Welcome to the Planning for Practice Success Newsletter

Practice Startup Success

Information Advice Encouragement

October 29, 2007                                                                                ISSN 1934-3248

Success is “the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.”  Earl Nightingale in “The Strangest Secret”

In this issue:

Earl Nightingale and “The Strangest Secret” Earl Nightingale was a pioneer in the motivational business.  His most famous quote, taken from “Think and Grow Rich” (by Napoleon Hill) was “We become what we think about.”  In this video clip, Nightingale talks about the analogy of the fertile field, which he compares to our minds.  He says it’s up to us what we sow (think about), but it’s important to be aware of the truth that we become what we think about.  To see this short video, go to http://www.thestrangestsecretmovie.com/

Another great practice success website   I figure if I preach “the principle of abundance” (i.e., there’s enough for everyone) I should practice what I preach.  In that spirit, here’s a great website for alternative health care professionals.  They have been blogging for several years and they have lots of good advice.  For example, a recent series of blogs discussed valuing a practice.  The site is worth looking at:  http://alternativehealthpractice.com .    

From Entrepreneur Magazine’s interviews with some young entrepreneur millionaires, some advice: 
(I took these quotes directly, changing only a word or two here and there)

Do something creative – but still within your philosophy – to distinguish yourself to buyers.

Use your youth to your advantage by introducing something new.

Raise the standard and you’ll find that you never go out of style.

Give your customers a voice, and they just might want to use it to spread the word about your business.

Stay focused and don’t lose sight of why you’re in business.

Chat up your new business every chance you get, as you never know where leads will come from.

Knowledgeable team members can help you grow your business to new heights.

No matter how fast your business grows, stay focused on keeping service quality standards high.

Just because you haven’t taken the cookie-cutter path to entrepreneurship doesn’t mean you can’t make your business a success.

Let your passion be the driving force in your business.

When you fill a hole in the market with a quality product or service, customers will take notice.

What do your patients love?  What do they hate?  Here is a list adapted from an article in Business KnowHow:  http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/meetcustomers.htm

Patients love:

• When you know them, remember them by name and remember their preferences.
• To be treated with respect
• To feel special
• To know you're accountable when problems arise
• The ability to reach a live voice or person when problems arise
• To receive lagniappe - a little something extra, for their money's worth

What Patients Hate: 

• The runaround - and having to repeat one's predicament repeatedly
• Labyrinthine voice mail systems
• Apathetic employees
• Being put on hold
• Being left on hold
• Being disconnected after holding
• Repeatedly hearing how important their patronage is while on hold indefinitely
• Lack of empathy
• Taking patients for granted
• Being nickel and dimed! (charging for every little thing)
• Adhering to the letter of the law as opposed to the spirit of the law

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 Ask Dr. Jean Murray a question (email jean@dcpracticesuccess.com )
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