My Unfair Advantage

1.      Communication skills: A successful venture is centered on the idea that the message about a product and its benefits is received clearly and understood by potential customers.  I believe that good communication is rare. It takes effort and verification to determine if the message relayed is in fact the message received. I also believe that communication is a two-way street. It is crucial for the producer of a product to receive feedback an opinions from end-users.  This provides opportunities for growth and evolution of the product.

2.      Quality oriented:  I believe that pressurized water storage tanks would be products that would be used for the long term.  I would like this product to work efficiently and meet or even surpass expectations every time it is used.  I would select the best quality of materials and design so that the experience of utilizing this product would be a pleasant one for the customer each and every time it is used.

3.      Bilingual: I am originally from Bogota, Colombia and I was raised in the United States.  My background has provided me a unique perspective of two diverse yet remarkable cultures.  I am fluent in English and Spanish.  I believe that the ability to communicate in Spanish may help with opening new markets and demographics that would otherwise be quite difficult to reach.

4.      Protecting the environment:  The benefits of having a pressurized water tank go beyond those realized by the customer.  Using ecologically friendly additives and natural pesticides have a true global impact.  This will reduce the amount of chemicals and fertilizers that runoff into the storm sewer systems and eventually into rivers, lakes and the oceans.  In Florida, Lake Okeechobee has been loaded for decades with excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus such as fertilization runoff from farms and urbanization.  Such nutrients, along with other environmental factors (such as warmer temperatures), promote the growth of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.  This has caused the unprecedented amount of toxic algae blooms infesting miles of southern Florida's coastline.  Widespread use of environmentally friendly additives may help significantly to prevent future environmental damage such as this.

5.      Efficiency:  I continuously look for new ways to improve a process.  I am always interested in finding ways to increase efficiency while minimizing expense and effort.  I believe that efficiency is a crucial element needed for managing and maintaining a cost-effective and productive business venture.

6.      Personal relationships:  I would like to focus my efforts on developing a strong network of individuals that are like minded and are able to share their unique qualities and capabilities in support of this venture.  While I believe it is important to surround myself with knowledgeable people that are experienced in this field, I feel that it is equally important to find people that are supportive, encouraging, and reassuring, especially when the process becomes difficult.  For this reason, I believe that friends and family would be an invaluable asset in this endeavor.

7.     Cost Effective:  People are continuously searching for a way to maximize their water usage in an efficient and effective way, which conserves water while minimizing costs.  It would be useful to have a system that would provide additional free water, without negative impact to the environment. This would be beneficial to the consumer because it would minimize water consumption while reducing utility costs.

8.      Flexibility:  One of the most important attributes of any successful venture is the ability to adapt and change with the growing market.  Being receptive to the consumer by understanding what their unmet needs are and adapting your product to fulfill this need is critical for sustainability and longevity. 

9.      Reliability: I believe that reliability is instrumental in building customer loyalty.  Reliability occurs when there is consistency in the quality of standardized service a consumer receives. This creates a positive experience for the consumer which leads to confidence and trust in the provider.  This will motivate the consumer to want to do business more often with that provider.

10.  Rebates, tax credits and exemptions: The United States Department of Energy currently underwrites a number of programs to purchase solar heating systems.  For example, the state of Florida offers a sales tax exemption for all solar equipment; the Orlando Utilities Commission provides an instant $1,000 rebate for solar water heating systems.  The advantages that the water tank system offers regarding cost savings and protecting the environment make it a potential candidate for similar incentive programs. 

After compiling my list of resources, I believe that my top resource is communication.  I noticed that communication was a fundamental aspect needed in each of the other listed resources.  To create reliability, communication is needed.  To determine if a government grant is possible and how to apply for one, communication is needed.  Additionally, for a consumer to fully understand the cost effectiveness of harvested water, communication is needed.  After all, what is a good idea if it is not communicated?