Category: Aberdeen Dental Consulting Blog

Dental Consultant | Rolling Out A New Service?

Dental Consultant

dental consultantYou’ve decided to introduce a new service to grow your business. Do you have a carefully planned execution strategy? Many business owners fall into traps such as neglecting to keep their team on the same page or having a poor marketing strategy. Here are common mistakes business owners make when developing a new service, and what you can do to avoid them.

Lack of Training

Some business owners let their new idea or service run itself without keeping their team informed. For your business to thrive, it is essential that everyone on your team has a full understanding of your offerings. Before rolling out a new service, make sure your team is properly trained. They should be able to answer questions from those interested, as well as educate people who may be unaware of this new offering. Education and training is the key to successfully launching a new offering. It is better to delay your plans than launch a new service with a team that isn’t ready or equipped, as this can quickly impact your reputation.

Marketing Is an Afterthought

You finally have your new service up and running and you find yourself asking, “Now what?” Your service isn’t going to be successful on its own. Develop a marketing strategy to increase awareness of your new offering. Create unique and inventive marketing materials with your target audience in mind. Who are trying to attract to your business? Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your new service will sell itself without a marketing push.

Don’t Neglect Research

Research is crucial to pulling off a successful new service launch. Don’t go in with the mindset that your good ideas alone are enough to pull it off. Instead, check out your competitors to give you an idea of how to position your new service. Research success stories and failures of people who have done similar things. Take time to study the pricing of competitors and know what you will need to cover your costs while still creating an attractive offer to price shoppers.

Launching a new service is an effective way to boost interest in your business, drive revenue, and fill a need in the market. To be successful, don’t rush your new service without properly training your team or doing research. Also, avoid the common mistake of not marketing, or marketing as an afterthought.

Contact us to discuss strategies that can help your business grow.

(803) 667-3958

Dental Consultant | 4 Ways to Attract Millennials into Your Practice

Dental Consultant

Are you having trouble attracting new patients to your office? Technology and busy lifestyles have changed the way we attract new patients. Every business including dental practices have to evolve with each generation to gain their attention. Below are strategies that you can use to attract new patients to your office.

Use Technology to Get in Touch

Our society has moved into a tech-savvy world. Calling to schedule an appointment is not as convenient as allowing patients the ability to set up an appointment online. Confirming appointments and sending patient reminders through text messages is easier and quicker.

Practice Search Engine Optimization

Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to help patients find your office more easily. High-ranking dental offices on search engines are going to be seen more frequently by prospective patients, and therefore attract more business. Being near the top of search engines can help patients find what they want quicker without having to scroll through multiple pages of search results.

Be Active on Social Media

Using social media is an excellent way for patients to learn about your dental office and the services you offer. Regular postings on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram will reach a broader audience. It will also showcase your team members, satisfied patients, and other attributes that make your office unique.

Get a 5 Star Reputation

Once you get patients in the door, you will want to retain them as referral sources. By providing exceptional service, your patients will be more inclined to post positive online reviews. People respond to authenticity and want to read personal and true testimonials. When looking for a dentist, patients will be more likely to choose one with a positive online reputation.

Gain the attention of possible leads and current patients by utilizing technology while highlighting authenticity. By using the tips provided above, you will have the capability to reach more new patients and grow your business.

Contact us to schedule a consultation today.

Dental Consultant | How to Create a Patient-Friendly Environment

Dental Consultant

Dental offices can be intimidating for patients when they first walk through the door. New patients may be faced with a busy office phone ringing and the sounds of dental equipment in the background. These situations can add to the anxiety new patients may be feeling. Here are three strategies that your dental office can use to create a more patient-friendly atmosphere.

Friendly Front Desk Team

The first person a patient interacts with at a dental office is the front desk team. Not only will that team member be providing the first impression of the practice, but they will also be the one interacting with patients for future appointments. Having a friendly employee at the front desk can go a long way in creating a positive first impression, while alleviating any additional concerns patients may have. Compassionate team members will show patients how easy it is to work with your team and build patient loyalty.

Have a Presentable Waiting Room

The waiting time after arriving at a dental office can be nerve-wracking for anxious patients. Creating a presentable and welcoming waiting room can help lessen their stress. Amenities as simple as comfortable chairs and reading materials can help a patient take their mind off a visit. Creating a separate play area for children will keep them occupied while also helping to keep the noise level of the area down.

