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5 best habits for practice owners that will change your life

5 best habits for practice owners that will change your life

by | Oct 26, 2023 | Blog

5 best habits for practice owners that will change your life

 

Owning a chiropractic practice can be a challenging yet incredibly rewarding endeavor. It requires not just medical proficiency but also leadership skills, strategic thinking, and business acumen.  

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the industry for years, it’s never too late to adopt some life-changing habits.  

Here are five habits I swear by, which have brought immense value to my own journey in chiropractic care.

    1. Lead with EQ (Emotional Intelligence)

One of the most undervalued skills in the business world, let alone in healthcare, is emotional intelligence (EQ).  

Leading with EQ means being in tune with your own emotions and the emotions of those around you, particularly your team.  

This isn’t just about being ‘nice’; it’s about truly understanding and connecting with your staff. When team members feel valued, heard, and understood, they’re more motivated, loyal, and invested in the success of the practice. 

 

– Takeaway:  

Spend time building relationships with your team. Regular 1:1, o

pen communication, and simply being present can make all the difference. 

– Action Item:

Read “Think Again” by Adam Grant. The book emphasizes the importance of re-evaluating what we know and being open-minded — crucial for leaders aiming to lead with emotional intelligence.

 

    2. The Right People in the Right Seat

As Jim Collins famously said, “First get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats, and then figure out where to drive.”  

Your practice is only as strong as its weakest link. Hiring the right people and placing them in roles that play to their strengths is essential for a thriving practice. 

– Takeaway:

Invest time in the hiring process. Look beyond qualifications – personality, drive, and cultural fit matter immensely. And remember, it’s always easier to train skills than it is to train attitude. 

– Action Item:

 

    3. Measure Everything – KPIs are Your North Star

In chiropractic care, as in all businesses, what gets measured gets managed.  

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are a powerful tool to guide your practice towards success.  

From patient satisfaction scores to financial metrics, having a clear understanding of where you stand helps in setting goals, addressing challenges, and celebrating victories. 

– Takeaway:

If you’re not already doing so, start documenting and tracking your KPIs. Regularly review them, adjust strategies as needed, and ensure your entire team understands their importance. 

– Action Item:  

Discover the insights from “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. The book explores how companies transition from being good to outstanding, and the role of data and metrics is central to this transition. 

 

 

     4. Be World-Class at the Process

 

Your practice isn’t just about the end results but also the journey.  

Excellence in every step of the patient’s experience – from the first call to follow-up appointments – is paramount. Consistency in the quality of care and service builds trust and ensures patient loyalty. 

– Takeaway:

Audit your processes periodically. Is there a step in the patient journey that could be improved? A little fine-tuning can often lead to significant enhancements in patient satisfaction. 

– Action Item:  

Learn from “Never Lose a Customer Again” by Joey Coleman. This book offers a step-by-step guide to improving the customer experience, ensuring that every touchpoint in the patient’s journey is optimized for satisfaction. 

 

    5. Embrace Technology

 

In today’s digital age, technology isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.  

From electronic health records to online appointment scheduling and telehealth, integrating technology can vastly improve efficiency and offer better patient care.  

The right tech tools can automate tasks, streamline operations, and provide valuable insights into your practice’s performance. 

– Takeaway:

Regularly assess the tech landscape for tools and solutions that fit your practice’s needs. Don’t be afraid to innovate and integrate new solutions that can drive growth. 

– Action Item:  

Download my “AI Guide” Stay ahead of the curve by understanding how technology can be your ally in offering top-notch care and streamlining operations.

 

To conclude, while the world of chiropractic care is ever-evolving, certain principles remain timeless.  

By leading with heart, investing in your team, measuring your success, striving for excellence in every process, and leveraging technology, you can set your practice up for unparalleled success.  

Remember, it’s not just about treating patients; it’s about building a legacy of care that stands the test of time. 

