New Study: 'Connected' consumers shop and recommend favorite retailers the most

A new study released in August by Motista is bringing a bit of a different light on what is really motivating consumers for increased spending. As the holidays loom closer, retailers tend to focus on the more traditional family and giving emotions to attract those shoppers. The Motista study indicated that consumers that feel connected to the retailer are four times more likely to shop at that retailer when relevant needs arise. The data collected showed that overall awareness and familiarity with 10 major retail brands only reflected 18% of consumers that were emotionally connected to their retailers. 24% of consumers stated that they would make their next relevant purchase with the retailers they frequent today. Connecting to the customers seems to involve a deeper emotional bond to drive higher purchase levels. According to the study, connecting to the customer involves a varied level of communication. Customers receiving direct mail from their retailers are tw ice as often to respond, than even those customers that are familiar and satisfied with a retailer. Connected consumers are now more engaged in social and mobile channels and are ten times more likely to shop via the retailer website and mobile devices. These consumers are following their retailer on social media networks like Facebook and Twitter, four times more often. Men are 50% more likely to feel their preferred vendor makes them a more valuable person, whereas women establish connections with the perception that the retailers are more fun and stylish. The results of the study show that the old standby of good customer service is no longer enough to keep your customers returning; you must reach out with added programs, websites and social media that blends the repeat 'touches'.

Survey: Lacking mobile presence may cause retailers to miss out on key opportunities

Research conducted by 2ergo is showing that more than one-quarter of U.S. retailers lack a mobile presence. The data was collected from 161 retailers across six categories. 2ergo found that only 58% of retailers have not optimized a mobile website and just half are offering consumers one smartphone application. 2ergo director, Michael Scully stated "when you consider the many ways consumers are using mobile devices to improve their shopping experiences, it becomes apparent there is a gap between shoppers' behavior and retailers' presence on mobile. Retailers should keep in mind that 'mobile shopping' is about more than just facilitating on-device purchase. It is about catering to the context of a mobile visitor. The goal of a mobile presence should be about offering real value to customers such as on-the-go price comparisons, inventory locators, store locators, easy access to customer service, and product reviews. A mobile visitor is already overcoming a number of hurdles to connect with the brand, and these actions signal an especially valuable relationship opportunity."

New Facebook Management Console: A simple control area that allows you to check a box to Select articles, products, specials, coupons or anything from your RxWebGenius web presence to feed to your Facebook. Compete with the chains by ensuring your technology is top-of-mind for your customers and patients. An additional new release will be the iWebGenius: Giving your RxWebGenius web presence the ability to be smartphone friendly. Call 1-866-312-8324 to move your pharmacy to 21st century technology.

FORRESTER REPORT: Emerging Innovations in Email Marketing: Re-imagine the email channel

Emerging email innovations, from real-time, web-like content to tools that help simplify the complex email product and digital marketing environment, are poised to meet interactive marketing standard. To succeed, interactive marketers must embrace innovation and re-imagine email as more nimble and attuned to customers or face the marginalization of the high-performance channel.

The RxWebGenius web presence gives you a plethora of easy-to-use marketing tool: email your customers and patients to let them know about special events, coupons (using the 'coupon wizard') with click-to-print ability; add your Facebook icon link, videos and even flu shot schedules - and let your customers know about everything happening in the pharmacy. The automated health and wellness enewsletter, branded with your logo keeps your pharmacy top-of-mind for your customers. Call 1-866-312-8324 or visit www.PharmacistsOnLine.com

FORRESTER REPORT: Customer Intelligence:
Embrace DMP's to Enhance Your Digital Relevance
The emergence of data management platforms (DMPs) as a technology that serves the audience segmentation and targeting needs of interactive marketers has wide implications for Customer Intelligence (CI) professionals. Interactive marketers are increasingly turning to DMPs to enhance insights from behavioral audience data and better target and plan digital campaigns. Digitally focused CI professionals can help their interactive marketing counterparts use and apply CI principles to assess, manage and implement DMP.

The RxLoyaltyGenius program is a true 'customer intelligence' DMP platform offering loyalty and marketing tools and giving you the ability to compete on an even playing field with the chains. Almost completely automated, you spend 10 min/mo using a technology tool designed to give your customers lifetime value and become a marketing guru. www.RxLoyaltyGenius.com or call 1-866-312-8324 for information.

Study examines impact of voluntary mail on medication adherence

Mandatory mail seems to cause some patients to discontinue therapy prematurely. The CVS Caremark-funded study, "Adherence to Medication Under Mandatory and Voluntary Mail Benefit Designs" was published in the American Journal of Managed Care. According to the study of 2010, nearly 96% of all employers offered mail pharmacy services to their employees. The majority of plan sponsors offer voluntary mail, while almost 19% implemented mandatory mail. The authors of the study (current or former employees of CVS Caremark) stated "Participants with a mandatory mail pharmacy benefit deign were less likely to remain persistent during the first year of therapy. Most impacted were those who had no previous mail use and thus were mostly likely to have been unfamiliar with the requirements of mandatory mail." There were a few important takeaway points from the study: 1} By restricting pharmacy choice and access, mandatory mail appeared to cause some members to discontinue th erapy. 2} When members chose to discontinue, rather than switch pharmacy channels, the unintended consequence was a reduction in medication adherence and the potential for increased medical expenses. 3} Individuals without previous use of mail-service pharmacy are sensitive to this plan design and are an important population that must be targeted for interventions to support adherence.

