by Ginny | Jan 25, 2009 | General
Many thanks to my friend Greg Drevenstedt at Valmont Research for this info:
“The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. Each animal has a different personality and a different set of characteristics. The animal associated with a person’s birthyear is believed to influence their traits, success, and happiness in their lifetime.
2009 is the Year of the Ox. According to Wikipedia, characteristics of those born in Ox years (2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913, 1901) may include: Dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, and tenacious.”
We would all do well to practice these characteristics as we welcome the New Year. Health, happiness and prosperity to all!
by Ginny | Jan 16, 2009 | General, Team Development
This classified ad for a Team Leader is currently on the web:
“You’ll be responsible for developing the team, and individual team members, to meet and exceed customer demand and expectations. The ideal candidate must be results oriented, have strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships at all levels, a passion for excellence, and familiarity with continuous improvement concepts.â€
Would you believe that Chick-fil-A is the company behind this ad? You would if you’ve visited Chick-fil-A lately. After visiting a new franchise in our neighborhood, my son Dan called to say, “You have to drive down here, you’re going to love this.†Here’s how I was greeted: “Hello, my name is Josh, may I take your order please?†..“My pleasure, please come around to the next window where Amy will be happy to serve you.†After thanking Amy for my lunch, she also replied “My pleasure.†Great service, servers who identify themselves and set themselves apart with high energy and above average manners. This was a far cry from the “do you want fries with that†stereotype of fast-food restaurants. I’ve come to learn that Chick-fil-A’s CEO, Truett Cathy was inspired by the Ritz Carlton hotel chain when he chose his restaurant’s trademark phrase, “My pleasureâ€. Mr. Cathy is dedicated to inspiring others to leave a positive impression on the people they meet. It sure worked for me.
by Ginny | Jan 3, 2009 | General
15 Reasons Mr. Rogers Was The Best Neighbor Ever
Even Koko the Gorilla loved him. Most people have heard of Koko, the Stanford-educated gorilla who could speak about 1000 words in American Sign Language, and understand about 2000 in English.
What most people don’t know, however, is that Koko was an avid Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood fan. As Esquire reported, when Fred Rogers took a trip out to meet Koko for his show, not only did she immediately wrap her arms around him and embrace him, she did what she’d always seen him do onscreen: she proceeded to take his shoes off!
Read the full article: Fred Rodgers http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/07/28/mf.mrrogers.neighbor/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail
by Ginny | Nov 6, 2008 | Practice Leadership
Now more than ever it’s essential that you and your team focus on the fundamentals that will create success for your practice.
Stop looking for the next secret to success or magic bullet that will transform your practice.
There are no more secrets; there are just good habits and old-fashioned work.
So, get to work doing what most every successful business does exceptionally well – the basics…
Read my full article on Dental Products Report website: http://www.dentalproductsreport.com/articles/show/dpr1008_pm_fundamentals
by Ginny | Oct 18, 2008 | General
I loved this definition of humor – it’s the shortest distance between two people! Isn’t that the truth? My recent trip to San Antonio for The Academy of Dental Management Consultant’s Annual Meeting proved to me once again that there’s no humor like southern humor. My taxi driver, Judy entertained me with her tales of the advice she offered one stressed out rider earlier in the day “Honey, I’m fixing to tell you what to do. I’m not gonna shut up and I’m not gonna give up.” You gotta love that kind of spirit. Judy is also the owner of the taxi service and I’ll be looking for her company when I return to San Antonio.
My Southwest Airlines flight home also offered some memorable humor. “In the event of a change in cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from above you. Please insert $2 for the first two minutes and .25 for each additional minute. For now, we’re going to dim the overhead lights so you’ll fall asleep, leave us alone and insure we all have a pleasant flight.” It’s no accident that we did have a pleasant flight; the flight attendants made sure of it.
Humor works when it’s authentic. Too often team members think that they can’t be themselves and be “professional” at the same time. Debunk this myth right away and give your team the permission and the guidance to allow each team member to offer his or her very best to your patients.
