Eric Thomas
1) Eric Thomas is a motivational speaker known as the hip hop preacher. He works with schools all around the country talking to students about success, motivation and determination.
2) He is the industry expert since he is providing a service to schools that will help students stay on the right path.
3) I remember he visited my schools so I searched for him on the internet and sent him an email since I’m in Madrid.
4) We exchanged emails and he agreed with the fact that students definitely need a career guidance program.
5) His knowledge when it comes to communicating with schools and different school district administrations will be very helpful.
R’Club
1) R’Club is a nonprofit organization that provides child care services to many elementary schools.
2) This organization would be a supplier since it supplies the elementary schools with needed child care services.
3) I remember going to R club after school as a child and how closely they worked with schools. I emailed the organization through the website and they directed me to Karen Pandy.
4) I sent the organization an email explaining my idea and they connected me with Karen who is willing to answer my questions and point me in the right direction.
5) This organization would help me organize an after school program if I feel like my idea would not work integrated into the school day.
Lisa Freeman
1) She is the principal at Pinellas Park Elementary school, where I went as a child.
2) She would be the market expert because she works with schools, parents, teachers as well as the education board of the county.
3) I gathered information on my old school and reached out to her with an email explaining my idea and asking her for her thoughts
4) As I said I sent her an email and she responded with a brief message supporting the idea.
5) She would be a great source of knowledge if I needed to approach the board of education or different schools.
Reflection-
I think this experience was very helpful in opening up networking opportunities and making contact with people that can help guide you and your idea in the future. It made me realize how easy it is to reach out to someone with a lot of experience in the industry or field you are interested in. I will certainly do this again if find myself really interested and invested in a certain idea.
Juan,
ReplyDeleteReaching out to strangers can be intimidating but with practice it becomes second nature. Soon, you're talking to new people as if you've known them forever. One of my most valuable traits is that I can talk to people. It's resulted in me knowing some really valuable people who have helped me achieve a lot in my career. The more people you know, the better! Best of luck to you.
Hey Juan,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post and a great assignment. I think you've made good connections to people that really know about the business your interested in. I also realized the ease of speaking with new people and how much it can benefit. Networking is something i d definitely want to expand upon over time. Check out my post here http://lasserchristian.blogspot.com/2016/03/growing-my-social-capital.html
Hi Juan,
ReplyDeleteI think that its pretty awesome that you came into contact with Eric Thomas. I'm fairly certain that I've heard his name before, though I've never seen or actually heard him speak. I don't know exactly what your business idea is, but I am assuming it has something with a program for young students that will help them stay on the right path, and to pursue their goals. I have four younger siblings, and I do my best to keep them on the right path, so I really do appreciate an idea like this. I am also considering getting into doing something like motivational speaking, and kids programs too. Nice work reaching out to people like this!
Check out my blog here: http://blazedbananas.blogspot.com/2016/03/growing-my-social-capital.html