When I first jumped into this arena I easily found myself intensely engaged in the learning curve till the wee hours of the morning.   Even with easy step by step directions there is still a lot of tweaking required to get it “live.”  We must keep in perspective what we do best and make sure we are operating from that place.  We need to make sure this opportunity enhances our practices and lives not keeps us up all night.

The Dream Team

You might look at someone like Brandon Harshe, Shawn Dill, Michael Dorausch and other great Bloggers in Chiropractic and wonder how do they do that AND practice?  PlanetC1 does SO much for Chiropractic, and though I don’t know him well, through twitter and the like I “see” he still has a huge practice.  How do they do it?

I wondered the same question as I have been on this journey and below I have compiled my “leverage list.”  I have learned to leverage currency and timezones to get things done while I sleep and for a fraction of the cost.

All of the sites below have a few things in common.

• Low Bids – Most of these sites will generate 30-50+ bids for your project posting allowing you to examine their portfolios and see who is a great match.  Also because there are so many bids they are forced to keep their prices very competitive.

• Currency – Most of the bids do come from India, Pakistan, Russia, Eastern Europe etc., therefore our dollar goes a lot further.  It is not uncommon for someone to do great work for you for less than $5-7 per hour.

• Timezone – Lastly because they are usually  12 + timezones away, they are working in their day while you are sleeping in your night!  Just before bed you write out a project….you awake to find it DONE!

Elance.com

This site allows you to post a job or project.  Pretty much any job or project.  These for me have ranged from helping me customize an excel spreadsheet, cleaning up my Quickbooks, creating websites, creating blogs, fixing glitches and the list goes on.

Odesk.com

This site is great for managing a team of people you hire for ongoing projects.  This is by far my favorite site.  It allows you to post your job, interview candidates, manage their work by seeing their screen shots and activities and most importantly it allows them to communicate between other team members you hire.  This gets addictive because it is so easy to manage a whole team and odesk.com works out sending them a 1099 so you don’t worry about payroll problems.

Crowdspring.com

LOVE this site.  Used it many times for logos.  I have written about it before and they always continue to impress me.  Here you post design projects like logos, landing pages or even entire website then you will receive 40+ designs to choose from.  The CEO @rosskimbarovsky is also a great person to follow on twitter as he tweets the conferences he attends.  You will learn a ton from him.

Asksunday.com

This is a great site for a personal assistant.  They have English speaking project managers that help you leverage economy while still being able to communicate clearly.  I use them mainly for research projects.

I still do most of the work myself as I love it.  This blog post was written from my front yard on a sunny Seattle Sunday morning with a great cup of Earl Gray Tea!  However, to really move fast you must outsource your weaknesses and the things you dislike.

PLEASE comment below if you have any other great resources you would like to share!  Or just comment a thumbs up if you liked this post!

darren…

1. Reach – the amount of people that will get the information
2. Accessibility – ease of access to technologies that publish information, biggest barrier being money
3. Usability – ease of use of the technology
4. Recency – time line from creation to publication
5. Permanence – how long will the information stay in front of us

The below video is the perfect example of all 5 factors above.  Think about each of them as you watch the video.

After exploring these factors we discover that the mediums inside of Social Media completely allow us to tell the Chiropractic story and reach just as many if not more people than a Super Bowl ad for a fraction of the cost.  There is NO doubt that if we embrace technologies such as blogging, twitter, facebook, linkedin, etc that we can reposition and brand Chiropractic exactly how it should be.

Be Aware

Just as easy as it is to get information out really fast it can be just as easy to backfire.  For example you may have a blog where you post great information and research on the benefits of Chiropractic and you may even include some testimonials of patients that received great results but a quick Google search of your name now produces a myspace page that shows “other” recreational habits that you also enjoy.  The internet is very transparent!  Remember this as you are positing.  We don’t need to muddy our image any worse.

Branding YOU!

As we are setting up profiles on facebook, twitter and linkedin be sure to assume that anyone and everyone will have access to this information and that this will paint a picture of you.  Your “Brand,” which is your image combined with your  messaging, should be consistent across all of your technologies.  Your bio’s should be similar, your mission should be similar and your pictures should be clean.  As you are creating and contributing, imagine all the possible audiences not just the one you are writing to.

Again, we have an unbelivable opportunity, let’s do it right.

…darren

CoAction Software, American X-Ray and The Blair Chiropractic Society have teamed up this year to bring you the most amazing student opportunity yet.  This years conference will be in the swanky, upscale W hotel in Atlanta, GA.  You will be immersed in the most dynamic Technique seminar of the year.  You will learn the Blair Technique from Blair Instructor Icons such as Dr. Tom Forest, Dr. Todd Hubbard, Dr. Michael Lenarz, Dr. Meg Banitch, Dr.Drew Hall, Dr. Art Addington and Dr. Perry Rush all under one roof.

