Author Archives: Edward Petty

About Edward Petty

Consultant with Petty, Michel & Associates, Author of Marketing Manager System, the Goal Driven Business www.GoalDriven.com. Father and grandfather, husband, student, active in athletics, and in health and environmental causes.

Using offline and online tactics to grow your chiropractic practice

Posted on by
Reply

mothers day greeting with floral bouquet

Grow Your Chiropractic Practice with Online and Offline Strategies

Many chiropractic offices see success with online advertising, especially on social media. While effective, it often requires digital expertise, so many chiropractors hire agencies—some with better results than others. If you’ve worked with a good agency, sharing your recommendation could help others.

Online promotion isn’t new to chiropractic. B.J. Palmer, one of the profession’s pioneers, was a relentless advertiser who played a major role in chiropractic’s growth during the early 20th century. His legacy reminds us that consistent promotion is key.

However, in today’s tech-saturated world, offline engagement is more valuable than ever. Creating relationships with patients is critical. The relationship business in a chiropractic office revolves around building trust, fostering patient loyalty, and creating a community that supports long-term engagement and referrals. Chiropractic care is inherently personal, as it involves hands-on treatment and addressing patients’ pain, mobility, and wellness goals. The success of a chiropractic practice often hinges on strong relationships with patients, staff, and the broader community.

Your practice is essentially a network of relationships, sustained through communication and service. So:

  • Nurture current and past patient relationships
  • Use those to expand to new connections

Some effective offline tactics include:

  • Sending personal email newsletters with stories, health tips, and a touch of personality
  • Hosting in-office events (e.g., Mother’s Day giveaways or posture screenings for National Correct Posture Month)
  • Organizing a patient appreciation picnic or monthly spinal health talks
  • Visiting local businesses to give brief wellness presentations
  • Setting up a booth at local fairs for visibility and patient reactivation

Combining digital and personal outreach creates a powerful, sustainable marketing strategy. As Woody Allen once said, “80 percent of success is showing up.”

“80 percent of success is showing up” (Woody Allen)

Stay Goal Driven,

Ed

References:

*(B.J. Palmer, Achievers Magazine, 1989)
*Brad Glowaki
*(Woody Allen (Quote Investigator)

How Steve Jobs’ Vision Can Transform Your Chiropractic Practice Learning from Visionary Success

Posted on by
Reply

steve jobs

Apple, founded by Steve Jobs in 1976, is now the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of $2.9 trillion and $54 billion in cash reserves. But in 1997, Apple was on the brink of bankruptcy. Jobs’ strategic overhaul turned it around, offering lessons for chiropractic and healthcare practices.

In a 1997 interview, Jobs shared a key insight: “If you do the right things on the top line, the bottom line will follow.” He emphasized that a clear strategy, passionate people, and a strong culture drive quality products, marketing, and operations—ultimately boosting profitability. For chiropractors, this means focusing on vision and values to achieve sustainable success.

The Top Line: Your Practice’s Foundation

Your “top line” is your practice’s vision, values, purpose, and the team that embraces them. When these are aligned, marketing, procedures, patient outcomes, and profits follow naturally.

Top-to-Bottom Framework:

  • Top Line: Vision, values, purpose, mission
  • Almost Top Line: A team aligned with these principles
  • Middle Line: Policies and procedures
  • Almost Bottom Line: Patient outcomes
  • Bottom Line: Net income

Focusing on the top line creates a “vision-driven” practice, much like Jobs’ approach at Apple.

Insights from a Chiropractic Leader

A seasoned chiropractor recently shared a video on social media, responding to a colleague concerned about high practice expenses. He identified the biggest cost: an “under-trained” team. His solution? Hiring passionate individuals and training them not just in chiropractic techniques but in the practice’s “why”—its purpose, mission, and vision. Team members who didn’t fully align were let go. The result? A thriving practice.

When I commented that his success stemmed from his own clear “why,” he agreed: “It all starts from the inside out. If the doctor has a big WHY and can teach it, the team will follow.”

Sustaining Your Vision

Keeping your practice’s values alive requires ongoing effort. It begins with your example as the leader and continues through consistent team coaching. In our MBA program, we explore proven strategies to maintain this focus, from vision to execution.

Apple’s Core Value and Your Practice

In 1997, Jobs defined Apple’s core value: “We believe people with passion can change the world for the better.” This resonates with top healthcare practices, where passion for patient care drives impact.

Does your practice reflect this passion? A clear vision, a dedicated team, and consistent coaching can transform your chiropractic business, just as Jobs transformed Apple.

Stay Goal Driven.

Ed

Momentum Magic: How the Flywheel Effect Boosts Your Chiropractic Practice and Service Business

Posted on by
Reply

flywheel effect

What separates good businesses from great ones?

