Category Archives: General

Posted on by
Reply

Here in the United States, July 4th is a date we celebrate each year, commemorating the independence as colonies from Great Britain.

And I can’t help but see a parallel between those hardy souls in the American colonies that wanted their freedom and, well, you! Chiropractors and their teams.

To colonize means to “take control of a people or area, especially as an extension of state power… to take or make use of (something) without authority or right.” (Merriam-Webster)

It could be said that the profession of medicine has been colonized by a few corporate interests. Same has been happening with other professions and industries. A few large corporations own and control more and more businesses that were once independent.

But for the most part, chiropractic as a profession has remained independent.

It hasn’t been easy, what with the AMA and Pharma coming after you, as was disclosed in the Wilk’s trail. (That was just a speed bump for them!) But Team Chiropractic has won its independence and freedom due to the courage of those who have come before you.

And it also comes from your continuing courage today.

So, this Fourth is also about your independence and your continued efforts to do the BEST for your patients and your communities.

Celebrate this!

Yes, it is just another day at the office. But this weekend, have an extra cool drink and recognize your leadership and courage in standing up for the true health of your patients and your community.

Stay free, and help others do the same.

Ed

Wisconsin License Renewal Requirements – 2020

Posted on by
Reply

REMINDER:  Wisconsin License Renewal Credentialing Requirements

*Please Note:  Due to the pandemic, usual and customary continuing education requirements are waived this biennium.   However, even if you did not complete your hours, you still need to renew your license.

A review of the usual requirements follow:

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs):

  • Continuing Education: Forty (40) hours minimum of state board-approved courses; four (4) of the 40 in nutrition
  • Maintain Current CPR

Starting now and prior to December 14th, renew online: https://online.drl.wi.gov/UserLogin.aspx

Chiropractic Technicians (CTs):

  • Continuing Education: Six (6) hours minimum of state-board approved courses

Starting now and prior to December 14th, renew online:  https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/ChiropracticTechnician/CE.aspx

Chiropractic Radiological Technicians (CRTs):

  • Continuing Education: Twelve (12) hours minimum of state-board approved courses

Starting now prior to December 14, renew online:  https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/ChiropracticRadiologicalTechnician/CE.aspx

TIP:  Keep your transcripts and file them safely, in the event of a continuing education audit.

Approved course listings can be found here:
https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Chiropractor/CE.aspx

All licenses (DC, CT, CRT) expire on December 14, 2020, at midnight.

Questions?

Contact Lisa Barnett
PM&A Consultant
920-334-4561

Giving Thanks – Appreciating Each Other

Posted on by
Reply

I know you are busy now.

We all are.

We fly through our days, adjust and treat patients, make our calls, do our paper work, and then rush out to our personal lives.

But often we are like bus drivers, driving so fast that we drive past of our bus stops where our passengers are waiting for us.

So this is just a short note to remind each of us to stop, now and then, and say thanks. (And I know you know this, but a gentle reminder never hurts.) Over here in the U.S., we are celebrating Thanksgiving Day, so it is a customary holiday for us. But we really need to give thanks daily.

Gratitude is a powerful attitude and a feeling that we can use and regularly adopt to make our lives better. But its practical application derives from the fact that it is a basic recognition of a deep truth that we probably too often overlook.

The truth is that we are given so much — and that there is so much goodness in the world that deserves our appreciation.

And so this is a note to also let you know that all of us at PM&A are truly thankful for the work each of you do.

We know how hard you work and we know how much you help your patients and your community and we sincerely honor it. In fact, it is the reason we do what we do.

Unlike other management companies, we have seen you in your offices, talked to your staff, and know your numbers. We know that you don’t really get the appreciation that you deserve, but thankfully, you are not waiting around to receive “thank you” cards! Each of you are too busy helping others.

You really are the leaders in health care. You haven’t sold out. You are strong in your principles and motivated in your mission. And so are we. How each of us arrived in this line of work — who knows? Perhaps it is part of a plan, or a calling… but here we are.

I think it is safe to say that each one of you also appreciates the good work of each other across this planet in helping others get better naturally – even though you haven’t all been introduced. We are all connected by our basic efforts to help others get healthier.

And when you think about what we are all doing to help others, there certainly is a lot to be grateful for. It can almost give hope that the world can be, and will be, a better place.

With much gratitude and best wishes,

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

Happy-Thanksgiving

My Life And Times With B.J. Palmer – An Interview with Dr. Perrault

Posted on by
Reply

In a special teleclass sponsored by Petty, Michel and Associates, Dr. Thomas Perrault will be interviewed by Dr. Tom Potisk, both graduates of the Palmer Chiropractic College.  Dr. Perrault personally knew Dr. B.J. Palmer, considered the Developer of Chiropractic, and spent time with him in the early part of Dr. Perrault’s career. (More about Dr. Palmer.)

