Swine Flu: Lessons in Marketing Your Chiropractic Wellness Practice

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Two can play at this game.

If the pharmaceutical companies can use swine flu as an excuse to sell vaccines, you can use it to promote wellness.

The general corporate media, and doctors employed by these corporations, have been pushing the horrors of the swine flu “pandemic” and offering pharmaceutical products – vaccines – as the primary solution. But it makes one wonder what is really going on when there is so much information about the unhealthiness of the vaccines, as well as much common knowledge about many different non pharmaceutical solutions that are healthy.

Dr. Oz, an MD on a major television network, in an interview where he promotes the use of the swine flu vaccination, admits that while he gets vaccinated, his wife and children do not. (Link to video below.)  What does that tell you?

There is a lot of information about this but I know I am just preaching to the choir here on this blog.

The point is, now is your chance to step up to the plate as a Health Leader and help navigate the way for your patients and community through this confusing issue of flu vaccinations.

What I am saying is that this is a great opportunity for you as a  Doctor of Chiropractic.  While only a small percentage of people are actively receiving chiropractic care at any one time, a majority of people are skeptical about swine flu vaccinations. (Consumer Reports 9/30/2009)

By offering information about the swine flu from a natural perspective, you can position yourself as a health leader to this huge market.

Good marketers are always looking for a relevant event to help get their message across. This is a powerful one.

For example, you could you could easily schedule and present a 45 minute basic class on:

The Flu: A Natural Perspective

or

Concerned About Swine Flu, But Uncertain About Vaccinating Your Kids And Family?

or

What You Should Know Before You Get That Flu Shot

You could invite a guest speaker, such as an MD or DO or nurse, anyone really, who is pro chiropractic and subscribes to the chiropractic lifestyle.

The first step, however, is becoming informed and educated yourself. Doctor Mercola has a great deal of information on his site with references to other sites. A fast search will give you tons of info and books to read. Some of the comments posted on these sites by readers are also informative.  I have listed just a few below.

While you do need to know about vaccinations and the swine flu, you really need to understand the level of propaganda drug companies use to promote their products.  This is something you should be able to take issue with as a chiropractor who sees the results of unnecessary back surgeries weekly.   Once you are incensed about these injustices, all else will follow.

For a more radical approach, you can use a poster that shows how MD’s were used to support the use of tobacco and Vioxx, both products which are known toxic killers. [Sample poster below.]

Some things you can do:

  • Give a talk with or without a guest.
  • Host a community discussion group with a panel.
  • Talk to your patients one on one about what you know.
  • Educate your staff.
  • Place poster or pamphlets around the office.
  • Write a letter to the editor.
  • Make comments on blogs, face book or other web sites.

Again, you do not have be an expert about the biochemical aspects of vaccinations. The basics are obvious enough and will allow you to swing any discussion around to general health, nutrition, exercise, and of course,  subluxations, nerve interference, and chiropractic treatment.

It is not that you should promote chiropractic as a direct remedy for swine flu. That would be bad public relations, even if there are accounts of this. (See 1918 Flu Epidemic below.)  Instead, you are an advocate for health, looking after the general health of your patients and community.  You are a teacher.

It has been stated that there is a “Wellness Revolution.” People want organic and natural health. What doctor of what profession is better suited to lead the way other than you, the chiropractic doctor?

Take this opportunity and run with it.

###

Promotional Posters: 2 Sample Plosters

———-

Some immunization references. (Please list more.)

Tedd Koren’s Brochures:
Do You Know What’s In A Flu Shot and Vaccination: 18 Reasons to Just Say No

Mercola.com

Chiropractic and the 1918 Flu empidemic (article)

http://www.vaclib.org/

Pro-Immunization: New York Times recent article

Dr. Oz. Immunization OK for him, but not for his wife and kids. (Youtube. 5 minutes in.)

Video clip of flu shot promotion from 1970’s. (Video)

Congressman Paul on the Recent Swine Flu Scare (Video– 4 minutes)

Dr. Blaylock (4 video interviews)

How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor (book)

A Shot in the Dark (book)


Dr. Tom Potisk, Chiropractor Recommends Petty Michel & Associates

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dr-tom-potisk-18prct

Hello Doc,

My name is Dr. Tom Potisk. I operate a chiropractic practice in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For nearly 25 years I’ve enjoyed tremendous success in my practice. My practice, although not the largest, has been described as the type many doctors want to attain. Some features include excellent patient retention, loads of new patients, fabulous systems and procedures that allow me to take 8-10 weeks off each year, and a dedicated staff (my office manager has been with me since year 1).

