Front-Shop Magazine

Editors Note – “New look, fresh approach.”

In keeping with changing times and trends, we’ve decided to give Front Shop a brand new look. Trust you will enjoy the new lay-out and modern design. Please drop me a line with comments or ideas:isabel@frontshop.co.za.

Handling confrontation
Anyone working for a company or dealing with the public will occasionally face explosive situations. Managing these situations requires a great deal of skill, not only to defuse the situation, but also to ensure that all the involved parties leave with their feelings, integrity and honour intact. Usually due to stress and fatigue, these sensitive events seem to happen more often towards the end of the year.

Here are four principles that I hope will help you cope:
a) Don’t voice your frustrations to others – rather speak directly to those who have offended you. Confrontation should be done directly and privately and
conducted firmly, but graciously
b) Provide specific facts and stay away from generalisations, in other words use clear examples, without getting emotional. Never confront a person while you
are still angry
c) Inform the other person how you would like them to act – simply identify the problem and calmly suggest ways in which it can be corrected
d) Approach the other person with genuine motives and concern. The aim is to confront, not accuse. Remember that anybody can make mistakes and often people might not even be aware that they have upset you. I hope that these principles will prevent many unnecessary arguments in your pharmacies and enable you to ensure that all your customers leave the pharmacy satisfied and happy.

Regular computer usage has resulted in more and more people visiting the pharmacy to acquire reading glasses. It is also an underlying cause for poor eye health and related health problems. The eye health article on page 6 contains important keys in preventing computer eyestrain.

Feminine hygiene relates to the care of those parts of the female body concerned with reproduction. The reproductive system, like any other part of the anatomy, will function well if the body has adequate nutrition, exercise, rest and elimination. It is important to recognise that concepts of feminine hygiene vary greatly between different cultures. Pharmacy assistants need to be familiar with the different cultural practices, as well as good female health principles – see page 12.

We live and work in a stressful environment and the result of stress on health has been well documented. The article on stress relief in the workplace on page 20 contains important techniques in the management of stress. Other symptoms often seen in the workplace are muscle pain and stiffness (page 24), as well as depression (page 26).

Healthy reading and remember the top achievers, as well as the winner of the Front Shop Pharmacy Assistant of the year, will be published in our December
edition of Front Shop.

Warm wishes