Domain Expert : Elia Ben-Ari
Elia was a contact given to me by a student from out-of-state who is studying mycology at a local university. She has a background in biology and medicine and currently writes for the National Cancer Institute. I called and asked Elia for feedback on my idea that's been in the ENT 3003 incubator. During our conversation I mentioned that I have experience with mapmaking and GIS databases and if there were anything I could help with in that area I'd be more than happy to.
Elia has been in conservation for 24 years in a variety of roles, mainly as an interpretive naturalist. Some of the takeaways from our conversation were that it's not good enough that a goal for an idea like mine be connecting people with nature. No. Elia said that the end goal should be fostering public support for conservation and education in our area.
She said that if that is lurking in the background of every outing, every lecture, then the organization will be facing in the right direction.
Elia is a big supporter of doing these types of activities at no cost to the learner. "Think about the people who really showed you nature and its inner workings. They probably did it out a love for the subject rather than a few dollars, right?"
Elia is a distant contact to me and I would not figuratively add her to my network.
Market Expert: Kelly Morgan
Kelly is an expert interpretive naturalist at a local state park. My wife and I took a 9-session class of her's last month that is similar to what I would like to offer. She offers it in the next county south of where I live. She is at the top of the food chain in her space and location. I asked Kelly for feedback on my idea and here are some of her thoughts. We spoke via Facebook Messenger.
Kelly works in a state-run park and as a result tries to offer classes that are (physically) accessible to everyone. While she has a beautiful property to take people out into and learn from, she says that one must be "nimble" about how to approach this because a number of learners in their older age will not be able to go out hiking. She did acknowledge that this is an issues that while I may run into, being a private entity would have to pay attention to less than she does.
She added that some people want the 30,000 foot view of the subject while others might want more in-depth coverage and rumination. It's important, she said, to offer what your learners want.
The two most useful takeaways that led to reaching the entity's goals, she says, are learner interest and consistency of the learning environment.
Having someone like Kelly in my network has already pointed me to other people who have been useful and a joy to spend time with. Kelly is a resource to other people in the field that I am interest in.
Supplier: John N. Game Warden of 20+ years in my home state. I spent time with him on patrol while we talked about his work and my idea. I helped him move a couple of dead deer that were extremely heavy. (That was my favor!)
John works as a game warden (law enforcement) in the county that I live. He is constantly giving talks and workshops and educating people on how to safely enjoy spending time in the outdoors.
John said that it's important to meet people (learners) where they are and that that's easier said than done. He said that communicating with the public is not for everyone. It takes patience and skill to reach communication and educational goals (eventually).
Spending time with John (for the first time) was great. He is a great resource of local experts on hunting, fishing and boating.
Reflect
Talking to people is a great way to learn the space that one is interested in inhabiting. It's funny to me how people with many years' experience sometimes seem to speak cryptically in a "you'll see" kind of way. This exercise, talking to experts, not only helps to get to people who hold up the structure of the field, but, really, who are the structure itself. They point to the subject and also to other people knee deep in the subject.
Elia has been in conservation for 24 years in a variety of roles, mainly as an interpretive naturalist. Some of the takeaways from our conversation were that it's not good enough that a goal for an idea like mine be connecting people with nature. No. Elia said that the end goal should be fostering public support for conservation and education in our area.
She said that if that is lurking in the background of every outing, every lecture, then the organization will be facing in the right direction.
Elia is a big supporter of doing these types of activities at no cost to the learner. "Think about the people who really showed you nature and its inner workings. They probably did it out a love for the subject rather than a few dollars, right?"
Elia is a distant contact to me and I would not figuratively add her to my network.
Market Expert: Kelly Morgan
Kelly is an expert interpretive naturalist at a local state park. My wife and I took a 9-session class of her's last month that is similar to what I would like to offer. She offers it in the next county south of where I live. She is at the top of the food chain in her space and location. I asked Kelly for feedback on my idea and here are some of her thoughts. We spoke via Facebook Messenger.
Kelly works in a state-run park and as a result tries to offer classes that are (physically) accessible to everyone. While she has a beautiful property to take people out into and learn from, she says that one must be "nimble" about how to approach this because a number of learners in their older age will not be able to go out hiking. She did acknowledge that this is an issues that while I may run into, being a private entity would have to pay attention to less than she does.
She added that some people want the 30,000 foot view of the subject while others might want more in-depth coverage and rumination. It's important, she said, to offer what your learners want.
The two most useful takeaways that led to reaching the entity's goals, she says, are learner interest and consistency of the learning environment.
Having someone like Kelly in my network has already pointed me to other people who have been useful and a joy to spend time with. Kelly is a resource to other people in the field that I am interest in.
Supplier: John N. Game Warden of 20+ years in my home state. I spent time with him on patrol while we talked about his work and my idea. I helped him move a couple of dead deer that were extremely heavy. (That was my favor!)
John works as a game warden (law enforcement) in the county that I live. He is constantly giving talks and workshops and educating people on how to safely enjoy spending time in the outdoors.
John said that it's important to meet people (learners) where they are and that that's easier said than done. He said that communicating with the public is not for everyone. It takes patience and skill to reach communication and educational goals (eventually).
Spending time with John (for the first time) was great. He is a great resource of local experts on hunting, fishing and boating.
Reflect
Talking to people is a great way to learn the space that one is interested in inhabiting. It's funny to me how people with many years' experience sometimes seem to speak cryptically in a "you'll see" kind of way. This exercise, talking to experts, not only helps to get to people who hold up the structure of the field, but, really, who are the structure itself. They point to the subject and also to other people knee deep in the subject.
Hi Anthony,
ReplyDeleteExperts in your chosen field can often give you some great advice about your business, I agree that different people might want different types and degrees of learning from your venture, and it is essential to provide what the people want to hear. Oftentimes, these people you link up with will even know others who could provide you with further help.
Hi Anthony,
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though you've chosen great people to interview/get advice from. How great that you were also able to actually speak to all of them, as I am still waiting to hear back from mine.) I hope you wrote all their advice down so you remember it all, because it seems to really be some great advice!
That's awesome that you were able to get in contact with these people! Not only that, but you helped them in a tangible way, and I think just that alone broadens your social capital a lot. I agree, talking to experts is immensely helpful. I'm glad you were able to get some good knowledge!
ReplyDeleteHello Anthony,
ReplyDeleteI believe the contacts that you have will allow your business to be very successful as you clearly have networked with some of the best in your field and in your region. I agree with you that talking to these people in your field provided lots of good information and can lead you to people who have more knowledge in the particular field or subject.