23A - Your Ventures Unfair Advantage

1. Human Capital—I’m very knowledgeable on government funding and financial programs available for patients. My experience in the healthcare field has allowed me to gain patience, empathy, and compassion for my patients which are qualities one simply cannot purchase. Also, I’m bilingual (Spanish; understand Italian and Portuguese slightly):
   • Valuable: These qualities are valuable because being patient, empathetic, and compassionate are qualities that many people don’t have, especially in the healthcare field. My genuine interest and desire to provide patients with the help they need is not something that can be duplicated.
   • Rare: As an individual, I am rare. I’m a talented team player and wonderful ear to my patients.
   • Inimitable: One can imitate, but most people can tell when someone is not genuine or does not truly care.
   • Non-substitutable: I can hire individuals with the similar qualities, but my personal drive and ambition is unique.
2. Support of Current Organizations—Many organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Florida Council for Community Mental Health support and are fighting the same battle:
   • Valuable: Mental health is a battle that a lot of institutions are fighting alike. Thus, having support from these institutions will allow for my organization to gain exposure and reach many people in need.
   • Rare: This is not a rare service, as there are many organizations recognizing the need for mental health services everywhere.
   • Inimitable: Anyone or institutions that want to incorporate mental health as a discipline can do so, if they have the resources for expansion.
   • Non-substitutable: This cannot be substituted as many local institutions lack sufficient funding to support other institutions. I would have to partner with larger institutions that can offer grants or services.
3. Employment experience—Employed in healthcare for over five years:
   • Valuable: My experience is valuable because I have learned a lot about funding, billing, insurances, and sliding-scale programs for patients.
   • Rare: While it is not rare for someone that has worked in the medical field to be exposed to such aspects, my experience is rare because I have worked at medical institutions in two different counties that have both offered mental health services within their institutions.
   • Inimitable: My experience is not imitable, as I offer a unique approach to healthcare as a business major because I understand both sides of the spectrum; business vs. patient care.
   • Non-substitutable: I’m substitutable, as I can hire similar or more qualified employees.
4. Project Management—Head of the Employee Advisory Committee and gained substantial experience:
   • Valuable: This is valuable because I’m able to coordinate and manage all projects without having to add additional expenses to my tab.
   • Rare: I wouldn’t say that it is rare to find someone my age (25) that has been responsible for directing projects or goals, although I did start at age 22.
   • Inimitable: This is imitable as most people can be exposed to project management in their line of work.
   • Non-substitutable: I can hire a project manager with more experience in Mental Health Services and access to networks.
5. Publicity—I have direct access to colleagues that can help me market and publicize my services.
   • Valuable: This is valuable because many people must seek and hire consultants, whereas I wouldn’t have to.
   • Rare: Yes, it is rare, because I’d be able to attain these services free of charge. Not rare if you hire someone.
   • Inimitable: Yes, it is imitable if you network properly; not sure of the free aspect, however.
   • Non-substitutable: Yes, there are plenty of marketing consultants or public speakers that can campaign on your behalf.
6. Social Capital—Colleagues at the Moffitt Cancer Center:
   • Valuable: Being able to network with physicians at the Moffitt Cancer Center is valuable because they have access patients from all around the world. As a result, they can refer patients that live in my area for services.
   • Rare: This is not rare, as many people are informed about Moffitt and could gain necessary access if necessary.
   • Inimitable: I believe the Moffitt Cancer Center is extremely unique with their services, physicians, and staff that I do not believe there is another organization that can really imitate it.
   • Non-substitutable: This cannot be substituted because Moffitt is a leading organization in their research, services, and access to the community. Also, they offer help for patients and families that are struggling emotionally, spiritually, and financially with Cancer.
7. Social Capital—Access to Doctors in Hernando/Hillsborough County areas:
   • Valuable: Yes, because the more reach I have in both areas, the easier it will be for providers to refer patients.
   • Rare: I believe it is rare for someone my age to have many contacts within the healthcare field.
   • Inimitable: Yes, it is imitable, but I feel it would take time to build relationships with physicians whereas I’ve worked alongside most of them.
   • Non-substitutable: Very substitutable if one has a large network or knows an individual that is active in the healthcare field.
8. Social Capital—Access to Behavioral Health within my current employer:
   • Valuable: Yes, because I have a general understanding of how the practice should operate and the type of staffing I need to have to meet the needs of patients.
   • Rare: Not at all, anyone that has worked in an medical office setting can attain this knowledge.
   • Inimitable: Yes, if you have experience or conduct sufficient research.
   • Non-substitutable: No, because the training I experience first hand trumps anything I can research.
9. Social Capital—Contact with pharmaceutical vendors and programs:
   • Valuable: Not many people have access to vendors, unless they work in the healthcare field.
   • Rare: Because I have already established good relationships with vendors, I’m sure they would be willing to help provide me with information or information on special programs.
   • Inimitable:  I don’t believe it is imitable as it has taken me several years to foster these relationships.
   • Non-substitutable: Yes, as anyone can network and get the resources they need; everything is mainly online, you just must know what you are looking for.
10. Organizational culture—Making patient care a priority and ensuring my organization is equipped with the proper resources. Because I have worked with several institutions, I have seen and experienced situations in the healthcare field that I believe do not belong. As a result, I would like to foster an environment that more aligned with the mission and vision of my organization:
    • Valuable: This would be valuable for both employees and patients because my goal will be to provide ease of mind throughout my organization. Too often I have witnessed employees that feel that they are overworked and undercompensated. In addition, I have witnessed patients that feel the physicians are only there to collect a paycheck and aren’t really concerned for their welfare. No organization will be perfect, but I will put my best foot forward to ensure my organization is ran accordingly.
    • Rare: I believe it is rare, because I personally do not feel people are as empathetic as they used to be. I want my employees and my patients to know that they are going to be taken care of.
    • Inimitable: Only imitable by those that genuinely care and are passionate to effect change.
    • Non-substitutable: I don’t believe it is substitutable. Look at Publix vs. Wal-Mart and Chick-Fil-A vs. McDonalds; many people can distinguish each organization by their organizational culture.

After conducting a VRIN analysis, I learned that my greatest resource is my social capital. The reason why, is because I have access to individuals and organizations in several different platforms. As a result, I can consult individuals with ease, and I don’t really have to worry about fostering new relationships for the time being. In the same way, the pharmaceutical vendors and organizations would also have a new organization they can introduce to their patients, so its beneficial on both ends. Unfortunately, sometimes its not what you know but who you know!