Stay ahead of the game in healthcare catering

Know your competition

Stay ahead of the game in healthcare catering – or any role is important these days and knowing your competition and how to stay one step in front is an important factor in making sure you don’t become dispensable. In the day and age of automation and things being mass-produced, some of our roles are easily left behind or replaced.

What can we do to stay ahead of the game in healthcare catering?

So what can we do to stay ahead of the game in healthcare catering? What is our best offence and strongest defence when it comes to knowing the needs of our customers while keeping our competitors at bay?

• Know your competition: Seems simple enough, but if you don’t know what they’re selling, where they are strong and how their products or services are different; you will be at a disadvantage. You can be sure that your competitors know who you are and are looking to expose any weaknesses to get into your customers.
• Know your customers: You have to know what your customers expect from you and what their needs are. As their values and budgets change. You must find out what is most important to them when it comes to customer service. Have they gotten used to the online service model? Are they looking for the best price or locally made products? Are they more flexible in terms of delivery times and invoicing? The little things can make a big difference.
• Form partnerships: Again, this is about learning the needs of your customers and identifying ways that you can help them with their business needs. The right partner can add complementary products and services that strengthen your value to your customers. In addition, forming partnerships with complementary product and service providers will open up new opportunities that may not have come to you otherwise.

Going forward

Catering roles within healthcare can be in many variants. Kitchen staff at a hospital, chefs in care homes, and nursing home cooks are all integral to the smooth running of healthcare services. The link between good nutrition and healthcare has been proven time and time again. Eating quality, delicious food is proven to aid recovery. This is even more important for those patients with special dietary requirements.

It is crucial to remain up to date with practices, new rules and regulations and what the competition is doing. Keeping an eye on other catering businesses or providers can ensure you are aware of current trends and any changes in the sector. To find out what we at Cucumber Catering are doing to stay ahead of the game in healthcare catering, contact us today.