From 2017 to 2018 the number of consumers who searched local reviews daily doubled. Weekly search increased 28%. Monthly increased 37%. Young shoppers are busiest. A whopping 81% of 18 to 34-year-olds check local business reviews every week.  

Trust. 91% of 18 to 34-year-old consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. BUT consumers, in general, say they require an average of 40 online reviews to trust a star rating. It’s more likely, though, they will read no more than 10 reviews to make a considered decision.

Recency counts. A steady flow of fresh reviews is necessary to impress new patients. 40% of consumers care most about reviews posted within the last two weeks. This figure has doubled in the last year. Reviews over three months old?  85% of consumers believe they are irrelevant.

Gotta ask. 96% of 18 to 34-year-olds leave reviews and say they are open to writing more reviews more often. BUT every review is equal, and by asking every patient to leave a review you’re likely to get more reviews quickly and naturally.  Overall, 59% of consumers have written reviews. Bottomline: Ask everyone to write a review of your practice. 
SOURCE: Bright Local, “Local Consumer Review Survey 2018,” December 7, 2018  

Today’s Chuckle

Team-Building News
Rules of Engagement
Reading time about two minutes 

The secret sauce for practice success is a highly motivated workforce. Employee engagement statistically correlates with profitability, productivity, retention, safety and, very importantly, patient satisfaction.

The bad news: In the U S a Gallup Survey found only 34% of employees say they feel fully engaged with their jobs. Many, the results say, clearly feel stuck in dead-end jobs. Conclusion: Most businesses fail to motivate the majority of their workers.

The most important factors in employee engagement:
Do they understand what is expected of them?
Do they feel their colleagues and management support them?
Do they believe they will be recognized when they perform well?

Get started today. Plan an employee lunch-town-hall meeting where everyone brings their ideas and is encouraged to speak up. Before the meeting ask each employee to share their ideas with you. This also helps you spot signs of team disenchantment, Remember, though, their ideas are their own and together you can implement the ones you like. Try this quarterly, more often is better.
SOURCE: The Economist, “Engaged or Vacant,” Page 55, February 16, 2019

“Dear Doctor: Build a legendary team that is committed and engaged. They will perform better and become you practice advocates. Their retention rate will be a key metric of your success.”

“Your Friday Brief” is published by Smile Reports. We provide tested, proven online reputation management and Facebook services to dental practitioners and partners nationwide. Learn more at SmileReports.com.