Communication is Key

Good communication can remove frustrations and keep the patient up to date regarding their oral health. Additionally, you will be able to build a strong doctor-patient relationship. Review all the options that a patient has for any needed treatment, cover different payment methods, and discuss easy ways to schedule appointments. Strong communication will keep your patients returning back to your office.

Provide each patient a great experience. Not only will your patients be happy with their dental care, but they can become referral sources for new patients. With these three strategies, your office can take a step in the right direction for creating a patient-friendly environment.

To see how our team can help you build a patient centric practice, contact us.

Dental Office Management | 3 Ways to Improve Efficiency

Dental Practice Consulting

Evelyn Horne IncDo you feel like your business could be functioning better?

Here are three changes you can implement in your business.

  1. Encourage face-to-face conversations.
  2. Decrease disruptions to your workflow.
  3. Use project management software to collaborate and track goals.

Adopting these three solutions can help your business run more smoothly.

Contact us for a consultation.

 

Dental Consultant | Are You Prepared for the Future of Dentistry?

Dental Practice Coaching

Dental CoachWhat will the dental profession will look like in 10 years? Are you and your team prepared to face the future with a successful action plan?

As a dentist, you are used to thinking about the big picture. This is true when you are caring for your patients, as they turn to you for your expertise to establish a lifetime of optimal oral health. But do you employ the same forward-thinking strategies to ensure the long-term health of your business?

Dentistry is changing. New technology is constantly being developed leading to entirely new procedures, which in turn creates a new market of patients who could benefit from your services. Furthermore, the business landscape of the profession is evolving. What used to be a field dominated by independently owned practices has become increasingly more corporate-based. Ask yourself where your practice fits into the landscape of differing business models in dentistry.

If one thing is for certain in dentistry, it is that the future will continue to bring change. Did you ever think you would be ordering supplies from your smartphone or connecting with potential new patients on Facebook? The future will likely bring innovations bridging the education and communication gap between dentist and patient.

Like today, the key to success will lie in your ability to build trusting, loyal relationships. It is essential that your marketing messages hone in on the unique qualities that make your practice and your team stand out from the crowd. A re-branding strategy can help freshen your practice’s appeal to your community and attract your ideal new patient.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” The future will bring changes to the dental profession, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise nor should it be a cause for concern. Face the future with optimism and an action plan. Contact us for more information. 

 

Dental Business Coach | 3 Ways to Buy Time: Boost Your Practice’s Productivity with Time-Saving Measures

Dental Practice Consulting

Dental ConsultantTime is your most precious resource. On certain days, managing your time is not just difficult, it is downright impossible. Ask yourself about the strategies you are currently using to organize your day. What other tools could you be leveraging to save your practice’s most precious commodity? Here are 3 methods you can implement to maximize your time.

  1. Re-evaluate Your Management Tactics

You can buy time without spending a dime. Employ a new way of keeping track of practice productivity. You can have your team record their tasks for the day in a quick email. Each staff member can quantitatively list their duties, allowing for simple reference later. This cuts down on micromanaging your staff by way of asking, “What did you do today?” Managerial work is difficult to implement after a full day of back-to-back appointments.

You can cut back on daily meetings because you will have a clear picture of what each team member is contributing. Having a list of completed tasks at the end of the day allows for everyone at your practice to be keenly aware of who is to be held accountable for each task.

  1. Utilize Apps to Maximize Efficiency

“Lost time is never found again.” Ben Franklin knew this more than 200 years ago, so how can you apply this knowledge to running your practice? There are numerous tools available for your phone that can be a valuable resource for keeping track of your practice. You can benefit from the use of efficiency apps. In today’s world, there is no need to manage all aspects of your business manually.

Take advantage of scheduling apps and software. You can schedule emails to remind patients to book their next visit to your office without having to send it in real time. This can be an indispensable tool for patient retention, by keeping you in consistent contact with your patients. Apps such as these will help you save time, and keep track of your practice’s performance.