Dr. Perrault will discuss some of his experiences with Dr. Palmer and what he learned from him.

It is safe to say that no other individual has been more responsible for the growth and continued success of the chiropractic profession than B.J. Palmer. He was a man of extra-ordinary energy and dedication to helping others with chiropractic. (More about B.J. Palmer.)

Dr. Tom Perrault, Sr., Founder of Perrault Chiropractic Offices, received a Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1962.

He returned to his hometown of Methuen, MA to begin practice and was instrumental in the licensure of chiropractic by the Massachusetts legislature in 1966. He served twelve years on the Methuen School Committee, and continues to be active in community and civic affairs. His dedication to his profession and the community have earned him numerous awards and recognitions. He is a Fellow of the International Chiropractic Association and the Palmer Academy of Chiropractic.

Thomas Perrault Sr., D.C.

Thomas Perrault Sr., D.C.

A long-time leader of the Massachusetts Chiropractic Society, Dr. Perrault currently serves as its Executive Vice President and has been named Massachusetts Chiropractor of the Year an unprecedented four times. His activities with his professional society have kept him on the leading edge of chiropractic research and innovations in chiropractic. His primary interest remains the location and correction of the vertebral subluxation complex, which is the fundamental principal on which chiropractic practice is based. In 2004 Dr. Perrault was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by his profession.

It is definitely worth a listen. The class last about 50 minutes.

March 29nd- Tuesday, 12:30 CT – Teleclass (50 Minutes)

If you are an active client, you can find the phone number and access number for this live interview on your PMAmembers.com site.

If you are not an active client and want to register, please go here.

..we’re sneaking away to do some planning…

Posted on by
Reply

Like elves going to our workshop, we are off to our New Year’s planning meeting…somewhere up in the Far North (Wisconsin)…looking at what new “presents” we have in store for all of our great fans and wonderful clients for 2011…reviewing what’s working and what is new that will deliver the most benefit to the chiropractic teams we serve…and what trends we see for the new year.

Be the first to hear about what we have planned at our teleseminar on Tuesday, December 28, 12:30 C.T. Contact us for the phone number if you want to attend.

Twas the day before Christmas – Chiropractic Version

Posted on by

santa-claus-pics-0112

 

Not sure who wrote this,but would like to know.  Kind of cute!

================================================

 

T`was the day before Christmas, but there was no cheer.

No jingle bells jingled, no sound of reindeer.
The word had got out that Santa was sick.
There`d be no friendly visit from jolly St. Nick.

The people were sad; no gaiety sounded.
For Christmas had come, but Santa was grounded.
He walked down the street, and what should he see?
On a small sign was printed, Chiropractor, D.C.

Now, Santa was not one to like a new tactic,
But all else had failed, so he`d try Chiropractic.
He entered the office and saw at a glance
In a place such as this illness hasn`t a chance.

Continue reading →

What’s Been Working: 7 Characteristics of Successful Chiropractic Offices

Posted on by

We recently reviewed what has been working marketing-wise with many of the more successful chiropractic offices with whom we work.  Many chiropractors are doing their best ever, even some who have been in practice for years.   One called up last week and said they had over 30 new patients that week.

What did we find? There seems to be a few key elements in common.  Here are 7 of them:

1. External Marketing Procedures. Many offices have had very successful external events over the last several months.  These are often scheduled a year in advance, and include talks, screenings, and networking. But external marketing also includes advertising, such as a dynamic web site, email, and even some radio, television, and print.

New offices, in particular,  need to concentrate on external marketing. But established offices also benefit because they not only help generate new patients, but also reactivate former patients and bolster the confidence of your active patients when they see you outside of your office.  We have lots of materials, posters, ads, procedural manuals on these external procedures. Many are free on our web sites (here and at pmaworks.com). You can also purchase our Marketing Manager System with the MMS Marketing Toolkit which has hundreds of practical marketing materials for your use.)

2. Internal Events. Most offices that are doing well have had some kind of internal event. Successful internal events are fun. They can simply be something silly like a costume day (Halloween Costume Awards), 80’s Day with mullets, or a  “Fruity Friday” with fruit on Fridays (Yea Team Munson!).  They can also focus on referrals: “Bring a Buddy Day”, services for donations, coupons, etc.  A very effective program is educational classes, such as the standard spinal care class and monthly advanced classes on different conditions and topics. (These procedures are also covered on our web sites and on our MMS computer program.)

