Growing your social capital

1.

Domain expert

Marry Ann Haistings

Marry Ann is currently employ at the division of blind services in the state of FL. She is a senior rehabilitation specialist, and mostly works with young professionals who aspire to be successful.

I found Marry Ann because she is my current blind services councilor, so, to contact her, I just called her office.

The nature of the exchange I have with Marry Ann is, she will give me advise, and in return I give her a great review on her client yearly evaluation. 

Including Marry Ann in my network will enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity because she has already penetrated the "industry" that I am trying to enter. She will be able to give me a substantial amount of advice, and connect me because of her 10 plus years of experience.                  

2.

Supplier

Jose Cintron

Jose is an acquaintance of mine that I met through some mutual friends. Jose is a blind entrepreneur, and he has multiple online businesses.

Jose will be used as a supplier for my business, he is a professional blind individual, and his achievements and experiences can be used to help out the blind professionals this business will be created for.

Since Jose is an acquaintance of mine, I just hit him up on face book, and he said he would be glad to help out!

Jose has a huge network of blind professional, so he will provide key note speakers for our focused group, and in return he will get paid.

Including Jose will be crucial to exploiting an opportunity in this field, because of his entrapennuar mentality, and his network of blind professionals.      

3.

Market expert

Felepe Fenirove

Felipe is a young professional who is very good with technology, and he is very good with evaluating markets, specifically the needs of blind individuals. He is known as someone who is always referring people to the correct products and services that they need.

I also know Felipe through a mutual friend. The products and services for "blind markets" is very small, so as a result it is very easy to know the individuals that are a part of it especially if you are blind.

Felipe agreed to help me channel my services to the specific market I chose, and in return I will be responsible to help him learn better English speaking skills since he is a first generation Cuban American.

Felipe will enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity because he is very seasoned in the ability to identify and exploit a specific market. He is also able to attract the young professional market that I am looking to attract.

Reflection

In the past, networking has always come about through networking events. I have never found myself having to contact specific individuals to network with them. This experience has definitely changed my outlook on networking for the better. This assignment taught me that if I want something I have to stick my neck out there and go get it.