The real danger to our practices is complacency. As I often say in my editor’s note, I believe the time for passive business ownership is over. We can no longer do things the way we did them yesterday because they’re “good enough.”
Unfortunately, “good enough” is not growth. We cannot afford to allow luck and a favorable local economy to determine if our businesses will attract more patients and be more profitable. Our management must be active.
The good news is that this does not require an MBA or investments of the order of tens of thousands of dollars. All we need is to commit to regular supervision. We have to routinely ask questions of our teams, try new things, pay attention to the results . . . and repeat. I think the challenge is taking that first step out of the daily monotony.
Last year, Dental Economics created an event to help dentists break from monotony. The inaugural Principles of Practice Management conference was the spark many of us have been searching for. Attendees came in with questions and left with more than just answers—they left with the confidence it takes to be an active business owner. What was it like to be there? Lean back and picture this with me . . .
You’re right in the middle of it.
You’re grinning and nodding your head because a lecturer just cured one of your biggest headaches back home. You knew your billing system wasn’t perfect, but you didn’t realize it until just now. You scribble down the solution to a problem that’s been costing you thousands of dollars every month.
You’re at dinner with a group of dentists you’ve just met who hail from all over the country. A young dentist just shared her challenges hiring her office staff. You feel waves of relief wash over you as you realize you’re not the only one who has the burden of managing people. The table erupts into laughter, compares stories, and inspires you to become a better leader.
If you’re in need of that spark, I hope you’ll be able to join us on June 20-21 in Charlotte, North Carolina, for our second conference. We have a new lineup of speakers who will dazzle you, but perhaps equally as important, there will be comrades in arms for you to meet. Fill your notepad with ideas and your contact list with names. Passive, complacent ownership will be a thing of the past.
