May 13, 2013

Stop Team Meeting Deja Vu

 Stop Team Meeting Deja Vu

Ginny Hegarty Morning Huddle Video

About 10 years ago I saw a pattern developing around team meetings. One practice after another seemed to be having what I called “Team Meeting Déjà Vu.” The team and doctors would joke and say “Can’t we just shuffle last year’s meeting agendas and reuse them again this year? After all, it seems like we just keep revisiting the same problems, we never really solve anything.  I’ll bet many of you can relate to that feeling.

To be clear, these were not mediocre or even average practice, they were highly successful practices like many of you, trying to figure out how to get to that next level of success. They were basically putting band-aids on problems, quick fixes that would last for a couple of weeks or months and then old habits would reemerge.  This “déjà vu” or inability to come together to create long-term solutions creates roadblocks that will affect morale and profitability & hold you back.

This is the first of my Morning Huddle Videos for Dental Products Report. View the video for a few quick ideas to shake things up and avoid Team Meeting Deja Vu

March 22, 2013

Watch for Ginny’s Video Series in Dental Products Report’s Morning Huddle eNewletter

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in Dental Products Report‘s Morning Huddle eNewsletter. We recorded a series of videos that will be shared with the DPR audience. DPR’s Editor-in-Chief Thais Carter coordinated the video shoot. Topics included: Let’s Talk About…  The Heart of the Matter, The Power of Focus, Energy Breeds Resuls, Team Meetings, Success in Difficult Conversations and Breakthrough Communication Success. I’m excited for the series launch and to hear your feedback and best take aways

DPR Morning Huddle1 150x150 Watch for Ginnys Video Series in Dental Products Reports Morning Huddle eNewletter

DPR Editor-in-Chief Thais Carter with Ginny Hegarty

March 19, 2013

8 Tips To Be A Better Leader

Proud to once again be a part of Dentistry IQ’s 100 Best Tips   Here’s my latest contribution in Dentistry IQ 8 Tips To Be a Better Leader 

imgres2 150x56 8 Tips To Be A Better Leader

8 Tips to Be A Better Leader including a tip from Ginny Hegarty, SPHR

Real-time feedback is where people strategy and strong business results intersect! Nothing changes without your feedback. The more timely your feedback, the more agile your team, and, therefore, the more effective and profitable your business. Embrace a proactive human resource strategy for performance appraisals – this coaching should be a real-time conversation about personal and professional growth to challenge and support team members to take their performance to the next level. The world has changed: mobile phones, Facebook, Twitter, and texting create immediate feedback in every aspect of our lives. It’s time we raise the bar on human resource leadership in dentistry.
-Ginny Hegarty, SPHR Dental Practice Development, Inc.
Three 8 Tips To Be A Better Leader

December 22, 2012

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

YesV 150x150 Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10 thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.” -Excerpt from The New York Sun editorial writer, Francis Pharcellus Church’s letter published September 21, 1897 

As a young child named Virginia, this was my favorite Christmas story! This beautiful letter from the editor of the New York Sun written to 8-year old Virginia O’Hanlon may now be 115 years old, but it has certainly stood the test of time. Editorial writer Francis Church’s prediction that Santa Claus lives and will live forever is repeatedly proven in the selfless, beautiful actions of our friends and colleagues in dentistry.

We are so blessed by our wonderful dental friends!  A couple of recent examples: At this year’s Academy of Dental Management Consultants’ meeting, we learned of fellow member Kristen Pelletier’s organization Allana Smiles founded to alert dentists to the unique dental needs of cancer patients before, during, and after chemotherapy. Today, I read a post on my Facebook about Dr. Ben Burris and his Pro Ortho For Kids initiative. Many of you may know Dr. Burris as the founder of the first chapter of Smile for a Lifetime back in 2008. Who do you know doing great work to benefit our children and our world? How can we contribute and spread the word?

At this very special time of year… and especially this year, in light of recent events, let’s celebrate all the good work being done to love and care for our children in our own communities and around the world. “The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see” …but we can certainly shine the spotlight on these organizations of love and on these folks on who inspire us to contribute and pay it forward. Please share the modern-day Santa Claus in your life.