It’s momentum—created by doing what works consistently and improving it over time. In business, especially in healthcare services like chiropractic, success often comes not from radical change but from steady, thoughtful progress.

Avoid the Trap of Constant Change

Healthcare entrepreneurs often seek out the next big thing—new therapies, machines, or procedures. While innovation can be beneficial, abrupt changes to proven systems can disrupt staff and confuse patients. A smarter approach is to test new ideas first, and only implement them if they complement what’s already working.

“If something works—fix it, refine it, but don’t toss it.”

The Flywheel Analogy

Jim Collins, in Good to Great, uses the image of a massive flywheel to illustrate how lasting success is built. At first, it takes immense effort to turn. But with consistent effort in the same direction, the wheel picks up speed and begins to turn on its own—powered by its own momentum.

The key lesson: there’s no single breakthrough moment—just consistent, focused effort over time.

How This Applies to Your Practice

  • Identify what’s working—and keep doing it.
  • Make small, strategic improvements over time.
  • Adapt to market changes gradually and intentionally.
  • Build systems that generate results with less effort over time.

By steadily turning your business flywheel, you’ll transform your practice from good to great—creating a self-sustaining engine of growth.

Keep building. Keep refining. Momentum will do the rest.

Ed

Boosting Service and Retention Through Daily Case Management in Chiropractic Practices

Posted on by
Reply

planning for a winning dayStart the Day with Purpose

A quick, structured case management meeting each morning can significantly enhance patient retention, referrals, service quality, and team morale.

The Morning Case Management Routine

Spend 20 minutes before seeing patients to meet with your team. Review the day’s patient schedule—focusing on individual needs, progress, or concerns. You don’t have to cover every patient, especially on busy days, but focus on those needing special attention.

Key points to discuss:

  • What’s the goal of today’s visit?
  • Do they need therapy, rehab, or a progress exam?
  • Have they voiced any concerns?
  • Do they need educational materials or financial consultations?
  • Should a family member attend?

Also, go over new patients—who referred them, what to expect, and how to create a warm welcome.

Keep the Energy Up

Beyond planning, these meetings set a positive tone for the day. Encourage team bonding with short activities like stretches, planks, or even a daily “bad dad joke” to keep things light.

Set achievable goals for the day—such as new patient intakes or completed cases—and review a motivational quote or revisit your practice’s core mission.

Make It Routine, Make It Stick

Assign responsibility for leading the meeting, but ensure it has leadership support. These meetings only work if they happen consistently—don’t let them fade away.

Ultimately, the purpose is to better serve patients and help them reach their health goals—this is what great case management is all about.

Seize the future!

Ed

Master Your Craft First: The Key to Success in Chiropractic, Healthcare, and Service Businesses

Posted on by
Reply

chef Jiro Ono, mastering the skill of making sushi

Marketing Starts with Service Quality

A chiropractic clinic once asked for help boosting patient numbers and improving their marketing. While we did touch on marketing strategies, the real game-changer was getting back to the basics—refining the way they practiced.

Each visit, we reviewed patient interactions, discussed specific cases, and role-played challenging scenarios. This hands-on, continuous learning approach helped the doctors improve their confidence and communication. The result? Within a few months, new patient numbers nearly doubled, and total visits increased by 50%, driven by better retention and reactivations.

When Business Slows Down, Go Back to the Fundamentals

If your numbers are dipping, the first step isn’t better marketing—it’s better service. Start with yourself and your team. Are you genuinely present with each patient? Do you “really” listen and connect?

One of the most successful doctors I worked with approached every patient with deep empathy and curiosity. She didn’t rush into treatment—she listened, observed, and connected both emotionally and physically. Her retention and referrals were outstanding.

On the other hand, her associate, while friendly, lacked that same depth of connection. As a result, her performance—and the clinic’s growth—suffered. Unfortunately, without proper training or mentorship, her skills never reached the necessary level.

Excellence Is Contagious

Great service isn’t just about the doctor. Every team member needs to be aligned in delivering exceptional care. It’s a group effort.

Consider sushi master “Jiro Ono”, whose small Tokyo restaurant had a waitlist over a year long. He dedicated his life to perfecting every element of sushi, constantly refining and improving. His commitment to excellence became his best marketing tool.

As Jiro said: “You must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. That’s the secret of success.”

The Takeaway

Before pouring energy into marketing tactics, ask yourself: “Have I mastered my craft? Are my team and I truly delivering top-tier care?”

A good business, like a good restaurant, eventually fills itself up—because mastery, presence, and consistent quality attract people naturally.

Keep mastering your skill

Ed

Is Your Practice Lacking a Competent Office Manager?

