North Texas Dentistry Volume 9 Issue 1 2019 ISSUE 1 DE | Page 13

So, what is a practice owner to do? Is
it truly possible to fully staff a prac-
tice with good employees? We say
that it is possible. It obviously requires
work and a diligent focus, but it is
possible. Here are some of our tips for
attracting and keeping a great team:
1
Take the time to look for talent in
unexpected places. The fact remains
that the dental-trained employee market
is in a depleted state. Therefore, look for
talent wherever you go. If you received
outstanding service from a waitress, give
her your card and let her know that you
are always looking for great new employ-
ees. If your Sonic carhop seemed to go
above and beyond as you devoured your
unhealthy treat, give him your card and
request that he sends you his resume. In
other words, look for talent in unex-
pected places.
2
Think outside the box. Is your star
employee having to move out of state?
Then, does she really have to be done
working for you? Maybe there is an
opportunity to offload some of the
administrative tasks to her off-site.
Maybe she could manage your marketing
calendar and social media campaigns
from California. You’ve heard of call cen-
ters? Maybe she can become your call
center. Think outside the box in order to
retain your star employees.
3
Consider all possibilities. Maybe you
have an employee that’s failing in her
position. But have you considered her for
other positions? Consider her personal-
ity and skillset. Could she be useful in
other parts of your practice? If a position
does not currently exist, could you create
a new position that caters to your
employee’s strengths? Bottom line –
consider all possibilities to retain good
people on your team.
4
Make work matter. At the end of the
day, employees want to love their jobs
and feel like they have chosen the right
career. So, attend to what motivates
them, and work to create an atmosphere
where they can thrive. Create growth
opportunities for each team member
according to his or her life goals. Connect
with your team members in a way that
says “I care, and I want what is best for
you.” Keep in mind – it is a depleted
employee market. So, if your employee is
financially motivated, then you may have
to financially work hard to keep her. Find
out the current pay trends and stay rele-
vant so that you do not lose employees to
a higher bidder.
Overall, attracting and keeping great
employees is hard work, but it is doable.
With eyes wide open, consider your situ-
ation and your practice needs. Take the
time to think through each of your
employees and consider all the ways you
could fully staff your practice and foster
a fantastic over-performing team.
Bethany Petty is a
practice management
consultant that breaks
the mold. In an effort to
remove herself from the
abrasive consultant per-
sona, Bethany spent
time receiving Masters
degrees in Adult Educa-
tion and in Health Communication, which en-
ables her to present information in a way that
dentists and team members understand and
appreciate. Her unique approach customizes
her suggestions and training to fit the person-
ality and goals of the practice. Rather than ap-
proaching each practice with the same “Fix-It
Guide,” she evaluates the practice, talks with
team members, and listens to the dentist be-
fore making any suggestions. Bethany has a
legacy of dental professionals in her family,
and she has had the privilege of helping her
father to build, manage, and maintain a suc-
cessful family practice. With the heart to serve
dentists, she has made a difference in prac-
tices all over the DFW Metroplex. For more in-
formation, visit www.hellobethany.com.
FREE VALUATION
PRACTICE
Know the value of your practice
[phone] | ADStexas.com
Jeremy Brown JD, Joe Piazza DDS, Terry Watson DDS, & Frank Brown JD
Practice Sales & Appraisals
www.northtexasdentistry.com | NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
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