Aside from a lazy afternoon and an extra slice of pumpkin pie, there are plenty of things to celebrate this season. 2021 has come with many unexpected challenges, but in the midst of it all, there’s still a lot to be grateful for. From personal achievements to professional milestones to the simple ability to protect your patients from COVID-19, you should practice gratitude when you gather ‘round the Thanksgiving table this year.
Gratitude matters. Researchers at the University of Southern California found that practicing gratitude — both in the Thanksgiving season and beyond — can have a positive effect on health. Physical benefits include reduced pain and inflammation, lower blood pressure, and better sleep. Emotional benefits include lower levels of depression and a stronger sense of overall well-being.
The evidence is clear: when you take the time to think about all that you’re grateful for, you take a step towards better health.
Gratitude doesn’t stop there, though. In fact, researchers from the same study found that practicing gratitude can lead to better relationships across the board. Researchers say, “People who are grateful get less triggered or angry, they have more positive feelings, and in some ways, that attracts other people… When you feel these positive emotions and relish good experiences with others, there’s bonding in that, and it tends to build stronger relationships.”
If you want to improve yourself and your relationships, start here. Before you fill up your plate, take a moment to say thanks for all that you’ve been given.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Of all the things to be thankful for this year, other people are the most important. This includes your family, your friends, and your nosy next-door neighbor. And, of course, it includes the people in your independent pharmacy.
These people — your patients and your employees — have kept your front doors open for years. Through the good and the bad, you’ve trusted them. You’ve depended on them. You’ve relied on them to protect each other and protect others around them. These people are worth thanking, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to do it.
Being appreciative is one thing, but showing appreciation is another. This holiday season, use a few ideas to show how just how appreciative you are — because, after all, gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving.
Patient Appreciation Ideas:
- Send out personalized thank you cards: Write and sign a few cards that show your patients how much their business means to you. Keep your cards in the Thanksgiving theme for maximum effect (hand-drawn turkeys, anyone?).
- Hold a holiday sale: Discount a few fan-favorite items or set a store-wide sale to commemorate the Thanksgiving holiday. Use the opportunity to expand your front end and attract new customers.
- Hand out merchandise: Stick your logo on a handful of promotional items and give them out to patients as you see fit. Nothing says thank you quite like a freebie item.
- Host a giveaway: Get into the gift-giving mood well before Christmas comes. Put together a package with retail items, gift cards, and other holiday must-haves, then raffle it off to patients.
- Start a loyalty program: Start showing (and keep showing) appreciation by implementing a loyalty program for your top patients. Using these rewards, you can incentivize future transactions while saying thanks for current ones.
- Use social media: In the digital age, it’s easier than ever to highlight patients that have had a positive impact on you. Snap a photo, tell a story, and share your gratitude in a public way. To perfect your posts, recruit the help of RxLocal’s Social Media Assistant.
- Have a holiday party: If you’re feeling extra festive, host a store-wide holiday party. Set out snacks, bring in entertainment, and be prepared to mingle with new and old patients alike. They’ll appreciate the gesture.
- Support a local cause: By investing in your community, you can improve your community and improve your business — and vice versa. Find a cause that’s close to your heart and offer up a donation in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday.
To learn how to implement each of these ideas, visit our blog on RxLocal, 8 Ways to Show Patient Appreciation.
Employee Appreciation Ideas:
- Write a letter: When you write up thank-yous for each of your patients, don’t skip out on your staff. Take the time to thank each employee for their contributions and let them know how much they’re needed.
- Spotlight on social media: Just as you highlight your patients online, show off your staff and all that they do for you on a day-to-day basis. Take to Facebook, Instagram, or your preferred platform to express your gratitude.
- Set up employee rewards: To amp up your appreciation, try implementing a new employee rewards program. Rewarding hard work can boost morale and keep your employees more motivated than ever.
- Celebrate personal milestones: In the Thanksgiving season and beyond, take the time to acknowledge your staff and their out-of-office achievements. Maybe they’ve just tied the knot; maybe they’ve just bought a house; or maybe they’ve just won a local award. Find out what’s going on in their lives and celebrate alongside them.
- Encourage feedback and suggestions: Listening is one of the best ways to show that you care, so be receptive to open and honest feedback from your employees. This can help you to implement necessary changes in your pharmacy and foster a positive work environment for everyone.
- Get patients involved: Don’t play the appreciation game alone. Ask your patients to shout out their favorite pharmacist in person or on social media. With more people involved, you can create a culture of appreciation in no time.
For more information about each of these ideas, visit our RxLocal blog, 6 Key Steps to Support Your Pharmacy’s Staff.
A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way
As we head into the holiday season, remember that Thanksgiving is the best time to take a step back and reflect on all of the good things in your life. When you count your blessing this year, don’t forget your pharmacy. Make it a priority to say “thank you” today and every day — using both your words and actions.
From all of us at PioneerRx, Happy Thanksgiving!