As a local and loyal Colorado native, Eric has a driving passion to help local businesses gain an economic foothold nationwide and beyond. His background engagement in the community, college, and abroad has allowed him to gain unique insights into what drives people and creates loyalty across organizations. Eric has a skill set in strategically scaling companies by interesting people where they are at and crafting messages that compel them a community instead of using antiquated fear of loss or other messages that don’t resonate with today’s Millennials and those that value lifestyle over careers. In being able to bridge both the strategic, analytical, and emotional, he has a special ability to accelerate brands and build companies that are impenetrable and disruptive to industries.
Special Agent’s Name: Eric Sutfin
Code Name: Captain Acceleration
City Born In: Cowtown Denver, Colorado
What does Social Capital mean to you?
The premise of Social Capital means the perceived value that someone or something has in their sphere of influence. This could be from someone’s recommendation for dinner plans to the Homecoming King or the next phone case you buy.
Historically “Social Capital” has meant the social reputation that you have as a person in your community or your brand has in the industry. We first recognized a brands social value by the amount of stars it had. Originating most commonly with Ebay and now widely adopted from hotels to Amazon products, we know and trust what other people have to say about a product or service.
Simply, if they like it, we should. Why would so many people be sitting on the patio? Why would people take the time to leave a great experience they had? This speaks volumes to us about a brand’s character and how others perceive them.
Today, we are seeing that social capital is having as much klout, if not more, than one’s financial capital. Have you ever had that friend that just gets an extra ticket to everything? Know that someone who is able to influence those around them to do incredible things without having to foot the bill or actually do the hard work? We call this “Social Capital” and we see it have increasingly more weight in people’s relationships as they desire depth, authenticity, and connection – none of which money can buy.
How do you see it?
How do you live and display social capital in your daily life?
Those around me from my friends, colleagues, and business associates and clients would be able to share this best. In my eyes, getting involved with the Lower Downtown District here in Denver Colorado to help influence the local community and its next steps to ReThink how Colorado is the epicenter for innovation is one way. Another might be how I live my life in an attempt to act as a role model and influence those by my actions, values, and expectations for those I associate with.
How would you like to see Social Capital implemented more in our society?
I would like to see that people look at their relationships and the quality and depth of those on the same level if not with more gratitude as people do another’s finances. Which is really more important? I see money as where you are today and that can change really quickly in comparison to someone’s character and values.
As an example, why shouldn’t servers be able to rate their customers just as customers can rate their service and the restaurant? If someone is unnecessarily arrogant and rude, shouldn’t that influence the ability to shop or eat at a location?
Overall, there are many ways that I can see how the concept of Social Capital should be leveraged in our daily interactions from our credit score, ability to get a loan, what bars or clubs we get into to events we can attend.
What’s the one brand you’d want to help build their social capital more and why?
I would be thrilled to help Jaguar increase their social capital. They have has a reputation in the past and with the rise of Millennials and their shopping habits I believe I could help them align with the transformed brand and its new, fresh look.