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

TMD: Pushing for Pricing Clarity

by | Oct 17, 2023 | Blog

Two Minute Drill: Pushing for Pricing Clarity

What’s up Kaizenovators, Happy Tuesday Two Minute Drill. Today’s topic of conversation is plumbing. Before I get to plumbing, I just want to thank all of you who reached out to me by text, email, by phone, just to check in and make sure that myself and, most importantly, my family were safe. Thank God everybody’s doing well so far.

 

 

Why Transparency Matters…

 

This week’s conversation? Plumbing. We probably all had experience with plumbers. I’ve had experience with plumbers, and you know, my house is an old house. The drains in my master bathroom, get clogged.

I called a plumber, and I asked, “How much is it to snake the drain?” I’ve snaked the drain before, and it fixes it for at least a few years.

They won’t give me a price over the phone. I’m like, “I don’t understand, have you snaked a drain before?” and they’re like, “yes, we’ve snaked a drain.” So, I asked, “what did you charge?” Their answer? “That just really depends.” I said, “It depends on what?” They replied, “It depends on whether it’s the regular drain, or if it’s the main drain.” I’m like, “okay, well then, if it’s the regular drain, how much have you charged? And if it’s the main drain, how much do you charge?”

It was impossible to get pricing out of these people. I called multiple plumbers. This must be kind of the industry standard where they don’t give you pricing over the phone. They come and then they give you the estimated cost.

Now, I did this a few years ago. I have some context here. A few years ago, they came and said they needed to do this whole thing, snake your drain, and it’s going to cost $600.

I was like, okay, am I going to spend the time to research another plumber and deal with the same nonsense? Or am I just going to pay this $600 and be done with it? That’s what I did.

However, this time, I said no. I found a plumber who actually had a $93 special for cleaning the drain. I called them up, I verified the price, and they gave me the whole regular drain versus the main drain thing.

I said, “fine, I’m going to watch. And if it’s just the regular drain and you guys want to upsell and upcharge me, I’m just going to file a complaint with the attorney general’s office.” So, she said, “Oh, okay”, and I booked the appointment.

The plumber came out, he snaked the drain. Took three minutes. Then he got on the phone, probably with one of his managers, trying to figure out what to do. I think they probably knew there was something in the notes that said “Don’t mess with this guy.” Ultimately, It was $93.

If you’re dealing with professionals, especially plumbers, who aren’t transparent about pricing over the phone, don’t be afraid to push back. Remember, many of these industries are regulated by boards or trade associations. So if they’re not playing fair, let them know you’re willing to file a complaint.

While the Better Business Bureau might not be as effective, the Attorney General is a different story.

That’s it for this week’s Two Minute Drill. If you’re working with service professionals who play hide-and-seek with pricing, consider finding another vendor. Always push for clarity upfront to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

That’s this week’s Two Minute Drill. You guys have a great week.

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

TMD: A Time for Empathy and Prayer

by | Oct 10, 2023 | Blog

Two Minute Drill: A Time for Empathy and Prayer

What’s up Kaizenovators, Happy Tuesday Two Minute Drill. Today I feel compelled, even though it’s a difficult subject to talk about, I feel compelled to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What happened over the last several days is just incredibly tragic. People have lost their lives, families have been completely torn apart, and there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight.

 

 

I’m Personally Worried…

 

I’m personally worried about my own family, my sister, my brother-in-law, and my niece who live in Jerusalem.

I’m always thinking about them, concerned about them, and making sure that they’re safe. Now, maybe they’re not as close to Gaza as some of the other towns in Southern Israel, but that doesn’t mean that they’re free from being attacked by terrorists.

This conflict has been going on for so long. Families have been disrupted and torn apart for so long.

The question that I have to ask is, where is leadership on both sides of this problem? Why do we not have a solution? Why do we not have a solution that has been supported by the international community in a fair and unbiased way?

I have to believe that Israeli families and Palestinian families feel the same way about this conflict. They want freedom! They want safety! They want security! They want prosperity! They want to be able to live together in peace!

It is only some of the political powers that foster terrorism and hatred, that foster extreme nationalism and hatred. These things have to stop for this crisis to stop. Unfortunately, I just don’t see an ending.