 

 

http://www.allanasmiles.org/

December 20, 2012

Rewrite the Rules

HoldingYouBack 150x150 Rewrite the Rules

It’s easy to tap into your inner child during the holiday season.  Once the visions of sugarplums have finished their dance, bring that ’3-year old you’ into your business and let that child loose to ask “why?, why?, why? as 3-year olds do.

Pepper yourself and your team with questions about why you do things the way you do them. Step back, take a minute, think it through…

  • is there a better way?
  • a smarter way?
  • an easier way?
  • a less expensive way?
  • Is this guideline helping us or holding us back?
  • Is the reason for this policy even valid anymore?
  • Does this guideline fall short given all the new technology in place?
  • Does this policy apply with this new team we have?
  • Are we stuck in the past and missing opportunities?
  • Is our communication clear enough that our expectations will be met?
  • Does my team know what I need from them?
  • Does my team know how to evaluate their effectiveness?
  • Does my team have the resources, training and support they need and deserve?
  • Am I aware of all of the new federal and state guidelines that I must be following?

The quality of your answers will be a direct result of the quality of your questions. Shake things up and start 2013 off with a brand new energy! Challenge your team to come up with great questions and plan a brainstorming party. Yes, your strategic planning meeting should feel like a party as you create an energy that  excites and inspires you to build a blueprint for success in the New Year.

Objectivity can be elusive… Want help? … that’s what we do. Click here for information on our team workshops and consulting services:  http://bit.ly/UgEjtW

“Rewrite the Rules – Don’t Just Create More Exceptions To Them” – Jeffrey Hollender  Cofounder, Seventh Generation

 

December 11, 2012

Plan to Work Less in 2013

“If you’re going to work hard, you might as well be working hard at working less. The real measure of success is how free you are—financially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to live life the way you want to live it.”            -Great advice from T. Harv Eker

Did you know that studies show that 70% of the time businesses that struggle to meet their goals do so because they have a poor plan? Only 4% of the time does poor business performance correlate with economic conditions.

It’s a great time of year for a refresh, a new beginning. Make plans to begin your new year with a clear plan, a strategic plan in    10 Simple Steps: Here is a link to our strategic planning guide that will support you to bring your team onboard, engaged and inspired to make 2013 an outstanding year:  

 http://bit.ly/VBuHpv  (http://ginnyhegarty.com/resources.html)

December 5, 2012

Stepping Outside of the Box

In today’s competitive business climate, it makes great sense to step outside of the small sandbox that is your dental world and learn how to lead your team in Stepping Outside of the Box with inspiration from Corporate America.

Westin 150x150 Stepping Outside of the Box

Great idea from the Westin

I love businesses that think outside the box to engage clients and exceed expectations.  The good news is that it’s really not that hard to set yourself apart. Take a look at the photo with this blog post from the Westin hotel. How great would it be to have workout shoes and clothes waiting for you at your hotel when you travel? No more squeezing your Nikes into your suitcase or worse, not being able to keep up with your exercise goals because you just can’t fit those Nikes into your carry on luggage.

If you like this idea, you’ll love my “Stepping Outside the Box” presentation on innovative ideas from Corporate America that can set your practice apart. Learn more at ginnyhegarty.com/speaking.html

 

December 4, 2012

Feedback Changes Everything

Filed under: Practice Leadership,Team Development — admin @ 10:00 am

Doesn’t it feel great when you’re talking with someone and you can see them nod along with you.  You can tell you’re connecting. Nodding is feedback and it’s a clear signal to engage more.

At the heart of it, this is exactly what a performance appraisal should be… a conversation about personal and professional growth, challenge and the support that a team member may need to take their performance to the next level.

In the 24/7 news cycle we live in, we get instantaneous feedback in most every aspect of our lives. Twitter, Facebook, texting, mobile phone all create immediate connection and provide real-time feedback.

Think about it… what would it take for you to follow this lead and have your performance appraisals become real-time conversations that take place throughout the year?

