Cliff's Notes

Time, Technology, Money … 2018(Not Necessarily in That Order)

Many of my clients know my feelings about getting up in the morning. We all get up for one of three reasons, fortune, glory, or the betterment of humanity. Well, it all starts with fortune. Unfortunately there is another saying “it takes money to make money” and that is what prevents most people from trying to reach out and grab the gold ring.

Reaching Out for the Gold Ring … Developing a business plan and trusting yourself with the implementation and the financial investment required is the hardest part. Most of us don’t have the ability to do it all so the investment in a quality team is the first thing to be addressed. Another old saying is “pay peanuts, get monkeys” and that means you will pay more for quality. Most dental practices that have difficulty expanding don’t look at the business foundation and how well it is supported. Without the blocks to build on you will not be able to keep up with the changes over the next decade. The longer you wait to engage, the more expensive it will be. You need to factor in the “learning curve”.

The Learning Curve … It takes a certain amount of time to learn and master a technique or a software program. The new world of dentistry is all about the network and how diagnostic and business management systems integrate. Understanding and utilizing this integration is very important and that means quality in-office training and support.

Training and Support … Yes, it can be expensive but it is essential for your ROI. Unfortunately most dental offices do not realize that some technology integrates better with certain other technologies. Buying a digital radiography system that needs a software bridge to your practice management system creates another step for information to transfer. The Digital trainer may not be familiar with the bridge and that could be a week spot in your production chain. Popular brands usually work well together but a smooth implementation depends on quality training and continued support. Now you have come full circle and need the team to train.

The Team … You need to choose a team leader that could be in command with regard to procedure and protocol. Operational systems need to be maintained for a healthy work flow and maintaining consistency is hard. You can’t keep an eye on everything while you caring for your patients. Morning huddles and monthly team meetings are necessary to keep your team focused and involved.

Focused & Involved … “Involved” is the key word. Always keep your team involved with any changes you plan on making. Before you implement something new (i.e. an impression scanner or software) explain your plan to your team and ask their opinion. Your decision may have been already been made and the order placed, but by consulting (not informing) with your team you can address any fears and concerns that could derail a smooth integration. People don’t like change and some are afraid of a challenge for fear of failing. Bonus systems should be considered as rewards for team performance, that gives everyone a common goal. You can’t keep giving raises, we’ll discuss that next week. Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions or concerns.

January 7, 2018 - Posted by Cliff's Notes Blog | Uncategorized