Posted on by
Reply

super woman goal driven office manager

Chiropractic practices with dedicated managers tend to offer better service and generate higher revenue. In my early experience working with a large chiropractic office, the practice included 28 adjusting rooms, multiple associate doctors, and saw over 2,000 visits weekly. The doctor was often away attending seminars or traveling, while the practice manager and the COO (the doctor’s wife) helped run the clinic. Similarly, I recently spoke with a manager in a practice with four doctors, where the owner planned to shift to part-time work, and the manager took on the responsibility of running the practice.

In larger practices, having a manager allowed the owner to focus on patient care, which boosted revenue. Studies confirm the benefits of having a manager. A 2005 study found that small firms with a second-in-command grow 15-25% faster, while a 2018 Harvard Business Review article highlighted that CEOs who delegate to managers increase strategic time, leading to higher revenue. Gallup’s research also shows that good managers increase profits, work quality, and retention, while reducing absenteeism.

Effective managers help doctors see more patients, improve care, and support the staff, all while taking ownership of the business. Some doctors prefer a smaller operation, but others, especially entrepreneurs, want to grow their practices and achieve financial independence. For those doctors, training a manager is key to success.

Our Practice MBA program offers practical, interactive training for managers, focusing on goal-driven leadership. The program includes group and individualized coaching, and it equips managers with the tools to help grow the business and support the team. Enrollment is limited, so don’t wait—sign up now to start growing your business with a trained manager.

Ed.

Goal Driven MBA3 Office Manager Training Information

 

The Big Practice Barrier: Overcoming Growth Challenges in Chiropractic and Health Businesses

Posted on by
Reply

chasm between service and net income

Many practice owners aspire to run million-dollar or multimillion-dollar businesses, but they often face barriers that hinder growth. Despite working hard, many practice owners struggle to achieve the financial success they desire.

 The Core Barrier to Practice Growth

In The Millionaire Next Door by Stanley and Danko, the authors highlight that self-employed individuals are more likely to become millionaires than employees. As chiropractic and health business owners, financial success should be a natural outcome—but it isn’t always the case.

While it may seem like poor revenue stems from lack of new patients, poor retention, inadequate equipment, or economic factors, these are just symptoms of a deeper issue. The real barrier to growth is the **Practice Dilemma**—the challenge of providing excellent patient care while managing a growing business.

The Practice Dilemma

New practices typically don’t face this dilemma because they operate at low capacity. But as your practice grows and reaches 60-70% capacity, balancing high-quality service with the administrative and marketing tasks becomes increasingly difficult. The business requires both leadership and management, but most practice owners struggle to bridge the gap between providing top-notch service and handling business operations.

The primary reason many practice owners don’t become millionaires is their inability to balance quality service with effective business leadership.

 The Solution: The Fast Flow CEO Systemsm

The Fast Flow CEO System (FFCEO) offers a solution to the Practice Dilemma. It allows practice owners to manage their growing business while continuing to deliver world-class service. The FFCEO system divides leadership and management functions between the CEO (the practice owner) and a trained manager.

The **Practice MBA** program trains a trusted employee to handle management tasks, while the business owner focuses on key leadership responsibilities. This system follows the **Pareto Principle**, which suggests that 20% of your efforts yield 80% of the results. By empowering a trained manager to handle most of the operational duties, the CEO can stay focused on patient care and strategic decisions.

 Why Management Training Matters

There is a noticeable lack of management training programs for chiropractic and health business managers. Effective growth requires expert leadership and management, combined with excellent patient care. The FFCEO system enables the doctor to focus on their expertise while a trained manager handles day-to-day operations, bridging the gap between service and business leadership.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to scale your practice and achieve financial success, consider the **Fast Flow CEO System** and the **Practice MBA program**. This approach will allow you to lead effectively while maintaining high-quality care. Take the steps today to ensure your practice’s future success.

Seize Your Future

Ed

The Next Generation of Chiropractic and Healthcare Practice Development: Growing Your Practice from the Inside Out

Posted on by
Reply

it's the manager book cover by clifton and harter

To grow a successful chiropractic practice, there are four key principles that can help improve both your practice and business. These principles are based on years of experience working with doctors and staff in the field.

1. Practice Success Depends on Two Key Factors

  • Quality clinical outcomes: Delivering effective results for your patients.
  • Quality support: Ensuring your practice has the infrastructure and administrative help to maintain and grow.

While excellent results are critical, support is equally important. As your practice grows, administrative demands increase, and these are often overlooked. The key is balancing patient care with behind-the-scenes tasks like scheduling, billing, staff management, marketing, and more. Without proper support, your clinical focus can be distracted.

