Growing Your Social Capital

Assignment 20A

For each person in this post, I will describe:

1) Who: Who they are and what their background is.

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

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

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

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

Who?	Slot?	Relationship?	Favor/Expectation?	Opportunity?
Linda Sinclair, 49, works in the Parks and Recreation department of a local Florida government	Domain	I looked online on a Florida government web page and found Linda. I emailed her and she replied within a day, and we kept the conversation going from there.	The nature of the exchange was professional and done solely through email. The return expectation is that I let them know if I need anything else and whether I decide to start my company.	By talking to Linda, I got first-hand knowledge as to how the Florida government devotes a portion of their money to this department.
Amy Georgeson, 28, she sells menstrual cups to women who experience their period.	Expert	I thought of what kind of products would rival pads and tampons, and that would be menstrual cups. I found Amy by googling a company that sells menstrual cups based out of Florida.	The nature of the exchange was professional and done solely through email. The return expectation is that I let them know if I need anything else and whether I decide to start my company.	By talking to Amy, I learned that not all women are open to the idea of menstrual cups and many keep to the traditional view of using pads and tampons, which is good for my company.
David Skirtsky, 45, sells tampons to large companies like Walgreens and CVS.	Supplier	I searched online different representatives of large feminine care products and messaged several people who worked at one. David was the first person to get back to me.	The nature of the exchange was professional and done solely through email. The return expectation is that I let them know if I need anything else and whether I decide to start my company.	By talking to David, I realized that many large companies such as Walmart and Target need suppliers of feminine care products. Since these products are expensive, people will be grateful for my business.

Reflection: Because of this experience, I will be more open to new people and get out in my community more. This experience differed to my networking opportunities in the past because there were all conducted over email while all my past networking opportunities have been in person.