Just read an interesting article in Fast Company Magazine, The Telltale Brown M&M. Van Halen’s lead singer was known for asking for a bowl of M&M’s backstage during his concerts, his request was that the bowl not have ANY brown M&M’s. This clause was clearly stated in the middle of the contract each performance venue signed. Many people assumed that David Lee Roth was just a diva for not wanting brown M&M’s. How he really used the Brown M&M clause was to check to see if they actually read the entire contract. If he found a brown M&M in his bowl, he would force the venue to do an entire check of the set for technical errors. This was his canary in a coal mine, it was how he could be assured that the stagehands were paying attention. Most dentists do not have the time or energy to do a complete check of every facet of their practice. What are your brown M&M’s, what is your check that things are going well?
Blog
New Book to Read
Most of us recognize that we have a tendency to look for the bad news, the problems. The new book, Switch: How to change when change is hard, explores finding a road map for taking action. They illustrate how our capacity for analysis is endless, that successes can look like warning signs to our problem-solving brains. The authors teach us that we must look for the bright spots even when all we think we see is failure, and use that to create hope. I personally really believe that if all you see is problems that is all you will get in life. I have seen it over and over again with clients. Focus on the negative and it will come to you. On the other hand, believe that you are making progress, how ever small, and you will continue to move forward. As a practice leader you can showcase what is working rather than focusing on all the problems and give your team courage and hope to continue to do the difficult things. The book has a good message, I encourage you to read it.
The Death of the Federal Estate Tax | LegalZoom
Thought you might be interested in this article.
6 Easy Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Blog and One Not So Easy – Marketing & Sales – Biznik
This is a good article – how many of you are blogging regularly about the things PATIENTS want to know about? Blogs are an important means to introducing prospective patients to what your practice is about, it is another way to let them test the waters without having to open their mouth to you. Think of it as an introduction to you and your team and a platform for the common interests you share (of course, leaving out sex, politics and religion 🙂 ).
6 Easy Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Blog and One Not So Easy – Marketing & Sales – Biznik
Adding Value for Your Patients
As the new year has begun many of our clients are questioning their normal annual fee increase. It is important to look at how price ties to the value and satisfaction you are giving your patients. We have long felt strongly about sharply discounting fees to close a patient on necessary or elective treatment. A practice must focus on both their productivity and the expenses or cost of delivering treatment, to know if they can reduce a fee for a patient. Continue reading “Adding Value for Your Patients”
10 Tips from Training Camp
10 Tips from Training Camp by Jon Gordon
1. THE BEST KNOW WHAT THEY WANT
“I think a lot of people spend their life being average or good at something, but they don’t strive to be great. The best of the best not only know what they want, but they want it more.”
“I think a lot of people spend their life being average or good at something, but they don’t strive to be great. The best of the best not only know what they want, but they want it more.”
2. THE BEST WANT IT MORE
“We cannot measure desire in terms of merely thought and wishes. The best not only do the things that others won’t do and invest the time others won’t invest, but they do so with passion and intent to get better. The best are never satisfied with where they are.” Continue reading “10 Tips from Training Camp”
“We cannot measure desire in terms of merely thought and wishes. The best not only do the things that others won’t do and invest the time others won’t invest, but they do so with passion and intent to get better. The best are never satisfied with where they are.” Continue reading “10 Tips from Training Camp”
Work Together to get Free Publicity
One of the best ways to attract new patients, and to remind patients of your practice (especially those who might not have been in for awhile), is for the Doctor to be included in and submit articles to local newspapers, magazines, local or cable TV and radio stations. These opportunities to increase visibility highlight the practice’s expertise and makes the practice more credible in the eyes of the public. To tap into the media, make your Doctor a familiar, reliable and available “expert” resource to your local writers and editors. Continue reading “Work Together to get Free Publicity”
Is your website listed with these local directories?
Here are 10 FREE local business directories that you should submit your website to in order to increase your online visibility and encourage new patients to try your practice. Continue reading “Is your website listed with these local directories?”
Online Reputation Management
Do you know what your patients are saying about your dental practice online? How about ex-employees or your competitors? Who is singing your praises or who is running your name through the mud? Either way, you want to be aware of it. Continue reading “Online Reputation Management”
Become your Team’s Dream Manager
We have all heard the saying “A practice’s greatest asset is its people”. We propose for 2010 that you understand your team from the perspective of their dreams. What are they hoping and saving for? Team members lose focus and disengage from their jobs when they do not see how their job connects to the things they have a passion for or contributes to their goals. Reignite the enthusiasm of those you lead by understanding their dreams. Whether it is to save for a down payment for a house, pay for their son’s travel hockey team membership, plan for a special vacation, or get out of debt, by understanding each team member’s individual personal goals and helping them plan to achieve the goals, you create a bond to your team member and a compelling reason for their work in your practice.
What will your first step be toward understanding their dreams and participating as a dream manager in your practice?