Remember: It’s not chiropractic that slows you down—it’s everything else!

2. Better Support Leads to More and Better Services, Resulting in Increased Revenue

The equation is simple:  Improving the support for your practice will enhance both the quality and quantity of services provided. With increased and improved services, your revenue will naturally rise. It’s a logical and proven cycle.

3. Better Management Leads to Stronger Practice Performance

Studies show that the most successful practices often have someone in a managerial role, even if they’re not fully trained. These offices tend to have higher and more stable production. The best business owners understand the importance of having a manager, even if they’re still training them.

4. Gallup’s Insight: Management is Key to Long-Term Success

Gallup, a global analytics company, confirms the importance of good management. In their book *It’s the Manager*, they state that **the quality of managers and team leaders is the single most important factor in long-term organizational success. This underscores how critical it is to invest in strong management.

Enter the Goal-Driven Practice MBA

Based on these insights, a new program was created to train chiropractic managers: the Goal-Driven Practice MBA. This program focuses on improving the support system within your practice to enhance both patient care and practice performance. If you’re interested in a personalized training program for your practice, the next session starts in April. Only 10 offices are accepted, ensuring a highly tailored experience.

If you’re interested, contact Linda, the program coordinator, to discuss whether it’s the right fit for your practice.

Seize the Future: Take action now to elevate your practice.

Ed

The “New Will of the World” Chiropractic and Natural Health Care.

Posted on by
Reply

smiling female gardener with a box of fresh tomatoes

The “New Will of the World,” Chiropractic, and Natural Health Care: Embracing Purpose-Driven Change

Gallup, a global analytics company, has identified emerging trends in society through data analysis. One significant trend is the “New Will of the World,” which reflects a shift in social values, including a growing desire for meaningful, purpose-driven work. This trend is influencing both the workplace and health care, where people are seeking more than just a job or pain relief—they’re looking for purpose in their lives.

The “New Will of the World”

This shift involves a broad societal movement towards work and health practices that focus on meaning and personal fulfillment. People—whether in the workplace or as patients—are increasingly searching for deeper connections to their work and well-being.

“Make America Healthy Again” Movement

Coined by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his presidential campaign, the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement has gained momentum, particularly in the context of promoting chiropractic and natural health care. Kennedy, an advocate for these approaches, has proposed several initiatives:

  • Nutrition and Food Policy: Kennedy focuses on improving nutrition, including revamping the FDA’s oversight of food labeling, limiting ultra-processed foods, and banning harmful additives.
  • Pesticide Reduction: He aims to enforce stricter limits on pesticide use and encourage sustainable farming practices.
  • Revised Dietary Guidelines: Kennedy’s plan is to prioritize whole foods, organic options, and regenerative farming over corporate interests.
  • Support for Small Producers: He pledges to revise regulations to support smaller farmers and create a more level playing field in agriculture.
  • Creating Meaningful Change in Your Practice

Chiropractic offices and health care providers have a unique opportunity to align with this broader movement by offering a work environment and services that reflect purpose and community well-being. You can inspire both your team and patients by adopting the “Make America Healthy Again” ethos. Consider creating local initiatives, such as a “Make [Your Town] Healthy Again” campaign, in collaboration with health food stores, gyms, and local farmers. Hosting workshops, talks, and podcasts can bring the community together while promoting your services.

Engaging Your Team and Community

Your team is seeking more meaningful work, and your patients are looking for more than just pain relief—they desire holistic well-being. By tying your practice to this larger, purpose-driven movement, you can foster a sense of fulfillment and connection with both your staff and the local community. Activities like health-themed workshops or collaborative events with professionals in the community can deepen this mission and benefit everyone involved.

In summary, embracing the “New Will of the World” allows you to create a practice with greater purpose, connecting people to a healthier, more meaningful lifestyle while supporting the growing trend of chiropractic and natural health care.

ED

References and Full Article at [LINK]

How Do You Start Your Day in Your Chiropractic Healthcare Practice?

Posted on by
Reply

bright yellow sunrise with a green grassy field

Morning Case Management Meetings

Does your day get off on the right foot, each and every day?

Are you and your team fully prepared when the patients start coming through the door?

Importance of Discipline

Arriving early and conducting Case Management meetings demonstrates discipline, which is crucial for business success. As Jim Collins states, “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline”.

