Resource-based View of Tough Mudder

The RBV approach combines the internal company analysis with the external analysis of the industry and its competitive environment.  It identifies competitive advantages by analyzing each resource and capability and asking:

• Is it valuable?
• Is it rare?
• Is it difficult to imitate?
• Is it difficult to substitute?

Here is what I came up with for Tough Mudder:

Resource/ Capability	Valuable?	Rare?	Difficult to Imitate?	Difficult to substitute?	Implication for competitiveness
Tangible Resource
Target marketing system	YES	YES	NO	NO	Competitive parity
Employee development and rewards (TM University & benefits)	YES	YES	NO	NO	Temporary competitive advantage
Financial Resources – cash (high growth)	YES	YES/ NO	NO	NO	Competitive parity
Sponsors	YES	YES	YES	NO	Temporary competitive advantage
Intangible Resource
Brand name and reputation	YES	YES	YES	YES	Competitive advantage
Innovation and creativity	YES	YES	NO	NO	Temporary competitive advantage
Employee capabilities and skills	YES	NO	NO	NO	Competitive parity
Organizational Capabilities
Excellent customer service	YES	NO	NO	NO	Competitive parity
Innovative and tough course and obstacle development	YES	YES	NO	NO	Temporary competitive advantage
Ability to hire, motivate, and retain human capital	YES	YES /NO	NO	YES/NO	Competitive parity