December 1, 2012

Team Brainstorming Strategy

Someone once had the bright idea that anyone who brings a problem to the table must also bring a solution. The conventional wisdom was that it would focus people on solutions and avoids a gripe session, but the reality is this concept will shut your team down.

If you require a solution to every challenge, you risk never hearing the questions or finding the opportunity in the challenge.  Stop requiring solutions; instead invite people to bring their concerns and their goals to you. When planning your next team meeting agenda, keep it simple; say, “Tell me where you are now and where you’d like to be. As a team, we’ll brainstorm the possibilities together.”

This team brainstorming strategy is a game changer… try it and see for yourself.

 

August 30, 2012

HAD ENOUGH OF CELL PHONES?

cellphonePolicy1 150x150 HAD ENOUGH OF CELL PHONES?“I walked into a treatment room today to find my hygienist texting while she waited for me to do a hygiene check.” REALLY?

  Yes, really! I get calls from doctors every month who are appalled that team members are texting, tweeting and facebooking in the treatment room and at the front desk rather than engaging patients. While it may seem like an egregious violation of trust, the fact of the matter is that most employees don’t see their behavior for what it is. Often they are oblivious, simply doing what they always do … unless and until you set guidelines to address cell phone use.

In our uber-connected world, many people are attached to their cell phones 24/7, even sleeping with a smart phone that is being used as an alarm. The only significant time during the course of the day when many people are disconnected and at risk of missing a call or text is when they are in the shower! 

So, what’s an employer to do when this electronic habit interferes with productivity, engagement and business profitability? Your best defense is a good offense. Create, introduce and enforce a cell phone policy for your practice that speels out exactly when and where cell phones are permitted in your office and whether a ring tone, vibrate tone or silent is the required status during work hours.

*FYI:  The courts are siding against employers to the tune of millions of dollars when their employees are involved in auto accidents while using electronic devices . If your team members run errands during work hours or call into your office when running late, protect yourself and your practice. Put a formal written policy in place   >>>more to follow in future post<<<<

June 16, 2012

Zero Moment of Truth at SCN, The Speaking Consulting Network

SCN Rita Zamora 150x150 Zero Moment of Truth at SCN, The Speaking Consulting Network
Social Media Authority Rita Zamora

 

I want to congratulate Lois Banta, CEO of the Speaking Consulting Network (SCN) and her team for a power-packed conference in Charleston last week. Hall of Fame Speakers Lou Heckler & Dr. Alan Zimmerman spoke on powerful, personal vision. Mark LeBlanc inspired us with his vision for success. My favorite quote from Mark “Never underestimate the power of a simple step repeated.” Gary Zelesky promised “explosive energy”and boy, did he deliver! His passion and his compassion were unforgettable. Social media authority, Rita Zamora‘s powerful presentation on day 1 was referenced by virtually every speaker who followed her. “As Rita said..” became a ‘need-to-know’ reference. Dentistry’s elegant Lioness, Katherine Eitel, SCN Founder, Linda Miles, along with two speaker challenge programs and member presentations rounded out an impressive two-day event.

June 13, 2012

Top 10 List of Employee Engagement Factors

GinnyHegarty SPHR Dentistrys HR Consultant 150x150 Top 10 List of Employee Engagement Factors

People First!

 

I’m heading out to The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies to present programs on Employee Engagement, Breakthrough Communication and Emotional Intelligence. As a dental consultant, I advise my doctors that their team is their best competitive advantage, and investing in training that improves communication and focuses on personal development is a wise investment in the future success of the business. Systems alone do not create success – People do!  Bent Ericksen & Associates recently shared Manpower’s Top 10 List of Employee Engagement Factors gathered by asking this question:  What’s the absolute #1 most important employee engagement factor?

The Top Ten Engagement Factors from the Survey are:

1. Communication (35%)
2. Immediate Manager (14%)
3. Valuing Employees (12%)
4. Trust (10%)
5. Culture (9%)
6. Satisfaction (8%)
7. Empowerment (5%)
8. Recognition (2%)
9. Development (2%)
10. Pay (1%)
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