3. Patient Education. Offices that have been doing well work hard at “telling the chiropractic story.” True health sets us apart from the medical world, which concentrates on crisis care and disease care. The more the patients understand this difference, and seek it, the more they stay, pay, and refer. Nothing beats an educated patient. A patient that understands the importance of spinal hygiene and general organic health will be more than a patient but a fellow team mate in your quest to help others regain and maintain their own health. Along with this understanding is the need for you and your team to also understand the opposing forces to healing from the inside, which include personal laziness and irresponsibility, Big Pharma, Big Food, and toxicity in every day materials.

4. Clinical Focus and Certainty. Successful offices have doctors that continue to be engaged in the craft, science, and philosophy of their profession.  I have seen offices with full appointment books simply because the chiropractor was a zealot about his skills and outcomes and was certain that he could nearly raise the dead.   One definition of professionalism could be the act of providing the utmost in excellent service long after the excitement and newness for the subject has evaporated. This requires discipline to constantly renew your eagerness for your skills.

5. Excellent Team Support. The busy offices were a team where everyone helped the patients and doctor quickly and cheerfully. To do this you have to have the right people in the right roles doing the right procedures.  Sometimes the office is disorganized, or the front desk staff member wants to be an airline stewardess (attendant) and the billing coordinator wants to work in a hospital. Sometimes there simply needs to be another staff member helping, or the procedures change too often for no reason.  These can stop new patients.

Simply put, someone has to do the marketing. Your team should want to sell heath. If the office is sufficiently organized and motivated, new patients seem to walk in as if being summoned telepathically.

6. Clinic Atmosphere. The quality of the atmosphere of an office is usually taken for granted. And given the fact that other practice building elements are in place, it may not be an acute problem. But there is no question that in the long term, the “vibes” of an office have far reaching effects.

Corporations understand this and make attempts at creating a great atmosphere. Starbucks is an example. But small town or corner stores often do this better, where the service and care is down right…neighborly. People want to go to a place where everyone knows their name.

7. Executive Skills.
Except for the clinical component, most of the elements mentioned above rests upon the skills of the doctor as a business executive, a role for which you did not necessarily sign up for when you paid your tuition at chiropractic college.

Every successful business has a C.E.O.  who inspires the team, ensures successful polices and procedures are constantly applied and improved, and plots the long term growth of the enterprise.  This is actually THE missing role in most chiropractic offices, by the way.  This is why most doctor’s stay chained to their jobs and live week to week, working to pay their overhead and keep the doors open.

To convert a job to a business requires someone to move outside of the practice and start to work on the practice, not just in it.

This is such an important skill that next year we will be starting a new series on The Chiropractor as the C.E.O.

You too can work on these seven areas of your business and see more than enough patients.  We would be happy to help you, by the way.

Ed Petty

No Cell Phones Sign

Posted on by
Reply

Cell phones can be a nuisance. They can interrupt the harmony and pleasant atmosphere of your office. If you don’t have a sign up for your patients to remind them not to use their mobile phones, you can download this document, print it, and use it. Ensure that your patient’s experience in your office is not hampered by someone shouting to their aunt on their cell phone about their bunion operation.
[ Download/View File ]

Avedis Donabedian, MD, MPH

Posted on by

Hi!
I wanted to share this with you and hope you like it. Avedis Donabedian, MD, MPH, (1919 – 2000), was considered by many as the father of quality assurance in medicine. He preferred to call it “the process of ongoing improvement” in healthcare (much like our 3 Goals seminars discuss and the points Dr. Peter makes during his talks). A medical doctor and early graduate of the School of Public Health at Harvard, his work has defined quality of care issues versus the commercialization of health care. I hope you enjoy the attached quote from him. It applies as much to us as to all hospitals.

“I have never been convinced that competition by itself will improve the efficiency or the effectiveness of care or even that it will reduce the cost of care … Health care is a sacred mission. It is a moral enterprise and a scientific enterprise, but not fundamentally a commercial one… Doctors and nurses are stewards of something precious. Their work is a kind of vocation rather than simply a job; commercial values don’t really capture what they do for patients and for society as a whole.”

“Systems awareness and systems design are important for health professionals, but they are not enough. They are enabling mechanisms only. It is the ethical dimensions of individuals that are essential to a system’s success. Ultimately, the secret of quality is love. You have to love your patient, you have to love your profession, you have to love your God. If you have love, you can then work backward to monitor and improve the system.” –            Avedis Denabedian

Poster

Your Promise

Posted on by

Here in the Midwest, flowers and trees are blossoming.  We have a tree in front of my office that is exploding with light pink blossoms. Baby birds are chirping.

blossoms

A new crop of students are graduating and new wave of young people are getting married.  (My daughter is among them! [big smile])

Promises of what can be.

