How to get your business savvy

Approximately 43.2 percent of our respondents have a bachelor’s degree in biology; only 5.3 percent have a degree in business or an MBA.

If you fall into the category of not having a business background, how can you make up the deficit in your education?

• Subscribe to Chiropractic Economics. Each issue is dedicated to providing you with success-building tips and ideas. Go to www.ChiroEco.com to request a free subscription to the magazine.

• Check with your local chamber of commerce. Many local or state chambers of commerce offer courses to small businesses. These are generally short (one- or two-day) seminars, with each covering a specific topic, such as hiring or firing.

• Enroll in community college courses. Community colleges are a great source of basic business education. Some offer short courses or seminars. All offer “regular” semester-long programs, which you can usually take for non-credit.

• Attend chiropractic conferences. Conferences such as those offered by the Parker Seminars and the Florida Chiropractic Association, or practice-management consultants offer seminars in basic practice-management areas. You can usually find special sessions on coding, documentation, dealing with workers comp claims, and similar issues that affect the economics of your practice.

• Check the SBA. The Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) is an excellent resource. It offers online information and courses, periodically has Webinars, and occasionally sponsors free workshops in various parts of the country.

• Work with a practice-management consultant. Interview various consulting groups to select the one that best matches your needs.