  1. Consider Express Check-In

It is not always your team that is responsible for lost time slipping through your fingers. One late patient can set the whole day off-schedule. Make it easy for your patients to register. Provide compliant forms online for patients to fill out before coming into the office. Saving time at the front desk will help your entire practice run on schedule. Never allow for your practice to earn a reputation of running behind schedule, instead work with your patients to create a smoother, faster registration. Your patients will not want to fill out redundant forms. Rework any documents or forms where possible to prevent your patients from filling out information such as their name and address multiple times.

Successful business leaders are experts at time management. Put methods in place that allow for concrete, quantitative results to measure productivity. Utilize technology to make your life easier and allow your patients to work with you to save time. Don’t get caught watching the sand fall through the timer, take action and rethink your time management strategies.

Call today for a consultation.

Evelyn Horne, Inc.

Phone: (803) 667-3958

 

Dental Business Coach | The Bright Side of Patient Complaints

Dental Business CoachNo matter how fantastic you and your team are, you will occasionally have a patient complain about something. When this happens, you and your team may feel discouraged, frustrated, or even annoyed, depending on the specific complaint and how it was shared. It can be easy to brush the complaint aside and tell yourself that the patient was just having a bad day. However, changing the way you think about patient complaints can be highly beneficial to your business.

Patient complaints may involve anything from office décor or other patients to the time, cost, or outcome of a treatment. Even concerns that feel trivial or unfair to you should be handled with respect and appreciation. Like any consumer, your patient wants to feel like you care about their experience and their feelings. A complaint is an opportunity for you to win back a patient’s trust.

If you thank your patient for bringing their concerns to you, commit to taking action to correct the situation, and follow through on your commitment, you will earn loyalty from that patient. This loyalty can translate into fewer rescheduled or cancelled appointments, increased case acceptance, and even referrals to friends, family, and social media connections. Over time, handing one complaint as an opportunity to improve can lead to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in revenue.

However, if patients leave your office feeling that their concerns are unimportant to you, they will likely look elsewhere for dental care in the future. Unhappy patients do not stay with your practice. They do not refer others to you. They may even tell others about their unpleasant experience with your office, which can cost you potential patients and revenue.

Every patient complaint you receive is a gift. Your team or practice may have a weakness that you were unaware was an issue. If one patient voices a complaint, it is likely that others have noticed the problem as well. Consider asking patients for feedback after a visit. Let them know proactively that you appreciate their input and are ready and willing to provide the best experience possible. When your patients feel valued, they will be more loyal to you, your team, and your practice.

For more tips on providing a better patient experience, contact our office.

Dental Business Coach | From Dreams to Reality: Effective Goal-Setting

Dental CoachNo matter how impressive your vision for your practice may be, dreams require hard work, strategic planning, and a willingness to adapt to make them real. Highly successful practice owners learn to set goals realistically and effectively. Master the skills of effective goal-setting, strategic planning, and assessment to find greater success in your business.

Set Incremental Goals

Start small when setting goals. Establish daily and weekly goals. It can be easy to let ambition take over while you dream of long-term goals. However, you cannot reach your long-term goals without smaller victories along the way. Setting smaller, incremental goals provides the opportunity for you to be in constant control of your practice. You will know if you miss a weekly goal, and you can then adjust your strategy to make sure it never happens again. If you are only setting quarterly or yearly goals it can come as a surprise when you miss them, or your team might be left struggling to meet them at the last minute.

Make Goals Visible

You and your team need a visual reminder of what your goals are and when you plan to achieve them. Put them up on a bulletin board in the office, include them on your calendar. Write your goals in a place you look daily as a constant reminder. We all have those back-of-the-mind thoughts or ideas that might be good if implemented, but they are frequently forgotten. Make your goals visible to you and your entire team.

Goals Need to be Measured

How will you know if you achieved your goal if you cannot measure it? Goals should have a measurable standard. Perhaps your goal is to see 10 new patients by the end of each month or to increase the number of referrals by 50% before the end of the quarter. Pick specific numbers and concepts that can be defined in a concrete way. Abstract goals are harder to reach because they are too difficult to define. When goals are measurable, you will know exactly what you need to achieve your desired result.

Rethink the way you are setting your goals for your practice. Your ambitious plans will be successful only if you have a road map to reach them. This is where effective goal setting comes in. Get into the habit of writing down your goals and measuring them. Effective goal-setting strategies take careful planning. Master these skills and you will be on your way to the practice success you have dreamed of achieving.

For more tips on managing your practice, please contact us.