Venture's Unfair Advantage

1.       Experience – Personal experience with daughter who has special needs.

Valuable: This is very valuable as I have the understanding of those with special needs as well as the drive to want to improve their life

Rare:     It is not necessarily rare as there are many parents of special needs children who could have the same understanding.

Inimitable: This could not be imitated as each person with special needs has their own behaviors and limitations.  No two are alike, however most have some of the same tendencies which could give others the same understanding of some characteristics

Non-Substitutable:  This is hard to answer – most parents try to give their special needs child skills to be more “typical”

2.       Knowledge – Accounting and Human Resource work experience.  I have over 20 years of experience in keeping financials and implementing HR policies.

Valuable: This is valuable in organizing and operating a business.

Rare: No – This is not rare as most businesses have an accounting and HR department

Inimitable: These skills can be imitated

Non-Substitutable: Outsourcing these services would be a substitute

3.       Social Capital – Connections with therapists

Valuable: It is valuable to have connections with therapists I can work with for them to provide services at the center  

Rare: No

Inimitable: My particular network of therapists is inimitable but others can have their own

Non-Substitutable: The substitute would be to go to many different offices/locations to get the services

4.       Knowledge – Board position on PTO creating bylaws, organizational procedures, and events.  Exhibit leadership abilities.

Valuable:  It is valuable to know how to organize a company and work with a team

Rare: No – many others have held board positions and can lead teams

Inimitable:  This can be imitated, maybe with not as much passion for helping those with special needs, but none the less it is not unique.

Non-Substitutable:  To be successful I would say there is no substitute for being a team player

5.       Organizational Culture: Hiring to fit culture – with my HR experience I will be able to hire those that would want to provide this service and to help those in need

Valuable: For this type of service this is very valuable

Rare: No

Inimitable:  This can be imitated

Non-Substitutable: In order for this type of business to succeed this resource is not one that could be substituted.  It takes very special people to understand and want to help others.

6.       Organizational Culture: Purpose and acceptance – supporting disabled members of society tugs on those who are altruistic and will give a greater purpose to those working for the center.  The center’s culture will focus on this aspect to provide acceptance to all.

Valuable: This is very valuable and a core purpose of the center

Rare:  I would like to say yes, but the answer is no.  There are plenty of opportunities to work for non-profit or other service providers who serve those in need.

Inimitable: This could be imitated.  Especially if the idea is successful there is nothing stopping other centers from providing the same services.

Non-Substitutable:  Volunteering for a charity or participating in community service initiatives would be the same.

7.       Social Capital – Network of fellow parents of special needs children

Valuable: This is very valuable for getting the word out about the center and to gather new information to offer additional services

Rare:  Yes, no one else has the same network of parents with special needs as I do

Inimitable:  This could not be imitated.  Others could come close with their own network but it would not be the same.

Non-Substitutable:  This could not be substituted.

8.       Uniqueness of Venture – Niche concept that is specific to a larger market that most often gets ignored

Valuable: It is very valuable especially to the target market

Rare:  It is rare in that there is not another center that has the same services and structure

Inimitable: It can be imitated unless we build a large following that is loyal

Non-Substitutable: Substitutes would be multiple services/activities but not in one location

9.       Collaboration with Service Organizations

Valuable: it is not valuable

Rare: No – service organizations volunteer with many other organizations

Inimitable: It can be imitated

Non-Substitutable:  Substitutes would be to have the families volunteer to help when needed

10.   Passion and Determination

Valuable: Very valuable.

Rare: For this particular endeavor having the passion and determination for it would be rare, but anyone can have passion and determination

Inimitable: These can be imitated but probably for not the same reasons.

Non-Substitutable: There is no substitute for either. 

My top resource would have to be the network of fellow parents who have helped me shape this idea with their interviews and insight.  If they would not be willing to utilize the services at my location then the business venture would not be a success.  In a very close second would be my passion and determination.  I am determined to do something good for my daughter and to help her succeed in her own right.