WIXLIB

NETWORKING 101 FOR PHARMACY OWNERS

TABLE OF CONTENTSUsing this eBookThe Benefits of NetworkingWhat Networking Is and Is NotHow Networking Improves Your PharmacyTop 6 Reasons You Need to Be NetworkingIdentifying Ways to Network Networking for Professional Contacts Networking for New Patients Networking for Industry ConnectionsAbout PDS

USING THIS eBOOKThe idea of networking can seem like a walkin the park for some, but for others, it’s a hugechallenge. Most of us can use a little guidancewhen it comes to presenting ourselves atnetworking functions. Believe it or not, evenpharmacists and pharmacy owners should beout there networking.NETWORKING 101 FOR PHARMACY OWNERS(Bonus: 10 Tips You Can Use At Your Next Event)NETWORKING 101 FOR PH(Bonus: 10 Tips You CanARMACY OWNERSUse At Your Next Event)Yes, that means you.This eBook was created specifically forpharmacy owners, principals, and managers ofindependently owned community pharmacies.In it, you’ll learn about the true benefits ofnetworking, ten tips you can use at your nextevent, and where you should be networking.Take notes if you’d like, but you can also printoff the tipsheet - don’t worry, we won’t tellanyone!Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

BENEFITS OF NETWORKINGLet’s be honest. Very few people enjoy networking.It can be uncomfortable, nerve-wracking, ordownright awkward. Just the thought of talkingto perfect strangers about your business, theirbusiness, or business in general is enough to makeanyone want to crawl under their desk.You can ask ten different people what networkingis, and you’ll get ten different answers. For the sakeof ensuring that we’re all on the same page, let’sdefine what networking is and what it is not.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

WHAT NETWORKING IS AND IS NOTNetworking IS an investment in your pharmacy- Time, money, energy. View the resourcesyou spend while networking as an investmentin the future growth of your pharmacy. an opportunity to grow personally& professionally- It could be a new customer, vendor, businesspartner, or mentor. You’ll also find opportunitiesto further your own personal growth. a chance to practice- The more you refine who you are and whatvalue you and your pharmacy offer, the morecomfortable you’ll become with sharing it withthe world.Networking is NOT about hard selling- Do not corner attendees so they can’t escapeyour pitch. about telling your entire life story- Every moment of your life is special.to you.Keep your conversation simple, politicallycorrect, and to the point. Use compelling storiesto spark conversations – there is no needto over share. a quick fix- You may not see your first referral or customerfor some time after attending a networkingevent. You must have patience.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

HOW NETWORKING IMPROVES YOUR PHARMACYIt’s easy to understand how networking benefitsother types of business models. Accountants,financial advisors, marketers, plumbers - are thetypes of workers you expect to network and passalong referrals to each other. But, what aboutpharmacists and pharmacy owners? It’s not ascommon to hear of doctors or health care providersheading out to their local networking groups toattract new business or to discuss the latest trendsin their industry.Uncommon or not, the reality is that networkingis essential for independent pharmacy owners.Not only will you strengthen your social skills,but you’ll .Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

Increase Your Pharmacy’s Reach and Customer BaseThe phrase, “If you build it, they will come” is notone that’s used to describe opening a business. Youcan’t expect that by opening your pharmacy’s doors,people will instantly know your name or that you willautomatically have new customers. Building yourcommunity reach and customer base isn’t easy.It can be quite frustrating if you have been tryingto grow for several months (or even years) only tohave little to show for it. With each new personyou meet, you have an opportunity to introduceyour pharmacy. Even if, at the moment, they arenot interested in switching to your pharmacy, you’renow on their radar. If you want people to knowyou exist, you have to tell them that you’re therefor them. Networking helps you grow your reachexponentially just by focusing a few hours of yourtime to meet new people.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

Make Connections in Your Industry and CommunityYou’ve heard the phrase “It’s not about what youknow, it’s about who you know,” and althoughcliché, this sentiment still holds true when it comesto your pharmacy’s success. If you want to growyour business, implement new programs that driverevenue, run successful promotions, and gain newcustomers, you need to know the right people.The most significant return on investment fromnetworking will be the connections you make andthe referrals you receive.Expanding your list of contacts can openopportunities for partnerships, more customers,referrals, and events. Having a wide network ofpeople to contact can be the difference betweengrowing your business or remaining stagnant.By engaging in meaningful conversations, you’replanting seeds for future business. You never knowwhat may come from a simple conversation.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

Gain Access to Expertise and New IdeasAs a pharmacy owner, you’re involved in theoperations of your pharmacy every single day. Youhave so much invested in your business that it canbe difficult to step back and look at your pharmacyobjectively. Networking is great for sharing ideasand knowledge. Whether it’s asking for feedback orjust talking about your business goals, networkingallows you to see and hear things from anotherperspective.You may not have realized it previously, but there’sa wealth of knowledge out there waiting to betapped into. There are other pharmacy ownersthat have been or are currently in your position.Connecting with them allows you the opportunityto learn from their mistakes and avoid commonpharmacy business pitfalls. Business owners whoattend networking events want to help othersachieve success. So, don’t be afraid to ask questionsand pick their brains.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

