PART B:

Reflections on Module
Learning Experience –
CVS Health Case Study

Table of Content

Table of Content 2

Introduction 3

Reflection: Evaluation of my Knowledge and Understanding 4

Reflection: Evaluation of my Skills and Attributes 5

References 7

Introduction

At the start of this course module, I was intentional about learning the principles and techniques

required for a manager to carry out strategic management of businesses in the retail and

distribution sector of the healthcare industry. I became passionate about the retail and

distribution aspect of the healthcare sector due to a particular issue I experienced in purchasing

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some medical merchandise some years ago. Thus, it has been a lifelong goal to learn how to

improve the narrative within and outside the industry. When the course was introduced, I was

excited about the content outline that seeks to equip learners with an understanding of strategic

opportunities, threats, implications, supply chain, demand, resources, capabilities, and decision-

making. Although some of the outlined concepts seem new to me, I feel it is necessary to be

more open-minded and put more effort into enhancing my understanding if I am to gain anything

from this course.

The series of assignments and case studies during the learning process was integral in enhancing

my skills and attributes and compounding my understanding as a potential consultant and project

manager. As a result of this, I was able to analyze the internal and business environment of CVS

Health Corp with the strategic frameworks and tools presented in the module, some of which are;

PESTLE Framework and Porter’s Five Forces for the external environment, VRIO, Bowman

strategic clock, and Power/Interest Gird Matrix for the internal environment, SWOT analysis for

the external-internal environment, and finally, the Ansoff Matrix for making strategic decisions.

Reflection: Evaluation of my Knowledge and Understanding

The most exciting parts of the course module were the modules that explained the industry sector

environment, the concept of resources and capabilities, and the art of strategic decision-making.

The industrial sector environment module made me understand better the strategic implications

of the characteristics that affect a particular market and its sector and their effects on the supply

chain and market demands. Furthermore, the assessment of the case study presented in this

module helped me to understand Porter’s five forces in analyzing the factors affecting the

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demand and supply chain sector. As a result, I could analyze the differential factors that

distinguish CVS Health in the healthcare retail market.

During my external environment analysis of the company, I discovered that its strategy is one of

the significant reasons why it is classified as the most valuable and most significant pharmacy

benefits management (PBM) and health insurance company in the United States (Investopedia,

2022). As a brand that operates in a tightly inaccessible, complex, and costly environment and

sector which must have proximity to its customers, CVS Health ensures that it employs a “simple

and quality” strategy in providing a seamless, quality, connected, and digital solutions for its

customers (CVS Health, 2022a). With about 9,900 retail stores and 1,100 walk-in clinics, I

realized that the company could penetrate and establish a strong ground around its customers,

making it a difficult feat for competitors to match. The new entrants in the industry will require

massive capital to threaten the stability of the company (CVS Health, 2020). Furthermore, I

discovered that the company’s extensive diversification and prioritization of innovation in its

products and services have contributed to its dominance in the healthcare and pharmaceutical

industry (CVS Health, 2020).

While analyzing the company internally with the VRIO framework, I was happy to learn about

how the company is dealing with and handling its stakeholders. I discovered that CVS Health

ensures that it maintains regular and open communication with its employees at all levels. The

company ensures that it considers its conversation with advocates, policymakers, investors,

suppliers, customers, patients, and partners in making strategic decisions. As a result, in any

organization I will work for in the future, I will ensure that the organization prioritizes the

interests of its stakeholders over the organization’s (CVS Health, 2022b).

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Reflection: Evaluation of my Skills and Attributes

This course was challenging for me not necessarily because of its newness but because it resulted

from the technicality and commitment required to comprehend and apply the lessons outlined

effectively. During the strategic study of the external environment using the PESTLE

framework, I learned about the meaning and implication of some government and legal factors

affecting CVS Health and how the company handles them. This activity helped me further study

different legal and political factors and strategies in companies such as McKesson Corp,

AmerisourceBergen Corp, and Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Furthermore, my little familiarity with the industry and the course contents helped me to develop

my analytic, research, and critical thinking skills. To get the best out of the course, I had to

diligently study several materials regarding the course topics and the industry I was researching.

I carefully compare and contrast what I learned during class sessions with other resources I got

from the library and the internet. Also, I had to embrace adaptability and open-mindedness while

learning more about the course and applying it to my research. I discovered that my efforts

would not be beneficial in the future if I only decided to learn and apply the lessons in the

assessment. Thus, I began to make a directory of the different frameworks and tools encountered

during the course.

Interestingly, I improved and enhanced my communication and interpersonal skills during the

learning process. This was evident when I worked with colleagues in a small study group to

discuss the limitations and implications of the strategic frameworks and strategic decision-

making discussed in the class. Also, I had the opportunity to present my findings about corporate

social responsibility, financial assessment, stakeholders’ engagement, environmental response,

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and the various business segments of CVS Health using the VRIO, Bowman’s strategic clock,

and the Power/Interest Grid frameworks to some of my colleagues in the study group.

Overall, I am confident that I have acquired various essential skills and attributes needed as a

strategic consultant or manager to quickly analyze and make strategic decisions regarding a

company’s future.

References

CVS Health (2020) Health is personal. 2020 Annual Report. Available at:

https://s2.q4cdn.com/447711729/files/doc_financials/2020/ar/CVSHealth_2020AR_FINAL.pdf.

CVS Health (2022a) Our strategy | CVS Health. Available at: https://www.cvshealth.com/about-

cvs-health/our-strategy (Accessed: 20 August 2022).

CVS Health (2022b) Stakeholder engagement | CVS Health. Available at:

https://www.cvshealth.com/social-responsibility/corporate-social-responsibility/stakeholder-

engagement (Accessed: 20 August 2022).

Investopedia (2022) Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) 3 Most Profitable Business Lines. Available at:

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https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/020316/johnson-johnsons-3-most-profitable-

lines-business-jnj.asp (Accessed: 17 August 2022).