Comments for Dr. Ron The Dental Coach - Dental Practice Management http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 15 May 2008 00:18:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 Comment on What’s Up With Dr. Ron? by Mary Kolk http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/261/whats-up-with-dr-ron-12/#comment-2306 Mary Kolk Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:42:15 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/261/whats-up-with-dr-ron-12/#comment-2306 Hi Dr. Ron - I enjoyed your newsletter and your update on "What's Up With Dr. Ron" In your article on your Pudge Watch: "Beer It does a body good" scared me for a minute - thought it was an unrecognizable you! Yikes! Hee hee. I am surprised to hear that you are still working on losing that last 20 pounds. Are you following a low-carb eating plan? You know I would be happy to help you. Give me a call or send me an email - let's work together to get that last 20 pounds gone for good. All my best, Mary Kolk Hi Dr. Ron -

I enjoyed your newsletter and your update on “What’s Up With Dr. Ron”

In your article on your Pudge Watch: “Beer It does a body good” scared me for a minute - thought it was an unrecognizable you! Yikes! Hee hee.

I am surprised to hear that you are still working on losing that last 20 pounds. Are you following a low-carb eating plan? You know I would be happy to help you. Give me a call or send me an email - let’s work together to get that last 20 pounds gone for good.

All my best,
Mary Kolk

]]> Comment on Another Way to Recognize Staff–The RED Chair Approach by Amy http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2251 Amy Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:55:45 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2251 The red chair idea is great for children but not for a professional environment. I believe there should be policies that are followed. If they are not followed then a disciplinary plan takes effect. A verbal warning that is documented, a written warning signed by the employee with a plan of correction and then termination. I believe if you treat your staff like children, that is what you will get in return. Set the bar high and don’t settle for less. You can also link a raise and/or a bonus into the disciplinary process as long as everyone understands that from the beginning. The red chair idea is great for children but not for a professional environment. I believe there should be policies that are followed. If they are not followed then a disciplinary plan takes effect. A verbal warning that is documented, a written warning signed by the employee with a plan of correction and then termination. I believe if you treat your staff like children, that is what you will get in return. Set the bar high and don’t settle for less. You can also link a raise and/or a bonus into the disciplinary process as long as everyone understands that from the beginning.

]]> Comment on Another Way to Recognize Staff–The RED Chair Approach by Julie Farley http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2248 Julie Farley Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:45:24 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2248 Wow, great topic to discuss. I like the idea about the red chair for children, however I wonder if having an employee wear the jacket would be creating a hostile work evnironment, since this could disable moral or create an intimidating working environment, and I would check with my lawyer before I implemented that policy. It is also my understanding that you never want to have an employee stand out and this could be personally offensive. You may also have some harrassment issues, if you don't create a policy and put it in your employee manual, along with the employee signature, that the employee understands this policy and in order to work here this is how we handel inappropriate employee behaviors. (After counseling does not work). I think that the doctor that is having these challenging times really needs to consider the staff the he/she employs. If you dont have control over the staff and their behaviors, what makes he/she think that the employee is going to wear the jacket? It would be much easier to document the behavior, counsel, and than terminate the employee rather than be stressed out about facing the jacket on a daily basis. (And from the sounds of it, the staff could potentially be wearing the jacket daily). I also agree that the doctor needs to make certain that they are a role model. Typically the doctors sets the tone in the office and maybe the doctor needs to reflect on how he/she runs the office. Possibly consider bringing in an office manager to run the practice if he/she is unable to manage staff. He/she should be livin the dream and not being frustrated to come into work!! Good Luck! Remember who's name is on the front door and who signs the paychecks. Wow, great topic to discuss. I like the idea about the red chair for children, however I wonder if having an employee wear the jacket would be creating a hostile work evnironment, since this could disable moral or create an intimidating working environment, and I would check with my lawyer before I implemented that policy.

It is also my understanding that you never want to have an employee stand out and this could be personally offensive. You may also have some harrassment issues, if you don’t create a policy and put it in your employee manual, along with the employee signature, that the employee understands this policy and in order to work here this is how we handel inappropriate employee behaviors. (After counseling does not work).

I think that the doctor that is having these challenging times really needs to consider the staff the he/she employs. If you dont have control over the staff and their behaviors, what makes he/she think that the employee is going to wear the jacket? It would be much easier to document the behavior, counsel, and than terminate the employee rather than be stressed out about facing the jacket on a daily basis. (And from the sounds of it, the staff could potentially be wearing the jacket daily).

I also agree that the doctor needs to make certain that they are a role model. Typically the doctors sets the tone in the office and maybe the doctor needs to reflect on how he/she runs the office. Possibly consider bringing in an office manager to run the practice if he/she is unable to manage staff.

He/she should be livin the dream and not being frustrated to come into work!! Good Luck! Remember who’s name is on the front door and who signs the paychecks.

]]> Comment on Another Way to Recognize Staff–The RED Chair Approach by Dr. Korinna Schwerdt http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2247 Dr. Korinna Schwerdt Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:29:50 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2247 I am a dental coach from Germany and still working part-time as guest-dentist in several offices. I like the idea of the red chair for children very much, but grown-ups need more subtle ways of education and valuaton. There is a saying "like master, like man". The behaviour of the staff always reflects the boss's own behaviour - they are the mirror in front of him, whether he is honest or not, authentic or not, responsable, in time, too bossy, cocky, teasing, moody, bitching about patients, inconsequent, week in decisions, mixing up office and privat ... He should be a role model in basic virtues. This is the smoothest way to evoke respect among the staff and it is FUN, because it recovers power!! This is HIS chance to develope. Magic included: the staff will follow. Love them or dismiss them! Besides, employ the best for the job!!! I am a dental coach from Germany and still working part-time as guest-dentist in several offices. I like the idea of the red chair for children very much, but grown-ups need more subtle ways of education and valuaton. There is a saying “like master, like man”. The behaviour of the staff always reflects the boss’s own behaviour - they are the mirror in front of him, whether he is honest or not, authentic or not, responsable, in time, too bossy, cocky, teasing, moody, bitching about patients, inconsequent, week in decisions, mixing up office and privat … He should be a role model in basic virtues. This is the smoothest way to evoke respect among the staff and it is FUN, because it recovers power!! This is HIS chance to develope. Magic included: the staff will follow. Love them or dismiss them! Besides, employ the best for the job!!!