Starting your day in a chiropractic healthcare practice with a morning case management meeting can significantly improve patient care, increase efficiency, and foster team cohesion. Here’s a summary of how to implement this practice:

Morning Case Management Meeting

The meeting should be brief, lasting about 10 minutes, and involve the entire team. Key components include:

1. Assign a Case Manager: Usually the Front Desk Coordinator, responsible for organizing and leading the meeting.

2. Review Appointments: Distribute the day’s appointment sheet to all team members.

3. Discuss Patient Goals: Go through selected patients, addressing:

– New injuries or concerns
– Scheduled progress exams or x-rays
– Patients transitioning to maintenance/wellness care
– Upcoming events like Patient Appreciation Day

4. Optional Office Review: Briefly discuss monthly numbers, marketing plans, and set goals.

5. Team Check-in: Ensure everyone is prepared for the day and maintain a positive atmosphere.

Benefits of Morning Meetings

– Enhances patient care quality
– Increases patient volume and referrals
– Improves organization and communication
– Sets a positive tone for the day

By implementing this morning routine, chiropractic practices can ensure they’re prepared to provide world-class care and maintain a goal-driven approach to their practice.

Stay Goal Driven

Ed

To read the full article and download the Sample Checklist go [HERE]

He Fired the Chiropractic Assistant When the Stats Went Up

Posted on by
Reply

green light for accepting patients

In the article *He Fired the Chiropractic Assistant When the Stats Went Up*, Ed Petty discusses how a positive attitude at the front desk can significantly impact the success of a chiropractic office. He compares busy and struggling offices, noting that busy offices often have a welcoming, “open” attitude, with a motto like “Always room for one more!” These offices focus on getting as many people as possible in for adjustments, creating an atmosphere of openness and enthusiasm. In contrast, less busy offices tend to have more rules and prioritize collections over patient care.

Petty shares a story of an office where the front desk assistant, despite being new to computers, became incredibly enthusiastic after attending a chiropractic seminar. Her attitude transformed, and visit numbers skyrocketed. However, due to computer issues and billing frustrations, the doctor fired her, which resulted in a decline in visits and the eventual loss of an associate. Petty argues that the doctor should have hired someone for data entry, allowing the front desk assistant to continue her work of promoting chiropractic care.

The article emphasizes that the front desk plays a crucial role in driving office volume and that a “high capacity” mindset is essential. Petty encourages chiropractic teams to ask their front desk if they can handle increased patient visits, and similarly, evaluate their own capacity for growth. He concludes with a call to adopt a “Big Capacity” attitude, referencing his book *The Goal Driven Business* and his upcoming Practice MBA program, to help chiropractic offices grow and succeed.

Read the full article here [LINK]

Sign up for Waitlist

The Cobbler’s Children Have No Shoes

Posted on by
Reply

shoe cobbler sitting with 4 children telling a story.Are Your Chiropractic Staff on Health Programs?

You may recall the proverb about the cobbler’s children not having shoes, which illustrates how people often neglect their own needs while helping others. This happens in various fields—like a laundromat where the employees wear dirty clothes or a car repair shop with poorly maintained cars.

Recently, many offices we work with have had staff missing work due to illness, which can be costly. As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure.” Health should be a core value for your team, something everyone strives for, not just a business mission. It should be like a fun quest—finding ways to get healthier.

Unfortunately, some teams aren’t on health programs or aren’t as informed as they could be. Your staff should be the healthiest and fittest in town, with strong immune systems and natural remedies to boost their health during flu season.

While taking care of patients is a priority, it’s equally important to focus on improving your own team. This includes training your employees to enhance their skills and knowledge of your services. A trained, motivated practice manager can support both your people and your practice.

If you’re interested in having someone trained as your manager, sign up for our waitlist, and I’ll send you details about the upcoming program starting March 31.

In the meantime, encourage your team to start their mornings with planks, Vitamin D, and green drinks—and maybe a little dancing!

Take care of your people, including yourself, and stay goal-driven.

Ed

Read the full article here [LINK]

Sign up for Waitlist

Overcoming the Barrier to Consistent Marketing

Posted on by
Reply

4 month marketing calendar The biggest challenge in marketing is inconsistency. There are a few key reasons for this:

  1. No one is in charge of marketing.
  2. Time constraints. Many businesses struggle to find time for marketing.
  3. Uncertainty about how to plan. It can be difficult to know where to start or how to structure marketing efforts.

The Community Education Program addresses these issues, drawing from the experience of managing over 20 offices in Wisconsin. This program provides a clear, actionable framework for marketing your services consistently.

Marketing Principle: Newton’s Third Law

Marketing works like Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when you promote something, you will get a response. By setting up a monthly marketing plan in advance, you ensure something is always going out, even if you add extra activities later.

