I’m just back from presenting at the ADA Conference on the New Dentist. It was a great day filled with the enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge that the young dentists from all over the country brought to the meeting.
As I looked out over the audience, I was reminded of the attributes of a ROOKIE: Eager, enthusiastic, hard working, positive-minded, optimistic, and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. About a year ago, I spent a day with Jerry Rice, most recently of “Dancing with the Stars” fame and the NFL before that. Jerry shared that if there was any one attribute that helped him in professional football, it was that he took on the attitude of a rookie each season no matter how successful he had been the season before. In other words, he tried out for his position every year, just as if he were a rookie again.
No matter your tenure in the profession, it might be time to go back and be a rookie again. Adopt those attributes. “Try out” for your position again. If you were hiring for your position, would you hire you based on your current performance? One of my favorite quotes from author Brian Tracy says, “What kind of company would my company be if everyone in it were just like me?” Do you exemplify the positive attributes of a rookie? Do those attributes positively influence your entire team?
So go ahead. Be a rookie again. It will be good for your practice and good for your team. After all, if you don’t, someone will eventually come along in your market that will want your position more that you do, will be willing to work for it, and will probably get it!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Are you A Servant Leader?
My dad was the first person to help me understand “servant leadership” when I was a kid.
Dad continues to be the best example of that concept. From the many talks that he wrote and rehearsed with me as a youth, hopping on my purple bicycle to delver my paper route when our scout troop’s return was delayed from a camping trip, to secretly washing his car with my mom before a date so that I would make a good impression; Dad has always been on the lookout for ways to help those he leads be more successful.
As the leader of our family and the many other leadership roles he has filled over the years, he has always lead by example and been the first to serve those he leads. His example has always been one to follow because he leads by serving.
Have a great week as you lead by serving.
“Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."
Dad continues to be the best example of that concept. From the many talks that he wrote and rehearsed with me as a youth, hopping on my purple bicycle to delver my paper route when our scout troop’s return was delayed from a camping trip, to secretly washing his car with my mom before a date so that I would make a good impression; Dad has always been on the lookout for ways to help those he leads be more successful.
As the leader of our family and the many other leadership roles he has filled over the years, he has always lead by example and been the first to serve those he leads. His example has always been one to follow because he leads by serving.
Happy Father’s Day Dad.
Have a great week as you lead by serving.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Power of One...More!
Imagine what would happen if you and your team committed to do just one more of something every day. One more whitening. One more crown. One more ViziLite or Velscope exam. Have you ever wondered what would happen if you committed each morning to do just one more of something? I am always amazed at how much needed treatment walks out the door every day in most practices because the team is too busy, too rushed, or too distracted.
Make the commitment every day this week to do just one more of something. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish.
Make the commitment every day this week to do just one more of something. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Youth Seminar
Think of one of the most fulfilling, worthwhile things you have ever done. Near the top of that list for me would be starting and running the youth seminar that we did for over a decade.It has been 4 years since I have been involved in such a program, but thanks to the insistence of Dr. Bill Dorfman and many others, we have created the LEAP Leadership Program for high school and college students to help them get a “leap” ahead in their career and their life.
For 5 days this summer, students from around the country will sit at the feet of CEO’s professionals and other successful roll models who will share with them secrets of success that would take years to discover by “experience.”
If you have a high school or college age young person in your life, give the LEAP team a call at 1-877-855-5327 and check out www.LEAPfoundationUSA.org for details.
Success starts early. The path is typically unusual, A LEAP ahead may positively change the course of a life.
Have a great week as you work with your team to take a LEAP of your own in the direction of success!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Who's The Mother?
With Mother’s Day just a week away, I have to admit that rarely a day goes by without thinking of something Mom has taught me. One of her favorite sayings is “Inch my inch life is a cinch, but by the mile life is a trial.” Or how about “A job worth doing is worth doing well.” Mom is also a big believer in what I have come to call the 11th Commandment: “Thou shalt be dependable!”
Understanding dependability is knowing the difference between responsibility and accountability. Responsibility is being able to respond. Accountability is being willing to give final account of the results in a specific area. Everyone on a team can be responsible, but one person needs to be accountable for each specific result. For example, everyone is responsible for attracting and looking for new patients, but one person needs to be accountable for the overall marketing plan and making sure everyone fulfills their responsibility.
Being accountable is what I like to call being the “Mother.” Mothers are the most accountable people there are. That’s why I like to say that every practice needs a “Mother” for every important result. A marketing mother. A scheduling mother. An infection control mother. Every important result needs a “mother.”
If you have ever become frustrated because of things in the office that just don’t get done, consider giving those specific results a “mother,” or a team member who is accountable for that end result. Everyone else can be responsible for helping, but the “mother” is accountable.