]]> Comment on Another Way to Recognize Staff–The RED Chair Approach by catherine vetrano http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2246 catherine vetrano Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:29:34 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2246 I like the red chair idea for a kindergarten class , but not for a dental office. I feel each person should be taken aside privately by the dentist and spoken to openly and honestly about the behaviour. The conversation should be documented and dated. If the behaviour persists it is time to realize that the employee is not right for the practice and needs to make a career change. Wearing a stiped jacket will just embarass the person and make the other employees feel uncomfortable. I know that if I were asked to wear such a jacket, as a form of punishment at a workplace, I would likely look for a new employer. I like the red chair idea for a kindergarten class , but not for a dental office. I feel each person should be taken aside privately by the dentist and spoken to openly and honestly about the behaviour. The conversation should be documented and dated. If the behaviour persists it is time to realize that the employee is not right for the practice and needs to make a career change. Wearing a stiped jacket will just embarass the person and make the other employees feel uncomfortable. I know that if I were asked to wear such a jacket, as a form of punishment at a workplace, I would likely look for a new employer.

]]> Comment on Service–I Mean REAL Service With a Genuine Smile by Molli http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/234/service-i-mean-real-service-with-a-genuine-smile/#comment-2245 Molli Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:58:46 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/234/service-i-mean-real-service-with-a-genuine-smile/#comment-2245 Hi there Dr. Ron! I sent you a message a while ago, but got no reply, so I will try this way! Thanks for the great comments! We loved having you, your wife and your friends! Molli Hi there Dr. Ron! I sent you a message a while ago, but got no reply, so I will try this way!

Thanks for the great comments! We loved having you, your wife and your friends!

Molli

]]> Comment on Another Way to Recognize Staff–The RED Chair Approach by Jim http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2244 Jim Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:41:45 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2244 I see a big difference between the red chair and the striped jacket. The red chair is about a TIME OUT away from the group, whereas the jacket is a SCARLET LETTER approach that feels very much like punishment via public humiliation. I wonder if there's an in-between sort of consequence, that does not provoke feelings of embarassment?? I see a big difference between the red chair and the striped jacket. The red chair is about a TIME OUT away from the group, whereas the jacket is a SCARLET LETTER approach that feels very much like punishment via public humiliation.

I wonder if there’s an in-between sort of consequence, that does not provoke feelings of embarassment??

]]> Comment on Another Way to Recognize Staff–The RED Chair Approach by Marc Asmar http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2242 Marc Asmar Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:25:38 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2242 My experience is that as soon as you draw up rules- the people who cant/dont/wont follow them are the biggest whiners. They are also the first to go. Let the first( and biggest loser) go- and then the rest really fall into line with slack jaws and a "wow- he really means it" mentality. Then mob rules and you hear "she was a real pain the rear" and "I am glad she is gone" etc etc. Consider it a team building exercise. My experience is that as soon as you draw up rules- the people who cant/dont/wont follow them are the biggest whiners. They are also the first to go. Let the first( and biggest loser) go- and then the rest really fall into line with slack jaws and a “wow- he really means it” mentality. Then mob rules and you hear “she was a real pain the rear” and “I am glad she is gone” etc etc. Consider it a team building exercise.

]]> Comment on Another Way to Recognize Staff–The RED Chair Approach by Lily G http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2240 Lily G Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:09:01 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/257/another-way-to-recognize-staff-the-red-chair-approach/#comment-2240 Hi, I think it is sad that we have to treat adults like children, either by using a 'red chair' or the 'accountability jacket'. There are plenty of people (especially now with the latest unemployment figure) that would die for the type of work that dentistry provides to its staff. Personally, I would tell them to either shape up (literally) or ship out ... that amount of stress is not worth it. Doctors should be practicing dentistry, not babying staff. It's the doc's office and he shouldn't have to put up with tardy staff or lazy team participants. This is just not allowed in my office! I won't allow it to go on because it is contagious and quickly attacks even the good staff. Thanks ... Hi,
I think it is sad that we have to treat adults like children, either by using a ‘red chair’ or the ‘accountability jacket’. There are plenty of people (especially now with the latest unemployment figure) that would die for the type of work that dentistry provides to its staff. Personally, I would tell them to either shape up (literally) or ship out … that amount of stress is not worth it. Doctors should be practicing dentistry, not babying staff. It’s the doc’s office and he shouldn’t have to put up with tardy staff or lazy team participants. This is just not allowed in my office! I won’t allow it to go on because it is contagious and quickly attacks even the good staff.
Thanks …

]]> Comment on What’s Your Plan to Market in this Economy? by Dr. Ron, THE DENTAL COACH http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/254/whats-your-plan-to-market-in-this-economy/#comment-2238 Dr. Ron, THE DENTAL COACH Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:41:44 +0000 http://www.drarndt.com/dentalcoach/254/whats-your-plan-to-market-in-this-economy/#comment-2238 I love it when the author, Donna Cutting affirms what we are doing in dentistry.........Dr. Ron I love it when the author, Donna Cutting affirms what we are doing in dentistry………Dr. Ron

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