Orthotown December 2015 - (Page 8)

embrace progress // column It's Always Time for a System How organization can take your practice to the next level By Daniel Grob, DDS, MS, Editorial Director, Orthotown Magazine I've had a couple of consultants visit my practice during my career-some of the best-and the experience has been very rewarding. But what can you do to get ready for a consultant-or better yet, what can you do on your own to organize your office, yourself and your staff? How do you create your own system? A system is defined as a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done, and an organized theme or method. In the practice of dentistry or orthodontics, you'll need a series of procedures, lists and scripts that, when put together, define your vision, practice and culture. A common misconception is thinking you're too small for a system and that you and your team all work together fine without systems. That's almost the worst excuse for not having one. There is nothing like one of your key employees leaving abruptly to show the remaining employees how little they know about the other employees' jobs-unless you have a system in place. Some doctors think that they need to be big or be part of a corporate organization to utilize a system. In response to this I ask, "How do you think they got to be a big corporate organization?" For example, my son manages a restaurant for a large corporate chain. He was charged with implementing the systems utilized by a smaller California microbrewery when it was acquired by his corporation. This small SoCal chain 8 DECEMBER 2015 // orthotown.com was acquired because it had an impeccable system. What the food looked like, how the food was arranged on the plate, and even the music playlist in the background were all written down for anyone to follow. This allowed for continuity, ease of training and consistency of patron experience. systems, you get burned out. Start slowly, but do start. It's that simple. So where do you start? What is the best way to get organized? Ron Roncone, a well-respected orthodontist, business manager, and growth expert, once said that you should "write a page every day." This In the practice of dentistry or orthodontics, you need a series of procedures, lists and scripts that, when put together, define your vision, practice and culture. Large businesses need systems As businesses get large, a systemic approach is essential. As Dr. Howard Farran points out in his book, Uncomplicate Business, one of the key elements of successfully managing a business is to watch the numbers. In order to watch the numbers, you need a consistent approach to implementing the business and doing tasks. Growth results from systems! I have found that having systems is what allows a small business to become large. If you get large without page could be a list, a script or procedure, but the point is to write something down every day. At the end of a year, you will have 365 pages of a manual, lists and/or procedures that can become your office manual, employee handbook or textbook, depending upon your goal. Imagine that! Where do you start? Everyone probably has his or her own set of important factors that make a practice work. What I have done over the years http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown December 2015

Orthotown.com Highlights
Embrace Progress: It’s Always Time for a System
Industry News
Finishing Tips, Tricks and Voodoo
Preserving Anterior Anchorage in Cases of Congenital Missing Laterals
Smooth Running: A Guide to Practice Transitions
Office Visit: Upstate New York Orthodontist Hits a Home Run with Winning Smiles
10 Things Every Orthodontist Needs to Know About HR Management
The Benefi ts of Early Treatment
Accelerated Orthodontic Tooth Movement with Clear-Aligner Therapy
Path to Purchase Research: A Survey Analysis
Poll
The Case for Soft-Tissue Orthodontics
Ad Index

Orthotown December 2015