Research suggests that the ability to maximize memory function may be related to what you eat. Following an eating plan that provides a healthier selection of dietary fats and a variety of plant foods rich in phytonutrients could positively affect your health. Phytonutrients are substances found in certain plants that are believed to be beneficial for human health and help prevent certain diseases.

There’s still much to learn about what makes up a brain-healthy diet. Studies are finding that what’s good for your heart also may be good for your brain. So the best bet for rich memories is to forgo unhealthy fat and remember to diversify your plant-based food portfolio.

Foods that boost memory
Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, fish, healthier fats, and herbs or seeds boost the brain’s memory functioning. Here’s more about these powerhouse foods:

Fruits:
Berries are high in antioxidants that can protect the brain from oxidative damage, and prevent premature aging and memory-impairing dementia. Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanin and other flavonoids that may improve brain function.
Grapes are full of resveratrol, a memory-boosting compound. Concord grapes are rich in polyphenols, which have the potential to promote brain function.
Watermelon has a high concentration of lycopene, another powerful antioxidant. Watermelon also is a good source of pure water, which benefits brain health. Even a mild case of dehydration can reduce mental energy and impair memory.
Avocados are a fruit rich in monounsaturated fat, which improves memory function by helping improve blood cholesterol levels when eaten in moderation in place of saturated fats.
Vegetables
Beets are rich in nitrates, a natural compound that can dilate blood vessels, allowing more oxygenated blood to reach the brain.
Dark, leafy greens are known for their antioxidants, such as vitamin C, and have been shown to reduce age-related memory loss. Greens also are rich in folate, which can improve memory by decreasing inflammation and improving blood circulation to the brain.

Whole grains and legumes:
Cracked wheat, whole-grain couscous, chickpeas, oats, sweet potatoes and black beans are examples of complex carbohydrates. Since brain cells run on glucose derived from carbohydrates and don’t store excess glucose, they need a steady supply of it. Complex carbohydrates are a preferred brain food, providing a slow, sustained supply of glucose. They take longer to metabolize and are high in folate, the memory-boosting B vitamin.

Seafood:
Fatty fish, such as salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards, and kippers, are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These have been shown to improve memory when eaten one to two times per week. Omega-3 fatty acids don’t affect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and can lower triglycerides.
Shellfish and crustaceans, such as oysters, mussels, clams, crayfish, shrimp and lobster, are good sources of vitamin B12, a nutrient involved in preventing memory loss.

Healthier fats:
Olive oil provides monounsaturated fat, which can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels when used in place of saturated or trans fat. Extra-virgin olive oil is the least processed type with the highest protective antioxidant compound levels.
Nuts, such as walnuts, are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which lower triglycerides, improve vascular health, help moderate blood pressure and decrease blood clotting.

Herbs or seeds:
Cocoa seeds are a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants, which are especially important in preventing damage from LDL cholesterol, protecting arterial lining and preventing blood clots. Cocoa also contains arginine, a compound that increases blood vessel dilation.
Rosemary and mint are in the same herb family. Rosemary has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, improving concentration and memory. Peppermint aroma has been found to enhance memory.
Sesame seeds are a rich source of the amino acid tyrosine, which is used to produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for keeping the brain alert and memory sharp. Sesame seeds also are rich in zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6, other nutrients involved in memory function.
Saffron has been shown to positively affect individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Making lifestyle modifications to control your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, as well as not smoking, taking daily walks and keeping your weight in a healthy range can help preserve memory function.

Serves 8

1 small bunch of beets (or enough no-salt-added canned beets to make 3 cups, drained)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon water
8 cups fresh salad greens
1/4 cup chopped apple
1/4 cup chopped celery
Freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1/4 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Steam raw beets in water in a saucepan until tender (skip this step if using canned beets). Slip off skins. Rinse to cool. Slice in 1/2-inch rounds. In a medium bowl, toss with red wine vinegar.

In a large bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil and water. Add salad greens and toss.

Put greens onto individual salad plates. Top with sliced beets, chopped apples and celery. Sprinkle with pepper, walnuts and cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition per serving size of 1 cup lettuce and 1/2 cup beans: 90 calories, 5 grams fat, 1.5 grams saturated fat, 115 milligrams sodium, 9 grams carbohydrates, 2.5 grams fiber, and 3 grams protein.

Copyright: Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bertrand is a registered dietitian in nutrition in St. James, Minnesota.

Are you struggling to promote your pharmacy business? Look no further! Our Pharmacy marketing guide offers seven proven strategies to increase foot traffic, drive revenue, and take your pharmacy to the next level. Don’t miss out on these essential tactics for success!

Are you feeling prescription-stressed about your pharmacy’s marketing strategies? Fear not! We’ve got the remedy for you.

In this blog, we’ll discuss effective pharmacy marketing strategies that will help you attract more customers and revitalize your business. We have all the marketing ideas to help get you started from free health screenings to working with local businesses at local events to building a healthy online presence. And when it comes to advertising your pharmacy’s services, we have plenty of strategies at your disposal.

By implementing these pharmacy marketing strategies, you’ll be well on your way to growing your pharmacy business and keeping it healthy for years. Let’s get started!

Know your target audience
Before we dive into our pharmacy marketing ideas, it’s important that you have a good understanding of who it is you’re marketing to. To do this, you must ask yourself three questions. They are:

Who are my potential customers?
To attract more customers to your pharmacy, it’s essential to identify your target audience based on demographics, health concerns, and location. To better know who your patients are, you can:

Conduct market research to identify your target audience based on demographics, health concerns, and location.
Analyze data from your pharmacy’s sales and customer history on a pharmacy POS to identify patterns and trends.
Use online tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic and social media engagement.
What are their needs and wants?
Once you’ve identified your target audience, it’s important to understand their needs and wants. Consider what services and products they’re looking for and how you can differentiate yourself from competitors. Here are some tips for understanding your patients needs:

Survey your target audience to understand their healthcare needs and what clinical services they want you to offer.
Analyze your pharmacy’s sales and customer history data to identify which products and services are in high demand.
Research your competitors to identify gaps in the market and areas where you can differentiate yourself.
How can I cater to their needs?
To cater to the needs of your target audience, you can tailor your traditional and digital marketing messages and services accordingly. Here’s how:

Create personalized pharmacy marketing messages that resonate with your target audience’s specific needs and preferences.
Offer services that cater to your target audience’s needs, such as free health screenings and medication therapy management.
Promote your pharmacy’s involvement in the local community by hosting pharmacy events and participating in local health fairs.
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7 Pharmacy marketing ideas for your independent pharmacy
Now that we’ve discussed the basics of pharmacy marketing and how to tailor your services and messaging, let’s dive into our list of 7 pharmacy marketing ideas for independent pharmacies.

