Slap a sticker on everything.

It’s a motto I learned from an early mentor of mine and have since adopted as my own.

It’s also a lesson I learned the hard way.

Early in my career as a healthcare sales rep, I didn’t re-order some marketing materials in a timely manner (despite my mentor’s best efforts). 

I took the time one morning to take bagels (the good Panera bagels) to an appointment with an account where I hoped to build a better relationship.

Although I did get to speak with key physicians and staff members, I didn’t leave anything behind other than a Panera branded box of bagels.

Just as the appointment was ending, my competitor walked in.

That’s when I overheard someone at the front desk telling another staff member to go check out the “really good” bagels Competitor X brought.

You guessed it…

My competitor got the credit for what I had done.

Ouch!

But it wasn’t my competitor getting the credit for my work that stung the most. 

What stung the most is that moment I realized very little, if anything, I said or did in that appointment would be remembered once I walked out the door.

At the time, several of my products were life saving for the patients who needed them, and I knew if no one heard my message, patients may never get the treatment they really needed.

It may sound a bit dramatic, but my mentor’s silly little motto became a matter of sickness or health to me.

So, I took my mentor’s advice…

I slapped a sticker on everything.

Every bagel, donut box, or pie had a sticker on it.

I left clinical research studies and educational material behind so that my message would continue to resonate long after I left an appointment.

I learned my lesson that day and I’ve left something behind on every sales call since.

So, what does all this sticker slapping have to do with your practice?

Here’s what…

Patients need the care you provide. Patients are looking for the care you provide.

But…

How will they get the care they need if they don’t even know you exist?

What are you doing to get the word out?

Is your physician liaison sharing and leaving behind valuable information for your referring partners and their patients?

Do they, “Slap a sticker on everything”?

If you don’t have a physician liaison yet, now is a great time to consider getting one.

Patients need great care. Referring providers need great practices to refer to.

Get the word out. Leave something behind. 

And don’t forget to…

“Slap a sticker on everything!”