Unfair Advantage

Resources:

1. Experience in the Industry

• V: This resource is valuable. Experience in the industry implies industry knowledge at multiple levels.
• R: This resource is not rare because there are many players in the industry.
• I: Although experience is unique to each person, experience in the industry can be replicated.
• N: Although you can read about the industry, there isn't a substitute for experience.

2. Good relationships with local politicians

• V: These are the target audience for my business. Good relationships with your clients is always valuable.
• R: This resource is rare because politicians have close circles, and it is difficult to gain their trust. 
• I: This is hard to replicate because consumer loyalty in this type of industry is very strong. Contracts are often several years in length.
• N: There is no substitute for good customer relationships. 

3. Ability to work with others

• V: A startup requires teamwork and employees to go above and beyond to succeed. This is a very valuable resource.
• R: This resource is not rare. Collaboration is very common within businesses. 
• I: You can replicate teamwork and procedures that get people to work together.
• N: There is not a substitute for good teamwork and the ability to work with others.

4. Relationships with suppliers 

• V: Supplier are the backbone of a company and are very important.
• R: This resource is rare because suppliers only work with people who will utilize their products in an effective manner.
• I: You can steal a supplier, but it requires proving that you are more deserving.
• N: There is no substitute for a good relationship with supplier. They give you the materials necessary to run your business. 

5. Personal understanding of the Red Tide Outbreaks

• V: Understanding the problems of your consumers besides the statistics is very valuable. 
• R: This is not rare because millions of Americans have experienced Red Tide outbreaks and the effects of it.
• I: You can't copy personal experience unless you move to an area affected by it.
• N: The only substitute for personal experience is interviewing people who have been affected. 

6. Patented technology and methods

• V: This is the most valuable resource of all. Without these, any company could put us out of business.
• R: This is very rare because people have been battling Red Tide outbreaks for several decades.
• I: Due to the patents this is very hard to copy.
• N: The only substitute would be a better protocol for treatment and prevention of Red Tide.

7.  Access to liquid cash for startup costs (Before revenue streams begin)

• V: This is valuable because cash is hard to come by in businesses early on.
• R: This is not rare. There are a lot of people with liquid cash starting businesses.
• I: You can copy this because cash is everywhere in the business world.
• N: Alternatives would be paying for things with credit or loans.

8. Positive culture within the workplace

• V: This is valuable because positivity has good effects on the success of businesses. 
• R: This is rare because it is unique to each company. 
• I: You can replicate culture by hiring similar people and working on your culture.
• N: There are no substitutes besides doing everything alone.

9. Personal relationships with large venture capitalists 

• V: This is valuable because VCs can help support a business in times on need.
• R: This is rare because large venture capitalists are more likely to invest in someone they trust.
• I: You can't just become friends with a venture capitalist overnight. 
• N: Substitutes would be working with banks or other personal investors.

10. Free time and willingness to devote it

• V: This is valuable because businesses require a lot of time.
• R: This is not rare. Many people have free time to devote to their business.
• I: You can easily copy someone's time commitment and routines.
• N: No substitutes. 

The most valuable resource is patented technology and methods. Without these methods, our business wouldn't have a service to sell. In addition, if our protocol to control and prevent Red Tide wasn't patented, anyone could sell it to coastal communities.