Pharmacy marketing idea 1: Run a social media campaign
In today’s digital age, social media is an essential tool for promoting your pharmacy. With over 4.76 billion people using social media worldwide [1], platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can help you reach a large audience and connect with your customers.

Use engaging visuals and clever captions to catch your audience’s attention and promote your products and services. For example, you could launch a campaign for flu shots with eye-catching graphics and a witty caption like “Don’t let the flu bug you down this season—get your flu shot at our pharmacy today!”

Consider running social media contests and giveaways to encourage your followers to engage with your content and share it with their friends. You could offer prizes like gift cards, free products, or even a year’s supply of vitamins to incentivize participation.

Finally, use social media to connect with your customers and build relationships. Respond to comments and messages promptly, share customer testimonials, and showcase your involvement in the local community. By building a loyal following on social media, you can boost customer loyalty and attract new business.

Pharmacy marketing idea 2: Use email marketing
Email marketing is an effective way to reach out to your customers and promote your independent pharmacy. By building an email list of your customers, you can send them newsletters and pharmacy promotions that keep them up to date with your latest products and services.

To build your email list, start by collecting email addresses from your customers at the pharmacy point of sale or during free health screenings. You can also promote your email list on your website and social media pages, offering exclusive discounts or promotions to those who sign up.

Once you’ve built your email list, create engaging newsletters that provide value to your subscribers. Consider including healthcare tips and advice from healthcare professionals, highlighting new products or services, and offering exclusive pharmacy promotions or discounts.

Make sure you include a clear call to action, encouraging your subscribers to visit your pharmacy or take advantage of your services. In addition to newsletters, consider sending automated email campaigns based on your customer’s behavior. For example, you could send a follow-up email after a customer purchases a product or send a message through your website. These automated emails can help you nurture customer relationships and provide a more personalized experience.

Finally, remember to optimize your emails for mobile devices, as more and more customers check their emails on smartphones and tablets. Use attention-grabbing subject lines and make sure your emails are easy to read and navigate on different kinds of devices.

Pharmacy marketing idea 3: Use good customer service to generate patient referrals
One of the most effective ways to generate patient referrals is to provide exceptional customer service. When patients have a positive experience at your pharmacy, they are more likely to recommend your business to their friends and family, resulting in more business.

To use good customer service to generate patient referrals, start by training your pharmacy staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful when speaking to patients or answering phone calls. Encourage them to take the time to answer questions and provide personalized recommendations to each patient.

You can also offer additional services and resources, demonstrating your commitment to patient care. For example, you could offer free delivery services, medication therapy management programs, or free blood pressure screenings to help patients manage their health concerns.

When a patient has a positive experience at your pharmacy, ask for their feedback and encourage them to leave positive reviews on your website or social media pages. You can also ask them to refer their friends and family to your pharmacy and provide them with a referral card or coupon to share.

To make it easy for patients to refer their friends and family, consider creating a referral program that rewards both the referrer and the referred. For example, you could offer a discount on future purchases or a free product for each successful referral.

Taking care of your kidneys is crucial for maintaining overall health, as they play a vital role in filtering waste, balancing fluids, and regulating electrolytes in the body. Here are some tips to help keep your kidneys healthy:

### 1. **Stay Hydrated**
– Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for about 8-10 glasses (2-2.5 liters) of water daily, depending on your activity level, climate, and overall health.
– Proper hydration helps the kidneys flush out toxins and prevent kidney stones.

### 2. **Maintain a Balanced Diet**
– **Limit salt intake**: Too much sodium can increase blood pressure, a leading cause of kidney damage. Try to keep your daily intake below 2,300 mg.
– **Eat fruits and vegetables**: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
– **Control protein intake**: Consuming too much protein, especially from animal sources, can strain the kidneys. Choose lean protein sources and consider plant-based options like beans, nuts, and legumes.
– **Limit sugar**: High sugar intake can lead to obesity and diabetes, both of which increase the risk of kidney disease.

### 3. **Monitor Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels**
– **Control blood pressure**: High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for kidney disease. Aim to keep your blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg.
– **Manage diabetes**: If you have diabetes, closely monitor your blood sugar levels and follow your doctor’s recommendations to prevent kidney damage.

### 4. **Exercise Regularly**
– Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking, cycling, or swimming) most days of the week. Exercise helps lower blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, and improve cardiovascular health, all of which benefit the kidneys.

### 5. **Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake**
– **Quit smoking**: Smoking reduces blood flow to the kidneys, impairs their function, and increases the risk of kidney cancer.
– **Limit alcohol**: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and dehydration, which harm the kidneys.

### 6. **Use Medications Wisely**
– **Avoid overuse of NSAIDs**: Medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can cause kidney damage if taken frequently or in high doses. Always use them under medical guidance.
– **Follow prescriptions carefully**: If you have conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, take medications as directed to manage these conditions effectively.

### 7. **Get Regular Check-Ups**
– Have regular medical check-ups, especially if you have risk factors for kidney disease like high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney problems.
– Regular urine and blood tests can help detect kidney problems early.

### 8. **Maintain a Healthy Weight**
– Being overweight increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Aim to maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.

### 9. **Be Mindful of Toxins**
– Avoid exposure to chemicals, such as household cleaners, pesticides, and certain medications, which can harm your kidneys over time.

### 10. **Manage Stress**
– Practice stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, as chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure and poor kidney health.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can help protect your kidneys and reduce the risk of kidney-related diseases.

Hives are itchy welts on the skin. They can be caused by:

An allergic reaction

A physical trigger, such as cold, water, or pressure

A medical condition, such as an infection or autoimmune disease

These welts, also called wheals, may be red, pink, white, or skin-colored. Just as they vary in color, hives come in many shapes. Some appear as tiny spots or blotches. Others look like thin, raised lines. Hives also show up on the skin in many sizes. They can be as small as a pinprick, large as a dinner plate, or any size in between.

Regardless of what they look like, hives tend to appear and clear within a few hours. Some people have one flare-up and never get hives again. It’s also possible to have many flare-ups.

If you continue to get hives daily or almost every day for six weeks or longer, you have chronic hives. The medical term for this is “chronic urticaria.”

When you have chronic hives, the most effective treatment often depends on the type of the hives you have and your medical history.

