20A Growing Your Social Capital

1)

Anthony H. 

He is someone I found that specializes in technical support in tablets. He has software development and technical support experience for about 8 years. He focuses on repairing and creating faster tools. 

2)

Domain Expert 

He is a domain expert because he will be able to help me and guide me with the technology development of the tablet to work with the treadmill. 

3)

I actually grew up with him and found him again on his Instagram page. I have contacted him by sending him a DM through Instagram. 

4)

He is giving me an insight into how I could create this product and any possible negative outcomes. The return expectation is I will gain better knowledge on the possible negative outcomes and having to take that into consideration. 

5)

Including Anthony will help me progress my product making sure it is good to go when I want to put in on the market. 

1)

I actually contacted the business Peloton. They are a business that has a very similar product as mine. They provide treadmills and bikes with Live classes on smart tablets. 

2)

Market Expert

This business has very similar products to mine. They have the same concept in merging technology with their workouts. 

3)

I went on their website and was able to email them asking them if there were any pointers or things I should look for when creating my product. 

4)

They are helping me with what people have suggested to them in order to improve their product and because they know these people the best. The return expectation is to provide a better service to my potential consumers. 

5)

They will help me exploit this opportunity by helping me better understand the customers and their needs when using my product. 

1)

I reached out to Apple Inc because they have and are known to have the best smart tablets. 

2)

Supplier 

I reached out to Apple because they are known for the best smartphones and tablets and I believe their tablets would work perfectly with my treadmill products. Without the tablet, my product will not be able to complete what I intend for it to do.

3)

I contacted them via Twitter by going on their page and reaching out to them. 

4)

I sent them my elevator pitch and the intentions of my product and in return of exchange, I hope that they will give me pointers on how to make my product more unique and stand out from other products. 

5)

Apple is so big and known across the world that I am hoping to gain knowledge from them and potentially have a relationship with them. 

Reflect

This networking experience is very different from any experience that I have had in the past. Due to it all being online. The networking experiences I have had in the past have all been in person. One of them being at the job fair at school or going to close by events. I also have never presented my elevator pitch so that is an experience that I am going to use in the future and improve on. Overall, I thought this experience was unique and helpful for my future. 

19A Idea Napkin No.2

1)You
I am a senior at the University of Florida. I have always been a great listener and being patient. I believe these skills were able to improve last summer during my internship and understanding the customer's frustration. My aspirations for my business concept is to help people reduce their stress. I want to expand across the nation and create stability in my life and hopefully, expand into other products and not just focus on treadmills.

2)What are you offering to customers?
My product will allow them to not feel pressured to choose working out over school or any business-related reading they might have to do. This product will reduce stress and allow them to improve their time management skills. By being able to combine their readings with a workout they will feel better about themselves and reduce their stress levels. 

3)Who are you offering it to?
I am offering it to businesses, schools, and any apartment complex who have potential customers that require to do a lot of reading but are concern with staying healthy. This product will e for younger customers that are around the ages of 18-32.

4)Why Do they Care?
They care because I believe no more than ever people are constantly making sure they feel and look good. Not only that, but people have a hectic schedule and want to be able to prioritize both. People at this age are dealing with multiple things at once and this product will help reduce the stress and make sure you are staying fit.

5)What are your Core Competencies?
What makes my product special is that other treadmills don't allow a smart tablet on it that goes at the pace you set it at. This tablet follows your speed and is easy to use. This is a tablet that can also read for you so you can listen while you run.

I believe that all of my elements are strong together when it comes to my product. Each one of them reflects each other very nicely which gives me hope that my product can be successful. My only concern and weak aspect I believe I have are when it comes down to the numbers. That is something I have to do more research about.


Feedback Memo
The two things I took away from my feedback was the way I was able to create a solution for a problem a lot of students, in particular, may have. It was a special thing to be able to take their concerns and possibly create a solution for it. Because of this, it also proved that I am a great listener and this is something that people appreciated.

17A Elevator Pitch No.2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLYek4L4hNw

Reflection:

My feedback I received was helpful and expected. I have never been really good at presenting an idea of mine so this activity definitely helped me a lot. What was most useful to me was the fact that I did not add enough statistics to prove how effective my product could be. After reading the feedback I realized I needed to better memorize my pitch and add more stats on how my product can work for people.
Based on my feedback I added more statistics on how many americans don't make time to talk and took out who I was in the beginning because it was unnecessary. Although I do believe I can improve my stuttering and hopefully by the end of this my last pitch will be flawless!

