What Dentists in Hillsboro, Oregon Can Learn From The Cadillac Man
As I sat in my Seattle hotel room, tired from a day of lecturing, I stumbled upon The Cadillac Man featuring Robin Williams while flipping through TV channels. I hadn’t given the movie much thought since I first watched it years ago, but this time, I was struck by the hidden business lessons mirrored in the story, applicable to many fields, including dental practices in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Lessons From Car Dealerships for Dentists in Hillsboro, Oregon
Naturally, while the movie played, I became more engrossed in its narrative than in my work, reflecting on the unexpected parallels between a car dealership and a Hillsboro dental office. At first glance, comparing a professional dental office in Hillsboro to stereotypical sleazy car salesmen might seem audacious. Surely, there are a few bad apples in any industry, but most professionals—whether in dentistry, car sales, restaurants, or airlines—strive to provide excellent service and memorable experiences. Dentists in Hillsboro, Oregon, are no different. Their goal is to offer exceptional care and a seamless patient experience, akin to that sought by car salespeople aiming to deliver an enjoyable car-buying journey.
The Importance of Setting and Tracking Goals
What stood out from The Cadillac Man was the emphasis on goals. We often discuss goals in theory—writing them down, sharing them, and seeking advice on achieving them. But what actions are we taking at Hillsboro dental offices to keep these goals in focus daily? Car dealerships have The Board, a tool for daily goal tracking—a practice I realized I’d adopted with my own clients over the years.
Your objectives might include production, collections, or patient visits on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It’s crucial to continuously evaluate essential data, such as end-of-day reports, production stats, and new patient numbers. But how do you effectively use this information to compare actual numbers against goals and pinpoint areas for improvement? Implement The Board in your office manager’s workspace. A large, dry-erase board can display goal numbers alongside actual figures for instant comparison. This tool, requiring just a few minutes of daily updates, generates invaluable insights and spurs discussions on enhancing performance, identifying reasons behind unmet goals, and strategizing improvements.
Communication and Utilization of Tools
Just as Robin Williams’s character used every available resource to close deals, so should dentists in Hillsboro. Are you maximizing your resources to help patients see the true value of their treatment? By using intra-oral cameras and presenting cases effectively, you help patients understand the importance of recommended treatments. Show patients images of that crack, chip, or cavity up close on a large screen—this visual impact can be enlightening.
Offering multiple options is crucial, but avoid presenting good, better, best scenarios. Why settle for good when best is within reach? Ensure patients know the top choice and that you’re the best dentist in Hillsboro, equipped to deliver it. Educate patients using all tools available and empower them to make informed decisions.
Leveraging Financial Options and Follow-Up
Creative financial solutions, like Care-Credit, are valuable tools. Dental practices are fortunate to have constant access to flexible financing options, unlike car dealers who rely on manufacturers for special offers. If GM runs a 0% financing special, car sales soar. Imagine offering similar options to your patients—the likelihood of treatment acceptance increases significantly.
Follow-up is another key component. After presenting a treatment plan, if a patient doesn’t schedule immediately, reach out. Offer pre-approval for financing, and have your team contact them to address any questions they might have. If they delay treatment, it signals a possible gap in understanding or communication. Identify the issue, address it, and help them move forward.
Many dentists in Hillsboro, Oregon, avoid follow-ups fearing being seen as too salesy. However, this mindset needs a shift. Following up isn’t about sales; it’s about ensuring patients receive the treatment they need. Remember, your primary goal is patient care, but sustaining your practice is equally vital to continue helping patients.
Achieving a Win-Win Scenario
To ensure your practice and business align seamlessly, create, track, share, and achieve your goals. Use every tool at your disposal for comprehensive treatment plan presentations. Most importantly, follow up with patients who don’t make immediate decisions. They need this treatment to maintain their health and happiness, and it’s your duty to facilitate that process.
Call East Wind Hillsboro Dental Care at 503-614-0198 and experience why we’re the preferred choice in the Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Portland areas. Visit us at 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124, USA, or explore our services online at East Wind Dental Care. Let us help you achieve the healthy smile you deserve.