staff. 

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

By talking to this person, I have learned some important characteristics of the people that I am working with. My customers will want the best for their pet, so there needs to be a professional, yet chill, mountain vibe.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

This person is the manager of the pet food company that my family always purchases our dog food from. The store is called Hungry Puppy, and they have many different kinds of dog food and dog supply. The store also has cat food, and other pet food, but its primary market is for dog owners.

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

This person is a supplier.

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

My family has been going to this pet store ever since I could remember. I called the store and was able to speak to the manager and ask him a few questions.

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

He gave me information on why they have all different kinds of pet food and why it is essential. He also told me how his wide selection of food makes his store so desirable for many. He carries food that is not always found at other pet stores.

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

This person can help me when it comes time to supply my store with products. People will want their animals eating the right things while we are watching over them.

Reflection: At first, I thought that this assignment was going to be difficult. After thinking for a while and talking to my family, I had no problem finding people to talk to. This assignment was beneficial and informative. I learned a lot of basics that would definitely come in handy. I also know now that I have these three people to contact if I find I have more questions in the future.