Stop by to see us at NCPA, Booth # 219 in Nashville

NCPA is having their 113th Annual Trade Show and Convention, Oct. 8th thru 12th at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN.

PharmacistsOnLine will be at Booth # 219 and would like to cordially invite you to stop by to see us. Check out our iHealth Kiosk - a fantastic must-see to get the true power of the visual for your customers and patients. Let's talk about creating a web presence with the RxWebGenius (not just website).

If you are shopping for a loyalty program, shop no more: the RxLoyaltyGenius is a loyalty and marketing program that works with or without a POS and is pretty much completely automated. Don't forget to sign up for the drawing for a free iPad!

Red meat consumption linked to Type 2 diabetes risk

A new study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health has linked the consumption of processed red meat as an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. The "Red Meat Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes" found that a daily serving of 100-g of unprocessed red meat (approx the size of a deck of cards) was associated with a 19% increased risk of Type 2 diabetes; while a 50-g serving (i.e.: one hot dog, 2 slices of bacon or one sausage) was associated with a 51% increased risk. Patients that substituted red meat with a serving of healthier proteins, such as low-fat dairy, nuts or whole grains, were associated with a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (17%, 21% and 23% respectively). It should be noted that the data was adjusted for age, body mass index and other lifestyle and dietary risk factors. The study was published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Carex offers solution for everyday pill organizing

Carex Health Brands has introduced the Apex 14 day pill wallet. Their efficient and discreet answer to everyday organization of meds offers four separately labeled compartments. Each compartment (morning, noon, evening and bedtime) holds up to 11 aspirin-sized pills. The compartments can be removed and placed into purse or backpack for traveling. The Apex 14 day pill wallet is available online and at select retailers, independent pharmacies and drug stores for a suggested retail price of $9.99.

Pew Research Center Study: Americans and their cell phones

Our cell phones have become an integral part of our daily existence and the roll of the cell phone is making a major migration from just a communication device to information seeking. With one third of American adults (35%) currently listed as owners of smartphones of some kind, these devices have an impact on their owners' daily lives. Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project conducted a nationally represented telephone survey of 2,277 adults and found: Cell phones are useful for quick information retrieval with half (51%) having used their phone at least once for immediate information and one quarter (27%) said they experienced a situation in which they had trouble doing something because they did not have their phone at hand. 40% of cell owners said they use their phones as important emergency tools. Cell phones can help eliminate boredom: 42% of cell owners used their phones for entertainment. While everyone knows the advantages of cell phones, 29% of cell owners said they needed an occasional break and simply turned their phones off. Technology just doesn't seem to be fast enough for some cell users, as 20% of cell owner reported experiencing frustration because their phone took too long to download something. 16% had difficulty reading the cell screen because it was too small and 10% had difficulty entering a lot of text on their phone. As Americans continue to use their phones, the top of the list was text messaging and picture taking. 73% of those interviewed use their cell phones for these purposes. Other common activities include sending photos or videos to others (54%) as well as accessing the internet (44%). Many activities, such as downloading apps, watching videos, accessing social network sites or posting multimedia content online, are almost entirely limited to the smartphone population.

Google aware of illegal pharmacy ads

According to Forbes report, Federal Investigators stated that Google co-founder, Larry Page was aware of illegal black-market pharmacy ads on the site and continued to allow them to be displayed. The pharmacies purported to be Canadian and sell drugs online without a prescription. This is also a well known avenue to allow illegal, mishandled or counterfeit drugs to enter into the market. Google paid $500 million to the government to settle the allegations. A company spokesperson indicated that they admit that the ads should not have been listed and that with the settlement, they are 'moving on'.

Cheap or Free websites and loyalty programs: a disastrous choice for your pharmacy

It's always good to be budget conscious; however, there are some independent pharmacies that have chosen cheap or free web sites to reflect their pharmacy business. Whether it is through a buying group, supplier or just a cousin who you think is a 'web master', a minimal website in today's internet could mean disaster for your pharmacy. You also might think that your customers and patients don't need any more than just a mere 5-7 page, non-changing site. Ask yourself why Facebook is so popular? It's because it's interactive. People want to reach out and be contacted by those businesses and organizations they trust. The big box and chain pharmacies have web sites filled with interesting information, coupons, special events, changing news articles. They attract and appeal to their patient base and are always adding new things to their site. Another consideration is the question: how many websites is this organization or person hosting? This is a question that PharmacistsOnLine loves to answer: we host over 3,500 sites. This isn't a sideline for us, this is a main core of our business. If you have a web site that just looks appealing, has your pharmacy staff or picture on it and offers refills, your pharmacy business will suffer. Without marketing tools, a Facebook interaction program and smartphone intelligence, your customers will go elsewhere. Loyalty programs are no longer a 'trend', but a major portion of the pharmacy marketing plan. Cheap programs that 'give away margin for no good reason' will cost you in time and money. Forrester Reports has confirmed, in two different 2011 reports that a loyalty program without 'Customer Intelligence' is doomed to fail. RxLoyaltyGenius offers our pharmacies the competitive edge against the chains and big box pharmacies, at a reasonable cost; and we are proud to say that we give you the power of "Customer Intelligence".

For more information: www.PharmacistsOnLine.com or call to discuss the programs that are designed to help keep our independent pharmacies strong: 1-866-312-8324