23A – Your Venture’s Unfair Advantage

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1. Personal Understanding of the Needs of Consumers with Food Allergies

Valuable: The fact that I have food allergies and can therefore understand the needs of these restaurant businesses’ customers is extremely important. It will allow me to craft effective allergy menus.
Rare: As stated in my elevator pitch, 10% of the population have food allergies. However, no one has the experiences utilizing allergy menus that I have due to my relatively extensive traveling around the country looking for allergy friendly restaurants
Imitable: Someone cannot simply copy the food allergies/experiences with allergy menus that I have.
Non-Substitutable: You cannot really substitute for this knowledge, even with extensive market research.


2. Strong Presentation Skills

Valuable: My ability to craft easily comprehended presentations is extremely useful considering my product is designed to be interpreted by consumers.
Rare: This is relatively rare, but likely not as rare as the first resource.
Imitable: You cannot copy these skills, but one could technically copy my formatting techniques once menus are publicly available. I am not worried about this.
Non-Substitutable: You cannot substitute for strong presentation skills in this instance.


3. Flexibility to Serve Needs of Restaurant Business Clients

Valuable: This is a valuable resource when selling this idea to potential clients. I will preach my flexibility and dedication to their needs.
Rare: I would say that this is not rare, but a true dedication to clients may not be common.
Imitable: One could copy this.
Non-Substitutable: You cannot substitute for a flexible schedule.


4. Proximity to Gainesville Restaurant Businesses

Valuable: This is valuable considering that I am catering to local restaurants. Remote firms could not offer this service to these restaurants the same way I can.
Rare: On a national scale, living in Gainesville is relatively unique.
Imitable: One could move here to compete, but I doubt this will become an issue.
Non-Substitutable: You cannot substitute for being easily personally accessible.


5. Network of Individuals with Food Allergies

Valuable: This simply adds to my understanding of the needs of individuals with food allergies.
Rare: Not really, most people know a number of individuals with food allergies.
Imitable: Someone could reach out to individuals with food allergies for insight.
Non-Substitutable: You could substitute for this with market research.


6. Connection to Individuals in Related Industries

Valuable: My connection to CEO of Allergy Eats is extremely valuable. He could even promote my business to restaurants with whom he collaborates.
Rare: I imagine many individuals do not have this connection.
Imitable: You cannot copy this.
Non-Substitutable: The only substitute would be a high-up at a similar firm.


7. Access to UF Business Library

Valuable: This is extremely valuable when seeking your target market/finding leads.
Rare: This is relatively rare.
Imitable: You can copy this if you buy access to the various data bases which the UF business library gives students access to.
Non-Substitutable: You cannot substitute for this.


8. Network of Business Gators

Valuable: This is valuable when thinking about scaling my business. Here is a pool of candidates that may be interested in working for my startup.
Rare: This is relatively rare. Only fellow Gators have the network in a similar manner.
Imitable: This alumni base cannot be imitated.
Non-Substitutable: There are no true substitutes.


9. Access to Excel Applications

Valuable: This is valuable as it is the main tool I will use to craft allergy menus.
Rare: Access to this application is not rare at all, but it is a necessary resource for me, so I included it.
Imitable: Can not be copied, but another application could be used.
Non-Substitutable: Another application could substitutes.


10. Access to Means of Communication with Restaurant Business Clients

Valuable: This would be necessary to truly conduct business.
Rare: This applies to anyone with internet access, but it is a necessary resource for my business, so I included it.
Imitable: N/A
Non-Substitutable: N/A


My experience as an individual with food allergies who has used allergy menus to make dining decisions is the most important resource for my firm and is actually the inspiration for this startup. Because I have used both good and bad allergy menus, I can offer a valuable perspective into the minds of a portion of a restaurant business’ customer base and help that local business to supply its customers with food allergies with an easy-to-use allergy menu and even help that business to attract new customers who are restricted by food allergies.

Comments

  1. Remi TaylorNovember 17, 2019 at 2:43 PM

    Hi there Johnathan! Very nice job with this blog post. It is written very well and cohesively. I agree that your top resource is your experience as an individual with food allergies who has used allergy menus to make dining decisions. This background and personal investment will definitely go a long way in the success of your business.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Daryl SutherlandNovember 18, 2019 at 12:00 AM

    Hi John,
    Your post was very easy to ready with you clearly defining VRIN. I agree that your top resource is also having a food allergy. I know I have said this before but it is smart to make a product that affects your daily life. Many times when I come up with ideas that I feel would be successful it is something that is a need for me. Usually that product is already on sale on amazon sadly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deasja PerrymanNovember 18, 2019 at 8:58 AM

    Hi Johnathan,
    Great job putting together a solid list of the things that set you apart in your business venture. I think the VRIN analysis really helps us explain why everything is important that we bring to the table. Your resource with the CEO of Allergy Eats is so important especially with your style of business, that connection could really jumpstart everything for you. Well done !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brooke DesantisNovember 18, 2019 at 9:12 AM

    Hi Johnathan,
    I think you have put together a really thought out and comprehensive list that really highlights the perks of your business venture. I agree with all the others that your VRIN analysis is very helpful to completely undestand each aspect of your company and the pros and cons you anticipate. I agree that your personal experience with food allegories will be so useful in the development o the business, especially considering the personal stake you'll have in making this succeed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AustinAbramczykNovember 18, 2019 at 10:03 AM

    I agree that you understanding the needs of consumers with food allergies is your most important resource; especially, when your have food allergies yourself. I believe that your strong presentation deals will help you in getting deals and aid in persuading other restaurant owners to have your service. However, I believe that having close connections with people like the CEO of Allergy Eats will be highly beneficial for when you want to connect to new companies.

    ReplyDelete

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