Growing Your Social Capital - Assignment 20

The three people I interviewed asked me to keep their full names and company name private due to their confidentiality contracts. I have included as much as I can without disclosing their personal or company identities. 

Cecilia

1. Cecilia owns many different businesses in Guatemala, one being a very successful local food delivery service that works like UberEats. She started her career by working in distinct family businesses and then she ventured off and brought different business ideas to life, some worked and some didn't. 

2. Cecelia would fill the domain slot because she owns a company that provides a service that is similar to the one I want to provide. Although there is no business that currently provides the service I came up with Cecelia's company provides a service that works similar to the one I would provide. 

3. I contacted Cecilia because she is a distant relative and was willing to talk to me. 

4. Cecilia has always stayed in touch with my family, so talking to her was not considered a favor. 

5. Having Cecilia in my network would help me out because she is someone I can seek help from if I need advice or guidance as to how I can set something up or introduce me to people in the business. She could also be a potential partner if I did not want to start up alone. 

Francisco:

1. Francisco is a supply chain management and logistics consultant. He has worked with many companies that offer delivery services for their products. 

2. He would fill the market expert slot. He fills this spot as he knows the logistics behind the basic running of the type of service I would want to provide.

3. I met Francisco while interning for one of his clients a few years ago. He also knows my parents very well. 

4. Since he is a family friend he was willing to talk to me for nothing in return. 

5.  Having Francisco in my network would be extremely helpful starting out and when the company grows as he has worked for companies offering deliveries and he is a logistics expert. 

Albert

1. Albert is the COO of one of the biggest national supermarket chains. 

2. He would fill the supplier spot. Supermarkets would be a key supplier for our delivery service. 

3. Albert is one of my father's closest friends. 

4. Since he is a family friend he was willing to talk to me for nothing in return. 

5. Having him in my network would be extremely beneficial as supermarkets are going to be a big part of the delivery service. As this is one of the most important super markets it would bring in more costumers. 

Reflection:

This experience taught me that people that I already know and are close family friends or relatives could be the people that help you be successful later on. I learned that I already have a network and it is important to keep everyone in mind because anyone can be of help when you are starting a business. In the past I have networked in similar ways. The community in Guatemala is tight knit so you kind of know a lot of people and they are always willing to help or talk to you.