Thanks Mom for teaching me dependability and for being the model of accountability. You really know what it means to be a mother at home and the traits of being a “mother” at the office too!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Understanding dependability is knowing the difference between responsibility and accountability. Responsibility is being able to respond. Accountability is being willing to give final account of the results in a specific area. Everyone on a team can be responsible, but one person needs to be accountable for each specific result. For example, everyone is responsible for attracting and looking for new patients, but one person needs to be accountable for the overall marketing plan and making sure everyone fulfills their responsibility.
Being accountable is what I like to call being the “Mother.” Mothers are the most accountable people there are. That’s why I like to say that every practice needs a “Mother” for every important result. A marketing mother. A scheduling mother. An infection control mother. Every important result needs a “mother.”
If you have ever become frustrated because of things in the office that just don’t get done, consider giving those specific results a “mother,” or a team member who is accountable for that end result. Everyone else can be responsible for helping, but the “mother” is accountable.
Thanks Mom for teaching me dependability and for being the model of accountability. You really know what it means to be a mother at home and the traits of being a “mother” at the office too!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Monday, April 21, 2008
What's in a name?
Our oldest daughter Ashlin came home with an assignment from art class that said the following: "An architect named Antonio Gaudi designed buildings that had curvy outer walls covered with brightly colored tiles. The American word gaudy, meaning “in poor taste,” is derived from his name."
While the statement is false (the English use of the word “gaudy” dates back to the 1600’s and Antonio Gaudi lived from 1852-1926) it did cause me to think, “What’s in a name?” There are some “names” that are so powerful that they become synonymous for what they are. Kleenex: facial tissue. FedEx: over night delivery. Xerox: Photocopy. Oops…not any more! When what you do or what you are becomes so powerful, people automatically associate your service attributes with your name. For example, when people are asked to think of a beautiful flower, 80% say they think of a rose. Maybe that is why “rose” became a name…for a person. Your attributes give powerful meaning to your name to the point where the two may became bound together in the hearts and minds of your market. So it may be well to decide and act on the attributes you want to be known for the most in your market.
When you are ready to take that step, feel free to use our Top Service Attribute (TSA) worksheet that asks 9 specific questions that will help you identify your top service attributes and the market for which those attributes will mean the most. Just let us know when you are ready for it by e-mailing our team at Answers@TotalPatientService.com or by calling 1-877-399-8677 and ask for the TSA worksheet. Just remember: the decisions you make today about your top attributes may determine what people believe and say about you tomorrow.
Make it ToPS!
While the statement is false (the English use of the word “gaudy” dates back to the 1600’s and Antonio Gaudi lived from 1852-1926) it did cause me to think, “What’s in a name?” There are some “names” that are so powerful that they become synonymous for what they are. Kleenex: facial tissue. FedEx: over night delivery. Xerox: Photocopy. Oops…not any more! When what you do or what you are becomes so powerful, people automatically associate your service attributes with your name. For example, when people are asked to think of a beautiful flower, 80% say they think of a rose. Maybe that is why “rose” became a name…for a person. Your attributes give powerful meaning to your name to the point where the two may became bound together in the hearts and minds of your market. So it may be well to decide and act on the attributes you want to be known for the most in your market.
When you are ready to take that step, feel free to use our Top Service Attribute (TSA) worksheet that asks 9 specific questions that will help you identify your top service attributes and the market for which those attributes will mean the most. Just let us know when you are ready for it by e-mailing our team at Answers@TotalPatientService.com or by calling 1-877-399-8677 and ask for the TSA worksheet. Just remember: the decisions you make today about your top attributes may determine what people believe and say about you tomorrow.
Make it ToPS!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
The MasterMind
We just finished a productive day with our “Top of the Table” group: one of several select groups of high performing dentists that meet on a regular basis to compare results and share ideas. Their openness with each other is uncharacteristic of the typical dental group. Their desire to learn was sincere. What they shared was mutually beneficial.
“You take on the nature and the habits and the power of though of those which whom you associate in a spirit of sympathy and harmony.” - Napoleon Hill
There is a significant competitive advantage to those who have a group of high achievers with whom to meet on a regular basis. Organized and facilitated correctly, it can be one of the most powerful assets you can create for your practice.
To learn more about how you add this type of an asset to your practice, call us at 1-877-399-8677 and ask about our Total Practice Support program. You maybe surprised to discover the results other dentists are getting and what it could very well do for you.
“You take on the nature and the habits and the power of though of those which whom you associate in a spirit of sympathy and harmony.” - Napoleon Hill
There is a significant competitive advantage to those who have a group of high achievers with whom to meet on a regular basis. Organized and facilitated correctly, it can be one of the most powerful assets you can create for your practice.
To learn more about how you add this type of an asset to your practice, call us at 1-877-399-8677 and ask about our Total Practice Support program. You maybe surprised to discover the results other dentists are getting and what it could very well do for you.
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