Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Resource-Based View of Dating

In order to have a competitive advantage, a firm must have valuable resources that can differentiate it from others. Due to the highly dynamic nature of the competitive arena, the firm must guard its key resources (core competencies), and continue to build and maintain them. One must be prudent with its resources. There are three ways to build a unique set of resources: “know yourself, know your competitors, and know your market.”

Our dear university is the most saturated market teeming with dating opportunities (or so it is assumed). However, there are many who are lost among the pool of potentials and remain stagnant in the market. This is because these individuals have not invested in the right resources (e.g. social skills, common sense, intelligence, hotness, etc) or they are just unaware that they have them. By studying yourself, your competitors, and the date market, you can determine whether you need to invest in, upgrade or leverage your personal resources. This may entail a whole new wardrobe, getting an MBA, learning how to play the guitar, actually using that gym pass, or just smiling more. Also, it is important not to diversify blindly among random individuals of the opposite sex—this can lead to unnecessary pain and lower your brand equity. One must be shrewd and strategic. Whether you are a Gucci type of girl/guy or a Camry type of practical person, it is crucial to know and play to your strengths. The article wisely gives the most important dating advice: know yourself, know your competitors, know your market, and build a strategy based on your core competencies.

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