Rick's Business of Audiology Blog

Increasing Productivity by asking.

What they think about they tend to do. Ask your employees about their productivity, and give them the tools to measure and tell you about it, and they will be more productive.

Often the biggest difference between the self-motivated owner and the employee is what they think about. The owner thinks about being more productive and how to better serve more patients. The employee needs to be reminded to think about being productive and how to better serve more patients.

Cell Phones compatible with Hearing Aids

A useful list of hearing aid compatible cell phones from BHI.

http://www.hearingreview.com/insider/2011-09-01_03.asp

Be careful what you wish for....

A married couple in their 60's are visited by a fairy who grants them both a wish. "I want to travel round the world with my darling husband" says wife and two tickets for a luxury cruise magically appear in her hand. Husband says: "Sorry but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me." Fairy then waves her wand and husband becomes 92 ... Moral of story - men who are ungrateful should remember fairies are female!!

Contributed by Norma

Bundling: Unique Legal Requirements

Hearing Aids have unique legal bundling requirements that are unique from state to state.

Imagine going to a physician or a pharmacy and thinking if you don't like what they sell you at any time in the next 30 days you can simply say I don't like it and get your money back?

Yet you all cope with various requirements in your bundling decisions.

The Audiologist who takes a few minutes to actually read their requirements and then bundle appropriately will have a competitive advantage over the dispenser who does not.

Bundling: Batteries

There seems to be a lot of discussion about bundling batteries.

To me it seems batteries are an easy item to offer in more than one way.

For your base service package level you could offer a starter pack, and then either pay as you go, or as an additional charge add on where a person can purchase in advance. If it was me I would like to have you automatically mail me what I need so I always have some.

Then for your VIP service package you could bundle batteries as part of the package; perhaps with some additional insurance or special loaner or priority appointment privileges.

Bundling: A Competitive Advantage?

Question about bundling; is it a competitive advantage?

Yes. Right now it is either working as an advantage for you, or for your competitor. But how do you know which?

I believe bundling is a significant consideration for your patients. Not only when they are sitting in front of you, but a week later when they are at the gaming table discussing their purchase with their friends.

If your bundle matches their needs, as they perceive them, then you will be providing them with the best value for the money they spend.

If they think that is not the case then they will think they are being overcharged. (I don't think anyone will ever tell you they think they were undercharged.)

For example: I don't fly on planes for the food. So if I can save $5 on a ticket by having the plane unbundle their food I am happier.

Another example: If you bundle batteries, and yet I find myself buying them near my home when I am already in another store, then I will perceive I purchased something I didn't need.

Hearing Aids may slow the brain aging process.

Interesting article indicating some University of Pennsylvania research indicates wearing hearing aid will decrease brain atrophy.

Another one of those use it or lose it situations for older people.

Worth a read as it is a clear value message for hearing aids.

http://www.hearingreview.com/news/2011-09-01_01.asp

Bundling: Why Unbundle?

Why unbundle? Because every customer is not the same. No two customers are alike, and therefore they have different wants.

Unbundling is how you meet the needs of each customer as opposed to a one size fits all approach.

I might prefer to buy my batteries at a store near where I life, even if I prefer your expertise for the fitting.

I might prefer to self-insure, and save a little money up front because, as a guy, I assume I can beat the odds.

I might prefer to pay for follow up later, so save some money now. Who knows, I may not need it.

I might expect Audiologists to charge like other Doctors I visit.

I might live in a different area for part of the year, and don't know if I will be back to your office in 6 months.

I might need you to unbundle because it is how my insurance pays for it.