Chronic hives on the body:
When you have flare-ups for six weeks or longer, here’s what dermatologists recommend
Make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist, allergist, or primary care doctor. Most people who have hives are otherwise healthy, but it’s still helpful to see a doctor.

A thorough medical exam can help rule out possible causes, such as an infection or medication, which could be causing your hives.

It’s also possible for a disease, such as a thyroid condition, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes to cause hives. If signs indicate that this may be the cause, medical testing can find or rule out these causes.

While medications and medical conditions can cause hives, there are many other causes, including foods, insect bites, and pressure on the skin. Sometimes, it’s not possible to find the cause. If that happens, your dermatologist can still recommend lifestyle changes and prescribe medication that can help reduce your flare-ups.

Keep track of your flare-ups. While it’s not always possible to find the cause, keeping track of your flare-ups may help you figure out what triggers your hives. Some triggers that can cause long-lasting hives are shown below.

Trigger When hives appear
Foods: Many foods can cause hives, including peanuts and other nuts, eggs, and shellfish. Hives typically appear within 1 hour of eating the food.
Foods (if you have latex allergy): If you already have a latex allergy, bananas, chestnuts, kiwis, or mangos can trigger hives. Hives appear 12 to 24 hours after you eat the food.
Additives: Colorings and preservatives used in foods, vitamins and other supplements, spices, cosmetics, skin care products, toothpaste, or other products can trigger hives.
Hives usually appear within 12 to 24 hours.
Medications: Many medications, including antibiotics, aspirin, and ibuprofen, can be triggers. Hives can occur immediately, days, weeks, or years after you start taking a medication.

Cold
Hives or an itchy rash appear when you start to warm up after being in cold water or outdoors in the cold. Hives can also appear almost immediately when you go into an air-conditioned building or walk near a freezer case.
Heat
Hives tend to develop within minutes.
Ultraviolet light (sunlight, tanning beds)
Hives often appear within minutes.

Vibration (very rare cause)
Itching and swelling develop when you’re exposed to any vibration.
Adrenalin: Stress, exercise, heat, and hot showers, are a few things that cause your body to release adrenalin.
Hives appear quickly and last for 30 to 60 minutes.
Pressure on your skin: Tight-fitting clothes, sitting, or a purse strap can apply enough pressure to cause hives.
Hives can occur when pressure is applied to the skin or appear 4 to 24 hours later.
Water (very rare cause)
Hives often appear within 1 to 3 minutes of water touching your skin.
Touch a plant, animal, or chemical: Stinging nettle, jellyfish, cinnamon, sorbic acid, or latex are common triggers.
Usually within minutes, hives (and sometimes difficulty breathing) occur.

Take photos of your hives. When your see your dermatologist, you may not have hives. Taking pictures can help your dermatologist make sure you have hives. Other skin conditions can look like hives.

Relieve the itch at home. Itch is common in people who have chronic hives. Here are some ways to get temporary relief:

Avoid overheating.
Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes.
Apply a cold compress, such as ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth, to the itchy skin several times a day—unless cold triggers your hives.
Use anti-itch medication that you can buy without a prescription, such as an antihistamine or calamine lotion.
Prevent dry skin by using a fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day.
The pressure of a purse strap can cause chronic hives where the strap rests on your body.

Group of woman carrying handbags on their arms
Stay calm. Stress can trigger hives. If you feel stressed often, healthy ways to reduce your stress include, exercising every day, meditating, and practicing mindfulness.

Know that treatment can be effective when the cause(s) of your hives remains unknown. It’s helpful to find out what’s causing your hives, but sometimes, a cause cannot be found. About 50% of people who have chronic hives never find out what’s causing their flare-ups.

Even when you cannot find the cause, treatment can help you clear your skin and prevent new flare-ups.

Follow your treatment plan. For treatment to be effective, it’s essential to follow the treatment plan your doctor creates for you.

Treatment may fail to work when you take medication less often than prescribed. For example, if your dermatologist prescribes a daily antihistamine and you only take it when you have a flare-up, you may continue to get hives.

Tell your dermatologist if treatment fails to work. If you are following your treatment plan exactly as instructed, you may still have flare-ups. Hives can be stubborn, but treatment can still work.

To give you relief, your dermatologist may:

Increase the dose of a medication
Add another medication to your treatment plan
Prescribe a different medication
Before changing your treatment plan, be sure you’ve followed the original treatment plan.
Understand that extensive allergy testing rarely helps. Many people believe that their hives would go away if they could just find out what’s causing the flare-ups. Even when the cause remains unknown, treatment can clear your skin and keep it clear.

Know that chronic hives may go away on their own. About half the people who have chronic hives will stop having flare-ups within 1 year.

With so many possible causes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that treatment can keep hives under control. Sometimes, it just takes time to find the treatment that works for you.

Have a skin, hair, or nail problem?
No one understands your skin better than a board-certified dermatologist. Partner with the expert for the best care.

Female dermatologist
Related AAD resources
Hives: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

Welts on skin due to cold temperature could be hives

References:
American Academy of Dermatology. “Basic Dermatology Curriculum: Urticaria.” Module last accessed December 14, 2018.

Antia C, Baquerizo K, et al. “Urticaria: A comprehensive review, Epidemiology, diagnosis, and work-up.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79:599-614.

Antia C, Baquerizo K, et al. “Urticaria: A comprehensive review, Treatment of chronic urticaria, special populations, and disease outcomes.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79:617-33.

Gratten CEH, Black AK. “Urticaria and angioedema.” In: Bolognia JL, et al. Dermatology. (second edition). Mosby Elsevier, Spain, 2008: 261-75.

Kaplan AP. “Urticaria and angioedema.” Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 330-43.

There’s more to a sparkling smile than just brushing and flossing. So for World Oral Health Day, we’re getting to the root of dental care best practices with these to-dos that can help ensure your teeth are as healthy as can be.

Say “Ahhh!” It might reveal more than you think.

As you’ve likely heard, your oral hygiene can have a major impact on your overall health. Gum disease, for instance, has been linked to a variety of health issues, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, preterm labor and even Alzheimer’s.
That’s why it’s so important to take care of your teeth. But simply brushing and flossing on schedule, and visiting your dentist on a regular basis, might not cut it.

But with these 9 simple steps, you can help improve your dental hygiene—and the rest of your health. And who wouldn’t smile about that?

1.Wait Before You Brush
In the habit of starting your morning off with a glass of orange juice? You’re going to want to hold off on brushing for a while afterwards.