One of the reasons for my success has been the management and consulting services of PMA (Petty, Michel, and Associates). In the 24 years that I’ve been their client, I’ve come to know their dedication, passion, and enthusiasm for the growth of the chiropractic profession and chiropractor’s practices. This group is the best value in their league.

Do you need more new patients? They have a marketing program to boost your new patients and keep the flow going.

Do you want better billings and collections? Their ethical, patient friendly systems are the best around.

Do you want more time off? The procedures they can put in place for you can keep your office running smoothly in your absence.

The best news in health care is that PM&A is expanding their services with upcoming seminars, new programs, and their trademark coaching and consulting services. I have attended their 3-Goals seminars and, like all of their services, their goals are designed to get you a practice like mine.

I volunteered to write this letter and want you to attend their seminars and use their services and learn from this extraordinary group. I’ll be at the next seminar and look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely and God Bless,

Dr. Tom Potisk

PS Feel welcome to call me if you have any questions – (262) 835-1767.

[NOTE: Our next seminar is in Chicago on Thursday, November 5th. For more info, go here, or give us a call at (414) 332-4511. Ed]

National Chiropractic Health Month

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I guess I missed the memo on this one. Maybe you did too.

October has always been Spinal Health Month as recognized by the American Chiropractic Association.  Apparently, this year it is changed to National Chiropractic Health Month.

You can still call it Spinal Health Month if you want, but either way, it is a good opportunity for you to use this as an extra motivation to get the word out about your services and chiropractic.

According to the ACA website, they are focusing on headaches this year.  They have some nice down-loadable pamphlets and brochures you can use. ACA headaches

Depending on your other promotions, I would announce that October is National Chiropractic Month as recognized by the American Chiropractic Association.  In conjunction with the ACA and the National Chiropractic Month, you would like to invite all patients to bring in their families and friends for a no charge chiropractic back and neck screening.  You can change this to a no charge chiropractic consultation, conference, or whatever you feel comfortable with.

A poster can be helpful in prompting a dialogue between the patients and the doctors and staff.  A poster can also be placed at local coffee houses, faxed to office managers at friendly businesses,  to support groups, and of course, handed to patients as fliers.  You can also place a notice in your patient statements and send out a press releases to local papers.

Here is a sample: LINK

You can also make a banner that says:

October is National Chiropractic Health Month
Bring in your family for a free posture screening. See the Front Desk for details.

This can be placed on the outside of your office, or on the inside. The banner can be a small one on paper, 3-5 feet, or a large one that can be used year after year.

Note to PM&A clients. You are welcome to edit these posters and fax us the changes and we can send you a new poster. We can also send you the Word file so you can make your own customizations.

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

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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

Phyllis Rockin’ the House in New Zealand

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Phyllis Frase recently gave a presentation to the New Zealand Chiropractic College 2009 Lyceum.  She was the first American to give a presentation for the Chiropractic Assistants attending.

Opening Ceremonies - NZ Chiropractic College Lyceum 2009

The first night of the Lyceum included flags on the stage which represented every country that has a chiropractic school.

(Photo taken from Phyllis’ Blackberry.)

Online Verification and Claims Follow up Websites for Chiropractic Reimbursement

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Individual sites. You will need to enroll with each, they are free, and they provide accurate and up-to-date information. Each site is a little different, and some are easier to navigate than others.

Medicare (CSNAP) – CMS Secure Net Access Portal
http://www.wpsmedicare.com/part_b/selfservice/csnap.shtml or go here:

http://www.wpsmedicare.com/
and go to the C-SNAP button in the blue bar.

Medicaid – to request Portal access
https://www.forwardhealth.wi.gov/WIPortal/Account/Request%20Portal%20Access/tabid/117/Default.aspx

The following are all links that you should be able to cut and paste into your browser. These are for the login pages that Shelly at our office uses and may not be the page you need to register to login. There should be information on each site on how to register or sign-up if you are not registered.