Just for a moment, think about what is it that your clinic promises?

Because it does promise something, whether or not you even planned it to. Every business does. For example, driving by a Starbucks, what is promised?

One of the definitions of a brand is a “promise.”  Starbucks has worked hard on perfecting and systematizing their brand and promise.

Your brand, your reputation, your image – what does it promise?

The tone of your front desk when she/he answers the phone – what is the promise?

Your report of findings – what is promised?

When your patient accounts staff talks with your patients, what is the promise?

There are a hundred little units of communication that you are constantly sending out about what your patients can expect to receive with your services. Do your messages inspire trust and confidence? Are they friendly? Do they appeal to what your patients and potential patients really want?

And do you deliver on the promise?

The word promise has a number of meanings. One of the meanings is a “stated commitment.”  Another is to “show potential for future excellence.” Both apply.

You can discuss this at your next staff meeting.

It is spring.  A time for new beginnings and renewal; a promise of great expectations that can be achieved.

And your gift is that you and your team have the ability to make every day a spring day, every moment a spring moment.

Are you chirping?

Ed

No Recess Here

Posted on by

Busy-busy-busy. Promotions, staff training, hiring, new procedures, patient finances, and patients, patients, patients.

There may be a recession, but with the doctors with whom we work, there sure hasn’t been a recess!

They are working harder than ever (and so are we!)  And, their practice “scorecards” show it. Some offices report a slight decline but many in fact have been going up.

And that is, in the final analysis, our best solution: In a recess-ion – don’t take a recess.  At least not a mental one. Now and then, it is good to get out, but that is just so you can come back with more energy than ever.

Quit Whining
Arnold Schwarzenegger recently told a group of Europe’s top trade officials:

160533-arnold_thumb_original

“It doesn’t make any sense for people to sit back and whine and to complain about the economy slowing down because we have to look forward rather than back.” He went on to say: “We have to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

So, what is the solution?

When the Going Gets Tough
Over the years, we have seen so many chiropractic offices get by with poor procedures, hit and miss marketing, bad management, and sloppy clinical. The thing is, chiropractic works SO WELL that a poorly run office could limp along and survive. But not any more.

When the going gets tough, the tough get to work improving their business, or to paraphrase Stephen Covey, they get to work “Sharpening their Saw.”

You have to improve all aspects of your business. If you don’t, people will go to a doctor’s office that is.

First thing you should do?
But when numbers start to slip, what is the first thing you should do to improve your business? OK, let’s start out this way: what is the first thing you should NOT do?

Read the results of these 2 studies and see if you can guess the answer:

In a study of U.S. recessions, McGraw-Hill Research analyzed 600 companies from 1980-1985. The results showed that business-to-business firms which maintained or increased their advertising expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession averaged significantly higher sales growth, both during the recession and for the following three years, than those that eliminated or decreased advertising. By 1985, sales of companies that were aggressive recession advertisers had risen 256% over those that didn’t keep up their advertising.

Or how about this study by Roland Vaile:

“Advertising executive Roland S. Vaile tracked 200 companies through the recession of 1923. In the April 1927 issue of Harvard Business Review, he reported that the biggest sales increases throughout the period were rung up by companies that advertised the most.”

You guessed it: don’t stop marketing.  Marketing costs money and takes time, and this is one of the first things business owners want to “cut back on” when frightened by a recession.

Hmm, is that defensive or offensive? And the best defense is a what? That’s right, a continuous outreach program.  Talks, screenings, special promotions, networking, do it all and more. Now is not the time to cut back or economize. The time to do that is when you are making the money.  If you try to save now, you will have less and less to save with. Most people spend money when they make it and try to save it when they don’t. In fact, the exact opposite should be done as a business strategy. More on that for a later post.

But marketing isn’t all external. The truth is, it is mostly internal to your office. This means you should work each week  on improving your internal marketing procedures. These include patient education and  extra-ordinary service procedures, and literally everything you do and that goes on in your office that each patient experiences.

What the patient experiences is a critical part of marketing.  If the patient has a satisfying and rewarding experience, he or she will come back and maybe bring a family or friend.  If she doesn’t, she will go somewhere else.

So, don’t go blaming the economy if your patients aren’t coming back or referring, or if your practice is not growing.  Improve your patient’s experience in your clinic and get to work on improving your marketing outreach and all aspects of your business.