Foods and drinks with a low pH—that is, acidic foods—temporarily soften the enamel of the teeth. If you immediately follow up with brushing, the action could remove some of the enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay over time, says Michael Lynch, D.M.D., Ph.D., Global Director of Oral Care and Fellow Global Scientific Engagement for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

So your best bet is to delay brushing after you’ve had citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, soda and wine. One study found that people who waited 30 to 60 minutes to brush after drinking soda had less wear on their teeth than those who brushed sooner.

2.Switch to a Soft-bristled Brush
You likely already know you should change your toothbrush every two to three months (or sooner if the bristles are frayed), but if you’re using a hard brush, consider replacing it now. Medium- and firm-bristled toothbrushes may leave your teeth feeling cleaner, but they can be very abrasive—and damaging over time.

“Most people would be perfectly fine with a soft-bristled brush,” Dr. Lynch says. And there’s no need to brush too vigorously, either. It’s not good for your teeth or gums. Instead he advises using a gentle amount of pressure; tilting the brush at a 45-degree angle against the gum line; and brushing in a short, circular motion.

3.Start by Brushing in the Back
This good habit may mean that you do a better job cleaning those hard-to-reach spots—which is essential because all of those nooks and crannies in your molars make them more susceptible to gum disease and cavities.

Beginning your brushing routine in the rear (at least sometimes) is a good way to give the back of your mouth the attention it deserves. “Every time I brush my teeth, I start in the upper right side in the back,” Dr. Lynch says. “And I always follow the same method, so I know I won’t miss any spots.”

4.Add Mouthwash and Gum to Your Routine
If you’re doing twice-a-day brushing and flossing, you may feel that’s good enough. But rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash, like Listerine® Antiseptic Mouthwash, afterwards will kill more oral bacteria, helping to fight plaque. After you brush and floss, swish vigorously for 30 seconds twice a day. Another recommendation is to chew gum. Sugar-free gum can help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, and it stimulates salivary flow, which bathes the teeth with calcium and phosphate ions that help replenish tooth enamel, says Dr. Lynch.

5.Snap a Video Selfie
It may feel silly, but filming your toothbrushing sessions could help improve your technique, according to research published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research.

After study participants recorded themselves brushing their teeth to establish a baseline, they were given demonstrations and pointers until they achieved the proper technique. Over a two-week period, they used their smartphones, propped on a stand, to record themselves while brushing.

At the end of the study, researchers found that though people brushed for the same amount of time as before, they did increase both the accuracy and number of brush strokes, improving their toothbrushing skills overall.

Dr. Lynch seconds the idea, noting that recording yourself brushing can help make you more aware of what you’re doing, plus you’ll probably perform better knowing that you’re in front of the camera. Afterwards, you can view the footage to see where you need to improve.

6.Don’t Brush Too Often
The recommendation used to be to brush after every meal. Brushing too often can damage your gums and the enamel on your teeth, and because of that, twice a day is enough, advises Dr. Lynch.

What you can do after every meal and snack is rinse with plain water. “Do some vigorous swishing, forcing the liquid in between the teeth to disrupt and dislodge any food particles,” Dr. Lynch suggests.

7.Don’t Linger Over Sipping Sugary Drinks
While you should limit the amount of sugary drinks in your diet, if you are going to have a beverage like soda, sweet tea or coffee with sugar and cream, it’s better to have it all at once, rather than sipping it throughout the day. “When you constantly expose your mouth to sugar, certain bacteria uses that sugar as a food source and metabolizes it into lactic acid,” Dr. Lynch explains. “The lactic acid starts to dissolve the minerals in your teeth and that’s how cavities are formed.”

8.Eat Teeth-whitening Foods
It’s true: Some foods can actually help keep your pearly whites, well, white.
Raw, coarse, fibrous foods—such as celery, cucumbers, apples, pears, carrots and lettuce—help scrub tooth surfaces and remove some of the plaque that’s accumulated, which can make teeth appear yellow, Dr. Lynch explains.

Also, these crunchy foods require more chewing time, so they also stimulate saliva, which helps neutralize acids that can erode your teeth.

9.Wash Your Toothbrush Holder
When was the last time you gave your toothbrush container a good scrubbing?
It doesn’t just hold your brush—it also holds onto many of the germs that occupy your bathroom. A study by the National Sanitation Foundation found that toothbrush holders are the third germiest household item (your dish sponge and kitchen sink take the first and second spots).

So run it through the dishwasher, or wash it in hot, soapy water, then use a disinfecting wipe, once or twice a week, advises the National Sanitation Foundation.

Written by Tamekia Reece | Johnson & Johnson

Definition of patient experience in healthcare
Patient experience in healthcare refers to how patients perceive and feel about their interactions with the healthcare system. It includes communication, access to care, the quality of medical treatment, the environment, empathy, involvement in decision-making, and coordination of care. Positive patient experiences are associated with higher satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and better health outcomes. Healthcare organizations aim to improve patient experience through patient-centered initiatives and strategies.

Key components of patient experience include:
Communication
Access to Care
Quality of Care
Environment of healthcare facilities
Empathy and Compassion
Involvement in Decision-Making
Coordination of Care.

1. Enhanced Patient Satisfaction
Positive patient experiences contribute to higher levels of satisfaction. When patients feel heard, respected, and involved in their care, it enhances their overall satisfaction with healthcare services.

2. Better Treatment Adherence
A positive patient experience is linked to increased adherence to treatment plans. Patients who have a good rapport with healthcare providers and understand their care are more likely to follow prescribed treatments, leading to better health outcomes.

3. Improved Health Outcomes
Positive patient experiences are associated with improved health outcomes. When patients have confidence in their healthcare providers and actively engage in their care, it can positively impact their recovery and overall well-being.

4. Increased Patient Engagement
A positive experience encourages patients to actively participate in their healthcare journey. Engaged patients are more likely to communicate openly with healthcare providers, ask questions, and collaborate in decision-making, fostering a sense of partnership in their care.

5. Effective Communication
Patient experience emphasizes effective communication between healthcare providers and patients. Clear communication ensures that patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and care plans, leading to informed decision-making.

6. Building Trust
Positive patient experiences contribute to the establishment of trust between patients and healthcare providers. Trust is a fundamental element in the patient-provider relationship and can lead to better communication, shared decision-making, and improved patient outcomes.

7. Enhanced Reputation for Healthcare Organizations
Organizations that prioritize positive patient experiences often build a strong reputation. Patients are more likely to recommend and return to healthcare facilities where they have had positive interactions, positively impacting the organization’s standing in the community.