This year we are also focusing on the communicating the Blair and Upper Cervical message to create lifetime patients.  We are recruiting from outside the Chiropractic Community to present the most advanced system of communication specifically designed to stimulate a YES.  This is going to be a 2 hour workshop with specific takeaways that can be implemented on Monday.

This is also a great opportunity to mingle with the Blair Chiropractors that are out there making it happen.  Friday night we will gather in the loungy atmosphere of the W Hotel which is always a great opportunity to get to know your colleagues out in the field.

2009 Blair Chiropractic Conference

W Hotel

Atlanta, Georgia

September 18-19

FREE lodging to the first 40 registered students

Killer Banquet with an Awards Ceremony

www.regonline.com/blair2009

$75

Register NOW at www.regonline.com/blair2009

As soon as we hit 40 students Molly will email you regarding room assignments.

Looking forward to seeing you all there again!  I love Atlanta!

This year is shaping up to be the best year for Upper Cervical Chiropractors.  There has been great media attention, great research attention and the list of MUST see seminars this year is growing and just simply awesome.

I just got off the phone with Dr. Shawn Dill, founder of “That Something” Coaching Program, who just shared with me that Dr. Joe Dispenza will be the Keynote Speaker at this year’s Synapse.  Amazing.

Dr. Joe Dispenza is a personal hero of mine ever since I first became aware of him in “What the Bleep.”  He will be sure to change the way you perceive your reality.

Joe Dispenza, D.C., studied biochemistry at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. He has a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Neuroscience from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Dr. Dispenza also received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating magna cum laude.

Over the last 10 years, Dr. Dispenza has lectured in over 17 different countries on six continents educating people about the role and function of the human brain. He has taught thousands of people how to re-program their thinking through scientifically proven neuro-physiologic principles. As a result, this information has taught many individuals to reach their specific goals and visions by eliminating self-destructive habits. His approach, taught in a very simple method, creates a bridge between true human potential and the latest scientific theories of neuroplasticity. He explains how thinking in new ways, as well as changing beliefs, can literally rewire one’s brain. The premise of his work is founded in his total conviction that every person on this planet has within them, the latent potential of greatness and true unlimited abilities.

“That Something” Coaching

Agenda

Saturday, July 11th

9:00 to 9:30 – Welcome – Dr. Shawn Dill
9:30 to 1:00 – “The Neurobiology of Change” – Dr. Joe Dispenza
1:00 to 2:00 – Lunch
2:00 to 6:00 – “The Neurobiology of Change” – Dr. Joe Dispenza

Sunday, July 12th

9:00 – 10:30 – Dr. Darren White – “The Worksite Wellness Revolution”
11:00 – 12:00 – Ms. Sumaya Kazi – “Social Media in Chiropractic Marketing”
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 – Dr. Gerard Clum – “The Future of Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic”
3:00 – 4:30 – Dr. Shawn Dill – “The Specific Vision”

You will also notice Dr. Gerry Clum and Ms. Sumaya Kazi on the agenda to help round out the perfect weekend.  I’m even in the mix there somewhere with some exciting news on the Worksite Wellness front.

To register for this event contact Dr. Shawn Dill or register on his website

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Don’t forget to also reserve your space for the Upper Cervical Evolution this April in Vegas.  Both Dr. Dill and myself will be there.  I think there might still be FREE student lodging. Check out www.uppercervicalevolution.com

The real estate market has lost an average of 22% in 2008.  The stock markets were down 46% from their high.  It leaves you wondering, where should we put our money?

3 years ago I consulted with a coach from the Small Business Development Center, who helped me discover my I.R.R.  I.R.R. stands for Internal Rate of Return.  This set me on a very powerful journey that has surely proven true in this economic downturn.  Let me explain.

I.R.R is the return on your money that you put BACK into your business.  So instead of buying shares of xyz stock you go ahead and invest in your own business.  We will work on an EXPONENTIAL gain of your investment.  I know that will beat anything else you see in 2009.

There is only ONE way to grow ANY business.  It all comes down to this equation, which I have talked about previously.  Your business is always a product of the number of new clients, multiplied the number of times they do business with you, multiplied by the money they spend each time.  To put it Chiropractic Terms:

Your Money = New Patients(NP) X Patient Visit Average(PVA) X Office Visit Average(OVA)

We typically use these monthly terms;

NP = The number of New Patients you see in one month
PVA = The average number of times a patient will see you.
OVA = The average dollar amount collected for each encounter

These are the only three areas you can invest money in.