How the Community Education Program Works

  1. Project Manager: Assign someone (typically the marketing coordinator) to oversee marketing efforts, ensuring everyone is involved.
  2. Central Theme: Select a theme for the upcoming months, focusing on proven marketing tactics and common health concerns your services address.
  3. Targeted Promotions: Tailor your efforts to different groups:
    • Active Patients: Use word-of-mouth, posters, coupons, and workshops.
    • Inactive Patients: Reach out via newsletters and social media to re-engage them.
    • Community Referral Sources: Engage gyms, dentists, and other local professionals with emails, flyers, and direct contact.
    • Non-Patients: Use ads to attract new patients.

Example for a Chiropractic Practice

February: Neuropathy Awareness Month

  • Event: $29 screening exam and consultation.
  • Workshop: “Nature’s Remedies: Six Holistic Approaches to Easing Neuropathy” at your office and senior centers.

Marketing Channels:

  • Active Patients: Posters, coupons, word-of-mouth.
  • Inactive Patients: Success story newsletters.
  • External Referral Sources: Posters at senior healthcare facilities and workshops.
  • Advertising: Social media.

Fun Future Themes

  • March: Kids Health Month – “Leprechaun’s Health Month.”
  • April: Summer Fitness – Include a golf workshop.
  • May: Women’s Health – Focus on pregnancy and new baby care.
  • June: Back Pain Awareness Month.
  • July: Headache Awareness Month.
  • August: Athletics for Kids – Concussion prevention and recovery.

By planning monthly themes in advance, you can ensure consistent marketing, even if other programs are running throughout the year.

Marketing Principle: Quantum Physics

While Newtonian physics explains marketing’s action and reaction, Quantum Physics suggests that we are all connected and that our emotions and energy influence our outcomes. Stay positive, stay energized, and keep a good vibe in your marketing efforts!

How to Avoid the Groundhog Day Syndrome in your Chiropractic Office.

Posted on by
Reply

What would you do if you were stuck in one place and everyday was exactly the same, and nothing you did mattered?

Here is a summary of Ed’s weekly Goal Driver Newsletter.  Jump here to read the full article.

The Groundhog Day Syndrome can feel like doing the same thing over and over, with no progress or change—whether it’s handling repetitive tasks or dealing with the same issues at work. This can lead to burnout and a sense of being stuck, much like the movie Groundhog Day, where the main character endlessly relives the same day.

Life is cyclical, and each cycle offers new opportunities for growth, much like levels in a game. If your team is feeling bored, stressed, or stagnant, it might be time to move to the next level.

Here are two strategies to avoid the Groundhog Day Syndrome:

Create a Fun Theme for the Year: Choose a theme that aligns with your mission, such as encouraging fitness or community service, to motivate your team and patients.
Constant Improvement: Regularly evaluate how you can improve services, outcomes, and overall performance. Treat it like a game—always striving to level up.

Start the new year with fresh goals, and embrace growth! Consider enrolling in our Practice MBA program starting March 31, 2025, for further development.

Let’s break the cycle and keep moving forward!

Ed

MBA Program Information[LINK]

 

7 Steps to Creating Goal Driven Team Members

Posted on by
Reply

little boy with a red hat playing in a sandbox

“The devil loves an idle mind.”

THE TRICK to keeping your practice lively, fresh and fun — and profitable, is to have your team set their own goals. Then, help them achieve them.

Without creative goals, we all can get bored. Attention drifts and performance and service slip.

According to Self Determination Theory, people want to have their own game. They want a degree of autonomy to demonstrate their competence in an activity they can control. They want their own sandbox.

Working in alignment with others in a group, people also want to be part of a community that shares a larger purpose – and is going somewhere.

This concept can be applied to your practice. Here is an example:

Steu Smalley (Steu has two major roles)

  • Role: Billing and Collections. Goal: Collections, Collections Percent
  • Role: Financial Consultation. Goal: Number of patients who accepted care, Percent of accepted care

Roseanna Danna: (Roseanna Danna has two major roles.)

  • Role: Front Desk Coordinator. Goal: Total visits, Percent full capacity, Kept Appt. %
  • Role: Internal Marketing. Goal: Patient referrals, Reactivated patients

It is understood that each office area depends on other areas, so teamwork is essential. However, everyone can improve the outcomes in their area.

Here are 7 steps to implement individual goals achievement.

  1. Define roles and goals. Define the major roles, goals, and statistics for each team member.
  2. Past statistics. Review past statistics if available.
  3. Set goals and action steps. Each team member should write down their goals and action steps for the upcoming one to three months.
  4. Copy to you. Team members provide you with a copy of their goals.
  5. Team meeting. Each team member should state their goals and action steps at the monthly team meeting so that everyone knows each other’s goals.
  6. Follow-up coaching. During the month, check in with each team member using the form they filled out and check their progress. Coach them as needed.
  7. Repeat the process each month.

Implement this program gradually, starting with key positions.

