Part 4: 10 EZ Tips to Help You Win The Price Battle

1

HUMAN BEHAVIOR 101

Although people can be unpredictable, we all have a common set of needs and motivations that drive us. And one of the most basic of those, is to feel "seen" and "heard."

Consistently meeting this one basic human need can give you a distinct advantage over a big box chain.

Numerous studies show that consumers consider the "experience" of a brand just as important, if not more, than the product or service itself...and are willing to pay more for a better overall experience

No one wants to feel like just a number. Especially in this time of increased isolation, people and connection matter. In some cases, your staff might be the only people a patient interacts with, in a given day.

Try to make them feel "seen" in everything that you do...from your messaging, to how your phone is answered, to your patient follow-up.

According to Harvard Professor Gerald Zaltman 95% of purchasing decisions are subconscious.

Tone of voice, energy level, and perceived level of caring about them as people, as well as giving them the feeling that you truly want to solve their problems, can have a multiplier effect on your Pharmacy's perceived value.

A Boston Consulting Group study showed when the shopping experience was highly personalized, customers were 110% more likely to add additional items to their baskets and 40% more likely to spend more than they had planned.

2

SHIFT THE FOCUS

Let’s dig deeper into the subject of “value”...

"Too Expensive" or "Pricey" simply mean that the "perceived value" of what you deliver to your customers, may not justify the level of pricing you charge...in their minds. Perception is everything.

Just as a glass of water is worth more to a thirsty person, "value" is in the eye of the beholder. You probably wouldn't spend $10,000 on a Rolex watch just to be able to tell time.

Rolex can command higher prices because they've positioned their brand in a way that its perceived and intrinsic value are exponentially higher than an equally-functioning watch made of identical materials.

Bottom line:You need to shift the focus from "price" to "value."

According to Forrester and Adobe, customer experience-driven businesses see over 150% higher year over year growth in customer retention, repeat purchase rates, and customer lifetime value.

3

CLEARLY COMMUNICATE YOUR PHARMACY'S

"VALUE PROPOSITION"

People need a reason to act. If they don't see a big enough gap from their current state to a better result, complacency will keep them where they are. Or they will default to the low price lure of a big-box chain.

So you need to give them a "why"...as in why they should choose your Pharmacy, when there are less expensive options out there.

If you customize your Value Proposition to the audience you are speaking to (meaning what makes your Pharmacy valuable to THEM specifically), you will be much more successful in catching their attention.

4

DON'T IGNORE YOUR BIGGEST FANS

Increasing customer retention rates by 5% increases profits by 25% to 95% according to Harvard Business School.

Yet many companies make the mistake of allocating their resources toward reaching all people, and ignore their "ride-or-die" customers. This is leaving a lot of money on the table.

By nurturing a group of superfans (read Kevin Kelly's legendary article 1,000 True Fans), you may not reach the devotion level of Star Trek's "Trekkies" or Taylor Swift's "Swifties," but this targeting strategy has been proven successful across many industries.

Celebrate and Reward Your Loyal Customers

• Make them feel special with consistently friendly and personalized service
• Ask them for their opinions, advice and feedback
• Cater to their specific needs whenever possible
• Ask them how their day is going, if they liked a product they bought, etc.
• Look them in the eyes and use their name when you interact
• Stock their special product requests
• Take a quick moment for small talk and build rapport as much as time allows
• Extra Credit: Jot down notes to their file…i.e. “sick dog named Max”. Next time they come in…“Hello Mrs. Johnson…how is your dog Max feeling?”

Because you are focusing on a smaller subset, it's easier to deliver the very best experience at every touchpoint...one that customers are willing to pay extra for.

• 80% of consumers are more likely to purchase when brands offer experiences personalized to them. (Epsilon study)
• 65% of respondents to an American Express study said they have spent more with a business due to past positive customer service experiences.

5

BUILD A COMMUNITY

People are constantly on the lookout for anything related to overcoming their personal challenges, which makes gaining their attention much easier than shouting to the masses. It also makes you the one who "sees them," improves their life situation, and offers a sense of belonging.

Research shows us that people buy based on emotion,

Then justify their purchases with logic.

Another one of our most basic human needs is "to belong." That's why a connected community is where the magic happens. Especially one built around things like health issues, which affect your customers' daily lives.

The Goal:

To Make your Pharmacy Indispensable To This Subset of People Who Share Common Interests/Challenges.

This is where the strategy of targeting a micro-niche community comes in (we laid out how to do this in parts 1, 2, and 3 of this Series. It is a direct appeal to this emotional need.

Like those Star Trek fans, community identity can take on a life of its own, but always circles back to your Pharmacy...giving your customers a sense of shared ownership in your success. As a result, they'll want to do everything they can to help you win.