Even with the challenges that the economy sends your way, this still could be your finest year.

———–

Come to our Boot Camps and get trained. We are going to train train train, and have fun doing so.

Minneapolis, MN – Thursday, April 2. 8:30 to 5
Milwaukee, WI – Thursday, June 4. 8:30 to 5
Learn about them here.

Listen to Dr. Peter Kevorkian on our next Teleclass on March 23 at 12:30 Central Time.  Special talk on “Creating Lifetime Patients”
To learn more or register, go here.

—————-

link to above mentioned studies: Studies

Practice Strategies For Success in 2009

Posted on by
Reply

Milwaukee, WI
Winter (-14 degrees)

Our newsletters have been a little sparse over the last month. Like you, we have been getting the New Year going. It comes at you fast, like the Arctic cold in winter.

Phyllis, Dave and I got together recently and reviewed what has been working for the offices with whom we work and what hasn’t. We also looked at what we did that worked and what didn’t work so well. Based upon this, we have come up with a very exciting program and additions to our services for the New Year.

We will send out a description of these soon. Suffice it to say for now that we have kept our seminars and made them even better. We have also added more teleconferences. For the dates, locations, and topics, check the link below. Stay tuned for a complete description of them coming soon.

But the immediate subject of this letter is to present to you a very general strategy for what we feel is the best course for you to take in the New Year.

We enter the New Year in unprecedented times. There is no denying this. We do not live in our offices as islands, separated from the rest of the country or world.  Some websites will tell you that the end is near. I have been reading doomsayers since the 70’s and they still sound the same. I think it bolsters their ego and gives them a cause, but that is just my opinion.

But it would be wrong to pretend everything is as it always was. Not just our economy, but the world’s economy is going through massive, even revolutionary changes. But there are, and have been, other changes taking place as well. In the last 15 years, electronics have gone through many unthinkable transitions for us coming from the mid 20th Century.  Social changes world wide have taken us beyond the Third Wave, as Alvin Toffler described in his book.  And, there is the ongoing “Wellness Revolution” and “Green Revolution”, which those of us in the chiropractic profession can take pride in the fact that we have been in the forefront. Needless to say, the “Times Are a Changing.”

But with this change comes opportunity. The country is going through a severe “cleanse”: parasite cleanse, colon cleanse, you name it.  It is a time that offers many new avenues for growth and prosperity.

Jeffrey M. Stibel, an entrepreneur and brain scientist writes in a recent article in the Harvard Business Review:

The 2008 recession is an economic firestorm unlike anything the country has seen since the Great Depression. But 2009 is shaping up to be a trigger for an unprecedented surge of innovation that may be one of the most important turning points in the last 100 years.  (article)

Let’s look at some general strategies that will help you prosper in this New Year. We offer a few below and will mail out more specific action steps soon.

  1. First, don’t panic. Danger is always near, especially for a small business owner. So what else is new? Whether it is your association’s alarming headlines about how doctors are earning less or chiropractic gurus advocating working for massage therapists, negative news is all pretty routine, really.  People have always been around to promote the bad news. So what?  Good news is hardly ever promoted.
  2. Motivation. It is fine to face the brutal facts, but what is happening with a Wall Street investment company is not as important as what is happening in your community.  There is bad news. Negative news can distract and dishearten not only you, but also your staff and patients. Limit your exposure to national news and talk shows. Get the facts, fine. But more importantly, every day, look for new reasons to renew your purpose and drive to achieve your goals.
  3. Appreciate your profession. Chiropractic works. It has, it does, and it will.  People benefit from it. People need it, in hard times and good times. These are facts that do not change. You have a skill that you will always have and that can’t be shipped to Asia and that will always be needed and will always be effective. It is a million dollar skill.
  4. Your success is just between you and your patients. You don’t work for a corporation.    You are an independent business professional as well as an independent health care professional. Except from you patients, you can’t be fired.  But they can fire you.  So, take care of them better than you ever have.  The chief difference between you and other options they have is the connection you generate with them. What is the quality of relationship you have developed with your patients as a result of your extra-ordinary service and care?
  5. Health is Wealth: Sell Health.  Get across to your patients and community that health is the only real wealth and this is what your office is uniquely prepared to deliver. Regardless of the employment condition of your patients and potential patients, their health is their greatest wealth. If they are healthy, they can work 3 jobs if needed. If they are not healthy, they won’t be able to work even one. This is why they have to work on maintaining and improving their health. This has to be a recurring message you get across to your patients.
  6. Constant improvement. But only the best business will survive and thrive. Your business organization has to become better, or die.  We have seen mediocre practices struggle along that did not and would not improve their procedures. In better times, they could still survive. These types will more than likely go the way of the dinosaur unless they step up their “game.”  I am not advocating “social Darwinism”, but it is an observation that the better (healthier) companies survive and thrive, and poorly managed ones fail.  We recommend adopting a policy of what we call the “Practice Development Process”. (Small plug: this is what we do and teach.)
  7. More for less. With a process of constant improvement you can work out how you can get more done with less effort. Economize does not mean don’t spend money. It means spend money better. Get more “bang” for your buck. For every dime you spend, you should get back a half dollar.
  8. Triple your patient base. Whatever you have planned for marketing, triple it. Some of your patients may not be able to see you as many times or pay the same fees as before. If this is the case, and I am definitely not promoting this, you have to talk about #5 above.  You will also have to increase your volume of patient visits. It is no longer “how much you can get from how little, but how little you can get from how much”, to paraphrase an old quote from B.J. Palmer.

