Regular, effective team meetings play a crucial role in the health of your dental practice. That one simple-sounding factor can impact every aspect of your business. Your people, your patients, and your practice all benefit from regular, effective team meetings.
Your people need team meetings.
The core of your practice is your vision, your goals, and your strategy for achieving your goals. Each member of your team needs to understand all of these things and, just as importantly, needs to understand their part in your plan. Without that understanding, your team is working blindly and is unable to actively contribute toward reaching your business’ goals.
A team meeting is an ideal format for open discussion about your vision, goals, and strategy. Not only can you use this discussion to ensure every member is clear on your expectations, but you may find that their unique perspective creates an exchange of ideas on more effective ways to reach your goals and how each person can best contribute.
While not every team meeting needs to include high-level discussion of vision, goals, and strategy, it is a good idea to add this at least once or twice a year. If you have a new employee joining the ranks, that is the perfect time to conduct a high-level conversation. Additionally, many successful dentists find that it is highly useful to talk about concrete ways the team is implementing strategies, as well as discuss any measurable progress toward goals on at least a monthly basis. By sharing progress and ways to meet your team goals, you keep your team engaged and motivated toward achievement.
Your patients need team meetings.
One of the most common components of a productive team meeting is education. Your team needs to know what the office policies are, what is on the agenda for the day, if there are any specials on offer, or if anyone is out sick or on vacation. Plus, your team isn’t the only one that benefits from sharing new ideas, training, or techniques. Your patients need to know, regardless of who is treating them, they are receiving the same level of care and given correct and consistent information. Long story short, make sure everyone is on the same page.
Your practice needs team meetings.
Teach your team how to ask patients for referrals. Word of mouth can have a massive impact on your new customer base. According to a recent study, even happy, satisfied patients rarely refer anyone unless asked to do so. Your team members should be engaging your patients in every interaction to ensure a positive experience and then be able to ask for referrals when patients are pleased.
Only you can review your practice, your time, and your schedules to determine when and how frequently you should hold team meetings. Whether you meet daily, weekly, or on some other timeline, make your meetings regular and productive and you will see benefits to your team, your patient experience, and your practice.
Theresa F Narantic, Inc.
(855) 929-2555
