Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work for an extraordinary boutique consulting firm that focused on improving the profitability of healthcare providers. I learned more about how to effectively run an organization in those three years than at any other point in my career. And at the heart of everything I learned was one simple concept that was ingrained in us from day one….”What gets measured, gets improved!”
I worked with some of the leading hospitals around the country and witnessed first-hand the dramatic impact in results that came from setting goals and continuously measuring against those goals. Staff productivity more than doubling, tens of millions of dollars in increased collections from insurance companies, and most importantly…managers and team members accomplishing growth they never thought possible before!
I want you to do something for me. Ask yourself…”If I could improve one thing….just one thing….about my practice….what would it be?”
It might be the number of new patients you’re bringing into the office. Or it might be your production, or treatment acceptance, or scheduling, or overhead ratio. It might be something much more personal, such as how many patients you made a true connection with today.
Once you have that one thing, I want you to get out a piece of paper and write it down. And then write down a measurable goal for where you want that one thing to be 30 days from now. And then write down where you want it to be 90 days from now…..and then 6 months from now.
Now write down three action steps you are going to take to hit that 30 day goal. And then write in big bold letters….I will achieve my goal! And, finally, I want you to post that piece of paper in a place where you are going to see it every single day.
If you do this, you will almost assuredly achieve that goal. I guarantee it! You see….we do not fail to achieve for lack of ability…..we fail to achieve for lack of trying. And measuring inspires you to consistently try as hard as you can!
“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.” – Wayne Huizenga
About Kent Sears
Kent provides over 15 years experience in consulting and marketing strategy. His work has spanned the globe, in both public and private sector, with leading companies such as Microsoft and T-Mobile. He brings his corporate experience to help private practice dentists realize their full business potential through more effective marketing strategies to stay competitive in the rapidly changing world of marketing and healthcare.