Blog
Dental Practice Management: Invest in the Future by Developing Your Team
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
I have written many times in this space that one key ingredient of a profitable, stable dental practice is developing a strong, effective team. When you combine a well-trained team with systems that have been tested and refined, the results are almost always positive. The net result is more profit for the practice and more time for you, the dentist, to spend doing what you …
Dental Practice Management: Are You Providing Effective Feedback to Your Team?
Monday, February 18th, 2013
One of the key factors that separates top-performing, highly profitable dental practices from others that are struggling to get by is team performance. Dentists sometimes react with surprise when I say this—because many dentists view their staff as something of an afterthought. The dentist is the “superstar” of course, and other factors like marketing strategy have a key role to play—or so the thinking goes.
Now, …
Dental Practice Management: Don’t Lose Enthusiasm for 2013
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
Each January, across the country, gyms and health clubs become very, very crowded.
It happens like clockwork, usually starting within the first day or two of January. Then, after a week or two, the crowds slowly start to thin out. Within a month, gyms are more or less back to their pre-January usage levels.
Why is this?
Simple: New Year’s resolutions. In December, as individuals and families plan …
Four New Year’s Resolutions to Make 2013 Your Practice’s Best Year Yet
Friday, December 14th, 2012
The New Year is right around the corner—and the dawning of a New Year is always exciting. It’s an opportunity to turn over a new leaf and to accomplish big things. More than anything else, the New Year represents opportunity and potential. As a dentist, the dawning of the New Year represents a fresh opportunity to take your practice to a new level. Below are …
Five Signs That Your Systems May Need an Overhaul
Wednesday, November 21st, 2012
We have been talking about systems quite a bit lately. This is no accident—I believe that effective and efficient systems are critical components to healthy, profitable practices. But today we’re going to change it up just a bit, and instead of diving into the nitty-gritty of creating systems, we’re going to look at warning signs that your systems may need to be overhauled.
Five signs that …
Time Off is Essential for Your Sanity and the Profitability of Your Practice… and Systems Can Help
Friday, October 19th, 2012
Here’s some advice you may not be expecting to hear: stop spending so much time at work!
If you’re like many dentists I’ve known and worked with, you feel a need to be physically present at your practice from open to close each day of the work week. And while that dedication and work ethic is certainly a good thing, the truth is that working too …
Dental Practice Management: Create a System and Eliminate Stress
Friday, September 21st, 2012
Running a dental practice is many things: challenging, demanding, rewarding… and stressful. But what if I told you that you could dramatically reduce the stress you experience on a daily basis simply by changing the way you approach managing your practice? Well, you can. What’s the secret? One word: systems. Creating and implementing systems for managing your practice removes uncertainty, inefficiency, and ultimately stress. Systems …
Dental Practice Management: Four Steps to Efficient Systems
Thursday, July 26th, 2012
I have talked at great length about the importance of creating systems to ensure that your practice functions efficiently, freeing you up to spend your time with patients and performing high-level strategic functions. Of course, creating systems that function efficiently, time after time, can be a challenge. The truth is that no matter how talented and well-trained your team may be, they are still human—and …
Get the Most From Your Team: Three Motivation Tips
Thursday, July 19th, 2012
The biggest difference between an efficient, highly profitable practice and a less successful one may not be what you think. It’s not location. It’s not their marketing strategy. It’s not the reputation of the dentist. Don’t get me wrong—each of these factors is very important. But most of the time, it is the effectiveness of the team that determines how effective and profitable a practice …
Our Economy is a Roller Coaster: Are You Paying Attention?
Friday, June 22nd, 2012
Just like any other small business owner, as a dentist the profitability of your practice is impacted by the state of the economy.
That’s not to say that your practice can’t be profitable in a poor economy—it can be. And it’s important to understand that it is your local economy that matters, not the state of the economy in general.
One of your jobs, as the leader …
Dental Practice Management Secrets: How to Create a World-Class Team
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Why do some dental practices succeed while others fail? Why do some dentists have to work long hours each week just to pay the bills… while others enjoy short workdays and long vacations, and still net a higher income than most of their peers?
It would be an oversimplification to suggest that there is any single factor. From savvy marketing to physical office location, there are …
Make 2012 Your Most Profitable Year Ever
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
It’s that time of year again—2011 is all but over, and all eyes are turning to 2012. Take some time right now to evaluate the performance of your practice over the past year. Did you meet your profitability goals? Did you provide excellent service to your patients? Has your staff continued to grow and mature as your practice develops?
