Susan Hoy’s TEAM TIPS
No ‘Quick Fix’ When It Comes to Practice Management

Chiropractors are often faced with the challenge of explaining to patients that there is no “quick fix” when it comes to attaining and maintaining optimal health. The same principle applies when it comes to practice management.

Building a successful practice (or turning one around that needs a “boost”) can be an involved process based on some basic tenets.

Some of those tenets include:

• The “cure” must come from the inside out; not the outside in. As with patients, the healing comes from within, because of a commitment you and your team make together.

• You must be willing to change. Go out and get the book “Who Moved My Cheese.” Then share it with your team. You can read this book in an hour, and chances are, it will affect the way you view change. A constant commitment to excellence that never ends. There will always be room for improvement.

• You must take a systematic approach. When treating a chiropractic patient, you begin by identifying your areas of concern. Once you have identified those areas, you focus on the most serious problem first. You know if you try to focus on every problem your patient has all at once, it will create too much confusion, and the body will be overwhelmed. It is the same way with practice management. Trying to fix everything at once will be overwhelming, so make sure you address change one step at a time, in an organized manner.

• Usually it will get worse before it gets better. Any change in procedure will initially create frustration. Expect some frustration and confusion, but work through it. Similar to cleaning out a closet, the process may create a mess, but the end result is order.

• Never give up... never give in. Isn’t it frustrating when a patient gives up just before the improvement kicks in? Likewise, don’t give up prematurely when it comes to business. Give your plan an opportunity to work. Just keep tweaking your system until you see positive results.

• You must continue with maintenance or supportive care. Once your patients begin to improve, they often return to all their old habits. Suddenly, they lose the forward progress and start to have the same old problems. Similarly, once your practice begins to improve, don’t stop. Continue to maintain all the systems you put in place. Plan your work and work your plan consistently.

The bottom line is that there is no magic bullet. Success is a methodical, systemized approach that is a continual and never-ending process. One thing builds on another. It takes planning, effort and consistency. Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work for it. And there’s no better time to start than tomorrow morning.

Ms. Hoy speaks to chiropractic team members throughout the country and is an award-winning team trainer and consultant. She is the author of several books and a team-training manual. She writes a newsletter called “B.E.E.F. IT UP,” which focuses on chiropractic staff issues. Ms. Hoy served as office manager of Snyman Chiropractic Group in Center City, Philadelphia, for 11 years. She can be reached at 215-674-0130, or check out her website at www.beefitup.net.