Growing Your Social Capital
The Domain Expert
I spoke to the owner of a small, eco-friendly pest control business in Clearwater. I met the owner during a pest-control conference that I attended for work. He gave me his contact information at this conference, and I have spoken to him before about a potential internship. He seemed excited when I emailed him about an interview. This man specializes in providing products and services that prevent and treat insects pests. These products and services are eco-friendly, meaning that they only use chemical control when necessary and practice integrated pest management. This man is an expert in this field because his life revolves around pest control. He works with researchers and certified entomologists to provide these eco-friendly pest control products. The interview was conducted through emails. He did not have time to speak on the phone. I asked two questions.
1. What inspired you to start this business?
His answer (paraphrased): I studied entomology in college. My parents both worked in the same industry, and I decided to work in this industry as well because of them. There are lots of businesses revolved around pest control. I wanted to offer something different.
2. Is it difficult to limit your products/services to eco-friendly options?
I originally thought this would be more difficult. Integrated pest management (IPM) is not only ideal for pest control, but is more eco-friendly than treatments that center on chemicals. IPM includes chemical control, physical control, and cultural control. Although we use chemical treatments when necessary, we also these different forms of control. We inform our customers of lifestyle practices that reduce insect pest presence. We also use physical control, which includes monitoring with sticky traps, non-sticky traps, and lures.
The Market Expert
I spoke to a woman who works in human resources in North Carolina. This woman is a family friend. She works for a medical supply retailer and specializes in hiring and improving conditions for employees and customers. Although this is not insect pest related, this is the only person I knew with research similar to marketing. I spoke to her over the phone and asked two questions.
How do you attract customers to a service with a lot of competition?
Her response: You either have to provide something that the competition does not or you have to maintain a good reputation. Having a good reputation attracts customers.
2. What has your job taught you?
Her response: How to communicate with suppliers.
The Supplier
I spoke to the owner of a small, eco-friendly pest control business in Clearwater. I met the owner during a pest-control conference that I attended for work. He gave me his contact information at this conference, and I have spoken to him before about a potential internship. He seemed excited when I emailed him about an interview. This man specializes in providing products and services that prevent and treat insects pests. These products and services are eco-friendly, meaning that they only use chemical control when necessary and practice integrated pest management. This man is an expert in this field because his life revolves around pest control. He works with researchers and certified entomologists to provide these eco-friendly pest control products. The interview was conducted through emails. He did not have time to speak on the phone. I asked two questions.
1. What inspired you to start this business?
His answer (paraphrased): I studied entomology in college. My parents both worked in the same industry, and I decided to work in this industry as well because of them. There are lots of businesses revolved around pest control. I wanted to offer something different.
2. Is it difficult to limit your products/services to eco-friendly options?
I originally thought this would be more difficult. Integrated pest management (IPM) is not only ideal for pest control, but is more eco-friendly than treatments that center on chemicals. IPM includes chemical control, physical control, and cultural control. Although we use chemical treatments when necessary, we also these different forms of control. We inform our customers of lifestyle practices that reduce insect pest presence. We also use physical control, which includes monitoring with sticky traps, non-sticky traps, and lures.
The Market Expert
I spoke to a woman who works in human resources in North Carolina. This woman is a family friend. She works for a medical supply retailer and specializes in hiring and improving conditions for employees and customers. Although this is not insect pest related, this is the only person I knew with research similar to marketing. I spoke to her over the phone and asked two questions.
How do you attract customers to a service with a lot of competition?
Her response: You either have to provide something that the competition does not or you have to maintain a good reputation. Having a good reputation attracts customers.
2. What has your job taught you?
Her response: How to communicate with suppliers.
The Supplier
One of the graduate students who works in the same lab as me is the supplier for a pest control company in Gainesville. I spoke with him about his job. He pointed out that he often works with other companies in the same industry. Even though these companies are his competitors, it is important to communicate with other people in your field about what products to purchase and who to purchase these products from.
Reflection
My interaction with the first man I spoke with (the owner of the pest control company in Clearwater) enhanced my networking opportunities. Attending this conference helped me meet other people in this industry and learn from them. I like how this person has created and maintained a successful eco-friendly business. I will also listen to the advice given to me by the other people I interviewed. Communicating with others in this field seems like a great idea, and I hope to continue communicating what I know with others.
Reflection
My interaction with the first man I spoke with (the owner of the pest control company in Clearwater) enhanced my networking opportunities. Attending this conference helped me meet other people in this industry and learn from them. I like how this person has created and maintained a successful eco-friendly business. I will also listen to the advice given to me by the other people I interviewed. Communicating with others in this field seems like a great idea, and I hope to continue communicating what I know with others.
It seems like you selected 3 people who definitely offered some ideas and resources. Did you find this exercise useful? Would you have contacted these people otherwise? I reached out to people I should have for a while, but finally got the push I needed. I learned a lot and made some great connections. Hopefully this has helped you gain new understanding as you move forward.
ReplyDeleteHey Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI thought your first interview with the owner of the pest control company in Clearwater was very compelling and I am now familiar with entomology and what people in the field do. I also found the points that your supplier expert made were interesting because I didn't think competitors in the pest control industry communicated frequently with each other.