Make the Most of What You Have
It troubles me that many young practitioners incur unnecessary debt by buying more than they need to establish their practice. They should begin with the basics and add the bells and whistles as the practice grows. My first office was quite modest and furnished with secondhand equipment. It wasn’t much, but it’s what I could afford, and it served as the foundation for my ultimate success. I’m reminded of a memorable weekend of boating, fishing, and camping with Dad and my brother during the mid-sixties. We departed Florida’s southwest coast...
read moreThe Donut Man
I don’t have a picture of him. I wish I did, for he was the poster child for industry, determination, and entrepreneurialism. To us, he was simply, “the Donut Man.” A daily fixture each morning at the intersection of North Avenue and Techwood Drive, just on the edge of the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, he sold Krispy Kreme donuts for a dime. We students could, of course, buy one for a nickel at Krispy Kreme’s bakery a half-mile away, but we paid the Donut Man a dime for a sweet burst of breakfast as we trudged up “the Hill”...
read moreService, Knowledge, Relationship
While visiting my daughter, I was advised that the toilet paper holder in the guest bathroom kept falling off the cabinet. My son-in-law took everything apart and quickly recognized that the hardware had been improperly installed and needed replacement. As we entered the local ACE Hardware store for the items needed, I held the components in the air and jested, “Toilet paper emergency! Toilet paper emergency!” The clerk laughed and said, “Welcome to ACE! Aisle 22 on the right!” Compare that to the rather typical experience encountered...
read moreForever Friends. . .
Dentistry is a relationship-driven business, and those who don’t understand that will never experience sustained success. When we enjoy a personal relationship with those for whom we care, trust is more easily established which naturally leads to greater treatment acceptance and a commitment to continuing care. As a young dentist, my focus necessarily shifted from boyhood friendships to patient relationships. In truth, I lost contact with numerous friends as my professional responsibilities and life’s many challenges became increasingly...
read moreAccelerated Hygiene. . . ?
During the 1980’s, a concept known as “accelerated hygiene,” still embraced today, became popular. It was based upon the principle that, like the dentist, the hygienist’s activities and services should be limited for maximum profitability to only those the hygienist was licensed to perform. All others should be delegated. To be clear, I’m a firm believer in appropriate delegation. Empowering employees to contribute to the success of the practice at the highest level not only builds their self-esteem but contributes to practice efficiency...
read moreBucket List. . . ?
Remember when you were a kid and couldn’t wait until you were old enough to get your driver’s license or your first job? And how about high-school graduation? Couldn’t come soon enough! “Just wait until….” seemed to be a recurring theme. Truly, life’s early years seemed to last an eternity. Why is it then, that the years seem so much shorter as we age (see my archived blog, “Relatively Speaking…June, 2015)? With my fiftieth high school reunion rapidly approaching, I’m left to wonder...
read moreMake the Investment
When I speak to doctors in transition, I remind them of the importance of keeping their office “current.” For some, that’s as easy as having their landlord repaint as part of their lease renewal agreement or upgrading the furniture in their perhaps, dated reception area. For others, however, it might require a significant financial investment to add computer work stations, digital radiographic sensors, and intra-oral cameras to their operatories. In either case, there is a payoff. Repainting heavily trafficked hallways or adding a new...
read moreBuilding Value
My family has long had a love affair with Honey Baked hams. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter… pretty much any holiday or large family gathering provided the excuse necessary to purchase the wonderful delicacy. Recently I dropped by the store to pick up two bottles of their delightful Hickory Honey Mustard. Even without the ham, it makes just about any sandwich taste better. Armed with a ten-dollar bill, I was surprised when the clerk told me my total was $12.84. I said, “Wow! That’s expensive mustard,” to which she...
read morePictures on the Wall. . .
I love art. I’m not sure exactly when in life it became important to me, but it is. The walls of my study are covered with it, and each piece tells a story. Some reflect photos of special moments in family history, some are gifts from friends, and some are purchases made to commemorate meaningful life events. Having immersed myself into a world of science throughout life, I find that art enhances the quality of it. It introduces a tapestry of rich colors, interesting textures, and a variety of shapes that can lift one’s spirits or...
read moreThree Tips for the Successful Practitioner
If you’ve been following my recent blogs, you knew I couldn’t help but write this one with three tips for the successful practitioner. 1. Maintain the status quo. It’s quite common for the successful dentist enjoying peak productivity to slow down and refer out procedures he or she no longer wishes to provide. What’s critically important to recognize, however, is that a practice must generate enough cash flow to be attractive – not only to a buyer – but to a bank willing to finance a practice transition. 2....
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