8. Prevention of Litigation
A positive patient experience can contribute to the prevention of legal issues. Patients who feel well-informed, respected, and involved in their care are less likely to pursue legal action, reducing the risk of malpractice claims.

In summary, patient experience is important because it not only influences the satisfaction of individuals seeking healthcare but also plays a significant role in treatment adherence, health outcomes, patient engagement, effective communication, trust-building, organizational reputation, and the prevention of legal complications.

12 other Ways to improve patient experience in your pharmacy:
Improving patient experience in a pharmacy involves creating a welcoming environment, enhancing communication, and providing personalized and efficient services. Here are some ways to enhance the patient experience in your pharmacy:

1. Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff:
Ensure that staff members are approachable, friendly, and well-trained.
Train staff to provide accurate and helpful information about medications, potential side effects, and proper usage.
2. Effective Communication:
Clearly communicate wait times, prescription pickup procedures, and any additional services offered.
Encourage open communication, allowing patients to ask questions and express concerns.
3. Efficient Service:
Streamline processes to minimize wait times for prescription filling and checkout.
Implement technologies such as online prescription refills or mobile apps to enhance convenience.
4. Patient Education:
Offer educational materials on medications, potential interactions, and proper usage.
Take the time to discuss medication instructions and answer any questions patients may have.
5. Personalized Services:
Tailor services to meet individual patient needs, considering factors like language preferences, accessibility requirements, and specific health conditions.
Consider implementing loyalty programs or personalized promotions to show appreciation for regular customers.
6. Comfortable Waiting Area:
Create a comfortable and welcoming waiting area with seating, reading materials, and possibly refreshments.
Provide a private consultation area for more confidential discussions.
7. Follow-Up Services:
Implement a system for follow-up calls to check on patients’ experiences and address any concerns.
Offer medication therapy management services to help patients manage complex medication regimens.
8. Collaboration with Healthcare Providers:
Establish strong communication channels with healthcare providers to ensure accurate prescription information.
Collaborate with prescribers to address any issues related to medication changes or adjustments.
9. Incorporate Technology:
Implement digital tools for prescription reminders, refill notifications, and online communication.
Provide a user-friendly online platform for prescription refills and inquiries.
10. Continuous Training:
Regularly train staff on customer service skills, communication techniques, and the use of new technologies.
Keep staff informed about new medications and healthcare trends.
11. Feedback Mechanism:
Establish a system for collecting feedback from patients about their experiences.
Use feedback to identify areas for improvement and recognize staff for positive contributions.
12. Cultural Sensitivity:
Foster a culturally sensitive environment that respects the diverse needs and backgrounds of patients.
Ensure that informational materials are available in multiple languages if necessary.
By focusing on these strategies, you can create a positive and patient-centered environment in your pharmacy, leading to improved patient satisfaction and loyalty. Regularly assess and adapt your approach based on patient feedback and changing healthcare trends.

How does Patient Engagement Software can help improve patient experience
Patient engagement software plays a crucial role in improving the overall patient experience by facilitating communication, providing access to information, and promoting active involvement in healthcare. Here are several ways in which patient engagement software contributes to enhancing the patient experience:

1. Communication and Information Sharing
Secure Messaging: Patient engagement platforms often include secure messaging features, allowing direct communication between patients and healthcare providers. This facilitates timely and convenient communication for appointment reminders, follow-up care, and addressing concerns.
Information Portals: Patients can access personalized health information, test results, and educational materials through online portals. This empowers patients to stay informed about their health and treatment plans.

2. Appointment Scheduling and Reminders:
Online Scheduling: Patient engagement software may include tools for online appointment scheduling, making it easier for patients to book appointments at their convenience.
Automated Reminders: Automated appointment reminders via email, SMS, or push notifications help reduce no-show rates and improve overall appointment adherence.

3. Remote Monitoring and Telehealth:
Remote Patient Monitoring: Some patient engagement platforms support remote monitoring of chronic conditions. This enables healthcare providers to track patients’ health metrics and intervene proactively when needed.
Telehealth Integration: Integrating telehealth features allows patients to have virtual consultations, reducing the need for in-person visits and improving accessibility to care.

4. Medication Management:
Medication Reminders: Patient engagement tools often include features for medication reminders, helping patients adhere to prescribed medication regimens.
Educational Resources: Patients can access information about their medications, including usage instructions, potential side effects, and interactions.

5. Health and Wellness Programs:
Interactive Programs: Patient engagement software may offer interactive health and wellness programs, encouraging patients to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and disease prevention strategies.
Goal Setting and Tracking: Patients can set health goals, and the software helps them track progress, fostering a sense of empowerment and achievement.

6. Patient Surveys and Feedback:
Feedback Collection: Patient engagement platforms often include features for collecting patient feedback through surveys. This feedback helps healthcare providers assess and improve their services based on patient experiences.
Quality Improvement: Analyzing patient feedback allows healthcare organizations to identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance the patient experience.

7. Care Plan Collaboration:
Collaborative Care Plans: Patient engagement tools facilitate the creation and sharing of care plans. Patients and healthcare providers can collaborate on these plans, promoting shared decision-making and active patient participation in their care.

8. Personalized Health Content:
Tailored Information: Patient engagement software can deliver personalized health content based on patients’ specific conditions, preferences, and health goals. This ensures that information is relevant and meaningful to the individual patient.

Your best customer is the one who keeps coming back to you. Yes I know, hardly breaking news but worth the not-so-gentle reminder. No business can grow without retaining its customers.

It’s very important to develop and maintain a loyal customer base. After all, it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than it takes to retain a current customer. In fact, customer retention can improve your bottom line as well. However, sadly more companies concentrate on customer acquisition than on customer retention.

So, how does a company improve customer retention rate and turns first-timers into regular customer? Given below are six valuable tips:

1. Take Care Of Your Reputation

“Customers like to shop from businesses that enjoy a good reputation,” says Simon Wadsworth, Managing Partner of Igniyte, an online reputation management agency. He further adds, “Businesses need to take steps to maintain their reputation. However, it’s not an easy thing to do in today’s environment where word of mouth spreads faster than wildfire.”

Companies have to up their game and control how they’re perceived. According to a survey, 93% customers agree that a company’s reputation is fairly important to them. Quite frankly how that number is not 100% is mind-boggling to me.

2. Make Customers Feel Like Royalty

It’s an age old saying, but it still holds very true in today’s fast changing world. Most people find online shopping boring. There is no direct contact and you do not even get to physically inspect what you’re buying. Companies need to overcome this barrier by improving the overall customer experience.

