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Feed« Losing Your Identity As You Grow Larger? How To Shape Your Brand Essence. | Main | Healthcare Recession Survey Results »
Doctors Overwhelmingly Skeptical About Recovery
By Stewart Gandolf | September 28, 2009
I don’t know what your experience is, but the doctors I speak with are overwhelmingly skeptical about the possibility of an impending “economic recovery.” Let me explain:
Because I am a partner in a health care marketing company, I give lots of speeches to health care professionals at venues nationwide, and I also speak with doctors on a daily basis.
After hearing Ben Bernanke claim that the recession is “very likely over,” I began informally polling my clients and audiences to see if they agree.
They were skeptical to say the least.
In fact, at least 95% of the doctors I’ve recently asked said they do not believe that a recovery is anywhere near in sight.
Was I surprised? Nope.
How could I have been? I haven’t heard a peep of optimism from virtually anyone this year.
Talk about a disconnect.
Now granted, my informal polling methods are unscientific. And you could argue that a selection bias exists because people who listen to me speak about marketing may be more likely to “need” more patients.
Fair enough. (I am going to ask you to weigh in on the topic in just a moment, because I want a broader sampling.)
But we also have this little problem of high unemployment. Take a look at an interesting article Peter Cohan wrote yesterday. I’ll bet unemployed and underemployed people aren’t very optimistic either.
This is by far the most denied recession in my memory. Remember, it took a year for the government to even admit we are IN a recession.
Worse, whenever I hear neutral, “smart money” experts talk on the Charlie Rose show (my favorite window into the world of smart people), they say that the fundamental financial problems that got us into this mess remain unabated. Wall Street STILL has the same overzealous culture, and vital regulatory changes have yet to be made.
Frankly, that disgusts me.
So what do YOU think? Do you agree or disagree? Really, I want to know, and I want a larger sampling of people.
Give me your comments below, and also please respond to my Survey Monkey poll.
I’ll report back on my findings in a future post.
By the way, if the recession is hurting your own bottom line, and you don’t think things are going to get better soon, I am going to recommend you follow a counter intuitive strategy, and begin marketing again.
Here are some links that will guide you:
Lessons from the super-rich: invest in your own business or practice, rather than the stock market.
More “Tough Times” Marketing Secrets
17 Healthcare Marketing Secrets to Win New Patients Now, Despite the Recession
So whether you think we are in for smooth sailing or rough seas, I thank you for your input, and wish you the best.
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