What Can You Do to Work on Your Practice Right Now?
If you're experiencing downtime due to shelter-in-place orders or canceled appointments, here are some things you can do to keep improving your business.
Posted in Coronavirus on Monday, March 30, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of small business owners, including healthcare professionals, are finding themselves staying home for the time being.
With this newly found time, you can take the opportunity to work on aspects of your business you may not have had time for during a typical work week.
1. Dust Off Your Business Plan
If you have been in practice for a few years, you may not have looked at your business plan in a while. However, a business plan is a great tool to evaluate the current state of your business and plans for the future.
- Does your mission or vision statement still make sense?
- Does your SWOT analysis need to be updated?
- Where do you see your practice in the next few years?
Now is the time to map out a plan for the future and make necessary updates to your plan.
2. Create a Marketing Plan
Has marketing taken a back seat to running your practice and treating your patients? Take this time to create a marketing plan or re-evaluate your current strategies. Start your marketing plan by determining your budget and evaluating what platforms you would like to utilize.
If you already have a marketing plan in place, take a look at what is working and areas for improvement. You can find a variety of articles on marketing from the basics to branding here.
3. Evaluate Your Current Office Equipment and Supplies —Including PPEs
Take a tour of your office and create an inventory of your current equipment, and consider getting rid of any unused equipment or supplies. Have extra PPE? Hospitals and clinics are in desperate need. Consider donating yours to the local facilities that need them right now.
4. Research Any Other Procedures or Treatments
Have you been interested in adding massage or acupuncture to your practice? Maybe you have considered getting certified in another treatment method? Begin researching and deciding if these make sense for your practice.
5. Take This Time to Network with Other Healthcare Professionals (Digitally of Course)
Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Consider networking with other healthcare professionals during this time. Social media, as well as state and national associations, are a great way to connect with other healthcare professionals. You can take this opportunity to learn what they are doing during the pandemic.
6. Stay In Front of Your Patients
Even though you may not be seeing patients right now, you can still stay connected with them through social media. Exercise tutorials, yoga videos, and sharing recipes are some of the ways you can maintain patient engagement.
Additional Resources
Find more ideas on staying connected with patients: