20A

Vincent Collier (Domain Expert in industry):

Mr. Collier is a marketing director of his own startup company. We used to go to the same church in my hometown. I reached out to him, remembering some marketing strategies he assisted my mom on with her business. Although he is not directly associated or connected with the food delivery business, he is well aware of the strategies needed to influence, directly/indirectly target the audience I was seeking in relation to my product. In asking him this, he said social media, website. and customers use of word of mouth is the best way to advance my product.

"Teens and college students are heavily on social media, tend to Google,  use twitter, etc., and nothing seems to go by them. If they hear/see about something new and innovative they are more prone to check it out over the older generation. Word of mouth is also your easiest and cheapest way of targeting your audience, however, it can also be what can destroy your brand. Once your business is up and running, and you get one good review, that customer will spread the word, and your clientelle is bound to increase."



Sonya Marx (Expert on market)


Ms. Marx is a caterer of her own catering business, who I know through association with my mom. Although she is not in the market for quick and easy food delivery service, she does know about the handle and care of providing quality food and services at weddings and events.With her assistance, I was able to understand the need to keep food at the proper temperature, and keep open and clear commincation between staff workers and customers.

"Catering is not all that different from food delivery. We too have to deliver the food to the venue, however, there is more preparation on our side. I believe the key to providing great quality service is open and clear communication. You must be open to lay out standards and expectations of your staff to ensure they follow clear guidelines and execute great customer service. However, customer service and food quality are two different things, but go hand in hand. In your case, not only must you make sure the food is kept at sufficient temperatures, you have to make sure you provide great quality by having the best equipment possible to keep food properly insulated, and more. You have to consider the tangible and intangible."




Tina Helms (Supplier to Industry)

Tina Helms is a former class mate of mine, who graduated two years ahead of me. She is the manager of a local Chili's in Jacksonville, FL. Only being one of many restaurants people order delivery food from, by connecting with managers and possible corporate members to team up with, it will make it easier to relay the vision and standards I have and want to spread using various customer service ideals, and vice versa. This helps understand the supplier and their needs, in order to provide for the customers needs.

"I believe you wanting to directly include restaurant corporations is a good idea. When people order from third party food delivery services, we directly get the ticket, however, sometimes the food is waiting there for a while as we wait for the driver to pick it up, and by then the food is warm or luke warm. Not only does this rain bad on the delivery service, but also us as well. By understanding expectations on both sides, it can most likely be easier to produce better quality."


This experience made me realize that connections, understanding your product and market, and educating yourself on the market you are going into is essential. In the future, I will need to know specifically what I want to accomplish, with an open-mind to possible adjustments in regards to the way I can reach my target audience and how to effectively provide quality service to them. This experience was similar to some of the other networing experiences I had in the past, except these were via email and not face to face. I was open to the knowledge they gave, and the criticism/ support they gave. However, with each experience I learn something new about the market and platform.