Aetna
https://enroll.navimedix.com/enrollment/shared/office-search

BC/BS Anthem
http://www.anthem.com/home-providers.html

Cigna
http://www.cigna.com/health/provider/

Secure Health
https://secure.healthx.com/v2App/public/login.aspx

UMR – United Medicare Resources (formerly Fiserv)
https://provider-fhs.umr.com/portal

Humana
http://www.humana.com/ (click on provider button)

Insurance Administrators of America
https://www.iaatpa.com/IAATPA/ProviderServices/Secure/Providers/

MACS
http://www.macschiro.com/ (click on customer logon)

Prairie State
http://www.prairieontheweb.com/prairie/index.htm (click on login/register)

Sisco Benefit Information Systems
https://benefits.cb-sisco.com/

United Health (UHC)
https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/b2c/index.jsp

Principal
http://secure05.principal.com/signon/initial/

One-stop services (for verification & claims). This site charges per month, reviews from clients has not been real positive. They are a division on Web MD.

http://www.emdeon.com/

To subscribe to the Medicare email newsletter, so to this site and enter your email address. You will get up-to-the-minute information on Medicare changes. The only drawback is that it is not specific to chiropractic.

https://corp-ws.wpsic.com/apps/commercial/unauth/medicareListservUserWelcomeLoadAction.do

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented an Internet-based Medicare provider enrollment process, known as Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS). To enroll in Medicare or make changes to your Medicare enrollment, you can now accomplish this online faster and easier. Go here for details and to start the process:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/04_InternetbasedPECOS.asp#TopOfPage

Please note: these links were all working and accessible as of June 22, 2009. Some links may have changed.

David Michel &  Shelly Hinz

Please add any updates or extra info you may have that others might find useful. Thanks – Ed

Chiropractic Practice Statistics For The First Half of 2009

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It’s summer time!

Barbecues, or grill-outs, depending on where you live, baseball games, corner lemonade stands and kids everywhere. Whatever else is going on in the world, here in the Northern Hemisphere, your patients and hopefully you, are enjoying the summer.

Meanwhile, business goes on. The year is half over. 2010 will be here less than 6 months.

BAD NEWS
There has been a constant rain of bad news pouring down these last 6 months, and months before, about the dismal state of our national and world economy.

Whatever the real condition is, fear only makes it only worse.  I have had chiropractors contact me and ask if they should continue in business, even when they were doing better than the year before.  One was even having her best year ever.

We hear stories from other doctor who tell us that they know about chiropractors who are leaving the profession.  In one state, we heard from its chiropractic association executive that 100 chiropractors, or about 10%, went out of business last year.  We have read reports of how chiropractic incomes have fallen in the last several years by as much as 22%.

But it is hard to get any real concrete numbers about how D.C.’s are doing, at least for us. The fact is we mostly just know how the individual doctors with whom we work are doing.

So, we decided to do a random survey some of the offices with whom we work. The purpose was to give us a broader perspective and an overall average of how doctors and their teams were doing,

SURVEY RESULTS – GOOD NEWS
The sample included well established practices that we have worked with for years, as well as some we have only begun to work with at the start of this year. We compared office visits and collections for the first half this year with the first half of last year.

Again, this was a random sample. We did not cherry pick just the best offices.

Of all the offices in the sample, the average office increased in office visits by 11.8% in the first six months of this year compared to the first 6 months of last year.

The average office collections increased of 14.7% over the same time periods.

graph-of-clients-stats

29% of the offices saw fewer visits this year than last year. The average percent down was 8%.  These offices also saw an average of 4.7% less in collections.

However, 71% of the sampled offices were up, with an average of 19.7% in visits and 22.7% in collections.  At least 4 of the offices, all well established, hit their “best-evers.”

You might wonder why the offices that did well – did well.  And…

why the ones who were down – were down?

CAUSE OF INCREASES/DECREASES

Here’s what we know:
Looking at each office, case by case, we found that many of the offices that were down would have been even lower were it not for actions pushed by us.  Not that down statistics are ever good, but compared to an average 40% drop in most retirement plans, 4.7 drop in collections is not that bad.

Second, in every down case there were weaknesses in one or more of eight major practice functions, what we call the 8 Essential Elements.  (We will go over these in another article.)

  • Some of these were weak because some part of the office was experiencing “growing pains.”  For example, a team member was replaced and in the transition, there was a momentary drop in the numbers.  Simply put, parts of the clinic were “under construction.”
  • But another reason for lowered numbers trace to poor management of one of these 8 Essential Elements.  We can pinpoint this exactly.   Old habits die hard, and sometimes it takes extra time and nudging to be coaxed out of stubborn ideas that keep us from changing when we need to change.

The point is,  it is not a mystery.

Offices that saw an increase in their numbers have been working hard to constantly improve critical functions of their practice and business.  Some offices needed more external marketing, some more internal. Some needed better team performance, others better organization or collections. Most needed better management and leadership. One needed better business and accounting procedures.

