Keeping Your Eye on the Ball

In baseball, all of the action is determined by the ball. The winner is determined by who can control the ball best, whether it is the pitcher, the batter, the runners or fielders. The team that controlls the ball wins the game. Keeping track of the ball is essential.

Today as I listened to two of my friends relate the story of how their trusted office manager had be caught embezzling from the office, I was reminded once again of the importance of have sound accounting practices with checks and balances in place. Many times dentists forget that in spite of being health care providers, they are executives of a small businesses which for most of us provide the means of supporting our families and the families of our dental team. Our inability to manage our businesses will ultimately limit our ability to provide quality dental care. When we take our eyes off the ball, we open ourselves and practices to those who would take advantage of our lack of attention.

My Story

I was recently asked how I got my start helping others as a dental practice consultant. It gave me an opportunity to reflect upon my own career as a dentist and my transformation to a dental management consultant. I was reminded how important it is to have the right start and a path outlined early on for a successful dental practice. I think it's especially the case for dentists today, because many are facing tough challenges in this economy.
While I had been interested in consulting for many years, the transformation really took shape about six years ago as I was beginning my quest for an MBA degree. Several years before that, I began to use a dental lab about three away from my office even though there was a dental lab across the street. My desire to provide the top quality dentistry had lead me to this particular lab who consistently delivered superior dental restorations with an outstanding support team.
Around the time that I began my MBA program I had a conversation with the customer service representative from the lab. He had commented many times about the efficiency and productivity of our dental team. So when I told him of my decision to pursue an MBA, he said that once I finished my degree, he would like to introduce me to some of their customers who may be interested in improving their practices. He noted that while dentistry is a technically oriented career, that many dentists are intend on expanding their technical skills at the expense of building their executive skills.
So as I concluded my MBA degree, as promised my customer service friend introduced me to some the lab’s customers. And so my career as a dental consultant began. Over the last few years I have been excited as I have watch my clients incorporate some of the sound business practices that I used and learned about in business school into their practices. I have seen skillful dental practitioners become skillful dental executives and create for themselves personal, professional and financial fulfillment.
I'm looking forward to helping more dental practices and their teams... especially during this time when dentists have to adapt with the times and create strategies to help them succeed in a challenging economy. So whether you are struggling with the challenges of building a productive dental team, creating a competitive advantage or recognizable brand, improving your leadership skills or getting the overhead monster under control, I can help. We can analyze your situation together and create a plan to improve it. Trust me there is a dental executive in all of us.