Summer reflection

It’s a funny time of year – the dust has settled on the Quality Payment Scheme submissions at the end of April, the outcome of the judicial review is known and contractors are reflecting on the impact of the funding cuts. Despite the summer weather and long days, there’s a somber mood across the Country – post-election uncertainty, Brexit negotiations begin and we’re all shocked and saddened by recent tragic events in Manchester and London.

The summer months are time to reflect – perhaps there is less of the ‘administration’ going on, fewer training meetings and people off on holiday. The core dispensing business and service provision has to continue of course, but whether it’s in a quieter time at work (yeah?!) or when on your summer vacation, now is the time to look ‘on your business’ and consider what you have achieved year to date, and what you want to deliver by year end.

September and the flu season will be upon us before long, winter preparation and the next QPS deadline on 24 November. Now is the time to prepare and plan.

We live in a VUCA world – a military term used in business to describe the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous times we live. This has never felt truer. The leadership at both personal and organisational level required in these uncertain times needs to be determined, focussed whilst flexible and empowering. It is critical to engage and develop our teams to be responsive to our customers giving them an outstanding experience so have a look at your team, how they are performing and what you could do differently to involve them more.

Set some time aside with your team, away from the pharmacy and busy operations and talk about the Autumn – what do you want to achieve, why it is important to you all and how you will deliver.

Then take some well earned time off to recharge your batteries!