Practice development is a result of constantly working ON the exact functions of the practice that need it the most. Most doctors and staff just work in the business, but the practices that grew also worked on their business.

WHY DOCTORS FAIL IN BUSINESS
There are many reason doctors fail, but they all go back to not effectively working on developing one or more of these 8 Essential Elements.

Plus, it is harder than it used to be.  Like a fast time lapse science video, changes are occurring so rapidly in our social and economic environment that it is it is harder to keep up.  As a doctor, you are trained to “doctor”, not be an executive manager and marketer.  Plus… how can you run and develop your business while also focusing on the quality of your patient care?

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Success in today’s practice depends now on a new model or paradigm.  It is one that is collaborative – working closely with doctors, staff, patients, the community and coaches, all as a networked team sharing ideas, and motivating each other for our greater goals.

It is not enough just to come to work, then “work”, and go home. You need to set some time aside each week to review your practice goals and monthly numbers.  Then, you have to work with your team on specific areas of the practice that needs the most work.

You need to be a better practice and business executive, utilizing practice management tools.

Modern practice building is fun, really.  Your practice can continue to do better and you CAN reach your goals. It may take a new approach, working with everyone as a team of players – each with specific roles and following effective and well rehearsed “plays.”

If you are not actively moving toward your goals, feel free to contact us. There are also other ethical and competent coaches and consultants who can help.

It is hard to go it alone.

Tiger Woods, probably the best golfer of a time, who receives regular chiropractic care, also has a coach.

We are happy to be yours.

#  #  #

Stay tuned for more on:

  • The 8 Essential Elements
  • New Practice Management Paradigm
  • Practice Executive Toolkit

Chiropractic Promotion: “Do Your Part”

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ww2-woman

This is a patriotic themed promotion for chiropractic offices in the U.S. It can be used in conjunction with the 4th of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, or any other day that strikes a cord of national duty.

Its purpose is to educate patients and non patients to understand that by getting healthier, the country and economy will benefit. Someone who is healthy is more productive and less of a burden on our disease care medical system. A healthier person contributes more to our national, and local, economy.

The theme of this promotion is that getting healthier — and getting others healthier — is somewhat of a patriotic duty, particularly in these hard economic times.

How To Do the Promotion
You can set aside a day or a week to hold a special promotion for your patients to encourage them to schedule their family and friends to come in to your clinic for an introductory service.

1. Team Talk. Talk to the staff and go over the promotion with them. Take their suggestions and consider including them.
2. Plan and Schedule. Set a date and plan out the particulars.
3. The Reason. Go over the reason behind the promotion and how the promotion can help fulfill this purpose.
4. Posters. Place poster in the office.
5. Coupons. Hand out coupons to patients individually. Sign each one, with a date issued. You can even write the name of the guest of the patient on the coupon.
6. Newsletter. Write a notice in your office newsletter.
7. Word of Mouth. Talk it up with all of your patients.
8. Delegate a staff member to be the Do Your Part Coordinator to help implement this program, and to be its cheerleader.
9. External. You can also promote this is a small town newspaper, insert, and or on your web site. Adjust the text of the poster slightly and placed at local coffee shops, hair salons, etc.

And, you can Do Your Part by helping your patients and community do theirs.

Sample Poster.

Sample Coupon.

(Active Clients can go to their Member’s site for the customizable word articles – by June 20. )

“Do Your Part” Patriotic Chiropractic Promotion

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This is a promotion that can be used any time in the U.S., particularly in July in conjunction with Independence Day, Labor Day, or Memorial Day.

Its purpose is to educate patients, and non patients, to understand that by getting healthier, the country and economy will benefit.  Someone who is healthy is more productive and less of a burden on our disease care medical system.  A healthier person contributes more to our national, and local, economy.

The theme of this promotion is that getting healthier — and getting others healthier — is somewhat of a patriotic duty, particularly in these hard economic times.

How To Do the Promotion
You can set aside a day or a week to hold a special promotion for your patients to encourage them to schedule their family and friends to come in to your clinic for an introductory service.

