Skip to main content

Going for an overkill!

Priya (name changed) was suffering from an ear ache post her flight. She normally does not suffer from ear ache during air journeys. On reaching home, she mentioned this to her mother. They decided to pay a visit to a doctor as it was an unusual complaint.

Then onwards an interesting story started. To cut a long story short, the emphasis was to go to the best doctor in the best hospital in the neighborhood.

They finally went to an ENT surgeon in a very reputed (5 star variety) hospital and came back with a great satisfaction. Doctor prescribed an antibiotic ear drop and a pain killer if required. Hospital charges were Rs 300 (US$ 5) for registration and Rs 600 (US$ 10) for specialist consultation and Rs 25 for medicines (antibiotic and pain killer). After 3 times usage of antibiotic drops she was all right and did not need any pain killers.

This raises a vital question in  my mind!

Why do consumers look for a specialist doctor when a normal GP would do the job at perhaps much lower cost? What is the psychological impact on Priya (and her mom) and doctor for apparently a small ailment.

Does it happen in other situations as well? I will ask my friend, a specialist doctor himself on this issue and post his perspective.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Are you ready?

Scaling up? How about doing it in a short time? How about when demand is much beyond your plans? How much is much? Let us look at how such enormous challenges have been met in a matter of a few weeks. India was found awefully incpacitated to meet the demand of masks, PPEs and sanitizers. Demand soared by 1000X (and perhaps even more). In a matter of under 8 weeks, we started manufacturing all three in reasonably required quantities. Adjacent skills were deployed. Licences granted at lightening speed. And by 12th week, we had more than enough capacity and stocks. So much that we are exporting all of the requirements to the needy across the world. And costs and prices have gone down by 3X if not more. Can you do a simulation of your business for such a scenario? How quickly can you pivot? It's an amazing case study of entire industry standing up to the challenge. #covidopportunities   #businessexpansion   #pivoting   #businessmaze

Niche opportunities in India

Niches are often overlooked as business opportunities. One such business that is well over 1000 cr but has only one large organised player with a market share south of even 5% in India. It's henna (or mehandi). Extensively used, largely by women, for skin and hair colouring, naturally and safely. Been in use for centuries in Indian Sub Continent, Middle East and North Africa. Finds a reference in ancient scriptures and Bible. A highly fragmented market with largest part being unorganised. A huge value addition comes from 'designers' applying the same on hands and feet. It has a huge cultural (many say religious as well) impact so much so that a marriage ritual has become a stand alone function called 'mehandi'. The colour comes from the leaves, younger the leaf, richer the colour. And Rajasthan, especially the districts of Jodhpur and Pali make up for almost two thirds of India's production. Hub of activity is in Sojat in district Pali. It's a small tree wi...

377 and more

News on 377 has created not only a huge amount of interest in a large number of people but thankfully has also generated a huge amount of humour. Post Bush and tired of Santa/Banta this is a good relief. Meetings burst into laughter when similarities are made with same gender sex for business situations. Are we finally accepting this socially? At least in some sections of society that is becoming larger day by day.