- His name is Steve and he recently sold his software company. He lives in Orlando, Florida.
- This person fills the domain expert slot because as a software developer, he has technical skills that he may be able to utilize to help me develop my product.
- I found him through my mom, because he was a friend of hers, but I had never met him before.
- I went over to his house and asked him of the idea would be possible given his knowledge, and he said he was going to look into it and get back to me. The return expectation is a possible summer internship with his new venture next summer.
- Including this person in my network will allow me to have a go to person to ask about the technical skills behind my product.
Expert in my Market
- Her name is Susie, and she is from Clermont, Florida. She works in IT, but also has a venture with a co worker where they make portable chargers.
- This person fills the expert in my market slot because since there aren't any wireless chargers out there yet the portable charger is the closest thing to it. Additionally, the technology does the same thing so I feel like I could learn a lot from her.
- I found her through my dad, it was one of his old co workers.
- I called her on the phone yesterday and asked her some questions about her venture and the market in general. The return expectation is nothing really since she is good friends with my dad.
- Including this person in my network will allow me to have someone who is already established in the market to contact if I ever have any questions.
Supplier to my Industry
- Her name is Cathy and she has a technology distribution company based out of Tampa, Florida.
- This person fills the Supplier to my industry because she distributes phones, chargers, portable chargers, and all other kinds of technology in the Tampa area.
- I found her through Susie, this is who helped her get started in the portable charging field.
- I talked to her this morning on the phone and I didn't ask her of anything I just merely picked her brain for 5 minuets.
- Including this person to my network will allow me to have someone who has a bigger business than Susie, and who may be more of an expert in the field of general technology, rather than just portable chargers.
Reflect: This exercise made it very clear to me that it is infinitely easier to hit the ground running if you have a few established contacts in the industry you're planning to go into.
Dear Ethan, excellent submission for your post. I believe that all these people fill their desire position. I agree with your reflection and I believe that having a few connections before starting your business is essential, because the process will be easier and one can always refer to these individuals who have already gone through the process and can offer great advice.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Ethan, this by far has to be one of your most impressive post this semester. You went into very in-depth details when describing your domain and market expert and your industry supplier. I learned early in my freshman year at UF that it is extremely important to create connections in your field in order to succeed. It is not always about what you know but who you know.
ReplyDeleteHey Ethan,
ReplyDeleteI think you picked out three strong candidates to fill out your spots as domain and market experts, as well as a supplier to the industry. I also thought how it was interesting that you potentially have gained yourself an internship next summer after completing this assignment. As professor said, this assignment is important because it allowed us to network with new people in our industry and break the uncomfortable barrier. It seems like you did a great job at this.
Dear Ethan, very cool post, and I really like the kind of genuine people you sought after. Each one of these people definitley seemed to hold a high value of the kind of value you are seeking out of a person. Your sources seemed very valid, and it's very cool to see the kind of unexpected consequences you got out of meeting with these people. I found it very awesome and beneficial that you earned a potential internship out of this. Overall awesome job and great post!
ReplyDelete