1) John
John is a former roommate of mine who is a computer science major and has developed apps in the past and sold them. He is currently working as an iOS developer for a tech startup.
He will be the Domain Expert for this assignment. While he doesn't have any experience in aviation, he has the technological background to develop my product as an app or a device and program it to work the way I desire.
I met him through my fraternity and we became roommates about a year after meeting. I recently asked him if he would be willing to help me with this idea and he said he would be more than willing.
Our exchange with each other is good. We are close friends and lived together for a year so we get along well and are good at dividing work and accomplishing our own individual tasks for a broader goal.
Including him in my network will solve the problem of my lack of programming knowledge or skills and allow me to continue with my ideas without having to learn a whole new skill set.
2) Jim
Jim is the chief pilot for the company he works for. He has been flying for over 20 years and knows hundreds of other pilots.
He will be the "Market Expert" for this assignment. He represents a large portion of my market because he flies a twin engine, complex airplane by himself. He is exactly the type of pilot I have targeted for my product. He also knows several other pilots and how to communicate my ideas to them.
I am interning at the company Jim flies for and have had multiple conversations about my product and flying with him. He seems interested in my product and I enjoy talking to him about flying.
There really isn't a favor either of us have done for each other, but I am sure he would be glad to help me just as I am glad to help him. We have a good exchange between the two of us.
Jim is an experienced and well-known member of the flying community where I live and is my ideal customer. He would be able to help me market my product to other pilots and decide what features other pilots would like to see.
3) Jonathan
Jonathan is a general manager of an airport. He has worked at several airports throughout his career as well as an airline. Jonathan also has his pilot's license.
Jonathan will be the "Supplier" for this assignment. He runs the day to day operations of the airport and sells fuel, parking, rental cars, and other services to pilots.
Jonathan is my boss. I brought up my concerns for safety and checklists and he thought my idea was good.
Our exchange is what is normal between a boss and an intern. He asks me to do something and I do it. I wouldn't say they are favors since they are part of my job. Other than that, I think he would be willing to help me out and vice-versa.
He has access to pilots who fit my intended market every single day. He sees their needs and frustrations and could help me innovate new ideas and include my product among the products and services he already sells.
Reflection: This was actually one of the easier networking exercises I have done for this class. The main reason is due to the acquisition of my internship. I now have access to several people involved in the aviation community and it is easier to find people to interview or network with. If I didn't have this internship, this would have been the most difficult exercise because I was running out of pilots I knew who I could interview.
Hi Tyler,
ReplyDeleteI think you have made some really helpful connections! It's great that you already know someone who has knowledge and experience in app development. As for your other contacts, it's awesome that you already have connections in the flying community and know that they think your product is great as well! Keep up the good work!
-Kimberly
Tyler, I think its cool that you have an internship that allows you to connect with other pilots and learn from their experience and what there opinions are about safety issues. Being able to take what they know and apply it to your pilot skills could make you a better pilot.
ReplyDeleteHi Tyler,
ReplyDeleteI think the people you interviewed were very important to what you are trying to do and that is great. Also I think building these connection will give you unbelievable networking opportunities that may put you in contact with someone that can give you your big breakthrough. This is a great first step and i am sure everything will work out great for you.
I like how you've combined different aspects of your app altogether. Talking with a pilot, an app designed, and a general manager gives you different vantage points in a business like this. All three of them will likely be affected if your app were put into production and became popular so it's great that you've managed to collect them as resources.
ReplyDeleteTyler,
ReplyDeleteI am not very familiar with the aviation industry, but it seems like one that would be hard to gain credibility with. What I mean by that is that i think it is good that a pilot is coming up with this app and not someone who has no flying experience, I believe that will help you gain trust amongst your customers. It is also a good job that you're doing an internship with fellow pilots and making connections, that always helps.