There are many ways to connect with your customers and making them feel special. You can thank your customers by sending them an email when they make a purchase or writing to them inquiring about the product and their experience. This will make sure you stay in your customer’s mind and they think of you when it’s time to buy another similar product.

BUT when you do send out this type of communication do not try and sell them anything else. There is no law, as far as I know that states every single branded communication with a customer must contain sales language.

3. Know Why They Came In The First Place

You have to understand what motivates a customer to come to your business. It can be anything from discounted prices to excellent customer service. Whatever is causing customers to purchase from you can be your USP.

For example, if it’s the price, make sure to keep your prices around the same otherwise you’ll begin to lose buyers. Or if you do raise prices do so in a very transparent and honest way. Or maybe they arrived as a result of a recommendation from a friend or family.

Regardless of how they arrived at your proverbial doorstep, you need to find out why so you can in turn help others arrive at the same place.

4. Don’t Lose Track Of Your Customers

Stay in touch with your customer and track their behavior. This information can also be obtained through cookies and analytics. You can also use heatmap software to understand your customers better. These tools will tell you what your customers are interested in and allow you to plan your marketing strategy accordingly.

For example, if your customer makes a purchase in the first week of every month, make sure to send them promotional emails around this time so that they have you on their minds. Emails and newsletters are underutilized, and can provide ROI as high as 4,300% if sent at the right time.

5. Give Them Something To Come Back For

Plan each sale smartly. You can offer customers special discounts on their second purchase to entice them to come back for another. Also, send them relevant emails to increase your chances of retaining customers.

For example, if a customer bought a gaming console, you can send him emails about latest games and available discounts. It’s understandable that someone who just bought a console would be interested in purchasing games. The key word here is relevance AKA The Nine Letter Word Every Marketer Needs To Remember At All Times.

6. No Resting On Any Laurels

Even the biggest of companies can lose buyers if they fail to change with time. A good example would be Nokia which lost its numero uno position due to its failure to evolve.

Customers get bored of seeing the same thing. They want something new to keep them interested. It’s your responsibility to stay abreast with the latest technological changes and adapt them. This is the era of mobile phones and most customers prefer to shop through mobile phones than desktop computers. Businesses need to have mobile friendly sites with apps for all platforms to be able to retain customers.

The secret lies in making your customers happy. Understand what your customers want and provide them just that if you wish to continue to grow.

credit:
Steve Olenski

Building a thriving business involves more than only an exceptional product or service. The real challenge lies in showcasing that product or service effectively to a wide audience. This is why most business geniuses emphasize marketing as the backbone of any successful enterprise. In this article, we will explore what marketing is, how it helps small businesses grow and explain some of the best marketing strategies used today.

What Is Marketing?
Marketing is the act of spreading awareness about your products or services. You could have the most amazing product on the planet but if no one knows about it, no one will purchase it. That’s precisely where marketing steps in—it boosts awareness and drives sales by making sure your product doesn’t stay hidden.

At its core marketing is similar to the art of storytelling. It’s about crafting a narrative that resonates with potential customers. It starts with understanding what people need and want, and then communicating how a product can fit into that picture. Marketing is adapting constantly to our ever-changing world. Marketers used to concentrate on creating catchy jingles you could not get out of your head or billboards that made you look twice. Now, it’s all about digital landscapes, social media and understanding the power of data.

Why Marketing Is Important
Launching an effective marketing campaign is especially crucial for small businesses as it helps level the playing field when competing for customers against larger corporations. Smaller businesses typically operate with limited advertising budgets when compared to corporations. Reasons marketing is so important for small businesses include.

Brand Awareness
In today’s packed marketplace, getting your small business can be similar to finding a needle in a haystack. Marketing helps to shine a spotlight on your brand. Imagine your business as a lighthouse and marketing as the beam that guides customers to your shore. Through clever marketing, even the smallest business can stand tall among well-funded giants.

Customer Engagement
Marketing helps turn passive observers into active participants by creating interactive platforms that spark conversations and foster communities. Whether it’s through engaging content on social media, email newsletters or community events, marketing creates opportunities for businesses to engage with their customer base constantly.

Increase Sales
Let’s not forget the bottom line of all business is sales. Marketing is the fuel that helps drive those sales. For small businesses, strategic marketing efforts can mean the difference between a trickle of income and a steady flow. It’s about putting your products or services in the spotlight, showcasing their benefits and encouraging people to take action.

9 Types of Marketing Strategies To Grow Business
There are several ways to crack a nut and the same can be said for marketing. Businesses that are successful in marketing combine classic strategies, such as event promotions, paid ads and direct mail with modern approaches, such as content marketing, social media engagement and email outreach. Here are seven proven strategies that you can incorporate into your business’s marketing plan today.

1. Email Marketing
Email marketing helps businesses to communicate directly to consumers right in their inboxes. The method is both cost-effective and highly personalized. Businesses can segment their email list to tailor messages to specific segments of their audience. Through these targeted emails, small businesses can promote products, share news and build a community. Email marketing platforms also allow marketers to track and analyze the success of each email, which offers insights into your audience’s preferences.

2. Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing allows businesses to showcase their personality, share stories and connect with customers in real time. The vast reach of social media platforms means even the smallest business can amplify its voice, reaching new audiences and building a community around its brand. It is an ideal cost-effective strategy for small businesses looking to expand their presence.

3. Influencer Partnerships
Influencer partnerships are an effective means to amplify a brand’s reach and credibility. Industry influencers have a built-in audience and established authority that can be leveraged to open your brand up to new audiences. Sponsored posts, collaborative events and social media takeovers are the most popular partnership strategies.

4. Content Marketing
Content marketing is the creation of relevant, valuable content to attract, engage and retain a specific audience. Texts, images and videos can all be used to increase brand awareness, establish expertise in a specific area, foster strong connections with an audience and drive sales.

5. Podcasting
Podcasting is a new marketing tool that lets small businesses talk directly to their target audience. Brands can delve into industry-specific topics to showcase their knowledge and establish their authority. Podcasts can help nurture customer relationships by creating a personal connection with listeners. When done properly this in turn can help supplement a brand’s content strategy by driving increased website visits, lead generation and conversions.