Over Christmas, most stores did poorly, except for Wal-Mart and McDonald’s. I am not advocating reducing your fees. You probably do not charge enough as it is. But, you have to be prepared to offer different plans based upon the time of payment (payment on assignment, at time of service, or in advance.), as well as other programs.

Now is a great opportunity for growth and entrepreneurship. You are the captain of your ship as it crosses the seas through storms and gales.  Stand at the helm (steering wheel) as the misty wind blows and know that you can beat any storm and take your crew and passengers to sunny skies and calm waters.

It is a challenge, an adventure, and a worthwhile goal you and your team can achieve.

We will be there too.

See you on deck!

Upcoming seminars and teleclasses.

helm

Fight or Flight – Creating Your Own Economy

Posted on by
Reply
Brookings, Oregon.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008

***Rock stable principles in a sea of bad news – and the future of your practice
***October promotion with sample
***Reimbursement teleseminar coming soon
***Seminars in November and December
—————————————————-

Are you scared?

More and more, it seems like fear mongering is used by associations, consultants, and governments.

One doctor, who is having his best year ever, recently called in worried, questioning what he should do. He had just read his state association’s monthly magazine with the headline that chiropractors earned less, again, this last past year.  The article cited a survey and offered no real encouragement about what to do.

As a client of ours, we referred him to objective evidence that the action steps he had been working on were taking his business to record highs and that we were on the right track.

Another article by a well known chiropractic and dental consultant published last year talked about how chiropractic was all washed up. He suggested chiropractors start working for massage therapists.

You can always find bad news. But the fact, and the good news, is that if you implement fundamental marketing and management systems into your practice, and keep them going on a recurring basis, it will grow.  We know this to be true as we see it demonstrated from the numbers that come in from our clients. They are growing.

For business in general, at least here in the Midwest, things aren’t all bad. A recent report says that “Business activity in the U.S. Midwest expanded in September at a faster rate than expected, with production picking up rapidly and hiring rates on the rise, a report showed on Tuesday.” (Reuters, Sept. 30)

Fear is a strong emotion. It can make you panic and lose sight of what is right in front of you. A major reason people drown while swimming is because they let fear take control of them.

There may be threats to your survival staring you down, but fear and panic only make it worse. In the martial arts, you are trained to stay calm in violent situations and use your energy only when it is most effective. You have to be willing and able to take action. Fleeing can be more dangerous. But most of all, you stay calm, stay focused, and get through the situation ideally with non violence.

While our economic system, as well as our health care system, continues to destabilize, consider these elements which are as stable as rocks in pounding surf.

Chiropractic Results. Chiropractic has worked through wars, depressions, recessions, and will continue to do so no matter what the future brings.

Need For Chiropractic Care. People have needed chiropractic care in the past and this won’t change. In fact, with an aging population and a growing orientation towards wellness, the demand for chiropractic care will only grow.

Business. Globally, the Market will go through whatever changes it needs to go through. Locally, however, the principles of the Market and fair exchange do not change. People will pay for quality services and goods that they feel they need.

Your chiropractic practice, properly systematized, is an engine that exchanges the health benefits of chiropractic care with those who need it.

So, don’t be distracted by fear mongering about the national or even the chiropractic economy. Do not panic. You are not drowning.

What is the outlook for your business? It is promising! Why? Because you are able to create your own economy by implementing and maintaining effective marketing and business systems that support your practice.

Work on your business. Make it better. Learn about marketing and how to systematize your procedures. Study and get support as needed to improve all aspects of your operation. In fact, now more than ever, the best investment you can make is in your business.  But, keep in mind the fundamentals mentioned above never change.