Increase Your ConfidenceIf you aren’t already the most confident personin the world, it’s okay. Networking is a greatconfidence booster because it pushes you to growas a person. Although it may be uncomfortable atfirst, the more you do it, the more natural it will feelto you. Engaging with people you don’t know on aweekly (or even daily) basis is one of the best waysto boost your confidence.The more confident you become in networking,the more confident you’ll become as a leader, asa pharmacist, and in your personal life. So, go on,get out there.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

Receive Support From Others (And Offer It, Too)There probably aren’t many people in your life whounderstand exactly what you face on a daily basis inyour business. Wouldn’t it be nice to interact withpeople who get you and your role as a pharmacyowner?Even with the world at your fingertips, there aresome things Google just can’t solve for you. Forexample, are you looking for information on what’sbest for your specific business or how to overcomepharmacy industry challenges? Discussing thesesituations with other business owners opens thedoor to valuable suggestions and guidance. Yourpeers can help prevent you from making ill-adviseddecisions and help get you back on the right track.They will be the people you can rely on for honestanswers and down-to-earth conversations. They willsupport you when you’re down, and they will cheerfor you when you succeed.You need this kind of support and you can’t expectto be successful without it. Pharmacy ownershipdoesn’t have to be a lonely journey.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

Embrace Positive InfluenceAnother common phrase that rings true is “Showme your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.” If youspend time with people who don’t support you orencourage you to grow, you will never improve. Onthe flip side, if you surround yourself with the rightpeople, their attitudes and habits will be contagiousand you will feel accountable to them.Attend networking events and make it a point totalk to the most successful people in the room.Learn about their habits and the way they run theirbusiness. Find out their greatest challenges andhow they worked to overcome them. Learn fromthem, and find ways to emulate their behavior inyour own business.The people you surround yourself with will havea profound impact on your work and life. They willeither help you grow or tear you down. So choosewisely.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

Increase Your Pharmacy’s Credibility and VisibilityYou already know that becoming more visibleand getting noticed is a major perk of networking.When you regularly attend business and socialevents, people will begin to notice you. Over time,more people will greet you and continue their lastconversation with you from a prior event.Even if you haven’t achieved the level of successyou’re striving for (yet), you still have a lot to offerothers. By sharing your experience and insightswith others, people will see you as knowledgeable,reliable, and an invaluable resource. Others willbegin to gain confidence in you and think of yourpharmacy when they need something that you canoffer, such as advice about which medicines to takewhen someone in their family is sick.The benefits of networking for your pharmacy faroutweigh that of a night spent curled up on thecouch watching reruns or eating lunch at your desk.Following is a quick recap of the top six reasons youshould be networking:Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

TOP 6 REASONS YOU NEED TO BE NETWORKINGSchedule your on-call pharmacist for the night, hangup your lab coat, step out from behind the counterand get out there and help your pharmacy by:1. Increasing Your VisibilityMany independent pharmacies are located insmall towns where nearly everyone knows eachother. However, there are still opportunities tomeet new faces and share information aboutthe specialized services you offer. No matterhow you slice it, networking helps increaseyour pharmacy’s reach and builds meaningfulrelationships.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

2. Keeping Yourselfin the LoopThings change fast. Very fast. Keep yourpharmacy relevant to the times, the industry,and your community by keeping your ear tothe ground. Through regular networking, you’llknow what’s happening, what’s next, andwhere you need to position your pharmacy.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

3. Become a SocialButterflyEven if you identify as an introvert, you’re stilla human. And human beings are socialanimals. If you are a bit shy, try to enjoy yournetworking opportunities and realize you havenothing to lose and endless opportunitiesto gain. Try to relax among others whounderstand the struggles and stresses youface in your business each day. When youattend professional events, it’s best to keep thedrinking to a minimum and err on the side ofcaution to keep your reputation intact.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

4. Getting Inspired Bythe Best SpeakersYou can read Start With Why by Simon Sineka hundred times, but watch him discuss it live,and you’ll feel like you are hearing it for thefirst time. Attending networking events givesyou the opportunity to hear motivational,educational and entertaining speakers. Learnfrom the best.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners

5. Rubbing Elbowswith the EliteEvery industry has their rockstars, andpharmacy is no different. You may not knowthem by name or face yet, but there arepharmacy owners who are absolutely knockingpharmacy ownership out of the park. Theseare the people that you want to know. Theseare the people that you want to talk to.Networking 101 for Pharmacy Owners