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Marketing Professional Services – Tactics & Strategies
Pharmacists are slowly coming to grips with the provision of professional services and are fleshing out suitable business models very cautiously. In part, this caution arises out of a sense of uncertainty because of the culture change that has to be embraced in converting what was previously an unstructured service (provided free of charge) to…
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Street Smarts put you in the fast lane
I’m back with another installment of street smarts, those skills that go beyond what is taught in school – the lessons we learn by experience and practice. Never underestimate the value and importance of “extracurricular” education. First idea: Don’t be afraid to make a decision. Be afraid NOT to make…
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Marketing Focus – 1. CORRECTION 2. CHANNELLED MESSAGING 3. MONEY-BACK IS NO GUARANTEE 4. IF ONLY I KNEW … TO NEVER SAY NO TO NEW 5. THE DEATH OF SHOPPING CENTRES
1. CORRECTION. It is a defining term. The two major corrections in share markets around the world in the first 9 days of February were timely reminders that a haemostatic process is innate and applicable to many aspects of commerce, society, politics, life and ecology. Correction does not equate to, or imply that there is…
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Look for these traits in successful team players
It was a cold winter. The hedgehogs, realizing the situation, decided to bunch together to keep warm. However, the quills from each hedgehog pierced their next-door neighbors, so they decided to move apart. But then they started to freeze and die alone, so they made the decision to cuddle back together and live with the…
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A New Year Brings Change
A new year often brings new beginnings. I was intrigued to discover how one company used a novel way to motivate employees to think about new ways of doing things. Here is the approach practiced by Chiyoji Misawa, who founded the largest home builder in Japan, Misawa Homes, more than 50 years ago. He “died”…
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Honesty, integrity, values – not optional
A dejected father confided in his pastor with a problem: his youngster had been caught cheating on a test at school. He was crushed, feeling like he had failed as a father, concerned it would saddle the child with a reputation for dishonesty. “The worst thing that can happen to a youngster starting school,” said the father,…
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MARKETING FOCUS -1. 2017 HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING TIME 2. BREAK FROM THE HERD 3. UNQUALIFIED SATISFACTION 4. UNTHINKING ARROGANCE 5. VALUE COMES AT A COST 6. THE GREAT DIVIDE – THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
1. 2017 HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING TIME Another year is about to conclude. It has been a challenging time. 2017 has seen numerous business floored, and highlighted the flaws of many others. A lack of true, integrated strategic plans, inflexibility, poor malleability and out-dated, expensive business models have contributed to contracting sales, squeezed margins and inadequate…
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Why do we need a sense of urgency?
The founder of a highly successful company was asked what it took to succeed. He answered: “The same thing it took to get started; a sense of urgency about getting things done.” The people who make things happen share the same sense of urgency. Ask any entrepreneur to list the keys to getting their company off…
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Prime Air – The Amazon Solution for Internet-ordered products is not quite ready for take-off
Amazon has invested time and money to speed up its shipping services. It has algorithms that anticipate a client order, ultra-efficient robots that pick items from warehouses, and even a service titled Prime Now that delivers allowable items to your doorstep, just hours after you order them. Amazon’s primary focus appears to be to market and control totally an…
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The Productivity Commission Recommendation to decouple pharmacists from dispensing mirrors a progressive Scottish community pharmacy culture
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) is the organisation which represents community pharmacy owners throughout Scotland in almost every aspect of their working lives, and is the voice of these vital healthcare professionals north of the English Border, as they deliver pharmaceutical care to the people of Scotland. It is therefore, the Scottish equivalent of the Pharmacy…