20A
Domain expert: I had a short meeting with the head of a small electronic recycling firm in my area. This person has a background of being in the recycling industry for many years. I found this person by googling local computer recycling firms in my area. I then called to set up a meeting they with them to discuss their business. I asked him about his business model and he was able to help me better mine when I showed him my napkin idea. I now have a more practical business concept after he looked at it. He did ask if that none of the information that he gave out about his business model be shared and I was happy to fulfill that request.
Market expert: I met with the head of Public Works at my local Town Hall as they would have a large understanding of the recycling demand in my area. They have been in this position for multiple years and they have a complete overview of all recycling and garbage disposal controlled by the government. I met with her after emailing to interview her for one of my classes. After a bit of scheduling, I was finally able to meet with her and she liked my business concept. Luckily as well, she did not ask for a favor she only wanted to get my name and a way to contact me for future reference in case a favor does arise. I learned the ways to get information about the recycling market is by consulting public documents that are provided by the government. This will help me find the amount of electronics is being thrown away and not recycled at all.
Industry supplier: I talked to an supplies manager for a company that specializes in recycling equipment and repair. They do supply equipment to recycling companies in my area. They have been working for this company for a few short years but understands the dynamics that go into equipment sales. I found him by googling recycling equipment companies in my area. Then I proceeded to email the list of companies saying I was a college student looking to meet with a supply manager for no longer than 20 minutes to talk about industry dynamics as part of a school assignment. The one I met with fulfilled my favor with no hesitation. They only asked to see my business concept in exchange, which I was happy to show them. The knowledge I gained will help me know who and how to get equipment to recycle computers.
Reflection:
After this exercise, I feel more confident to network. Before I felt nervous to talk to a complete stranger in a professional setting because I had only rarely been in a situation such as that. Now even though I still get a little nervous I now feel like it is not the end of the world to ask of a favor from a complete stranger.
Market expert: I met with the head of Public Works at my local Town Hall as they would have a large understanding of the recycling demand in my area. They have been in this position for multiple years and they have a complete overview of all recycling and garbage disposal controlled by the government. I met with her after emailing to interview her for one of my classes. After a bit of scheduling, I was finally able to meet with her and she liked my business concept. Luckily as well, she did not ask for a favor she only wanted to get my name and a way to contact me for future reference in case a favor does arise. I learned the ways to get information about the recycling market is by consulting public documents that are provided by the government. This will help me find the amount of electronics is being thrown away and not recycled at all.
Industry supplier: I talked to an supplies manager for a company that specializes in recycling equipment and repair. They do supply equipment to recycling companies in my area. They have been working for this company for a few short years but understands the dynamics that go into equipment sales. I found him by googling recycling equipment companies in my area. Then I proceeded to email the list of companies saying I was a college student looking to meet with a supply manager for no longer than 20 minutes to talk about industry dynamics as part of a school assignment. The one I met with fulfilled my favor with no hesitation. They only asked to see my business concept in exchange, which I was happy to show them. The knowledge I gained will help me know who and how to get equipment to recycle computers.
Reflection:
After this exercise, I feel more confident to network. Before I felt nervous to talk to a complete stranger in a professional setting because I had only rarely been in a situation such as that. Now even though I still get a little nervous I now feel like it is not the end of the world to ask of a favor from a complete stranger.
Hi Trenton,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see that your meetings went well with these experts. It's definitely important to know that most people want to help others that were once young and in the same position as you, I also was nervous but once you get over that I think it's a lot easier to connect with people.
Hi Trenton,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have great meetings and received good insight. This was great practice for future meetings that we all may have to obtain eventually. I had to start interviewing strangers a few assignments ago and now I feel so much more comfortable sitting down with them. I will say that showing them my Idea napkin was intimidating to say the least.
Hi Trenton,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post, it is well structure and have good information about the people that you interviewed. I believed that you did an incredible job on finding the right people to be connected and adding to your networking. All of the people that you mentioned seems to be well connected and passionate about the industry that you want to go in.