# # #

October Promotion. Here is a simple promotion you can use for October, or any month. Link to promotion.

Show Me The Money – Teleseminar on Chiropractic Reimbursement. As a reminder, this Tuesday, October 7, we will have another teleconference on Chiropractic Reimbursement. Our last one was a tremendous success. Dave Michel is truly an expert in this area and your staff will benefit from attending this one hour seminar.   For active clients, the access code and phone number will be posted on our member’s site by Friday, October 3.  If you are not a client, you can learn more here –more info.

Seminars. Then, take advantage of attending one of our 3 Goals Seminars in Boston, on Thursday, November 6, or Chicago on Thursday, December 4.    More info.

Getting Away – Rule No. 9

Posted on by
Reply

Sometimes you got to get away.

It could be for an hour, fifteen minutes, a week, or more.  To be fully engaged in your chiropractic practice, studies have confirmed, you also have to fully disengage every now and then.

One of my favorite books on this is by Dr. Jim Loehr and Dr. Jack Groppel, The Power of Full Engagement.  Disengaging from work, and engaging in other activities, adds more power and insight when you return to it.

More than 80 years ago, this subject was discussed by B.J. Palmer, known as the Developer of Chiropractic, with insight and character. His advice is completely supported by modern research and is worth reading and applying today.

Rule No. 9 ( PDF version to download.)

(720 words; about a 4 minute read)

Spinefest

Posted on by
Reply

Dr. Don Warren and his happy team of professional chiropractic assistants created one of the greatest and most fun special promotions I’ve seen a long time. They call it Spinefest.

One type of an effective Special Promotion  ties into a donation program, which in this case, was a food drive. Not only were they able to generate money for the “Feed the Hungry” program and get great publicity doing so, they also fostered good will in the community and as a result, saw their new patient numbers head skyward.

They do this every fall. A recent magazine article just came out featuring Dr. Warren on the back cover. (Note: The article states that Dr. Warren is president of his state association which is incorrect.)

It Gets Better Each Time!

Posted on by
Reply


What a Seminar! Our second 3 Goals seminar which was held in Milwaukee was SO much fun that if we knew it was going to be like this, we would have been doing seminars years ago.

With over 60 people attending,with veteran doctors and staff, and rookies as well, the place was rockin’.

Just a note from all of us at PM&A: For those of you who attended – Thank You! We had a great time sharing our information and meeting you all.

Hope to see you again.

Some comments below and pictures here.

First, a kind letter from a veteran office manager of 4 offices:

Dear Ed, David and Phyllis,

Wow!! I was blown away by you guys yesterday, this was information that every chiropractor and chiropractic assistant needs! I have been a C.A. for 23 years, Office Manager for 17 years, and still viewed your seminar as a beneficial learning experience. I have several procedures and marketing ideas that I will be implementing. In my opinion, The 3 Goals Seminar should be a must for any new D.C., the content was invaluable! You guys truly made my experience for the day extraordinary, thank you!

Sincerely,

Cindy S.

Here are some more comments:

“Very energetic , lots of ideas, the CA information was wonderful.”

“The marketing info is going to be helpful.” “Information was clear.” “Lots of energy and like the experience of the presenters.” “Great for new doctors.” “Patient education info was great. Good info on systems and how to keep them in place.” “Great marketing ideas in and out of the office.”

“Financial planning and collections very helpful.” “Marketing strategies were good.” “Liked most how to systematize your office.” “Liked the different types of marketing meetings.” “Information was practical, well organized.” “Clear and numbered structure.”

“I thought it was a great seminar.” “VERY HELPFUL. Lots of information and ideas that can/should be implemented in our office and mission.” “Enjoyed the overall enthusiasm of all speak sand their excitement for wellness/chiropractic.”

“3 Goals System as overall guide for practice success strategy.” “Informative and interesting. I can leave here and work on many things in the office tomorrow.” “Awesome presentation!”

Parker – Las Vegas, 2008

Posted on by
1

February. It was Thursday morning. It snowed, oh, about 20 inches or so here in Milwaukee. Plane was thankfully delayed, which gave me the time to shovel snow for about two hours. I then headed to the airport for a straight hop over to Las Vegas. The warm desert air, though slightly smoggy, was a welcome contrast to the cold and white of the Wisconsin winter.

For those of you who have gone to this seminar in earlier years, I am sure you can appreciate the energy of thousands of your fellows getting together. I asked one of the registrars and was told that nearly 5,000 were in attendance. This was the 55th Anniversary for Parker Seminars.

