7 Powerful Business Lessons From the 7 Kingdoms of Westeros

 Like the 7 Kingdoms of Westeros, the pharmacy landscape is, at best, a tumultuous environment where the little guys are at a seeming disadvantage, and the power-hungry folks on top make the rules.

With Game of Thrones season in full swing, we noticed some key strategic lessons in the series that apply to life and business. Indulge us for a moment as we bring you through some hard lessons in business, life, and pharmacy from our favorite Game of Thrones characters. This is relevant, we promise!

Lesson 1: Never Underestimate the Importance of Perseverance.

Sure, no one likes Cersei Lannister, but look at the lesson she imparts to us; unbridled determination and perseverance is a cornerstone of success.Those who don’t believe it should look at how independent pharmacies are still thriving despite PBMs, DIR fees, and mega chains. With the right knowledge, unwavering determination, and confidence in your convictions, a thriving, successful business is within your reach.

As a pharmacy owner, you can find out how to get that knowledge and develop the confidence in your decisions here.

Lesson 2: Don’t Let the Past Determine Your Future

Throughout his life, Jon Snow believed what people told him; there were limits in his life, and the faster he accepted it, the better. Well, look who’s King of the North now! Okay, okay, but our point is that in business (pharmacy or the business of ruling) you have to know when to disregard limitations, self-imposed or otherwise.

Driven by a clear vision, Snow is focused on getting the right tools, in this case, Dragon Glass to accomplish his mission. Others in his company lack perspective, leaving him to take the first steps into the unknown. An inspired vision for your pharmacy business isn’t enough; you need the right tools and team. Improvement and growth require thoughtful execution, so seek out the best in your industry and take a calculated risk; the benefits are worth it.

Lesson 3: An Educated Mind is Sharper than a Sword

Tyrion Lannister was not born equipped for success in the traditional Westerosi way, but he has ascended the figurative ladder considerably through on-going education. Continuously sharpening your mind, expanding your skills, and adding to your area of expertise ensures that you and your team never become obsolete.

Tyrion teaches us a powerful lesson about upward mobility through on-going development both personal and professional. Education doesn’t only apply to the leader. Training your team is key to achieving an efficient, results-driven culture. How do you know when to educate your team? These are the questions you should ask yourself as a leader who has a team in need of training.

Lesson 4: There is No Template for Success

Daenerys Targaryen started out as a character on the fringes, beholden to no one. At best, success was unlikely. At worst, if she failed, she’d be a footnote. Independent pharmacy owners, like Danaerys, have been pushed to the edges and all but forgotten in light of challenges such as chain stores and problematic PBMs.

Far from being marginalized, exceptional pharmacy owners, much like Daenerys have managed to maintain an unbreakable edge after enduring waves of inequity by finding strength in numbers. The most progressive pharmacy owners have started to discover their tribe and demonstrate the power to impact a brighter future.

Just like Khaleesi herself, independents across the nation have discovered a new way of thinking. Join the top 20% of them in February at the 2018 PDS Super-Conference. Grab your dragons and join your tribe in Orlando! Okay maybe leave your dragons at home (fire hazards and all). Find more info here.

Lesson 5: Start Where You are and Use What You GoT (we couldn’t help it).

As a lesser known, but pivotal, character, Lord Varys signifies the power of resilience and resourcefulness. He uses his little birds to make informed decisions on data points to advance in the game. It seems Varys has a thousand hands and ears, all able to measure, track and assess the current pulse of the environment and act accordingly.

Just like Lord Varys, PDS members use a vast and comprehensive system that analyzes existing data to discover a way to dramatically increase their profit per prescription. The PDS member exclusive system is called RxAnalytics. Curious? Find out more here.

Lesson 6: Watch, Observe, Act

In a time where most people shoot first and aim later, Littlefinger understands that there is power in patience. There are three elements to his formula for success; observe, assess, and then make an informed decision. Sustainability is built on timely and informed decisions. We can all take a cue from Littlefinger on playing the long game. His patience and leveraging of the right relationships keep him moving forward. Applying these characteristics to your business will do the same.

PDS has more than 1,000 member pharmacies, and many of them make up the top 20% in the industry. Coincidence? Not at all. These owners know that patience, key resources, and the right relationships will drive your success. Join the most successful pharmacy owners in the nation, ready to welcome you to the team. The PDS Super-Conference is where they’ll be. Will you join?

Lesson 7: You Can Be aVictim, or You Can Win

It’s fitting that we end with a character who has been beaten and down-trodden, which perfectly analogizes independent pharmacies against the unfair pharmacy environment.

Arya Stark chose to rise above the treatment she has endured to become the deadliest wolf in sheep’s clothing. Her lesson is simple and one we reiterate to our members: You have the choice on how you react to your circumstances. You can be part of the owners that succumb to the inequities in our industry or you can gain new skills and choose to be a fighter and triumph over your adversities.

You can be a victim, or you can be a victor. Which will you choose?

Join us to see what we’re all about at the 2018 PDS Super-Conference in Orlando Florida on February 22-24, 2018 at the Orlando Convention Center. If you are a pharmacy owner, manager, key employee or anyone in the industry concerned with the state of pharmacy, you must join us to discover the solution that the top 20% of the industry have already discovered. Own your future and don’t let the game beat you down. Click here or below to find out more.