6. Gamification
Gamification is a marketing strategy that mixes the engagement of gaming elements with traditional marketing campaigns. This can be done by using contests, challenges and reward systems to spark customer participation. This approach can range from loyalty programs that reward regular interaction with a brand to educational games that both inform and entertain. The inclusion of gamified elements, such as scavenger hunts or interactive quizzes can enhance user engagement in virtual events.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Personalization
AI is not just a fleeting trend. It is poised to become an increasingly advantageous marketing tool in the years ahead. AI collects user data on behaviors, preferences and interactions, then uses that data to personalize marketing campaigns. Companies can use AI-driven personalization across email campaigns, social media, website design and more to increase user engagement, boost conversions and foster customer loyalty.

8. Traditional Marketing
Traditional marketing encompasses a range of tactics including print advertisements, television commercials, radio commercials, direct mail and billboards. This form of marketing is known for its nontargeted reach. Despite the rise of digital channels, traditional marketing still holds significant value, especially in reaching local audiences.

9. Paid Ads
Businesses that use paid ads can cut through the noise and ensure that their message gets in front of the right eyes. These ads can be used across multiple channels, such as search engines, social media and traditional media, to offer a straightforward way to connect with a targeted audience. With tangible metrics—impressions, clicks, conversion rates and return on ad spend—marketers can monitor campaign performance closely and make adjustments as needed to optimize results.

Reference: Jennifer Simonson | Forbes

When a business is just starting out, many business owners focus solely on the aspect of solving a unique problem. This can cause them to miss out on the bigger picture and the importance of not just providing offerings but also communicating their values. Beyond setting the business apart from others on the market, values play a key role in the creation of a lasting brand that is immediately recognizable to customers and noncustomers alike.

Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members share steps a business owner can take to begin building a legacy for their brand that conveys the values they hold dear.

1. Know What You Stand For
Stand for something. You don’t need to be political or controversial but stand for something and don’t be afraid to show it. For example, my brand stands for inclusivity and positivity. Build a legacy by creating a community within your brand and giving it a positive culture. Harness the power of exceptional customer service by providing an experience with less automation and more personal touches. – Sarah Williams, Launch Your Box

2. Clearly Document Your Core Values
Define and document your core values clearly. Involve key stakeholders in identifying what your brand stands for and integrate these values into every aspect of your operations. Create a values-driven mission statement and communicate it consistently across all channels. Lead by example to embed these values into your company culture, laying the foundation for a lasting legacy. – Braden Yuill, Virtual Coworker

3. Instill Core Values In Employees
To build a lasting brand legacy, focus on instilling core values in your employees. Implement initiatives like value-aligned training and fostering a positive workplace culture. This approach enhances the brand’s reputation and creates a motivated, loyal workforce connected to the company’s mission. – Ryan Hutchins, Peak Business Valuation LLC

4. Integrate Core Value Into Company Culture And Operations
Integrate your values into your company culture and daily operations to build a legacy that conveys your values. As a co-founder in healthcare education, we sought to emphasize quality, accessibility, and student success in our training courses. We created scholarships for underserved communities, ensuring our commitment to education equity. This became the foundation of our brand’s legacy. – Shabnam Safarzadeh, Advanced eClinical, Externi

5. Align Culture With Business Strategy
Knitting culture into the business strategy can be a game-changer for business owners and the first step to creating a legacy. Values and culture embedded in the “way of doing business” will ensure the foundations for legacy as one navigates around the business trajectory. Alignment to this during the growth phase with increased investments for this purpose will only further strengthen the cause. – Venkat Rao, Pitney Bowes

6. Establish Baseline Metrics
It’s hard to maintain or change what you can’t measure, so it’s important to get a good baseline metric and link that metric to a value within the brand. That way, you’re able to stay true to a brand legacy and can rely on evidence to back that legacy up. – John F. McQuillan, Triumvirate Environmental, Inc.

7. Set Up A Shadow Board
One example of how we live our values is our shadow board. This group is made up of 10 employees, 32 or under, who participate in a “board-like” experience. They gain access to privileged materials, undertake projects and engage in mentoring relationships with senior leadership. In return, senior leaders receive fresh perspectives on board-level matters and the chance to learn from a different generation. – Ben Betts, Learning Pool

8. Leverage Social Media Channels As Journals
Use LinkedIn or other online channels as a public journal. Every day, we solve problems, come up with new ideas, face new challenges or have key wins or losses. Share them in a live, ongoing journal. Most importantly, have this mental model where you learn how to be shameless when it comes to business content, meaning you learn to put your ego aside and show your own personality. – Besnik Vrellaku, Salesflow.io

9. Be People-Centric
Attracting a team with similar values and diverse perspectives will ensure your brand builds a good reputation. By being people-centric, we ensure our products and services genuinely improve lives in the insurance industry and beyond. Emphasizing diversity and shared values not only enriches insights but also strengthens your brand’s innovation, which helps establish your brand’s legacy. – Garret Gray, CoreLogic

10. Create A ‘Beacon Brand’
Entrepreneurs aiming for legacy should look to build what I call a “beacon brand.” Such brands pioneer new markets, improve lives and inspire other companies to conduct business in new and better ways. This requires a long-term perspective, so avoid the pitfalls of short-term thinking that can undermine your legacy. Aim for high performance and giving back, as they’re not mutually exclusive. – Mike Keech, Liquid I.V. (a division of Unilever)

11. Focus On Bettering Your Community
You build a legacy by leaving the communities you work within better than they were before. This is a high-minded idea but putting it into practice is simple. Prioritize projects and initiatives based on whether it’s the right thing to do with no moral complications, it allows your brand to break new ground and it brings lasting value to your community and/or customers. – Patty Templeton-Jones, Wright Flood

12. Provide Valuable Offerings To Customers
The secret sauce of building products and businesses that bring long-term legacy is to build offerings that customers absolutely love and cannot do without. Once people fall in love with a business’s products or services, they will be with the company for life as the business owners build a legacy. We see this time and again with the large businesses we cannot live without. – Kris Pahuja, Piramidal

13. Build Long-Term Relationships
When you sell, you survive. When your employees sell, you grow. When your customers sell, you explode. If the customers of your business can connect, vouch and own your products, you are building a brand. Therefore, my approach to building a legacy is to build a legacy of customers. Once you have someone onboard, do all it takes to never let them go. – Akshal Agarwal, NatureNurture

14. Be Consistent
Consistency is key. There is a lot of pressure to collapse brand pillars because of outside interpretations. For a brand to even have a legacy, leaders need to stand for something and need to consistently show their audience that they practice what they preach. The best part is that consistency is free. – Kate Assaraf, Dip

15. Understand Your Values And Ethics
You’ve got to know yourself. Understanding your own values and ethics is a crucial aspect of creating an authentic brand, leading a team and building trust. When you are clear about your core values, you can infuse them into your business practices, decision-making processes and interactions with your team, partners and customers. – Natasha Cox, Avani Services