At these events, there is no way that you can take in all of the speakers, but you try to catch the keynote speakers and those in whom you have particular interest.

Starting Friday morning, we listened to the President of Parker College and Parker Seminars, Dr. Fabrizio Mancini.

I had a chance to meet him the evening before at “Club Parker”. Phyllis has worked with Dr. Mancini for 10 years, knows him well, and introduced us. Dr. Fab, as he is called, was very personable and interested in how we were doing in Wisconsin. I said we were doing “Great”. He was very friendly, without a hint of self-importance.

I learned later that Dr. Mancini was “Dr. Phil’s” (the television personality) chiropractor until Dr. Phil moved to L.A. Also, he was one of a few dignitaries called to a special meeting after 9/11 to discuss what could be done about world peace. While staying at a remote meeting place and getting ready for his talk later in the afternoon, Dr. Mancini received a 5 am call that one of his fellow presenters needed an adjustment.

He was met by a few secret service men at his door and was taken to Vice President Al Gore’s room. Later that morning, before beginning his talk, Al Gore invited Dr. Mancini to sit in the front row and began the his presentation by complimenting chiropractic.

This is the story, only roughly paraphrased by me, as told by Dr. Mancini to a special group I attended with Phyllis.

A keynote speaker was Dr. John Demartini. He had just flown in from Japan, on his way to another part of the planet. With a slight sniffle, he talked about how attracting new patients had a great deal to do with simply whether you really were ready for them, and wanted them. He talked about the importance of having a “healing consciousness.”

He also let us in on the fact that a new movie that he was working on was coming out in the fall. It will be similar to the “Secret”, only better, according to Dr. Demartini. He says that it will be called: “Oh My God”, and will include many people, including the Dali Lama as well as members of the Taliban. It will be about peace and God.

You read it here first!

I caught some of Dr. Dan Murphy’s talk, which I loved. So many references to books and studies to support the harmful affects of chemicals entering our bodies and contributing to not only poor health, but the effectiveness of adjustments. (For example: Toxic Overload by Paula Hamilton, Health & Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life by Blaylock, M.D.; Poisoned Nation by Loretta Schwartz-Nobel.)

And then there was the trade show. It was like a circus with booths everywhere. The larger ones included the major sponsors like Pro-adjuster, Foot Levelers, and Chiropractic Leadership Alliance/Creating Wellness.

Hundreds of booths, probably two football fields full of chiropractic products and services all manned by doctors and attractive sales people. Maybe next year Petty, Michel & Associates should have a booth?

Early Saturday I went for an walk through the trade show before it was officially opened. I observed Dr. Gentempo, who had his sales team mustered in the booth, going over the plans for the day. A few isles over, Dr. Pisciottano was talking with his booth people before the day had started. It would be at least ½ hour before other booth operators showed up.

This was kind of a homecoming for me. About 18 years ago, or more, was the last time I attended Parker Las Vegas. I remember being invited as a guest of one the speakers to a special reception where I met Dr. Jim Parker himself.

I had a chance to sit down and catch up with our old friend Dr. Jim Sigafoose. Dave Michel and I worked with Dr. Sigafoose years ago. He continues to be one of the profession’s great philosophers. In my opinion, he is so connected to innate wisdom, has such a strong conviction and purpose, and is so utterly un-commercial, that he has been able to help many doctors and staff move beyond their comfort zones and improve their practices. We have seen it and can testify to his ability to motivate doctors, staff, and patients. He is not the youngest fellow, and if you can, I would highly recommend attending an event by him and spending some time with this truly worldly healer. (And we don’t give out many recommendations for other services.)

Actually, while we were talking, a young doctor with just a few months to go before he graduating from Parker Chiropractic College came by introduced himself. He related that he had gone with a chiropractic friend to a talk Dr. Sigafoose gave 5 or so years ago. He said it was that talk that finally convinced him to become a chiropractor. (Hi David D.!)

Phyllis gave a stirring talk to a hundreds on Friday afternoon. I continue to be impressed with her innate skills, power, and dedication to chiropractic. We appreciate her association with us, as do our clients.

Just before my plane left, I sat outside the hotel and took off my shirt and took in some warm Nevada sun. It was actually hot! I couldn’t enjoy it for long though as I had to catch my Midwest Express flight back home. Imagine my shock when I walked out to my car and the temperature was minus 5.

Over all, what a great experience! Even though the Midwest winter is cold, the warmth of the friendship, camaraderie, and mutual purpose shared at Parker will help keep me warm till the next time I attend a Parker Seminar.

We have always recommended Parker and will continue to do so. Maybe next year we will see you there too!

(More Parker Seminar Photos)