Market Landscape
Market overview
This is a wide-ranging snapshot of the market in which you will operate. Consider the competitors (who should be seen as collaborators), the number and location of waste facilities, the large institutions and commercial enterprises, major materials streams, as well as the customer base and geography you will serve.
Tips
Your county's Solid Waste Management plan may provide useful statistics about various waste streams, facilities and longer-term goals.
Collaborative Analysis
List the businesses and organizations whose operations include salvage and reuse. View these "competitors" as your collaborators.
Questions
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What private companies and nonprofits currently exist that sell or donate reused materials?
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Does you community have a Goodwill or Salvation Army?
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Are there architectural salvage retailers? Large, local flea markets?
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Is there a gap in the market that is not being met by existing entities?
SWOT ANALYSIS
Include a four-quadrant chart with your Community ReUse Center's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Questions
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What are the Community ReUse Center's top three strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats?
Tips
A SWOT analysis provides a great overview that can guide your planning. All the points can be included and addressed in your business plan.
Customer Base
Who will be your main customers?
Questions
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Does your community have a large university population that can both donate and purchase materials?
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Do you have an aging population that is downsizing?
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Is there a population of newly arrived immigrants and lower-income folks looking to stretch their budget?
Geography Served
What is the size of the area you will serve?
Questions
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Will you focus on your municipality? Your county? the surrounding counties as well?
Tips
Your geographic focus will impact many decisions, including the location of your site, your marketing efforts and the community partnerships you will forge.