Dr. Dean C. Bellavia

1-716-834-5857

BioEngineering@twc.com

Are you Getting the Most out of your Consultants?


Tuesday, 10 May 2016 16:07
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Have you ever hired a consultant?  If so, were you satisfied with the outcome?  Was the outcome worth your time and expense?  If not, maybe this pearl can help you to better select your next consultant.

 

What is a consultant?  He/she is an expert—knowledgeable and highly experienced—in the systems you want, but find difficult to create and implement on your own.  Lets face it, any consultant can help a disorganized practice somewhat, but it takes an expert to provide lasting results.

 

What can a consultant help you with?  A consultant may have expertise in one or in many areas, to help you to:

1.  Organize & Hire your team (if your staffing is not optimal)

2.  Schedule your team (if your days are not smooth, productive, and low stress)

3.  Create a TC Program (if you are not attracting or converting exam patients effectively)

4.  Create a Team Training Program (if staff training is incomplete or takes too long)

5.  Access your Entire Market (if you don’t have enough DDS or patient referrals)

6.  Practice Transition (if you want a partnership or to retire)

7.  Create a better Office Layout (if your practice is outgrowing your facility or it isn’t attracting patients)

8.  Other areas such as: Goal Attaining, Inventory Control, OSHA & HIPAA, computer utilization, etc.

If you need help in numerous areas, make sure that your consultant can help in all desired areas or can at least refer you to someone who can help you where they lack expertise.

 

When considering a consultant, account for the following: 

1.  Whether they have the required expertise (they should be able to give you a call list of previous clients)

2.  Exactly what they will provide you with, according to what schedule, and for what price.

3.  The written or electronic materials (systems) they will provide your team members with and train them in.

4.  Their follow-up after a visit to make sure that what they provide you with, lasts.

5.  A report after each visit indicating what was accomplished with whom, what each must do to make sure the install systems last, and what still needs to be accomplished.

6.  A payment plan that coincides with the services provided; be wary of consultants who want it all up front…and make sure that the fee is a reasonable investment in your future!

 

Refer to the attached PDF “Minimal Standards for Orthodontic Consultants” for a better understanding of what services you should get for your investment in time and money.

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