Marketing Mavens

There's a saying in public health that when it works best, public health is invisible — the injury that didn't occur, the illness you didn't get.

While this adage may be true, there is a downside. As a Board of Health member in my town campaigning for re-election, I've recently faced an unexpected challenge communicating to my fellow community members what the board does and how our work affects them.

Studies say most New Year’s resolutions are null and void by March. So let’s call ‘em reminders instead, and before January 31 rolls around, pull out your planner or PDA and enter the following reminders month by month.

In December I'll be celebrating my 20th year living in the United States. I still have vivid memories of my long journey from Singapore to Minneapolis. The country I left behind was known then for its inexpensive labor in the electronics and garment industries. Today, the world's focus is back on Singapore, as it has successfully morphed itself into a global hub for the biotech industry.

I was recently treated to an unexpected hospitalization. Not exactly a fun weekend, but one with a silver lining. I had a chance to meet many of the healthcare professionals to whom I market products for my clients — nurses, physicians, specialists, phlebotomists, technicians. Being a total marketing geek, I took the opportunity to ask some questions about communications, consider their interactions with patients and generally observe these customers in their natural habitat. Here are some of my observations (oh, and by the way, I’m quite well now):