This approach promotes responsibility, accountability, and constant improvement while focusing on business goals. And it makes work more enjoyable.

We teach this procedure in our Practice MBA program for managers and clinic directors.

If you want management and leadership training for you and your manager or manager-to-be, please sign up on our waitlist. I will send updates soon with unique information about key tips on practice leadership, management, and marketing.

Seize your goals in 2025!

Ed

PS. MBA 2025. We are starting a wait list for our next MBA program, which will begin in March. We only take a limited number of students, so if you are interested, please get on our wait list here. [LINK]

 

Chiropractic and Natural Healthcare Predicted to Grow

Posted on by
Reply

People want and need your services

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the First Newsletter of the New Year!

Thank you for being a valued subscriber and for your continued support throughout the past year. We truly enjoy creating these newsletters and hope they provide you with valuable insights to help you achieve your goals.

Our focus remains on practice growth and business development. We aim to assist you in enhancing both the quality and quantity of your services—ultimately boosting your bottom line. Along the way, we want to ensure you and your team enjoy the journey.

Don’t forget, Lisa, our expert in insurance, credentialing, and practice sales, also sends out a newsletter on the first Thursday of each month. Feel free to reach out to her anytime for expert advice. (Details about Lisa can be found below.)

CHIROPRACTIC GROWTH: A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

To kick off the New Year, our message is simple: Stay positive and goal-driven!

There is so much to be optimistic about, and I’ll be sharing solid reasons for this in the upcoming weeks. But let’s begin with one key piece of good news—the growth of chiropractic and natural healthcare.

The chiropractic profession is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.3% between 2023 and 2033. This means the industry could grow from a yearly value of $571 million in 2023 to nearly $6 billion by 2033!

chiropractic growth 2023-2033

In comparison, the dental market is expected to grow at a much slower rate of just 4% annually.

While some forecasts for chiropractic growth are more conservative, most predict an increase of at least 10%. The study I reference appears to be well-researched, and you can read more about it on our blog (link below).

IT’S NOT JUST CHIROPRACTIC—NATURAL HEALTHCARE IS BOOMING

The growth isn’t limited to chiropractic care. Naturopathy, for example, is expected to grow by 15-20% over the next decade.

The organic food market has experienced significant growth as well. Sales, which were about $13 billion in 2005, surged to $64 billion in 2023 and are projected to reach $144 billion by 2032.

Similarly, the U.S. supplement market has exploded. In 2000, it was valued at $15 billion; in 2023, it reached $53 billion.

WHAT’S DRIVING THE GROWTH IN NATURAL HEALTHCARE?

The reasons behind this surge in natural healthcare are clear—especially for those of you working directly with patients. Americans are increasingly looking for ways to improve their health, and what’s been promoted to them for decades is no longer cutting it. As a result, they are turning to alternative solutions.

When comparing the health of Americans to other industrialized nations, the U.S. ranks near the bottom. Surveys indicate a significant shift in consumer attitudes towards proactive health management rather than reactive, symptom-focused treatments. There is also a growing preference for non-invasive, drug-free approaches.

In many cases, people are turning back to simpler, more natural remedies—sometimes even relying on what “Grandma knew”—as they seek alternatives to pharmaceuticals due to concerns about side effects and dependency.

Other key factors driving the growth of chiropractic and natural health include:

  • Increasing Awareness and Acceptance: More people are becoming aware of the numerous benefits of chiropractic care.
  • An Aging Population and Active Lifestyles: The incidence of conditions like back pain, arthritis, and sports injuries is on the rise—especially among seniors and those with sedentary lifestyles. Many are looking for non-surgical solutions, and with professional football teams utilizing chiropractors, weekend athletes are following suit.
  • Integration with Traditional Medicine: There’s an increasing trend of collaboration between chiropractors and other healthcare providers. In fact, I personally know chiropractors working in hospital settings.
  • Affordability: Chiropractic care is generally more cost-effective compared to many conventional medical treatments.

Your future looks bright – keep smiling!

As you can see, the future for chiropractic and natural healthcare is incredibly promising. Keep moving forward with optimism and a focus on your goals.

Let’s work together to make America healthier, one patient at a time!

For auld lang syne, my friend,

Ed

References on blog [LINK]

Create Something New Every Day in Your Chiropractic Healthcare Practice

Posted on by
Reply

viktor frankl, woman sitting on a rock waiting for a ship to come in the night

It’s a unique aspect of human nature that we thrive when looking toward the future. (Victor Frankl)

No one—neither you, nor I, nor the people we work with—is holding us back from shaping a better tomorrow. We are the authors of our next chapter: 2025.

In the coming months, we have the freedom and opportunity to craft a renewed and enhanced version of our chiropractic practices and our lives.

