Assignment 23A - Your Venture's Unfair Advantage

1. Capability: I have over 18 years of sales experience.

• Valuable: This is very valuable as I will need to be able to sell/market this service.
• Rare: This is not rare, as many people have this capability
• Inimitable: To a degree this capability can be imitated. However, my selling style is my own. I am what makes it unique.
• Non-substitutable: I could always hire a sales representative. This would cost me money, however, free me up to be more productive at other tasks.
1. Uniqueness of the Venture/Lack of Competitors: There is other competition. The difference is that these businesses require an onsite receptacle to place the picked up recycled items in.
• Valuable: This is valuable because one of the main reasons why apartment complexes didn’t offer valet recycling was because they claimed they did not have enough room for trash and recycle receptacles.
• Rare: Most other businesses require the receptacle to pick up the recycling. My company would not.
• Inimitable: No.
• Non-substitutable: Possibly.
2. Social Capital: Existing contacts with potential clients. Living in an apartment complex I have met many people who would love this type of service.
• Valuable: These individuals would serve as a great way to start and build a client base.
• Rare: This is somewhat rare. Even though this is sometimes the case, it isn’t always that one already has a large potential client base before starting a business.
• Inimitable: No. 
• Non-substitutable: Possibly.
3. Capability: Public Speaking Experience. I speak publicly to different individuals on a regular basis through my current position and being a Realtor.
• Valuable: This is valuable because it’s important to be able to properly communicate to clients and those whom you partner with.
• Rare: No.
• Inimitable: No.
• Non-substitutable: Nothing substitutes the power of communication.
4. Social Capital: My stepfather is an entrepreneur. He owns three restaurants.
• Valuable: This is valuable because I have a personal connection with someone whom is very experienced and can provide very useful knowledge.  
• Rare: No, because I could converse with other entrepreneurs.
• Inimitable: Yes, because the relationship is personal/family.
• Non-substitutable: This could be substituted by another entrepreneurial mentor, but they would not have the same personal relationship with me.
5. Social Capital: Support from similar organizations for cause. There are many organizations that are working to boost recycling rates for a more sustainable, cleaner environment.
• Valuable: This is valuable because I would have the support of many organizations who already believe in and fight for this cause.
• Rare: No.
• Inimitable: No.
• Non-substitutable: No. 
6. Human Capital: Aside from current business experience, I possess strong interpersonal skills, I am driven, motivated, responsible, open-minded, and patient. I adapt well to change and have the ability to calmly and rationally assess and navigate the toughest of situations.
• Valuable: Yes.
• Rare: Yes, there is no other person on the earth that is the same as me.
• Inimitable: Yes.
• Non-substitutable: No. People are disposable.
7. Social Capital: Business connections made through the University of Florida.
• Valuable: This is valuable because the relationships amongst fellow students, staff and their connections could be of great assistance.
• Rare: No.
• Inimitable: No.
• Non-substitutable: Yes.
8. Financial Capital: I am very close with other entrepreneurs whom are fairly wealthy, that I believe would invest in this business.
• Valuable: Yes, because I would need the capital to start this business.
• Rare: Yes. It is hard to acquire necessary funds to start a business. Not to mention, already knowing where one could go to access these funds. 
• Inimitable: Yes.
• Non-substitutable: No.
9. Human Capital: Realtor.  
• Valuable: This is valuable because it would assist in finding and then negotiating the deal for the perfect location of the business.
• Rare: No.
• Inimitable: No.
• Non-substitutable: No.
  
  

I believe it is difficult to choose just one resource that works well in all areas. My capabilities are just that, my capabilities. These are already apart of my “secret sauce” that will not change. After my VRIN analysis, I would have to say that my most important resource is my stepfather. A lot can be learned from his success in his three restaurants. He is very smart, and I value his input and direction. Plus, his current connections could help tie together some of the other resources already listed above.