BlogWhat I Learned in Laguna Nigel Monday, January 30th, 2012 I just returned from fabulous the Seattle Study Club Symposium in Laguna Nigel. It was great to reconnect with so many friends and come away with new ideas. One of the speakers was Dr. Dean Ornish, founder and President of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute. You have no doubt heard of Dr. Ornish’s work through his books, lectures, and television appearances. Dr. Ornish presented compelling … Internet Discounts: Merchant Beware Tuesday, December 6th, 2011 You may have heard the buzz about Groupon and other purveyors of discounts via the Internet. Some offers are irresistible–$50 restaurant meals for $15, spa services for 75% off, and up to 90% off fun things to do in major cities. The problem is not that these offers do not work, but that in some cases they work too well. Some merchants have been overwhelmed by … Dental Marketing 101: Using Your Newsletter Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 Most dentists that I have spoken to have tried sending out a newsletter, either electronic or paper, at some point in the past. However, few of them have been completely satisfied with their results. The truth is that running a successful newsletter campaign takes careful planning. To maximize the value you receive from your newsletter, keep these four principles in mind: 1) Publish on a regular … Dental Practice Management: Four Critical Skills Monday, August 29th, 2011 What separates a successful dental practice from one that is struggling? In most cases, the difference comes down to practice management. Successful dentists/managers create efficient systems, train a fantastic team, and respond to changing market conditions. And while there are many different styles of management, there are common skills that all great dentists/managers share. Below are four skills that are essential to management success. 1) Ability … Case Presentation: How to Handle Hearing “No” Thursday, August 11th, 2011 An important part of your job is presenting a variety of treatment options to patients. Unfortunately, every dental office hears “no” from time to time—and this rejection can be psychologically damaging if you are not prepared for it. Like every dentist (and every business owner), I have heard “no” as well—and below are tips for handling it well: 1) Recognize that it is inevitable. A mistake … You’re More Than a Dentist… You’re a Star Friday, July 1st, 2011 You’re a dentist. But that’s not all you are—you’re an actor on a stage. That’s right… you are a performer. And your team is your supporting cast. This may sound fanciful at first, but think about it. You are performing for an audience, also known as your patients. Your performance determines how they react. They may love your show. They may be indifferent. Or they … Four Tips for a Stronger Brand Identity Friday, May 20th, 2011 Most dentists and their office managers recognize that branding is important Monday, May 9th, 2011 Breakthroughs in communications equipment and computing power have made outsourcing realistic for businesses both large and small. As a dental practice, are you benefitting from the power of outsourcing? If not, you are missing out. Below are some areas in which I’ve found outsourcing to be helpful for dentists: Bookkeeping. The person who crunches your numbers does not need any specialized knowledge of dentistry. … How to Handle an Unhappy Patient Tuesday, April 19th, 2011 Despite the best efforts of you and your team, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to deal with unhappy patients from time to time. Whether or not you or your team is at fault, it’s essential that you know how to deal effectively with a patient who has a complaint. Below are several guidelines to keep in mind. 1) Remain calm. Oftentimes, the upset patient will become … Building a Culture of Customer Service Thursday, March 10th, 2011 It is axiomatic that the best way to grow your practice is by providing stellar service to your current patients. Not only will you retain the vast majority of them, but your satisfied patients will spread the word about your practice—and few if any forms of advertising are more effective than sincere recommendations. So how do you ensure that your practice is providing top notch … Business Cards are Nothing New Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 They date back to the 15th century, where they were used in China as calling cards. The calling card or “visitor card” began appearing in Europe in the 17th century. In the 21st century, business cards are used as a handy way to pass along contact information. To get the most bang for your business card buck, make sure that your business card contains three elements: |
|