6

UTILIZE THE "ENDOWMENT EFFECT"

This principle says that people assign more value to things when they have a sense of ownership, and are less likely to want to give them up. This is why free trials are so effective.

Once someone has taken the time or effort to adopt a system (such as joining your group, moving their prescriptions to your Pharmacy, becoming a "preferred customer," etc.), they are much less likely to want to abandon it for something else.

So get them into your ecosystem any way you can, by appealing to their current circumstances or challenges. Offer something free (a VIP discount card, downloadable information resources, a free webinar, special one-on-one access to Pharmacy staff specializing in their issue, etc.). Anything that pulls them in. The "stickier" the better.

Once they are "in," let your community of like-minded people with similar struggles, help you nurture the relationship and deepen the bond.

All you need to do is pay a little extra attention to them. Create a (free) forum where they can talk, share stories and support one other, sprinkled with valuable tips, tricks, and resources that you (the experts) have curated for them.

Apple Super Fans Will Wait in Line For Days

When Apple Releases a New Product.

They Could Come Out With an Apple-Branded Sack of Potatoes, And it Would Sell to This Group.

Why? Because They Are Emotionally Invested in The Brand.

7

LET OTHERS DO THE SELLING FOR YOU

Try a little experiment. Stand on a busy street corner and look up toward the sky. You'll find that about 80% of people who pass by will also look up.

Is this because we are all sheep? Well, yes. It is called the "Bandwagon Effect"...a cognitive bias in which embracing beliefs, ideas, and trends increase when we see others have adopted them.

This tendency we all have explains "social media influencers" and why people running nightclubs that are only half full, purposefully create a line out the door to get in.

We assume others know something we don't. Hence, the expression "they jumped on the bandwagon."

Put this tendency to work by actively asking for reviews, testimonials, likes, comments and re-shares of your social media posts. You can also host events and webinars, or share case studies...any activity that provides a place for people to "see one another" engaged with your Pharmacy.

Seeing others interacting with your Pharmacy can have a multiplying effect on attention, enthusiasm, and adoption of your products and services.

8

BABY STEPS: THE CUSTOMER JOURNEY

Once you've got them...then what? Every interaction, no matter how small, is an important step in the customer journey. As soon as they've raised their hand, you'll want to get them "invested."

65% of respondents to a Forbes survey, said they would become long-term customers of a brand if they can provide positive experiences throughout the customer journey.

Start by asking for micro-commitments. Get them to say "yes" to something small, such as providing feedback, answering a poll, accepting a challenge, joining a webinar, etc.

Bonus points if you can give them some "small wins” early, in the form of special treatment of any kind. This can be flash discounts, VIP perks, free deliveries, etc…that they know are only available to them. This will increase attention and engagement, because they’ll be looking out for the latest flash offer.

Once you get them personally involved in your Pharmacy's success, you'll never need to "sell" them anything. Less work on your part, and a better customer experience for all.

9

THE HOLY GRAIL OF INSIGHT

You could pay tens of thousands of dollars to a consumer research firm to achieve the insight into your customer base that your own community can provide. And this information will be more accurate, because you are witnessing them candidly interacting in their native habitat.

It is a good idea to designate someone in your Pharmacy to manage group conversations and encourage engagement, by posing questions...such as asking them to list their biggest challenges, what motivates them, what solutions they've uncovered that could help others, their success stories, etc.

Keep a close eye on what's being said. This is a goldmine of consumer feedback just waiting to be uncovered. Use it to tailor your products, services and messaging to the real-life needs of your customers.

"If You Talk To a Man in a Language He Understands,

It Goes to His Head.

If You Talk To Him in His Own Language,

It Goes To His Heart."

~Nelson Mandela

10

SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE

As they interact, listen to the words and phrases they use...especially things they repeat. That's the language you want to use in your communication with them (including in person at the Pharmacy counter). This is a ninja mind trick for quickly establishing rapport.

They won't know why, but it will make your Pharmacy resonate with them on a deeper subconscious level. This is the connection that you are seeking. The one that makes people feel "seen, heard, and understood."

IGNORE THE BARGAIN HUNTERS

There will always be customers (in every industry) who only care about price, no matter the real or perceived value. Don't waste your time and resources trying to convince them otherwise. You'll rarely get a good return on that investment.

Remember: selling to everyone, is selling to no one. Your message will simply get lost.

You need to catch the attention of the right people...your "Highest Value Customers" and consistently deliver to them the best, most personalized experience possible. So much so, that they are more than happy to pay for the added value that your Pharmacy provides.

This is when you'll know you've won.