My Unfair Advantage

Business Concept:
I plan on opening Gator Book Exchange which is a program that will offer students an alternative to spending an exorbitant amount of money on books. My program will host students exchange of textbook with no middle man fee. Students will simply drop off their textbooks and be able to receive coupons in exchange to select other books students have donated.

Top Resources:
1.) Ability to foresee possible weaknesses in my plan and overcome them before they negatively impact business.

• Valuable: Gives the company a competitive edge against competition
• Rare:  A lot of companies fail to evaluate and recognize their weaknesses or fail because they spot them too late
• Inimitable: Other companies can possess this skill, but it is a notable edge
• Non-substitutable: Yes there are not other qualities that can substitute for this ability.

2.) Top Notch Customer Service as I too am a college student that can relate to my market.

• Valuable: Gives the company a great start as high customer satisfaction can lead to free advertisements through word of mouth and social media buzz.
• Rare: Many companies are more concerned with their cost and focus on providing the product not how they are providing the service.
• Inimitable: Yes there are other companies such as Publix that have outstanding customer service and is what my company hopes to mimic.
• Non-substitutable: Yes there is not another quality that can substitute this.

3.) Minimal start up costs allows for me to focus more on the logistics and organization than the cost aspect

• Valuable: This allows the company to speed ahead other start ups and look past cost bumps
• Rare: This is extremely rare.
• Inimitable: Due to its rare nature not many companies can imitate this.
• Non-substitutable: It is not substitutable

4.) From previous involvement and taking marketing courses, I have developed a marketing expertise 

• Valuable: This is very valuable as it grants me the ability to understand the importance of knowing your market and how to reach that audience.
• Rare: Nearly every company has a marketing department, but it is a necessary apart of every business start up
• Inimitable: Yes, but I tend to go above and beyond and look closely at detail compared to others who have a nature to only see the larger picture
• Non-substitutable: Yes this is a unreplaceable part of the company

5.) Background in entrepreneurship through this class and through growing up around family that owned their own businesses

• Valuable: This is undoubtable a great quality to have
• Rare: No, but gives me edge against the percent that does not have this quality
• Inimitable: Yes, but it is apart of my learning and growing process that I can apply to my business
• Non-substitutable: Yes it is, but it has taught me skills such as flexibility and dedication

6.) I have a large network on campus that I can market my business venture to and utilize when in need of volunteers

• Valuable: Allows me to tap into free marketing and secures a reliable source of workers and participants
• Rare: I think it is rare to find a reliable and dedicated network that I possess
• Inimitable: No because my diverse network is unique to me
• Non-substitutable: Yes because it will ensure I prosper
• Most important

7.) I am flexible, diplomatic, and try to adapt to a variety situations and enjoy thinking on my toes.

• Valuable: As a businesswomen it is a definite benefit when working with finicky people
• Rare: Yes because not many people can think out of the box and be able to complete impromptu tasks with confidence and quickly mitigate problems.
• Inimitable: Yes, but it is a necessary tool to be successful.
• Non-substitutable: Yes because if you cant be flexible when working with people, you will not survive.

8.) I am an ambitious individual and perseveres past failures and learns from them 

•  Valuable: Yes because it allows me to succeed.
• Rare: Yes not many people have the same ambitious spirit that I do.
• Inimitable: Yes, but I still view it as an edge over those that do not.
• Non-substitutable: It can not be substituted.

9.) I have a passion for giving back to others which works well with my business concept as it allows me to further explore this passion.

• Valuable: Yes because it will give me the motivation to continue with my plan pass any bumps in the road
• Rare: Not many people can identify their passion and put it to use
• Inimitable: No my passion is unique to me because it is derived from my own experiences
• Non-substitutable: No because it will help me persevere

10.) I also have leadership experience that will assist me in training volunteers, organizing events, and has helped me develop strong interpersonal skills.

• Valuable: Yes because it gives me the unique ability to ensure smooth communication and teamwork skills
• Rare: No because everyone can be a leader, but they don't have the unique combination of experience I have.
• Inimitable: No my experience is unique to myself.
• Non-substitutable: No because it is necessary to have some experience in order succeed as a CEO.