Last week I was walking around town with a group of my friends and we all walked into a store that carries clothing and accessories for the outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking and running. I walked in and my eye spotted three things immediately that I wanted! I grabbed the garments off the rack and as I headed toward the dressing rooms, I grabbed 2 more. I was excited. They were great colors and just what I’d been looking for all summer.
When I got to the dressing rooms I found there were only two and they were both occupied. I looked around for an employee to help me, but I could only find 2, a young man and woman, who were hanging out by the cash register talking about what they were going to be doing this weekend.
In an instant I draped the clothes over a nearby bench and walked out of the store. I wanted the stuff . . . but not that much.
Just this morning I was trying to purchase a new piece of equipment for our office and when I phoned the company I got a busy signal. When I phoned back I got their voicemail telling me to leave my number and someone would call me back. It’s been 2 hours since I left the message and no one has phoned me back.
I’m ready to buy, cash in hand and can’t seem to get the opportunity necessary to complete any transaction.
Is it a bad economy or bad business? Are these business owners talking around town about the woes of business in this economy, how business is down and no one is buying? If you listen to the news you are constantly bombarded with the fact that the economy isn’t so great right now. But before you go blaming your bummer business on the economy, take a look in the mirror. Take some responsibility.
People have money out there and they are willing to spend it on things the value. How many hurdles are you putting in front of them before they can spend it in your office?
• Does a new patient have to be placed on a waiting list to get into your office, or can you see the day they phone?
• Do you have enough rooms and staff to have an exam and a report occurring at the same time?
• Do you have enough phone lines?
• What happens at the unfortunate time when no can get to the phone during business hours?
• Are you open through lunch?
• Are you using your techs to the utmost?
• Are your techs well trained and do they want to be there?
• Do you want to be there?
At DC Mentors’ seminar in June Dr. Sovinsky asked the doctors in the audience how many had bigger numbers this year over last year’s. Over 75% of the audience raised their hands! Growth is possible in this economy. Take a look in the mirror.
Tags: chiropractic coaching
Just had my best month ever in practice this past July. Still have alot more work to do but the longer I keep viewing the economy as irrelevent the longer it seems to remain that way.
Totally with you, Cathy! I had the same experience at an outdoor supplies store recently. I was walking in, intent on purchasing a pair of hiking sandals. There were no less than 3 people at the counter and no other customers in the store. I walk back to the shoe area and proceed to hang out there for 5 minutes. My wife asked if I wanted to go get someone to help, but I opted for leaving.
I purchased a pair from another store that night.
Congrats to you Dr. Perron! I just had my biggest month in June. Good businesses will trump crappy economies any day!