My Unfair Advantage

1.       Experience with wholesale

a.       V-  I have experience with wholesale sales so I may be able to better negotiate with vendors.

b.       R-  Not very rare

c.       I- Very easy to copy

d.       N- Not really substitutable

2.       Degree in Nonprofit management and leadership

a.       V-  This has given me extensive insight into the sector and how it operates.  I am able to identify, and leverage, weakness and strengths of the said market.

b.       R-   Somewhat rare.  This is an emerging degree that few universities offer.  At the time it is somewhat rare.

c.       I- Not very easy

d.       N-  Substitutions may include an MBA or extensive service in the sector

3.       Strong network of contacts in the nonprofit sector

a.       V-  Being local and specializing in the nonprofit sector affords me connections with many nonprofit leaders

b.       R- Somewhat rare

c.       I- It would not be easy to copy my exact list of contacts, however, it may be easy to come up with a similar one

d.       N- I cannot think of any

4.       Above basic knowledge of computer sciences

a.       V-  This gives me a slight edge that I may be able to anticipate who will need what products

b.       R- Not very rare

c.       I- Very easy to imitate

d.       N- Not very conducive to substitution

5.       Commitment to the mission

a.       V-  Believing in what you do can go a long way towards success

b.       R-  I really don’t know how rare this is since it tends to be somewhat subjective

c.       I-  Others may prove to be committed to their mission as well

d.       N- No substitution I am aware of

6.       I understand, because of budgets, that nonprofits do not always have the funding to buy technology at marked up profits.

a.       V-  Through experience working in administrative functions in nonprofits I am aware that technology is tabled due to budgetary issues.

b.       R-  This may be a problem others are aware of

c.       I-   Because this learned knowledge it does seem like the idea could be imitated

d.       N-  I don’t think you can substitute for an understanding of something

7.         Human resource management & sales experience

a.       V- These are two skills that I bring to the organization.  My understanding of these may serve of benefit.

b.       R- These are skill many possess.  Some with much more knowledge than myself.

c.       I-  These skills could very well be imitated by others.

d.       N- I can’t think of anything that can substitute for these

8.        Customer service experience

a.       V- Much of my experience in the workforce has been driven by face to face engagement.

b.       R-  Not so rare; others have great amounts of this experience

c.       I-  I think because face to face interactions are unique in themselves that they cannot be imitated

d.       N- I believe you could substitute this skill set with lower prices or better marketing

9.        Nonprofit status

a.       V- This status will be instrumental to the viability of this firm as it affords significant tax advantages.

b.       R- The nature of this firm is rare in the nonprofit sector

c.       I- Only by other nonprofits

d.       N- Can’t substitute legal tax benefits without committing fraud

1    Strong self-management skills

a         V- Invaluable when operating your own firm

b.       R- I have no idea what the numbers on this are, but, I do know some can and some can’t

c.       I- Others have this skill too

d.       N- There is no substitution I am aware of

 I believe my commitment to the mission will be the resource I may be able to leverage the most.  This belief in the work I would be doing will not only motivate myself, but I am hopeful, it will touch my staff as well.  I see a real need for this service to help advance non profits that it is hard for me not to take a strong, empathetic approach towards it.