So, what do we do as people who want to see safety, security, and peace in the region?

We have to be able to listen with open minds and open hearts. We have to be able to rid ourselves of this concept of going into these extreme positions because it can be very easy to get into a position of extremism.

I for one know that it’s hard for me, but I’m doing my best to try and keep an open mind and understand with an empathetic heart and soul what’s happening to all people in that region.

Maybe we can all do better that way.

So that’s this week’s Two Minute Drill. Thanks so much! You guys have a great week!

please pray for the people in that region and pray for a speedy resolution to this crisis.

 

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

Your 5-Step Guide for a Powerful Q4 and a Thriving 2024

Your 5-Step Guide for a Powerful Q4 and a Thriving 2024

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Blog

Your 5-Step Guide for a Powerful Q4 and a Thriving 2024 

 

Over the past couple of weeks, my team and I have been working on crafting our goals and objectives for the successful year we envision in 2024.

We’ve rolled up our sleeves, delving deep into strategic planning, and pinpointing action items to wrap up before this year bids us farewell.

These aren’t just tasks; these are carefully chosen stepping stones laying the foundation for the triumphant start to the upcoming year we all aspire to see.

And then a thought sparked – why not share this proactive approach with you all? What if our collective journey towards a glorious 2024 starts this October?

This isn’t about mere planning; it’s about embodying a mindset of proactive thinking and forward vision that can be an absolute game-changer!

It’s a catalyst, gently nudging us to take action now and start the journey toward our goals today, NOT tomorrow.

Here is our structured 5-step guide for a brighter, more successful, and triumphant year ahead!

  • Step 1: It’s Reflection Time – Starting Now!

Here’s the deal. Reflection isn’t just for the year-end. If you’ve had wins, take a moment. Celebrate them, and acknowledge your hard work. And if there are goals sitting in the corners, bring them out! You’ve got this golden time from October to December to make things happen.

  • Step 2: Craft Your 2024 Vision with Precision

Craft it, folks! Financial, professional, personal – all spheres considered. Whether it’s amplifying revenue streams, evolving as a leader, or ensuring you are living a life of balance and joy – it’s all in the cards if you plan it right.

 

    • Financial Goals: Delve deep into your practice’s fiscal health. Is there an opportunity lurking to enhance revenue streams, perhaps through innovative services or a new marketing approach?
    • Professional Goals: It’s time for self-reflection and growth. Seek knowledge, embrace continuous learning, mentor the future stars of our field, and above all, strive to be the practitioner and leader you envision.
    • Personal Goals: Balance is not just a concept; it’s a lifestyle. Allocate time for self, family, and activities that re-energize your spirit and fortify your mental resilience.
  • Step 3: Timelines – Your Success Compass

Here’s something I’ve learned over the years: Timelines are not clichés. They are essential, powerful tools that help you navigate through your goals.

Establish realistic timelines, break your goals into tangible tasks, and traverse your roadmap with determination and flexibility, adapting to the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

  • Step 4: Procrastination? Show it the Door!

Procrastination is a silent adversary, stealthily hindering progress. The call to action is now, not January. In our field, we champion proactive healthcare; let’s embody this spirit in our approach to professional development and goal setting.

  • Step 5: Let October Be Your Launch Month

October isn’t just another month; it’s a window of opportunity, a strategic launchpad propelling us into a year outlined with success and achievement.

This month is where aspirations take flight, where planning meets action, and where our blueprint for 2024 begins to unfold into reality. October is your planning month for a prosperous and fulfilling 2024!

So, that’s your blueprint for a dynamic Q4 and a stellar 2024, brought to you a bit early! Implement these steps, and you’re not just dreaming big – you’re acting big.

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

TMD: Open Minds, Big Changes

by | Sep 26, 2023 | Blog

Two Minute Drill: Open Minds, Big Changes

What’s up Kaizenovators, Happy Tuesday Two Minute Drill. Today’s topic of conversation is “openness”. Every Monday, I send out my Monday Morning Mojo email to my team. My goal is to help them be just that much more inspired in the work they’re doing to change the world for the better.

