As a local Health Department, the goal of this particular organization is not to make money, but to create a healthier community. They provide access to healthcare, sometimes mandated by state and federal laws, to everyone in need of it. This can some of the time translate to some of the residents as a place for only low-income families or individuals to go, but that is not the case. The Health Department serves all ranges of income for all types of services. So, overall, they do not have a problem with access to the industry because they are required by law to be available.
Competitors in the industry you could say are local doctors offices or the neighboring counties Health Departments. But truly, they all work together to make a healthier community. If a doctors office cannot provide an immunization for example, they will recommend the patient call the Health Department to coordinate care.
Customers tend to be those who are already aware of the services provided by the Health Department. That is one of the reasons that advancement in technology would benefit their strategic plan. Other residents who utilize the Health Department are those who may be required to do so because they are building a home and need to acquire a septic tank permit, or because their dog may have bit a person and they need to prove to Animal Control that the dog is up-to-date with their rabies vaccinations.
Reviewing the Grand Traverse County Health Department’s website, it is just not very user friendly, it is difficult to find what you need or phone numbers for different services, so I would recommend a complete overhaul of the website. Many of the Health Department’s programs require appointments to be made, so an online appointment booking service would be very beneficial. There should also be reporting and application portals available for those residents who want to report a dog bite or apply for the various permits that the Health Department offers.
New Technologies in Business 