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“We did pretty good…considering”…a dental practice management falshood!

I was facilitating a team meeting for one of my clients when I asked one of the team members to report on her monthly numbers.  Sheepishly she announced the less than goal numbers explaining with a litany of excuses why they did not meet their numbers.  First it was the holidays; then it was we were focused on getting “stuff” wrapped up for the end of the year; then I heard her say….well, “we did pretty good…considering.”  “We did nearly 99%.”  I thought to myself……..considering what?  Why do we tolerate this kind of mediocrity and excuses?  Why do we fear standing up to our staff when we know they are not doing what they agreed to do? (I do know….we have no testicles for fear that they will leave.  I have a name for this) Why do we pay them their full wages when they don’t perform to agreed levels of expectation? (Yes, I know we as leaders need to be clear about our expectations…shame on us if we don’t and we have only ourselves to look to) Who pays you when you do the crown prep and temporary and yet you don’t seat the crown? (Oooops Mrs. Smith, the lab did not deliver your case on time) This is nonsense.  I know if any of the team members read this post they will be livid and full of indignation………..to bad!   The truth is, we permit too many excuses for what goes on….or rather does not go on in our offices.  You might want to direct your staff to a website and a book….SHUT UP, STOP WHINING & GET A LIFE.  Don’t misunderstand, I live in the real world and I know “stuff” happens.  Yet, the difference is the distinction between those who make excuses and refuse to assume responsibility and those who recognize their mis-step and take the initiative to fix it.  Those who are doing their jobs never will be offended by my comments.  Those who use B.S. to explain their reason for not doing what they agreed to do will always be pissed.  I submit, when we do less than 100% each day the result is expensive.  CLICK HERE to learn what 99.9% really means.  I’m hoping all you dental practice management “guru’s” will have something to add………and I can hardly wait to hear.

Dr. Ron, THE DENTAL COACH

Dr. Ron is the only Master Certified Dental Coach (MCC) on the planet. He has blended 20 years of clinical dental practice with executive roles in financial planning and investment management along his graduate business training to provide his clients with the tools, support, and accountability to accomplish more. About Dr. Ron, "I count you as one of life’s best finds", says Dr. Gary Imm of Reisterstown, Maryland. He has authored many articles; manuals; ThinBooks ^tm; TeleClasses and if you visit http://www.drarndt.com you can receive one of his FREE reports, "9 Painful Mistakes Dentists Make in the Hiring Process"

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One Response to ““We did pretty good…considering”…a dental practice management falshood!”

1. Adrian Says:
   January 9th, 2007 at 12:14 am

   “Yeah, but” is not only what the staff says too often but even we Docs fall in to that same nonsense. It takes daily work to keep the positive attitude when you are surrounded by negative people and dissapointing results. WE are asked to ignore past performance to see what the future can hold. Ever so true statement but very very difficult.

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