Growing My Social Capital

1) Who they are and what their background is.

Kenny McDonough manages Radio City Music Hall in New York City. As the manager of Radio City Music Hall he frequently interacts with many celebrities. 

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

I am filling the market expert slot. Mr. McDonough knows a lot about the people my app focuses on, as well as my target market.

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

I found them through a friend and contacted them through email.

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

Mr. McDonough provided me feedback on my product and told me he believes my app is a great idea and will help many people. Mr. McDonough is very updated on pop culture since he interacts with famous people all day, but he knows most people are not so he thinks this app could be very helpful.

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

Mr. McDonough's feedback and connections can help me immensely.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

Scott Goldstein owns a technology firm in South Florida.

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

I am filling the domain expert slot. Mr. Goldstein knows how to code and knows the logistics of making my app a reality.

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

Though a friend and by email.

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

Mr. Goldstein told me he liked the idea and thinks it would be useful for helping people become more educated with the pop culture community. He also said it may be useful to extend the app to identify successful people in the business world as well, so that people like us can get a background on the top people in a potential area of interest.

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

Knowing someone who can help me with the logistics of my business is a huge help.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

Amy Josephson went to George Washington University and now works at a marketing firm in New York.

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

I am filling the supplier spot. Mrs. Josephson comes into contact with celebrities through her business and markets a variety of products, including mobile apps.

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

Through a friend and by email.

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

Mrs. Josephson told me that she thinks the app can be successful if it is marketed to the appropriate target audience (ie. on celebrity gossip driven websites such as TMZ). She believes it is important for the pictures to show celebrities in a new and different way. Celebrities are always followed around by paparazzi to begin with, so there needs to be a point of difference to distinguish the pictures on this app from other gossip websites.

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

Mrs. Josephson's knowledge, and ability to market my business, can truly help my business grow and succeed.

Reflection:

This assignment truly helped me learn how to appropriately network in the business world. The three people I came in contact with were extremely helpful and can help me grow my business and make it successful. This experience definitely helped me for the future and I know what to and not to do next time.