  1. Team Talk. Talk to the staff and go over the promotion with them.  Take their suggestions and consider including them.
  2. Plan and Schedule. Set a date and plan out the particulars.
  3. The Reason. Go over the reason or “greater purpose” behind the promotion and how the promotion can help fulfill this goal.
  4. Delegate a staff member to be the Do Your Part Coordinator to help implement this program, and to be its cheerleader.
  5. Posters. Place posters in the office.
  6. Coupons. Hand out coupons to patients individually. Sign each one, with a date issued. You can even write the patient’s guest name on the coupon.
  7. Word of Mouth. Talk it up with all of your patients.
  8. Newsletter.  Write a notice in your office newsletter.
  9. External. You can also promote this is a small town newspaper, insert, and or on your web site. Adjust the text of the poster slightly and place at local coffee shops, hair salons, etc.

And, you can Do Your Part by helping your patients and community do theirs.

Sample Poster
Sample Coupon

No Cell Phones Sign

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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

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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

Fill Up Your Bus

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school-bus-health

If I was starting my chiropractic practice next week, one of the first things I would do would be to hire a front desk assistant.  But not just anyone.

She, or he, would actually be my front desk coordinator, almost my Patient Service Coordinator.

Because I needed an individual who was dynamic and proactive,  I probably would not hire someone who had worked on a medical front desk, post office, or as librarian. I would be interested in hiring someone who had been a successful athlete, wait person, or sales person.

This critical attributes of a successful front desk department, in many cases, are so overlooked that many doctors are inadvertently holding their offices back.  Possibly looking for examples from other businesses, the front desk often becomes the part time insurance department, phone receptionist, and secretary.

We have seen established offices shoot up by a third just by having the right person on the front desk.

You need the right person. But they also need the right systems.

Think of your front desk coordinator as the tour guide and she has to fill the bus each day. Say there are 100 seats on the buss. Some people climb right on board. Others kind of drift around and she helps them get on board.  Maybe a few are home sleeping. She calls and wakes them up and gets them on the bus. “Don’t want to be late..!”  And some may think they are just too “sick” to come in. Her job is to fill the bus – each day. 100% capacity.

As the doctor, you are the driver and the buss is the Health Bus.

You should know where you are taking the patients.  Are you transporting them all the way to the Land of Health and Wellness, or are you dropping them off to linger in Pharmaceutical-vile?

That choice is yours. But wherever you take them, you want a front desk that fills up your buss.

Phyllis Frase can teach you and your team just how to do this. And she can inspire them to do this. She is probably the most dynamic CA trainers in the country – certainly one of them.   For over 11 years, she has been speaking at Parker Seminars and state associations and receiving standing ovations.  She is even scheduled to speak in New Zealand later this year.

Don’t miss her telecasts this Tuesday.

And if you can make it, come to our seminar and to her break out session and get more than 4 hours of “killer” front desk training.

Live long and be healthy, and fill up your bus!

Ed

Your Promise

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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

Consumer Reports Recommends Chiropractic

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A recent survey by Consumer Reports Rating Center, posted on WEBMD.com,  says that more people seek chiropractic care for back pain than other therapies.

The article also states that 58% of those surveyed said that chiropractic helped “a lot” compared to 46% who said that physical therapy “benefited” them.

You can read the article here.

We made a poster version of this article for your patients if you want to post it on your office bulletin board.  This can also help you with generating patient referrals.

LINK.

Consumer Reports has not always been a promoter of chiropractic. However,  with this survey, they have no other choice but to print the facts.

While this is good news, the survey also shows that the patient has other non surgical and pharmaceutical options. These other options should be taken into consideration when you put together you general marketing strategy.

Recycle Tote Bags and Promotional Events

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The Chinese ladies in San Francisco had the idea years ago before it was fashionable. You would see the women in Chinatown transporting all of their shopping with rumpled white plastic bags.  Both hands would be clutching separate sacks that were obviously from some prior purchase.

They recycled their bags. Now, many stores sell bags that can be recycled.
tote-bag
Maybe your “store” should as well. You can order some and have your logo or office name printed on them. Hand the bags out for Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or for all new patients and put patient education material in them. There are many different opportunities to promote your practice using recycle tote bags.

You can order these in Wisconsin at www.northwoodspromo.com.  Ask for Jean.  Tell them you are with Petty, Michel & Associates and they should give you a discount.

I also talked to Matt at www.mpoel.mtoonline.com and he said “I have attached basic pricing starting @ 150 qty for each bag style.” I called a bunch of businesses and all had a minimum quantity. The above two companies seemed to offer the better deals. Here is one of their price lists: grocery-bag-150-qty

Spring Health Observances
And here are some other occasions in which you might want to use them. Excellent chiropractic promotion and for a worthy cause.