DENCO Dental Construction

Getting Your Monies Worth

Steve Anderson — Mon, 09 May 2011 16:37:02 +0000

A saying I have found to be true is “you get what you pay for”. Over time I have learned the value of spending a little more money on something that I will use for a long time, whether it be for something involving sports, such as water skiing, or hobbies such as photography, or at work. I have purchased items that appeared to be a good deal at the time, they were inexpensive, but they were also ‘cheap’. Usually I got what I paid for! They didn’t last. Sometimes they broke after the 2nd or 3rd use, required more repair, and ended up being more costly, not only in money, but in time, and aggravation.

So as you consider purchasing new items, whether it’s for your personal use or your business, stop and think about the following:

1. Is it something you are going to use frequently and rely on for an extended period of time?
2. What is its value to you and others who may use it?
3. How often will you be willing to repair or replace this item?
4. What would it cost for a half or full day of down time if you have a problem with it?

So next time you go to purchase something, remember the saying “You get you what you pay for!”

“Knowledge” exists, “Wisdom” is discovered.
Author Unknown

Dental Life Stimulus

Steve Anderson — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:44:18 +0000

Eagles Need a Push

Steve Anderson — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:41:03 +0000

For many of us the fear of soaring is over-shadowed by the fear of falling.¬† Very often we concentrate on our fear so much as to what might happen to the point that we do nothing. We become complacent and then wonder why we are not succeeding to the degree we had hoped.

I recently watched a video that showed a mother eagle push her eaglet to the edge of the nest and gently push it out. Yes – She pushed her baby out of the nest!¬† The mother instantly took off and watched the eaglet fall.¬† If she saw the eaglet was not going to fly, she would immediately scoop it up and take it back to the nest to try it another time.

Do you need a push from your nest so that you might soar? Are you one who needs a gentle push to get you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new? Try surrounding yourself with trustworthy, accountable, successful people who are not afraid to attempt new things.¬† Perhaps they can offer suggestions you may not have thought of to enhance and help grow your practice.¬† They may even make recommendations you might want to consider that will take you out of your ‘comfort zone’.

Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
Author – Mark Twain

Recovering Lost Sales

Steve Anderson — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:38:51 +0000

Did you know that the average dentist loses tens of thousands of dollars of case production yearly they thought could easily be captured?

In speaking with Mike at Affordable Image he recently shared with me how many potential patients are lost by our poor choices. He and his company have created a process to monitor incoming calls to dental offices.¬† Their findings are surprising and worth noting.

Many dental offices are open 3 or 4 days per week.¬† The hours are usually scheduled for you, the dentist.¬†¬† However, when most patients are available to call in to schedule an appointment they are often met by an answering machine.¬† Mike found that many people just hang up and go to the next dental office on their list.

A few ways to easily improve this situation are:

¬∑¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬† Schedule team member hours so someone is always answering the phone.

¬∑¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬† Pay a minor fee (maybe $5 for each appointment or some other arrangement) to a team member who would be willing to answer the phone, regardless of time or day.

¬∑¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬† Train your team to be pleasant, inquisitive, to get vital information and set the appointment at the time the patient calls.

A few changes on your part can make the difference in whether you will gain or lose a patient.

For things to change you’ve got to change; otherwise not much will change.
Author – Robin Rohm

Financial Stewardship

Steve Anderson — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:52:57 +0000

Have you ever asked “Where did all my money go?”

Over the years I have been surprised at how many dental offices I have visited and found they barely understand what their overhead percent is, not to mention not knowing where they should be financially for a similar type of business.

The dental business is much like any other business in tracking historical financial results and compilation of expenses. The lower your costs, the greater the profits!

You may want to take inventory on the way the financial aspects of your business are handled. Take time to learn the “financial basics” starting with monitoring your cash flow. Start with the big items and work down, not vice versa. Many dental offices are struggling financially but have not reviewed areas such as salaries, loans, leases, big item purchases, etc.

It may be a good idea to involve your CPA or financial consultant to help determine where you are, where you should be, and the type of action steps you should take that will be of benefit to you. A proactive, forthright, accountable financial consultant can be your best bet in obtaining the kind of input and information you need to get your finances on track.

For those who like to access information via the internet, there are on-line programs that offer strategies and suggestions on how to improve in these areas.

The main thing is to get involved! Review your numbers so you understand what they mean, and do this on a regular basis as this is an important area of your business!

That which is not applied is not learned
Author Unknown

Alyssa Levin, DDS, MS

Steve Anderson — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:27:18 +0000

[View with PicLens]

Office Summary

Location: North Valley Orthodontics
21050 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. D202
Phoenix, AZ 85050
Doctor Type
Square Footage: 2,068 sq.ft

This Doctor recommends Denco Dental Construction:

“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for being a part of my team. I came to you by
way of various recommendations, and you have exceeded every expectation. This was
my very first endeavor in kind and magnitude. It has been a long process, it seems, but I
am very thankful you were there to guide me. I have absolutely no regrets that I pursued
the negotiated bid route.
I imagine there are always surprises on every job, but it was the way you and your
dedicated team approached them that I appreciated: with patience and perseverance,
composure, good communication, and always the highest integrity. You were not
satisfied until you knew the job was done right‚Ä¶. Even if that meant an extra 10+ gallons
of paint!
I don‚Äôt know how you did it, but despite numerous setbacks, you were still able to finish
the job within my desired time frame.
Thank you is an understatement.”

