Practice Planning

I’m a big believer in planning with the result that we have written objectives with measurables.  I will be facilitating an Annual Goal Planning Meeting for one of my clients this coming week.  Any ideas you have to share with me that have made your meetings energized; productive; fun; and relevant?  Please click on the comment link below and share your brilliance.

October 17, 2009 | Filed Under Dental Practice Management | Leave a Comment 

Short Notice Cancellations & Failed Appointments

Working with my dental clients I request they ue a “Dashboard” to track their numbers.  Things that don’t get measured don’t get done.  It is a tool to identify areas to focus as well as areas to celebrate. 

I want to create a dialogue on this Blog about the cost of Failed Appointments and Short Notice Cancellations.  One of my clients missed his monthly production goal by $9,000 and has all kinds of reasons why…most notibly the “economy.”  When I was analyzing his Dashboard we discoverd he lost over $22,000 in this same month to FA’s and short notice cancellations.

This is happening in dental offices all over the country.  While the number may not be 22k it may be more or less…….yet, it has the possibility to bankrupt a practice.  For those offices who do not track I often hear, “oh, our FA’s and short notice cancellations aren’t too bad.”  I suggest….count them and then multiply the time LOST forever against your hourly production and you may be astonished.

What are you doing in your office or business to reduce or deal with Failed Appointments and short notice cancellations?  Click on comment below and let’s read of your ideas………….

October 15, 2009 | Filed Under Dental Practice Management | Leave a Comment 

Dental Students

It was “refreshing” and fun to share an everning of “dialogue” with a small group of energized dental students at the Case School of Dental Medicine.  These young people are so eager to learn techinques on how to handle the “real world” when they enter their own practice life.  I love my time with these enthusiastic dental doctors.  And if any of them are reading this I would welcome your comments.

October 14, 2009 | Filed Under Dental Practice Management | 5 Comments 

Dental Students want to know what?

Later this afternoon I am speaking to 30 “very interested in their future” dental students at the Case College of Dentistry.  They are different from the norm.  They are the ones who want to prepare themselves for the “real world” when they graduate.  They are taking the “extra” time to learn and ask questions.  If YOU were speaking to a group of young people on the presipus of their career, what would you want to discuss with them?  I welcome your comments…..Coach RonP2110091

October 13, 2009 | Filed Under Dental Practice Management | 3 Comments 

Dental Practice and Tanning Salons

I coach my clients to be distinctive; to be different from others; to set themselved apart from the norm.  I also coach them that it does not require wildly expensive; time-consuming; and difficult projects or initiatives.  Rather, make it simple; personal; and “connect” with your customer/patient.

Case in point:  I asked my wife what she wanted for her Birthday (I finally gave up on the “nighties” and slinky outfits that she never wears or buying things that are the wrong size…I know you get the drift) and she told me.  One of the items on her list was a series of tans to use in the winter to prepare her for our vacations.  I went to the place we have gone to for the past several years Xtreme Tan.  Over the past year the new owners, Charlene Scavnicky and her husband purchased the business from a previous owner.  BIG DIFFERENCE.  They smile when you walk in the door and immediately engage you in conversation that results in lots of laughter. The facility is “spotlessly” clean.  Their products are intriguingly arranged in a way that invites purchasing questions.  Charlene asks questions to learn about “me”.  The tanning beds really tan and in a short time so I suspect the bulbs and the mechanics are routinely maintained.  Just the ambiance of the place is inviting, bright, and fun.

When I was purchasing the gift package of tans I explained to Charlene that this is a birthday gift to my wife and I was getting EXACTLY what she wanted.  Much to my amazement, Charlene smiled and said: ” awwwh, your wife is so nice, please allow me to ADD an additonal tanning session as my gift…and no charge of course.”  On the surface, no big deal.  After I thought of how masterfully Charlene delivered this gift and did it from the heart, I realized this is a BIG deal.  She touched not only my heart, but my wife’s as well.

So what does this have to do with our dental practices?  A LOT!  Rather than discount fees, what can you add as a PREMIUM?  Just like Charlene, she delivered exceptional customer care with the ambiance of her facility and then went the extra mile to add value to the experience. 

  • What can you add to the experience in taking care of your patients? 
  • What needs to be done to upgrade the “welcoming factor” to your practice? 
  • What can you do to get your patients to write unsolicited testimonials like this one about your dental practice and team. 
  • Why not take the time with your team to ask these questions to discover if there is room to enhance your customer relationships.

If you want to fly to North Ridgeville, Ohio to get treated like a V.I.P.  at Xtreme Tan or if you want to speak to this magical lady Charlene, you can call her at 440-353-0123.

October 8, 2009 | Filed Under Dental Practice Management | Leave a Comment