Honor Box Chiropractic
It was one month after the 9/11 tragedy. I could not sleep. I sat at my dining room table reviewing stats, financial projections, and adjusted budgets. My mind was consumed with an idea that had grown huge over the past couple weeks, and that night, I found myself reviewing the total implications of adopting this new style of running my practice.
In some respects the idea was crazy. From a pure business perspective it was foolish, maybe suicidal. However, the idealistic side of me knew that this approach to health care was the most congruent with everything I believed about healing, my responsibility as a doctor, and what it means to provide the best care to my patients.
So after pondering the matter deep into the night, I prayed and as dawn broke I finally felt a quiet confirmation in my mind and heart that I should take this leap of faith.
The next day, Hawaii's first Honor Box was born.
The Honor Box System is a simple way to overcome all financial obstacles that may prevent a patient from receiving the full benefits of chiropractic care. All Hawaiian Pacific Chiropractic patients have the right to set their own fee after the first visit. The standard adjustment fee is $40. However, all patients must privately examine their own financial situation and if paying $40 for their adjustment is affordable or if one of the pre-payment programs is within their budget, then this is what should be paid. However, as it is with many individuals and families in Hawaii during these challenging times, if the standard fee is too expensive and my pre-payment programs cannot fit into their budget, for whatever reason, all patients may pay a lesser fee using the Honor Box. The Honor Box fee is decided by the patient at whatever amount which he or she determines to be the most honest, reasonable, and affordable amount that gets as close to the $40 standard as possible. Honor Box payments are made anonymously. We do not track, record or monitor what gets paid into the Honor Box.
The Honor Box has now been up and running for over seven years. On some nights, I'll count up the money at the end of a long day and be totally discouraged (and a little panicky) at the meager amount within. At other times, I will open the Honor Box and be overwhelmed with gratitude for an unexpected windfall.
The Honor Box has transformed my perspective on business for the better. By giving up all control on that which I can receive, all I am left with is a concern for that which I can give.
I realize for most small businesses, the Honor Box concept would not fly. However, the spirit of the Honor Box can. Always! As we provide our services and goods to our customers, let us do so with a pure heart of kindness, giving, and thankfulness. Eliminating the tendency to compute profits in our heads during the transaction. Eliminating the fear of not making enough and the greed of wanting more.
Let's look beyond the cash. See our businesses more than just income-generators!
