Written by and published in Elements magazine, March 15, 2018 Is your pharmacy’s front end producing less profit than you hoped? Time to trade in your best-laid plans for proven planograms. Planograms are guides for arranging retail shelves to maximize front-end sales. These visual diagrams show pharmacies exactly where to place their front-end products. They offer a plan … Read more
Written by and published in Elements magazine, December 14, 2017 How do patients view your pharmacy? Do they think of you as innovative and tech-forward? Reliable and friendly? Stodgy and out-of-touch? Your pharmacy evokes general thoughts and feelings in every patient. Often, they don’t know exactly why. The why is your brand. The image you create through your … Read more
Written by and published in Elements magazine, September 15, 2017 Have you thought about hosting an event at your independent community pharmacy? Hosting a pharmacy event is an important part of promoting your business, said Dave Wendland, vice president, strategic relations and a member of the owners group at Hamacher Resource Group (HRG), a firm that … Read more
By Dave Wendland for Drug Store News August 14, 2017 Last night was an especially clear summer night in Wisconsin. As my little sister was zipping along in her newly-acquired convertible, a canvas of brilliantly-shining stars opened up overhead. It was at that moment I wondered if outstanding customer service levels at retail could … Read more
Written by and published in Elements magazine, June 15, 2017 You can’t easily measure the effects of human interaction, so it’s easy to overlook it as a way to boost revenue. Too much time socializing may even be viewed by some as a detriment to the bottom line. From a numbers perspective, meaningful interaction with patients … Read more
Written by and published in Elements magazine, March 15, 2017 When your pharmacy forms partnerships, you probably look to physicians or local community centers. But other—more unusual—partnership opportunities exist in your community that could benefit your pharmacy and your patients. “I think if pharmacists looked around their community, they would see a tremendous amount of … Read more
Written by and published in Elements magazine, December 15, 2016 Keeping up with the competition is likely a top priority for your independent community pharmacy. And, while it may seem impossible to beat competitors’ retail prices, it’s not always about having the lowest price. “Sometimes stores get wrapped up thinking they need to match Wal-Mart, … Read more
By Dave Wendland for Drug Store News November 28, 2016 If you recall from my most recent blog post, I’m writing about honoring one my father’s favorite pastimes – dreaming up ideas that haven’t been thought of yet. Focusing on retail pharmacy, I’m happy to share another of my mind meanderings. There is no disagreement … Read more
Written by and published in Elements magazine, September 15, 2016 When patients are discharged from the hospital, they must transition to caring for themselves in a home setting, which can be difficult. It’s well known that independent community pharmacies can help these patients with their prescription needs, but if your pharmacy only focuses on … Read more
Written by and published in Elements magazine, June 15, 2016 The signs in your pharmacy’s front end may be just as—if not more—influential to making a sale as the products on the shelf. “Signs sell products, period,” said Tom Boyer, director of national sales at Hamacher Resource Group, a leading partner in category management, business … Read more
