Hearty congratulations to Dr. Steven Hymovitch, he was randomly selected as the winner of a pair of tickets to the Suns game on February 21, 2010 against Sacramento.

There are several factors in keeping your customers coming back. Here are some things that you can do immediately to help you retain your patients:

1. First impression counts the most. Make sure your staff greets your patients with a smile.
2. Let them know how long they’ll be waiting, under promise and over deliver. I know that it is difficult to accurately determine how long the patient will be waiting, but let them know what to expect.
3. Get to know your patient; people love to talk about themselves. Be friendly and assuring.
4. Ask them if they got what they expected, did you meet their expectations. (This can be done by the doctor or a team member.
5. Book their next appointment as they are checking out. Don’t be pushy, but assume they’ll come back. Something like “We have 3 time slots available in May, one on Monday at 1  PM, or Wednesday at 10AM, or Thursday at 1:30PM, which time slot do you prefer”.
6. Tie in your referral program by handing them 2 gift certificates for a discount. One to give to a friend and one for them for referring their friend.

In our next BizTip issue, we will discuss marketing techniques to maximize your advertising dollars. You'll learn which words inspire people to read your marketing collateral, and take action, so don't miss it! Until next time, have a successful week.