Should Blink Health prioritize expanding its prescription drug catalog or improving the user experience of its mobile app?

Introduction

The key trade-off for Blink Health lies in prioritizing between expanding its prescription drug catalog or improving the user experience of its mobile app. This decision impacts both the breadth of Blink Health's offerings and the ease with which users can access and utilize the platform. I'll analyze this trade-off by examining the business context, user impact, technical considerations, and potential outcomes to provide a strategic recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Business Context: I'm thinking Blink Health's revenue model is based on prescription sales volume. Could you confirm if there's a per-transaction fee or if we operate on a margin from each sale?

Why it matters: Helps determine if growth should focus on catalog expansion or user retention Expected answer: Margin-based model Impact on approach: Would lean towards catalog expansion if margin-based, user experience if fee-based

• User Impact: Based on user behavior, I assume most users come to Blink Health with a specific prescription in mind. Is this correct, or do we see significant browsing behavior?

Why it matters: Influences the importance of catalog breadth vs. app usability Expected answer: Majority come with specific prescriptions Impact on approach: If true, catalog expansion might be more critical

• Technical Feasibility: Regarding our current app architecture, how modular is it? Can we improve specific user journey touchpoints without a complete overhaul?

Why it matters: Determines the scope and timeline of potential UX improvements Expected answer: Moderately modular, some improvements possible without full redesign Impact on approach: If highly modular, might favor incremental UX improvements

• Resource Allocation: What's our current split of resources between catalog management and app development teams?

Why it matters: Helps understand our capacity to execute on either option Expected answer: 60% catalog, 40% app development Impact on approach: Would influence which option is more immediately actionable

• Timeline Pressure: Are we facing any immediate competitive pressures or market changes that would necessitate rapid expansion in either area?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize short-term vs. long-term strategy Expected answer: Increasing competition in the digital pharmacy space Impact on approach: Might favor quicker wins if competition is heating up