Of course, I hope that you can …
Eliminate Inefficiency: Create Systems to Keep Your Staff on Track
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
One of the greatest challenges you will face as you attempt to maximize the profitability of your dental practice is maximizing efficiency, for both yourself and your team. The need for efficiency is obvious—you and your staff have a finite number of hours to commit to your practice each week, and the more work that can be accomplished, the more income you can generate.
Many dentists …
Stop Throwing Money Away: How to Ensure That Your Staff Earns Their Paycheck
Friday, October 21st, 2011
As a dentist, you face a fundamental challenge shared by business owners across the country. Namely, how can you make your employees care as much as you do? The reality is quite simple: you own your business. Your employees, even if they like their job, are working for a paycheck. Their goals aren’t in perfect alignment with your goals. For you, a new patient is …
Leading Effectively: Getting the Most from Your Team
Friday, October 7th, 2011
As a dentist or a practice manager, one of your primary jobs is to utilize your team efficiently. Of course, this is easier said than done. Below are several tips and strategies to keep in mind as you seek to mold your employees into a cohesive, effective, and efficient team:
1) Clearly define roles and responsibilities. Many business owners, whether in the dental profession or elsewhere, …
Systemize Your Practice: Where to Begin
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
Systemizing your practice is the key to achieving the freedom you desire. Systemizing your practice will allow you to spend less time at work. It will enable you to focus on growing your business and treating patients, instead of the countless mundane details that bog down many dentists. Are you ready to systemize your practice? Here’s where to begin:
1) First, make a list of the …
Dental Practice Management: Are You Leading Effectively?
Friday, July 29th, 2011
The phrase “effective leadership” has become a bit of a cliché lately. Many dentists and practice managers know intuitively that they need to be “better leaders,” whatever that means in practice. But I am here to tell you that becoming an effective leader will have a tangible, practical impact on your practice—not to mention your quality of life! Why? Because a strong leader creates efficient …
Secrets your Staff Doesn’t Want You to Know
Sunday, August 15th, 2010
The biggest “one thing” that I have found driving practices of all sizes is the staff. The staff is the all important middle man between the patient and the doctor. They are the buffer zone. They are the point of contact with the patient. And, furthermore, they are the “one thing” that can make or break a practice.
Think about it. If the doctor is a …
Dentalology Event Update – 6 weeks away!
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Tough night for Peyton tonight. Watching the game got me to thinking of the first time I mey Peyton at an American Values Forum in Tennessee after his disappointing first season in Indianapolis. His Dad was one of my favorite players as a kid, even though his prime had passed. I met Archie and Peyton that night and they had plenty to say about what …
WOW! Who knew Will Smith was this cool?
Monday, January 18th, 2010
I’m glad someone on YouTube put that together.
Monday, December 14th, 2009
I love being a dentist, that’s not the point. Just like everybody else these days, I have too many people and projects pulling on me. I have always felt like if I were going to do something, anything, I should give it my very best effort. What things deserve my very best effort? My dental office, my family, my faith? When those things are taken care of, hobbies, FUN? What young professional or any professional has enough time?
One thing I noticed at my recent 10 year reunion, WE ALL WORK TOO MUCH!
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Are You an Effective Dentist or and Efficient Dentist?
I have always admired speakers and consultants who dare to share their ideas and systems in the public forum and open themselves up to criticism in the process. Having your ideas sized up and critiqued by your peers is not a fun task. I remember when I wrote my 2nd article ever about a particular bonus system …
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
This is going to be THE book that young and old dentists use to ignite a fire under their practices. Just getting all these names under the same roof is amazing in and of itself.
The book is called The Ultimate Secret of Success: Not Just For Dentists and that’s just what it is. The very best ideas from today’s best and brightest. …
Capacity College : Mission Statement
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
Do you remember the movie Jerry Maguire? The main character, played by Tom Cruise has a late night come to Jesus moment about his chosen profession. He stays up throughout the evening at a big conference where all his contemporaries are in attendance. He writes a brilliant letter about the current state of sports agency and the future path they must take. He takes a tremendous chance by doing this, because his idea of a better future involves less money for his company. He rushes a printing of the letter and makes certain that all the attendees get a copy before they check out the next day. At some point he realizes that the controversial stance he has taken will likely be frowned upon by his company and put his job in jeopardy. As people continually congratulate him on his great “memo,” he says, “It was just a mission statement.” I guess he hoped that would soften the consequences a bit. Well, after I ask one question, here is my “mission statement” for the future of my profession.
What if you woke up tomorrow and your practice and real estate weren’t worth a dime?
