Assignment 20A - Growing Your Social Capital

Domain Expert:

1.        Who they are, what their background is:          
                1. I4 Waste valet & Recycling

2.              How this person is a “domain expert”: 

1. This company provides customized waste and recycling solutions to property managers, owners, and residents in multifamily communities. They service both Central and South Florida.

3.              How I found and contacted this person: 

1. Searched for companies that would provide similar services within my area.

4.              Nature of Exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: 

1. Given the current situation with COVID-19, I was unable to speak to anyone directly. I did not see a direct email address. However, I did contact their headquarters at 6100 Lake Ellenor Drive, Suite 252, Orlando, FL 32809;
   I have not received a response yet.

5.              How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: 

1. One uncertainty of my business idea was how I could gain approval and buy-in from property managers of apartment complexes versus just seeking out customers on an individual basis within the complex. It appears as though this company works directly through the complex itself. Knowing how they went about being successful in obtaining these contracts would be of benefit to me.
   
   

Market Expert:

1.        Who they are, what their background is:              
               1. Skinner Waste Solutions Doorstep Trash Valet. Michelle Karger (Market Manager).

2.              How this person is a “market expert”: 

1. This company, like the one listed above, provides valet trash and recycling services.

3.              How I found and contacted this person: 

1. Online search.

4.              Nature of Exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: 

1. I reached out via email (michelle@skinnerwastesolutions.com). I have yet to receive a response.

5.              How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: 

1. According to the National Apartment Association survey that Skinner provided, 89 percent of respondents stated that they would prefer to live at a “green” apartment community. This company has done the research and is aware of the need of their customer base. Interestingly enough, this company collects the recycling with the other trash (valet), but only handles the recycling if there is an onsite container. As learned in my previous interviews, many apartment complexes don’t have recycling containers because they “don’t have room” for them; trash containers are more important.
   
   

Industry Supplier:

1.          Who they are, what their background is: 

1.     Recycle Away Systems and Solutions. Joanne Pluff (Sales Manager)

2.           How this person is a “industry supplier”: 

1.     This company sells all sorts of recycling stations and bins.

3.              How I found and contacted this person: 

1. Performed a search for where I can find the custom recycling stations I would need for customers living in apartments.

4.              Nature of Exchange: What they did for me, what is the return expectation: 

1. I reached out to this individual via the phone number provided on the site, but was unable to speak with her. I did leave a voicemail message. However, I have not heard back yet.

5.              How will including them enhance my ability to exploit an opportunity: 

1. Knowing how these stations/bins are constructed is important. Being that I want to offer my customers custom stations (separate compartments) that would preserve space yet allow them to recycle four different items.
   
   

Finally: Reflect. This experience requires you to do a little 'targeted networking.' How will this experience shape how you participate in any future networking events? Did this experience differ from your networking experiences in the past? How?

• Due to the current pandemic, I felt as though it was difficult to know if the individuals, I was seeking out would be of benefit to me in growing my social capital for this business because I was unable to speak with anyone. However, I did gain useful insight while searching out different companies and individuals. In my current position, I network at different events face to face.