 

 

The Power of Openness

 

This week, I did some research and found a great article online in Inc. Magazine. It discussed how openness is directly correlated to personal intelligence.

The more open we are, the more intelligent we become. There are three factors that really drive openness:

First, active listening and empathy. When we’re good listeners, we truly understand where other people are coming from. We can be a lot more open and really put ourselves in their shoes. This understanding of their needs, wants, and goals helps us make better decisions.

Second, challenge our own beliefs. One of my favorite books of all time is “Think Again” by Adam Grant. It emphasizes rethinking our positions. We all have biases and we need to do a better job of challenging those assumptions. Being open to different ideas can be aided by consuming content we normally wouldn’t, opening our minds to new possibilities.

Lastly, it’s about creating a collaborative, open, and safe environment for communication. When our team feels safe to express opinions that might challenge our own, it creates an opportunity to learn new perspectives. Be open to those new perspectives, questions, and ideas that help us shape a better future.

That’s this week’s Two Minute Drill. I hope you all enjoyed it.

If you have any comments, while I appreciate the texts and personal emails, please comment on the social channels. I want the rest of our tribe to hear exactly what your comments and questions are.

Thanks so much! You guys have a great week!

 

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

TMD: My Journey with Giving Feedback

by | Sep 19, 2023 | Blog

Two Minute Drill: My Journey with Giving Feedback

What’s up Kaizenovators, Happy Tuesday Two Minute Drill. Today’s topic of conversation is Feedback. I’m coming to you from the Washington Reagan Airport. I’m about to fly to Denver to hang out with Cat. Cat is our Director of Integrated Operations. I’m looking forward to having an all-day strategy session with her, providing feedback, and also receiving some in return.

 

 

Giving Feedback

 

Feedback is a crucial responsibility that we have as leaders.

Today, I gave feedback to an individual on my team. It didn’t go very well, and I drew three lessons from that experience.

First, when you see body language that doesn’t align with where you want the conversation to go, address it. Just say, “Hey, it seems like maybe you’re not agreeing with or responding well to the feedback I’m giving you. Tell me more.”

Sometimes, you have to agree to disagree. You can offer feedback, but if someone isn’t receptive, there’s only so much you can do.

Lastly, don’t let a negative response or someone’s resistance to feedback deter you from offering it again in the future. It can be challenging to engage in these conversations, but we, as leaders, must persevere. Continue to provide feedback, receive it, and find ways to improve.

At the end of the day, if someone’s not open to feedback, it doesn’t mean you should refrain from giving it to them or anyone else. Feedback is essential for achieving goals, reaching objectives, and ensuring the entire team succeeds.

I’m off to Denver and then to Las Vegas with UAC, the Ultimate Achievers Club—a fantastic group of chiropractic entrepreneurs I’m thrilled about.

That’s this week’s Two Minute Drill. You guys have a great week. See you all next week.

 

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

TMD: 40 Years of Friendship

by | Sep 12, 2023 | Blog

Two Minute Drill: 40 Years of Friendship

What’s up Kaizenovators, Happy Tuesday Two Minute Drill. Today’s topic of conversation is friendship. This past weekend, seven friends of mine and I, who I’ve been friends with for 40 years. We spent time in the mountains in New York, hanging out, catching up, eating some good food, drinking some good wine, having some cocktails, and just being together and sharing what’s been going on in our lives for the past year.

 

 

The Joy of Reconnecting

 

We pretty much do this every year, and it’s just a great experience to reconnect with our friends in person, spend time, and share.

Research shows how important close friendships are. They improve our happiness and our mental well-being. They actually help to improve our overall health.

There’s some research that shows that people who have strong friendships do better financially as well. Now, that’s not the reason I have these strong, close friendships, but it is a nice little perk at the end of the day.

Here’s my call to action for you: if there’s a friend of yours that you haven’t kept connected with within the last month, two months, or year, reach out, make that call, send that text, shoot over that email. Because reconnecting with your friends is a really important way to improve your overall happiness and your life.