Creativity is not only fun, but it’s also deeply meaningful and rewarding. It aligns with our natural drive to improve, to take something good and make it better, then share that improvement with the world.

As the New Year approaches, take some time to envision what 2025 could look like for you. Collaborate with your team and others—it’s a reminder that we all need each other.

This is your chance to innovate. Whether it’s rearranging your desk, adding new wall art, offering care classes, trying a new activity like line dancing, stepping up your fitness routine, or simply listening more attentively to others—don’t take things too seriously!

The key is to treat each day as a fresh start. This ties into the concept of Present Time Consciousness (P.T.C.), something I remember Dr. Jimmy Parker teaching us. When you’re truly present—living in the now—you open yourself up to creativity.

On the other hand, if you fall into autopilot mode, your days blur together, and each patient becomes just another routine. The monotony can be draining—and when you slip into this, it’s likely your team will too.

This is where a strong support system can make all the difference. No one can do it alone, so lean on your teammates, coaches, and colleagues to help you stay grounded and hold you accountable.

In 2025, commit to making every day new—treat each patient visit like it’s the very first. Avoid slipping into automatic mode. Step outside the algorithmic world, and embrace your humanity, spirituality, and Innate wisdom.

CREATE!

Let’s make 2025 your best year yet.

Seize the Future.
(Carpe Futurum)

Warmly,
Ed

Download a tent poster here: [LINK]

Merry Christmas to All

Posted on by
Reply

merry christmas grandmother with young girl opening presents

The wish of a “Merry Christmas” is a warm and meaningful greeting for everyone, no matter their religious beliefs. It extends to your chiropractic and healthcare teams, your patients, family, friends, and even to those you haven’t yet met.

Christmas represents universal values such as joy, generosity, and goodwill—ideals that resonate with people across the globe, regardless of faith.

This season offers a special opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, whether near or far, and to deepen those bonds. It’s also a time for remembering those who cannot be with us.

It’s a moment to express gratitude, in any way or to anyone who comes to mind.

And of course, Christmas is a time to enjoy delicious food and a festive spirit that brings warmth and light to the winter season.

Whether you embrace Christmas in its literal or symbolic form, it’s a time for celebration and reflection.

From all of us, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas!

Warm regards,
Ed

P.S. Visit the original article at Goal Driven for two beautiful Christmas tunes to enjoy:
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Canon

Delivering Kindness in Your Chiropractic Healthcare Practice

Posted on by
Reply

young lady with older lady showing kindness and caring

The article emphasizes the importance of kindness in chiropractic healthcare practices, suggesting that kindness is the core “business” chiropractors are truly in, rather than just focusing on adjustments, marketing, or insurance. Kindness, defined as acting with concern for others without expecting reward, enhances relationships with patients and within the team. This, in turn, leads to improved patient referrals, retention, and overall satisfaction.

Kindness also has personal benefits, improving the well-being and mood of both healthcare providers and patients, while creating a positive ripple effect in the community. The article concludes with a poem, Let Us Be Kind by W. Lomax Childress, reinforcing the idea that kindness is a priceless and transformative force in life and business. The message encourages practitioners to stay driven by kindness, especially during challenging times.

Read the Full Article Here: https://www.goaldriven.com/post/delivering-kindness-in-your-chiropractic-healthcare-practice

The Silent Recession and What to Do About it in your Chiropractic Healthcare Practice

Posted on by
Reply

farmer in a field of obstacles

The article addresses challenges faced by chiropractic practices in 2024, attributing some of the struggles to broader economic factors like a “Silent Recession.” Small businesses, including clinics, saw a 30-40% revenue decline, with inflation and rising operational costs outpacing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Insurers’ tactics, such as requiring prior authorizations, denying claims, and delaying reimbursement, have also complicated financial operations. Additionally, many patients face financial strain due to inflation, high interest rates, and rising living costs, further affecting clinic revenues.

To counter these challenges, the article offers solutions focused on improving clinical and administrative practices. Clinicians are encouraged to focus on the fundamentals of their care, adopt a purposeful approach to healing, and invest in ongoing training to enhance patient outcomes. Administrative support is emphasized, suggesting that a strong organizational structure and team training are critical for long-term success. The article also highlights the importance of staying independent, noting a trend of independent medical practices being squeezed out by governmental policies and rising inflation.

The author encourages chiropractors to remain resilient and continue fighting for their independence in the face of these challenges, implying that larger industries may have a vested interest in eliminating smaller practices. The message ends with a call to action for chiropractors to stay strong and prepared for 2025.

Read the Full Article Here:  https://www.goaldriven.com/post/the-silent-recession-and-what-to-do-about-it-in-your-chiropractic-healthcare-practice