What's the best way to increase business?

[cougar]

Hi,

I'm trying to work pout ways how to increase business in my shop.

I've phones around the local care homes but they are all happy with their MDS suppliers.

I've phoned the local practice managers to pass on that we are willing to take on MDS patients.

I'm on good terms with the local drugs team and have told them that i'm taking every client on.

I've phoned the PCT and now offer chlamydia testing (no uptake yet), I'm on a waiting list for the EHC PGD and the MRSA PGD. They don't offer much else.

I'm on the LPC mailing list so am just waiting to be informed of upcoming opportunities.

I'm averaging four MURS a week but due to workload can't really increase this yet (my store target is 1 lol).

I'm signing patients up to the RPCS and have asked for more hours to recruit a driver. (it was the are managers idea).

We're the quietest of the 4 local pharmacies (TWO surgery pharmacies and the other one has a few nursing homes and definitely the quickest with the best customer service). One of the local surgery pharmacies entire staff have resigned and moved to do another new pharmacy opening 20 miles a way and I've noticed we're poaching a few of their disgruntled customers. It's too early to tell (and its xmas) if the figures are increasing because of this.

I try go the extra mile for patients and order in the various obscure OTC meds they want that are off planogram.

Does anyone else have any ideas? or is it a case of just waiting til thigns improve.

BTW the pharmacy has run off locums for the last two years (reputation has probably taken a battering) and i've been manager for 4 months (been given an 8% pay rise recently so must being doing something right - now paying 40% tax).

[DavidS]

Try and buy the shop off them before you put all that effort in lol.

Look for a USP. View the shop as if you were a tourist to the area. What is needed? I wouldn't be looking at NHS services at all, that's not where the money is at the moment, but lifestyle products, like slimming, health foods, herbal products, vitamins, a cafe.

I worked at a shop once where they sold turf from the back room. They were busy!

[Web Ferret]

Lots of ideas. I used to put 30% on my branches in the first year, then didn't get sufficient resources from head office so moved branch, go that up 30% and then moved on again. Earned some nice bonuses along the way too.

Problem is you become a victim of your own success then don't get the support you need.

Just be better than everyone else the business will grow by itself. Find out what head office want - Is it just items, profit, ticks on boxes, a well vacuumed shop... Ask what resources are available.

[Defblade]

Just be better than everyone else the business will grow by itself.

Good stock control (so you've got less than 1% owings preferably) and reasonably speedy service will see people coming back.

[Pharmanaut]

Good stock control (so you've got less than 1% owings preferably) and reasonably speedy service will see people coming back.

Here are a few tactics that we have used...
Develop the knack of remembering all your customers names.
When they come in greet them.
Have some decent chairs for customers who are waiting.
Keep the shop as clean and as free from clutter as you can.
When you are busy train one of the assistants to start a conversation that all customers waiting can join in with.

Stock
Use your PMR peak stock figures to ensure you have plenty of the basics. (reduces owings).
If you have to owe or order something make it into a positive by saying "We can order it right away for this afternoon's/Tomorrow mornings delivery".

Drug Tariff.
The PPA post the following months tariff on line a few days before end of month.
Look at the part VIII prices and adjust your buying accordingly.

[johnep]

Excellent advice. Eclipse used to be able to adjust each individual item to stock level and then specify order sequence so that could build up weekly/monthly order for short line supplier, whilst maintaining sufficient daily stock from main wholesaler.
johnep

[hibernia]

During pre-reg my tutor told me that you only need to do three things.

1) Have what they want in stock or if not get it for them fast.
2) Dispense the prescription promptly. Doesn't mean you have to rush but do them in the order received and be seen to be working on them, not chatting to people or on the phone. If there is a delay explian why and apologise.
3)ALWAYS enquire about their health or their mother/child/dog - which is where learning their names and a bit about them comes in.

That advice has stood me in good stead ever since.

[Pharmanaut]

During pre-reg my tutor told me that you only need to do three things.

1) Have what they want in stock or if not get it for them fast.
2) Dispense the prescription promptly. Doesn't mean you have to rush but do them in the order received and be seen to be working on them, not chatting to people or on the phone. If there is a delay explian why and apologise.
3)ALWAYS enquire about their health or their mother/child/dog - which is where learning their names and a bit about them comes in.

That advice has stood me in good stead ever since.

Be helpful in a crisis but don't lend stuff out without prescription!
Do it once and you create a precedence.
Make a £2 charge and put it through as emergency supply.

[johnep]

On October 3rd I did precisely that, only to be undermined by the regular pharmacist who did not make a charge. Now I just make them sign a receipt and leave for the regular pharmacist to sort out on Monday.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

On October 3rd I did precisely that, only to be undermined by the regular pharmacist who did not make a charge. Now I just make them sign a receipt and leave for the regular pharmacist to sort out on Monday.
johnep

And I'm sure we'll agree that not making a charge devalues our time and the service we provide.
There's always flexibility for those who genuinely cannot afford the charge too.