16. Develop A Culture Around Company Values
Create a company culture that values communication, respect and faith. Surround yourself with a hardworking, goal-oriented and competitive team who supports these values and reflects on them in the work they do. It’s something you must work on every day, every week and all year long. Staying true to your core values will help build the legacy you want to leave behind for those who come after you. – Ray Titus, United Franchise Group

17. Ensure The Entire Team Lives The Mission
Successful business owners live their mission every day. To convert it into a legacy, these also have to be adopted by team members who will evolve it further and bring new life into its practical visualization. To make that happen, choose and elevate members who believe in your mission but also have the courage to give it a fresh voice and share ideas with candor. – Teja Chekuri, Ironhill Brewery

18. Foster An Empowering Work Environment
Fostering an environment of empowerment enables your team to make timely, appropriate decisions. Equipping them with technology that provides real-time insights into business operations and customer opinions allows employees to make well-informed choices using their expertise. – Cory McNeley, UHY Consulting

19. Build A Foundation Of Strong Messaging
When working with business owners, we start by building out their messaging, which is the foundation for building out their public image. The messaging should be based on who they are and what they represent while also being aligned with their morals and values. By starting with this, leaders ensure their overall brand persona and future legacy is based on the values they hold dear. – Jenna Guarneri, JMG Public Relations

20. Embrace Your Vulnerabilities And True Self
In building your brand’s legacy, I encourage business owners to embrace their vulnerabilities and share their true selves. Their story, with all its ups and downs, can inspire others and create a strong emotional bond with audiences. This authenticity will not only differentiate a brand in a crowded marketplace but also ensure the values they hold dear are deeply embedded in their legacy. – Ellie Perlman, Blue Lake Capital LLC

Data serves as the lifeblood of most businesses today, and safeguarding its security is imperative. I believe this commitment is not merely an obligation to uphold ethical and legal standards; it also lies at the heart of preserving trust within the business-customer relationship.

According to PWC, 55% of business leaders today say that their clients trust them with more data than 24 months ago, but only 21% of those clients report an increase in trust, with another 28% reporting dropping trust levels. As the founder of a software company that manages customer data, security has always been top of mind for me. Robust security measures, like protecting physical, network and application components—and having a commitment to transparency and security policies—can instill that missing piece: the assurance customers need to trust your company with their sensitive data. As businesses increasingly invest in data integrity and security strategies, here are five areas of focus.

1. Securing The Foundation With SOC2 Accreditation
A well-known framework for organizational data protection and client privacy, Systems & Organization Control 2 (SOC2) certification is a barometer of good business hygiene and a step in establishing a high-quality data security framework. Once my company undertook securing our infrastructure under SOC2, I respected the process so much that I only sought out other vendors that were compliant under the certification. Companies that adhere to SOC2 undergo rigorous annual audits, ensuring their data security controls meet the highest standards possible. Upon successfully passing each audit, companies receive a certificate as a good housekeeping seal of approval, indicating that their security protocols are transparent and effective.

2. Data Encryption
Encryption is the backbone of data security. This comes in two key forms: data at rest and data in transit. Data at rest refers to information stored on servers or hard drives, while data in transit is transmitted over networks. Data encryption converts readable text, or “plaintext,” into unreadable text, also known as “ciphertext.” Only an individual with the correct encryption key can decipher encrypted data.

Adopting strong encryption standards like Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption can provide proper data security when dealing with data at rest. For scenarios that include transmitting data over networks, enforcing secure protocols like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) can help ensure the integrity and confidentiality of your data. It matters less which specific set of protocols your business follows and more that data encryption is a thoughtful defense mechanism deployed to protect and safeguard your customers’ sensitive information.

Additionally, I recommend providing support for two-factor authentication (2FA). This step adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive information.

3. Training And Best Practices
Data breaches or security incidents are often not solely the result of system vulnerabilities: They can occur due to critical errors made by well-intentioned individuals. In fact, a staggering 82% of security breaches are attributed to human error. That is why I believe it is crucial for companies to prioritize investments in comprehensive training programs for all employees. Regular training sessions and workshops can be pivotal in consolidating best practices and fostering a strong security culture—and awareness—within your organization.

Also, continually update and enhance your employees’ understanding of fundamental data security principles like having remote workers use a secure VPN to access the company network, creating unguessable passwords, and utilizing password managers to limit exposure to a single account and not a myriad of them. This ongoing commitment to training and awareness can help ensure data security for your valued customers.

4. Preparation And Honesty
There’s a widely recognized adage regarding data breaches: Companies should prepare for a breach—not questioning whether it will happen, but rather when. No matter how powerful your data security measures may be, breaches still happen, so have an incident response plan in place. With clear and established protocols for reporting and addressing security incidents, this proactive approach can help ensure a fast and effective response. I recommend including a swift disclosure to customers within three business days of a breach, along with an outline of the steps being taken to rectify the situation. Transparency in these moments is one of the best ways to maintain trust and allow customers to react effectively.

5. Smart Tools For Proactive Security​​
Embracing cutting-edge tools and technologies represents a potent strategy to fortify security measures. For example, use sophisticated network and computer scanning tools designed to proactively identify unusual activities, signaling potential security threats. It’s worth noting that these systems may occasionally trigger false alarms. In any instance, take swift action, such as quarantining laptops or devices until their legitimacy is verified.

Another example of a tool that offers convenience but also challenges is the USB drive. A good workplace solution doesn’t necessarily entail an outright ban of thumb drives; rather, it can involve educating employees about the potential risks associated with their use. Raising awareness can help your team become a proactive line of defense against vulnerabilities stemming from these innocuous devices.

The judicious adoption of effective security tools and technologies is important for avoiding potential threats. While false alarms may arise, quick and decisive responses can help maintain the integrity of your network.

Embracing Zero-Trust Networking:
The zero-trust networking model epitomizes a forward-thinking paradigm for data security. It embodies the fundamental principle that trust should not be granted by default to anyone, whether within or outside an organization, and access should be strictly confined. Information security transcends mere compliance; it represents a profound ethical and business imperative contingent upon a multifaceted approach that includes implementing layered data security measures.

These efforts are important for safeguarding the integrity of customers’ data and sustaining the trust they place in a businesses’ services. By adhering to these principles, we can ensure that data security remains a cornerstone of industry and that our customers’ confidence remains unwavering.

Reference: Anthony Smith, Forbes