18A Create a Customer Avatar

My Avatar:

My customer is someone who is very busy. They are constantly on the go and trying to fit everything into their schedule. They always have a million things going through their head. Their age is from 21-35 because people around this age are usually working, going to school, and trying to be fit. They drive a black SUV Lexus vehicle and when they have free time they enjoy to watch Netflix and catch up on their shows like Friends or How to get Away with Murder. They don't have any children and is not married. They live in a hectic city and want to focus on themselves and their career before getting married and starting a family. They want to feel young and look young. Overall, my customer is young active, and on the go.

What I have in common with my customer:
I believe I do have several things in common with my costumer. I am constantly busy and struggling to make sure I can get everything done. I know I am young but I want to make sure that I am looking young as well. I don't believe this is a coincidence because I am a young person who wants to succeed in life and look good just like any other young adult.

16A What's your secret sauce?

Five ways I believe I have human capital that is unique is 

1. I have an open mindset and although I do hold very strong opinions I always want to hear another person opinion and be open
2. I am a very observant person and always looking at how people do certain things 
3. I am also determined and goal-driven. Any time a friend of mine has a problem I am always looking for a solution to fix it. 
4. I am very social. I always make conversation with anyone at any time. I love to ask questions. I am able to easily build relationships. 
5. I am also very confident. Although like anyone there is always going to be insecurities. I always try to look past them and present myself as a confident person because I believe my energy can be passed on to another person and hope they can be confident too. 

• In the first interview, my friend said I had great social skills and know-how to build a relationship. I am able to listen and communicate with others that also allow me to solve any issues because I am able to ton understand their problems. 
• In my second interview, my friend expressed how I am able to solve a problem without freaking out. She is impressed that I can be so calm in a situation and resolve the issue. 
• In my third interview, my sister described that I could be emotional at times but that it comes from having to want something so bad and being goal-driven. 
• In my fourth interview, (excuse the horrible background noise) my mom expressed that I am a very social person and always making conversation. I always listen to someone and love to hear feedback. 
• In my fifth and last interview, my friend described me as a patient loyal friend. I am always listening to people's problems and solving my own problems with grace and being calm. 

I believe overall my interview is correct about me. I would add that I am a very patient and nonstressful person. I believe that in my interviews most of my friends expressed that when I am faced with a challenge I will solve it calmly because I don't see the need to stress about something when I know there is a way to solve it if I just sit down and really think about what I can change or not. Overall, it was nice to hear these things about me from other people's perspectives. 

Interview #1 

Interview #2

Interview #3

Interview #4 

Interview #5 

15A Figuring Out Buyers No.2

Interview #1

The first interview I conducted was with one of my other roommates. We started off by discussing her time management and how it is a concern for her that she feels like she is unable to fit a healthy active lifestyle with her school work. She mentioned that although my product sounds very nice, for a college student it is not very realistic. The machine would be too expensive for her to buy herself unless the machine was provided to her in her complex or school. Their first solution would be just to learn how to organize herself, whether that means having to wake up early to go to the gym. If they were to purchase this item she would have to finance my product because it is realistically outside of student's budget. She controls her money very well and doesn't make a purchase unless eh for sure knows she will use it or if it is even worth her money. I believe overall after discussing with her about my product that my product will realistically not be suited for her because of how high the price is.

Interview #2

This person I interviewed is a person who is very active and makes sure to exercise at least four times a week. He is on the volleyball club team at school. He discusses how being active is important to him and how like any student he, of course, gets stress with school sometimes but doesn't necessarily have time management issues. His solution is to join a club or some activity where you kind of feel obligated to go and so that way you have to find a way to fit it into your schedule. Again, he mentioned if he were to purchase my product that he would have to for sure finance it but would not necessarily purchase it because when he is working out he does not like to combine school with it as he expresses this is where he has fun and releases stress. I then continued to ask if he would ask for his parent's help in financing it but said that at this point the only thing his parents helps him out is for rent but everything else he has to ay himself and so no they would not help out with paying for this product. He also expressed he would purchase it because he believes there are better and cheaper ways for a college student to work out and still be able to study.

Interview #3

This person I interviewed is a friend and neighbor of mine. She expresses to me that she is always online shopping and looking for a new product that will make her look fit or be fit. She expresses that like any other student she is stressed with school but is just generally a lazy person when it comes to working out. She thought the idea was cool and can potentially work out for her. She does not like the idea of running but fast walking and reading her book is ideal for her. She would consult with her parents about financing my product and would like to not have it here with her but back at her parent's house so when she goes back home on the weekend or for breaks she is able to keep up with her studies and work out. Her solution would be to actually go to do the gym but struggles to find the motivation. She also mentioned that to her it's important the guarantee the product gives her. She really isn't too concerned with the price as long as the product is worth it to her.

In conclusion, I learned that my product would be catered to schools and businesses more than individuals. I understood that realistically students are not going to be able to afford my product. This is a big purchase that people usually look online more than in person.