Growing My Social Capital

Person 1- Ariel.  She is a branch manager at Enterprise.  She will be my “domain expert”.  One of Enterprise’s biggest advertising points is “We’ll pick you up.”  I will use their company’s history and expertise on scheduling pick up and drop off times with customers to see what is the most effective strategy and how to best schedule times.  I will also talk about how to use set up and plan for unforeseen issues such as traffic delays or other similar interference's.  I have known her for multiple years now and work with her in setting up rentals for mutual customers. We could easily set up business favors with each other such as sending customers the other ones way if a particular situation calls for it.  She will enhance my ability by being able to give me valuable insight into car rental as well as insurance and liability issues and questions. 

Person 2- Robert.  He is a vendor at the dealership that I work at.  He will be my “market expert”.  Being a vendor for dealerships he currently has a working relationship with multiple dealers.  He would give me a foot in the door to meet prospective clients.  When my business is ready to expand to other facilities he could if nothing else tell me who I need to speak with at those facilities.  He was also met through work and through my current sales I also offer his services thus improving both of our businesses. 

Person 3- Michael.  He is the CEO of the dealership that I work at.  He will be my “supplier expert” and then some.  I have known him for 7+ years and have developed a very close business relationship with him over the years.  As well as being my first client he can also help me with starting the fleet of vehicle that I would need to give out as loaners for my customers.  He will probably be my most important contact and one that I will need to start with in order to get my business off the ground. 

Reflect- I think that these contacts will be very useful as my business starts.  Michael will absolutely be the most important for me.  The other two will be useful as my business gets going and both would be useful for getting my foot into the door at other facilities.  After I am up and running Enterprise could almost be viewed as a competitor so whatever information and strategy I could use from them would be invaluable as I would try and to land similar customers.  Robert would be a vendor that I would continue to promote his services to my customers and we could have a successful business relationship