- Alyssa S. Levin, D.D.S., M.S.

Time to Sharpen Your Blade

Steve Anderson — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 21:57:01 +0000

Years ago I was handed a chain saw for the first time and directed to cut a bunch of railroad ties. After working hard for two days in the hot sun and having only been able to cut a few of the ties, I decided to give up and the project sat unfinished. A few years later I reluctantly bought my first chain saw and tried it out. To my surprise it was actually easy to work with and not at all like my first experience. The difference: The new chain saw had a sharpened blade! This resolve seems overly simple, but sometimes we do not know what we do not know. This was not something I knew to check out before attempting to cut those railroad ties, but it was a lesson I never forgot. Have you given up on your project or dream?

If you are the Owner/CEO of a business, and you want to:

Improve your business
Increase profits
Improve operations
Enhance the customers experience
Boost team spirit and moral
Make your company better than the competition

Action Points:

1. Honestly ask yourself if there are things that you have given up on, that you really felt you could or should do.
2. Ask your team for ideas or suggestions at your weekly huddle.
3. Ask your patients for ideas, thoughts and suggestions. You might want to make each suggestion an entry into a drawing for a prize / reward to be given to a random winner.
4. Ask a mentor. Spend time with someone whom you see as successful and discuss some of your ideas with them and ask for their input.
5. Listen! Most entrepreneurs succeed with this simple recommendation. Listen carefully. Apply what is applicable. Be open to changes and be willing to try new things.

If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed; but knowledge and skill will bring success.
ECC 10:10

Value of First Impressions

Steve Anderson — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 05:41:54 +0000

As I watched and listened to Dr. Rick Jacobi finish up his lecture with the AT Stills graduating class, he made an interesting comment!

“The quality of your dentistry is probably the least important item for the new patient as they enter your doors. For you see, when a person walks into your office, it has been proven that they will make a decision about you, the office, and your team within the first 15 seconds!”

The most important steps to consider (in order of importance) for your practice, as shared by Dr. Rick Jacobi, are:

1. Personality – If you (the dentist) are warm and relational, typically you will connect with the client at the first appointment.

2. Honesty – Typically people are very intuitive. By giving an honest, true assessment of their needs and providing options for them to consider, patients will be more at ease and keep coming back.

3. Office Appearance – Having an office that portrays you and your standards of care is essential. An office that is organized, clean, inviting and efficient is very important to your growth.

4. Staff Impressions/Service – You can have all of the above in place and working well, but if your team is rude, condescending, or unprofessional, patients will leave and not come back. Patients want to be treated with courtesy and respect. When they come in with a problem, they want to know you and your team are listening and are there to help.

5. Location – If the location of your office is difficult to find, all other areas must really excel to make up for it.

6. Dental Skills – This item Dr. Jacobi listed last because you can be the best dentist around, but the patients will not care if all other items are not in place.

The difficulty lies not so much in developing ideas as in escaping from the old ones.
Author – Henry David Thoreau

New Section 179 Added Deductions!

Steve Anderson — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:15:44 +0000

New legislation has just come into effect that can and will have a POSITIVE impact for those of you looking for added deductions!

In speaking with Steve Owens of Owens & Bondell PLLC, Certified Public Accountants, he tells me there have been some huge added incentives for businesses that will enable them to reap the benefit of added deductions. Not only were the amounts increased, they are also made retroactive for this 2010 calendar year. Also, deductions that only included equipment now includes tenant improvements and business vehicles! This can be a huge savings for those of you who are doing remodeling, looking to build new offices, or have already done so this year!

Below are the basics of the topic…..

Buy and place equipment into service by December 31st to deduct under Section 179 up to the $500,000 limit (subject to basic and net income limitations).
Business vehicles of at least 6,000 lbs gross vehicle weight rating also qualify for a Section 179 deduction with a limit of $25,000 for SUVs.
There is 50% bonus depreciation for new equipment/vehicles not deducted under Section 179. First year cap on depreciation of autos, light trucks or vans is up to $11,060 from $3,060.
Certain qualified real estate improvements (TI) can be included in Section 179 ($250,000 limit) with the 50% bonus depreciation.

Consult with your CPA to properly plan and see how this will work best for you! Time is slipping away! Remember – we do not know how long these deductions will be in effect!

TAKE TIME NOW TO TALK WITH YOUR CPA and see how this can or already may have helped you.

Planning is bringing the future into the present
so that you can do something about it now.
Author – Allen Lakein