So, reach out, don’t think twice about it. Reach out and reconnect with your friends.

That’s this week’s Two Minute Drill. Make sure that if you have any comments, share them on social and not just independently send texts to me like you did last week when I did my whole computer Mac thing.

Share with others so that others can reconnect as well. You guys have a great week, and I’ll talk to y’all next week.

 

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

TMD: The Big Mac Mistake

by | Sep 5, 2023 | Blog

Two Minute Drill: The Big Mac Mistake

What’s up Kaizenovators, Happy Tuesday Two Minute Drill. Today’s topic of conversation is “big mistake.” I tend to be a little rough on some of my accessories, my computers, my phone, and sometimes even my car. My Lenovo lasted me a good long time, but it started to come apart.

 

From Mac to PC

 

I don’t really know what happened, but it got all jacked up and the back was coming off. I used it for as long as I possibly could, and then I was like, “I need a new computer.”

So, my very good friend, Mr. Brad Cost, suggested I get an Apple. He’s been telling me to get a Mac for a long time.

I bit the bullet! My phone is an iPhone, so I thought, “It’s got to be great, right?” I love my iPhone.

I bought the Mac, and I will tell you that it might be one of the biggest mistakes of my life! The amount of frustration I have with this computer is beyond measure.

There are things that I just couldn’t do, not because I didn’t try, not because I didn’t hit all the shift keys and all that nonsense, but because, literally, software on the Mac does not work the same as software on a PC.

It’s just the way it is! This past weekend, I decided to cut my losses, and then I went and got the Samsung Galaxy Computer.

I’ve never had a Samsung before, but I figure anything is better than that damn Mac.

The lesson learned is that sometimes you take a chance and realize you didn’t make the right decision. So, you cut your losses, make a new decision, and get back in the game.

That’s what I did. I got back in the game with PCs.

That’s this week’s Two Minute Drill, you guys. Hope you had a great long weekend, and I’ll talk to you all next week.

 

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]

TMD: Lessons from My Chiropractic Journey

by | Aug 29, 2023 | Blog

Two Minute Drill: Lessons from My Chiropractic Journey

What’s up Kaizenovators, Happy Tuesday Two Minute Drill. Today’s topic of conversation is the journey. This year, I’ve been asking audiences to fill out a survey when I’m done to let me know how I did. Where did I create the most value? Where could I do better? I also give them the opportunity to ask me any question they want.

 

What I’d Do Differently

 

Over the next several weeks and months, I’ll be sharing some of the questions and the answers. So, here is the first question: “If you had to do your chiropractic journey all over again, what would you do differently?”

Three things came to mind right away. The first is that I would have joined or created a peer group.

I know many of my predecessors and mentors were in peer groups. They met regularly for coffee, drinks, dinner, or breakfast, and I know that they built lifelong friendships that way.

I wish I had done that much earlier in my career. I believe connecting with others and sharing struggles and challenges would have helped both me and them significantly.

The second thing I would have done differently is to invest in formal business education sooner. Ten years into practice, I almost went bankrupt. I had to rethink everything I was doing as it related to running the practices, and I got a formal education at the University of Pennsylvania.

That was a great experience that changed my life. Reading books, going to conferences, and really learning about business infrastructure were important parts of my journey. I just wish I had started much earlier.

Lastly, I wish I had understood how to bring the right people onto the bus earlier. Make sure they’re in the right seat, doing the right work, at the right time, and in the right way to create the culture I intentionally wanted.

I didn’t even know what the word “culture” meant when I first started in practice.

So, I really should have thought more about who was going to be part of our team to achieve our mission. Instead of just needing roles to be filled—like a front desk person or an insurance person—I should have been more intentional.

Getting involved in peer groups earlier, investing in formal business education earlier, and being more intentional about team composition are things I wish I had done better and sooner. But alas, this is my journey.

This is how I’ve learned, and I hope to share this information so that you can learn faster than I did.

That’s this week’s Two Minute Drill.

You guys have a great week, and I will talk to you all next week.

 

Your questions and feedback are always welcome and appreciated!
Connect with us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]