by Ginny | May 13, 2013 | Communication, General, Innovation, Practice Leadership, Team Development
Ginny Hegarty Morning Huddle Video
About 10 years ago I saw a pattern developing around team meetings. One practice after another seemed to be having what I called “Team Meeting Déjà Vu.” The team and doctors would joke and say “Can’t we just shuffle last year’s meeting agendas and reuse them again this year? After all, it seems like we just keep revisiting the same problems, we never really solve anything. I’ll bet many of you can relate to that feeling.
To be clear, these were not mediocre or even average practice, they were highly successful practices like many of you, trying to figure out how to get to that next level of success. They were basically putting band-aids on problems, quick fixes that would last for a couple of weeks or months and then old habits would reemerge. This “déjà vu” or inability to come together to create long-term solutions creates roadblocks that will affect morale and profitability & hold you back.
This is the first of my Morning Huddle Videos for Dental Products Report. View the video for a few quick ideas to shake things up and avoid Team Meeting Deja Vu
by Ginny | Dec 20, 2012 | Communication, General, HR Compliance, Innovation, Practice Leadership, Practice Resources, Strategic Planning, Team Development
It’s easy to tap into your inner child during the holiday season. Once the visions of sugarplums have finished their dance, bring that ‘3-year old you’ into your business and let that child loose to ask “why?, why?, why? as 3-year olds do.
Pepper yourself and your team with questions about why you do things the way you do them. Step back, take a minute, think it through…
- is there a better way?
- a smarter way?
- an easier way?
- a less expensive way?
- Is this guideline helping us or holding us back?
- Is the reason for this policy even valid anymore?
- Does this guideline fall short given all the new technology in place?
- Does this policy apply with this new team we have?
- Are we stuck in the past and missing opportunities?
- Is our communication clear enough that our expectations will be met?
- Does my team know what I need from them?
- Does my team know how to evaluate their effectiveness?
- Does my team have the resources, training and support they need and deserve?
- Am I aware of all of the new federal and state guidelines that I must be following?
The quality of your answers will be a direct result of the quality of your questions. Shake things up and start 2013 off with a brand new energy! Challenge your team to come up with great questions and plan a brainstorming party. Yes, your strategic planning meeting should feel like a party as you create an energy that excites and inspires you to build a blueprint for success in the New Year.
Objectivity can be elusive… Want help? … that’s what we do. Click here for information on our team workshops and consulting services: http://bit.ly/UgEjtW
“Rewrite the Rules – Don’t Just Create More Exceptions To Them” – Jeffrey Hollender Cofounder, Seventh Generation
by Ginny | Dec 5, 2012 | General, Practice Leadership, Strategic Planning, Team Development
In today’s competitive business climate, it makes great sense to step outside of the small sandbox that is your dental world and learn how to lead your team in Stepping Outside of the Box with inspiration from Corporate America.
Great idea from the Westin
I love businesses that think outside the box to engage clients and exceed expectations. The good news is that it’s really not that hard to set yourself apart. Take a look at the photo with this blog post from the Westin hotel. How great would it be to have workout shoes and clothes waiting for you at your hotel when you travel? No more squeezing your Nikes into your suitcase or worse, not being able to keep up with your exercise goals because you just can’t fit those Nikes into your carry on luggage.
If you like this idea, you’ll love my “Stepping Outside the Box” presentation on innovative ideas from Corporate America that can set your practice apart. Learn more at ginnyhegarty.com/speaking.html
by Ginny | Dec 1, 2012 | General, Practice Leadership, Team Development
Someone once had the bright idea that anyone who brings a problem to the table must also bring a solution. The conventional wisdom was that it would focus people on solutions and avoids a gripe session, but the reality is this concept will shut your team down.
If you require a solution to every challenge, you risk never hearing the questions or finding the opportunity in the challenge. Stop requiring solutions; instead invite people to bring their concerns and their goals to you. When planning your next team meeting agenda, keep it simple; say, “Tell me where you are now and where you’d like to be. As a team, we’ll brainstorm the possibilities together.”
This team brainstorming strategy is a game changer… try it and see for yourself.
by Ginny | Aug 30, 2012 | General, HR Compliance, Practice Leadership, Practice Resources
 “I walked into a treatment room today to find my hygienist texting while she waited for me to do a hygiene check.” REALLY?
Yes, really! I get calls from doctors every month who are appalled that team members are texting, tweeting and facebooking in the treatment room and at the front desk rather than engaging patients. While it may seem like an egregious violation of trust, the fact of the matter is that most employees don’t see their behavior for what it is. Often they are oblivious, simply doing what they always do … unless and until you set guidelines to address cell phone use.
In our uber-connected world, many people are attached to their cell phones 24/7, even sleeping with a smart phone that is being used as an alarm. The only significant time during the course of the day when many people are disconnected and at risk of missing a call or text is when they are in the shower!
So, what’s an employer to do when this electronic habit interferes with productivity, engagement and business profitability? Your best defense is a good offense. Create, introduce and enforce a cell phone policy for your practice that speels out exactly when and where cell phones are permitted in your office and whether a ring tone, vibrate tone or silent is the required status during work hours.
*FYI: The courts are siding against employers to the tune of millions of dollars when their employees are involved in auto accidents while using electronic devices . If your team members run errands during work hours or call into your office when running late, protect yourself and your practice. Put a formal written policy in place >>>more to follow in future post<<<< |
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