Question

You are the president of a hundred-bed private hospital that has a public relations person and a development officer but no marketer. Do you need a marketer? How would this person's role differ from the other? Make an argument pro and con for hiring a marketer. .

Answer 1

Yes, a marketer is needed for a private hospital and below is how the role differs from that of public relations officer or development officer -

Marketer creates awareness about the hospital and its facilities to the public whereas a public relations officer ensures goodwill of the hospital and a development officer works towards development of the hospital through adding new facilities, recruiting physicians etc.

Below are the pros and cons of hiring a marketer -

Pros include - advertising and creation of awareness of the hospital and its facilities, increase in the patient visits to the hospital by highlighting the testimonials etc.

Cons include - Possibility of hospital being viewed as a commericial business rather than a cause related entity.