What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?
As an independent community pharmacy owner or manager, we bet you’re pretty thankful for the pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and non-pharmacy employees who keep your business going.
Show your appreciation this year by recognizing your employees, and the hard work they do every day to make your independent community pharmacy successful. Here are seven ways to do so.
1. Bring tradition to the workplace
Bring the holiday to life at your pharmacy by providing a Thanksgiving lunch for your employees.
If your budget permits, wow your staff with a catered Thanksgiving feast from your local grocery store. If you haven’t allocated such funds, celebrate the meal with a company potluck.
To encourage the theme of thanks, open the meal with a quick sentiment of your gratitude and have employees take turns saying what they’re each thankful for.
2. Invest in their careers
A long-lasting way to say “thank you” to your employees is by contributing to their professional development.
Encourage your employees to take continuing education (CE) courses. Or, support involvement in work-related organizations.
Not only will this “thank you” directly influence your staff’s professional advancement in a positive way, your pharmacy will also benefit, as your team will gain new knowledge and skills to utilize in the coming year.
3. Write a personalized note
Showing thanks doesn’t always have to be a grandiose display. Sometimes it’s the simple things that mean the most.
Show a gesture of gratitude by writing each of your employees a handwritten note. The note doesn’t have to be long, just be sure to include a personalized message to let each of your employees know why you’re thankful for them and their individual efforts.
4. Hold a celebratory team-building event
A fun way to show your team members your appreciation is by holding a celebratory event.
Create a sense of camaraderie, boost morale and show your thanks by inviting employees to attend an off-site company event, like a scavenger hunt or trivia challenge. Celebrating the occasion will ensure employees have fun while practicing their teamwork skills.
5. Offer a Thanksgiving break
Consider offering your employees an extra paid day off so they can celebrate Thanksgiving with their families.
Adding an extra day to their weekend, enforcing shorter holiday work hours or later openings can be a simple way to show thanks. And, it’ll give your staff the much-deserved break they need to be their most productive selves.
6. Show off your listening skills
Show appreciation for your employees by listening.
Call for an end-of-year team meeting and encourage a roundtable discussion where employees can express their thoughts and opinions. And, don’t forget to listen.
Developing better listening skills can make you an even better business owner, leader and pharmacist—one that your that your employees will be sure to appreciate this Thanksgiving.
7. Showcase your team
Thank your employees by stating your appreciation loud and clear for all to see.
Give employees a shout on social media, and emphasize their hard work for patients and online viewers to see.
Or, grant “employee of the day” titles to each of your team members throughout the month of November. Showcase their pictures and a list of reasons you’re thankful for them in your store.
This Thanksgiving, be sure to also thank the people who keep you in business—your patients. Here are nine ways you can show your appreciation for your patients.
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and owned by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited secondary wholesaler with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
