 |
How do you know that your business is successful? The short answer: You need goals, or milestones, for each month, quarter, and year. Then you have to measure the data to know if you're meeting the goals.
Without relevant and accurate data, you cannot solve problems and make decisions that keep you moving forward. Eventually, the practice's productivity and profit languish as you continue NOT to pay attention to the numbers.
As Peter Drucker and Gino Wickman--both famous business authors and speakers--have pointed out, that which gets measured gets improved. To get on track with data, here's where to start:
- Identify five to 15 high-level numbers for the practice.
- Develop a dashboard to track them.
Identify What's Most Important
To identify the numbers that you should be tracking, meet with your leadership team and:
- Brainstorm and list the major numbers you need to track.
- List who is accountable for each number.
- Decide on a weekly goal for each category.
- Assign someone to collect the numbers each week and report them to the leadership team.
- Meet at least twice a month to monitor the data together.
Common high-level numbers include weekly revenue, new clients, number of new referring DVMs, number of referring DVM contacts, payroll numbers, drug and supply costs, and client-service ratings.
Create Your Dashboard
The dashboard--also known as a scorecard--is the list of the high-level numbers you chose. It tells you at a glance how your business is doing. Your dashboard might look something like this:
As Gino Wickman points out in his book, Traction, "Your leadership team will become more proactive at solving problems because you'll have hard data that not only points out current problems but also predicts future ones." Data matters because it takes the subjective quality out of your work and turns it into tangibles. Without it, you can't achieve your vision.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This article is adapted from content in Shawn McVey's presentation titled, "Pathway Planning: How to Get Traction." Book Shawn today for a one-, two-, or three-day version of this presentation to learn a revolutionary, sustainable way to run your business! Contact Cindy Oliphant at 888-759-7191 or by email.
|
|
What Would Shawn Do?
Dealing with a Wimpy Practice Owner
Q:
I'm an associate doctor in a new clinic. In my last job, I worked under a more seasoned owner who held people accountable. My current boss wants everyone to like her, and people are getting away with murder. It's super frustrating and hard for me to watch. What should I do?
A:
When you have seen how much more efficiently things run under a leader who values accountability, it can be crazy-making to work for a wimpy practice owner. But there are some ways you could improve your situation.
- Ask for specifics when she gives direction in meetings.
Volunteer to take meeting minutes and ask questions such as, "What date do you expect Mary to complete this assignment by?" Or "Where, specifically, do you expect everyone to write their requests for vacation time?"
- Give your boss respectful feedback.
In private, and in a respectful way, tell her what you've observed. Give concrete examples of people taking advantage of her niceness and how it harms the clinic. Be nonjudgmental and stick to the facts as you see them.
- Focus on what you can control.
She's the boss. Once you have given your feedback, it's time to move on. Set an example by being accountable yourself. Give co-workers private, respectful feedback when you see that their actions are not benefiting the clinic. Lastly, consider looking for another job if your values are so far out of alignment with your boss that you're going to be unhappy no matter what. Good luck! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you have a question you'd like Shawn to answer in a future issue of our newsletter, please reply to this email or submit the question via our website on our contact form. (We will maintain your anonymity.) Thank you!
|
|
What's Your EQ?
Register for Shawn's February 2016 workshop to find out!
According to TalentSmart, the number-one provider of emotional intelligence tests and training, people with high emotional intelligence scores (otherwise known as EQ) earn $29,000 more per year on average than people with low emotional intelligence scores.
If you're curious and want to know more, you're a perfect candidate for our latest workshop, What's Your EQ? Developing Your Emotional Intelligence, in Scottsdale, Arizona this coming February 23-25, 2016. Together, we'll unpack the 19 competencies of emotionally intelligent leaders, see which competencies are your greatest strengths, and develop your emotional intelligence skills throughout the program. You'll experience interactive and reflective exercises that give you plenty of opportunity to practice your new skills. You'll also receive a 15-page customized report detailing your strengths and weaknesses in emotional intelligence and how you compare to others nationwide. It's only three months away! Read more about the program and the curriculum on our website, or register here.
|
|
Upcoming Gigs
Here are Shawn's upcoming speaking and consulting engagements. For more information or to schedule services, contact Cindy Oliphant at 888-759-7191, or by email.
NOVEMBER
November 10-23, 2015 Platinum Veterinary Alliance Sydney, Australia Private Speaking Engagement DECEMBER December 3, 2015
CVC San Diego
Topics:
Emotional Intelligence: Taking Your Leadership Up a Notch
Calm, Cool, and Collected: Dealing with Conflict Like a Pro
How to Build Your A-Team
Lead, Manage, or Get Out of the Way
Own It, Work It, Live It: From Manager to Leader
December 9-11, 2015 Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA Private Consulting Engagement JANUARY
January 26-27, 2015 VMG 17 Minneapolis, MN Private Speaking Engagement
Topics:
Pathway Planning
Emotional Intelligence
January 30, 2016 Onatrio Veterinary Medical Association Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
Topics: Attitude Matters Wow Them with Winning Service What to Do When You Can't Say Yes Building Client Relationships How to Focus on the Client Managing the Service Puzzle
FEBRUARY
February 23-25
McVey Management Solutions
Scottsdale, AZ
What's Your EQ? Developing Your Emotional Intelligence
Register here!
|
|
|
|
McVey Management Solutions | 3930 Bee Cave Road | Austin, Texas 78746
|
|
|
|
|
|
