How Building Design and Operating Hours can Impact Profitability

Facilities that function efficiently, operating at peak capacity at peak demand times, can raise your bottom line.

Stough has made a decades-long study of the building design that works best for plasma collection. A center laid out for operational effectiveness, fully-staffed at the right times, is our recipe for high productivity.

Making the donor experience as pleasant as possible, including weather-protected spaces to smoke while waiting, can improve your appeal and profitability.

1. Thoughtful design that prioritizes efficiency, safety and the donor experience

Efficiency

  • A well-designed layout—with strategically-placed donation beds, medical equipment and workstations—reduces the distance staff and donors need to travel within the center. This speeds up processes, allowing more donor turnover per day.
  • Efficient storage reduces clutter and facilitates easy access to supplies, minimizing downtime and improving workflow.
  • Efficient logistics planning, including loading docks and storage areas, ensures smooth supply chain operations, preventing delays in services.

Energy Efficiency

  • Energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems cut utility costs, increasing profitability in the long run. Natural light reduces energy usage, and creates a more pleasing environment for staff and donors.
  • Some local municipalities are offering cash rebates for energy-efficient lighting, HVAC and overall green building design.

Safety

  • Proper ventilation, sanitation facilities and overall cleanliness are critical. Meeting health and safety standards ensures compliance, while building donor trust.
  • Well-marked emergency exits and strategically-placed medical equipment contribute to compliance and reduce the risk of accidents.

Donor Experience

  • A visually-appealing and well-maintained center enhances your brand image, potentially attracting more donors and aiding your reputation in the community.
  • Clear and attractive signage improves the center’s visibility, making it easier for potential donors to find you.
  • Sufficient, well-lit parking and easy accessibility enhance convenience, encouraging more visits.
  • Pleasant waiting areas with comfortable seating, entertainment options and refreshments can improve the donor experience, along with outdoor spaces (not in front of the building) protected from weather where donors and staff can smoke.
  • Proper privacy during interviews and medical screenings can enhance donors’ sense of security.
  • Properly timed appointments can prevent overcrowding, ensuring a smooth and efficient donation process.
  • Clearly-defined areas for registration, donation and post-donation care prevent congestion and confusion, streamlining the donor journey.

Flexibility

  • A building designed for easy expansion or modification allows you to adapt to changing demands without significant reconstruction costs or downtime.
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Staying open beyond traditional business hours can help you accommodate donors who work unconventional hours or have other time constraints.

2. Going beyond the hours needed to cover costs

Your rent, utilities, supplies and staff are fixed costs, and it takes a certain number of hours per week to meet these costs. The hours you stay open beyond this number are the most profitable, particularly if they are times of potential high donor traffic.

The more hours you are open, the more donors you can accommodate—including those who work unconventional hours or have other time constraints. Operating during times when donors are less rushed can create a positive atmosphere, leading to a better donor experience.

Providing convenient hours can also encourage donors to establish a regular donation routine, contributing to a stable donor base.

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3. Having the right staff on site at the right time

  • Analyze donor traffic patterns to schedule an adequate number of staff during busy times, ensuring prompt service and short wait times. This same analysis can ensure you are not overstaffing during slow hours.
  • Knowing when you will be most busy can also help allocate resources such as medical supplies, refreshments and administrative support to match demand.
  • Consistent, well-planned operating hours can lead to a better work-life balance for staff, reducing burnout and increasing overall productivity.
  • Operating hours can be adjusted to schedule administrative tasks, staff training and maintenance activities during periods of low donor activity.

Dynamic pricing (paying higher rates at slower times) can help increase donor traffic during slack hours. By spreading out the donor flow evenly throughout the day, wait times can be reduced, enhancing donor satisfaction and encouraging repeat visits.

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At least every quarter, analyze your donor traffic patterns to see if you need to change operating hours or payout rates.

4. Being adaptable

Being flexible with operating times allows you to respond to changing demand and donor preferences promptly.

Regularly analyzing donor patterns and adjusting operating hours accordingly can help the center stay competitive in the market.

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YOUR BUILDING, AND WHEN IT IS OPEN, CAN HAVE A SURPRICING IMPACT ON PRODUCTIVITY. STOUGH CAN HELP YOU DESIGN AND BUILD FOR SUCCESS, AND FINE-TUNE THE BEST OPERATING HOURS FOR YOUR MARKET.

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To streamline delivery and control costs, we take a prototype approach when possible, engage local civil engineering consultants for each project, and establish a working relationship with the local governing authority.