New Patients – Investing in this category might include screening at local festivals or expositions, putting an ad in the paper, telemarketing, website or online marketing, social media, Dinner with Doc etc.

Patient Visit Average – Investments here might be a Brican Patient Education System, upgrading the aesthetics of the office, Neuropathalator, or even just spending the extra dollars on upgrading your paperwork with Patient Media.

Office Visit Average – Investment here might include hiring a billing consultant for 3 hours to make sure you are charging for what you do, adding supplements or pillows for sale in the office, or maybe outsourcing your billing to achieve a higher collection percentage.

NOTE: Hiring a practice management coach may be able to help you in all three categories.  I have been in Five Star for 7 years and I am also a big fan of Dr. Dill’s That Something Coaching Program.

The Magic

It is easy to understand that if you invest in New Patients then you will get more new patients and receive a linear growth. NOW, watch this for EXPONENTIAL growth.  Let’s say we spend $1,000 per month attending festivals and screening events that gets us a mere 5 more new patients per month.  Then we invest $300 in Daniel Clark’s New Patient Book for each New Patient along with $1000/yr spent sending out a newsletter to tackle our retention (PVA) category.  Finally, we invest $1,000 in a billing and coding consultant to help us make sure we are billing correctly and collecting timely patient payments to increase our collections.

NP        X        PVA           X            OVA       =          $$

Last year        20        X         15            X             35         =       $ 10,500

2009             25         X         20            X             40         =      $ 20,000

We invested $14,300 distributed over each of the 3 categories to get a small gain of 14-25% in each category.  However the whole practice received an additional $114,000 in revenue for a near 100% return on our investment.  What other market are you going to see that in?

Onward and Upward,
Darren

I spent this last weekend joining the most recent graduates of Life Chiropractic College West as they celebrated their completion of the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.  Clo Lau, in her Valedictorian speech, referred to the journey as “bittersweet” which really set the tone for the weekend.  I was amazed at how intimately connected, philosophically sound and success driven these two classes were.  I am incredibly excited to see where this group of Chiropractic warriors takes our profession.

Everybody had a plan… and diverse these plans were.  I met graduates going to Spain, Brazil, Canada, England and even the beautiful St. Thomas!  I truly wish you all the best and just wanted to extend 5 of my most favorite reads I have had since Graduation.

1. E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber – Hands down the the first and foremost business book anyone should read.  Almost ANY coach, mentor or consultant will offer up this gem as a first read.
2. The Success Principles, Jack Canfield – This collection of success principles is a great overview of just about all the success habits one needs to lead our selves, patients, community and profession.
3. Richest Man in Babylon, George C Classon – If you don’t pay yourself first right from the start you will surely be challenged in the future when you are compelled to give back.  This short but profound read is a classic and an absolute must.
4. Book Yourself Solid, Michael Port – One of the best books on the shelf that outlines a specific plan to fill your office with well qualified patients that are compelled to refer.
5. The Art of the Start, Guy Kawasaki – Guy is a huge hero of mine.  I love to cross appropriate success principles in other industries and apply them to ours.  Guy is from the technology industry, but his message is SO Chiropractic and very consistent with the TIC philosophy.

BONUS

I am currently trying to get through what will probably end up as my most favorite read this year.  Tribes, by Seth Godin, is such a tiny book; however, every time I pick it up I can only get through a couple pages before I have to put it down because I just got so fired up to implement a new strategy.  There is NO fluff in this book.  In fact there isn’t even any chapters, just pure innate thought.

Call to Action

1. If you haven’t already, please download the Dream Practice Blueprint.  Not exhaustive but a great first insight into starting your Dream Practice
2. Check out Success Has a Reading List for more book recommendations.
3. Lastly, and most importantly.  This Blog is to serve as a conduit that directly connects successful Doctors in the field to students that are about to graduate, so YOUR success stories, tips and insights would be invaluable for the graduates behind you.  Please email me your success and comment here frequently, and each group will graduate stronger and stronger.

Final Words

In school you are charged with tasks to complete and hoops to jump through all of which have already been created and given to you.  You are given the syllabus, time line and most of the tools necessary to complete your degree.  Not that it is easy – it surely isn’t – but what you need to do is always in front of you.

In practice you are given nothing.  You are charged with the responsibility to create the tasks, figure out the time line and find the tools necessary to create the practice you dream of.

This is a huge blessing and opportunity.  In school you don’t have much say in the final product.  You trade input for a given and known path.  In practice, it is the opposite, you trade the known path for full control of design and final product.  You can now create exactly what you want, where you want it and even with whom you want it with.  I would take that trade any day.  It is certainly a tougher path and certainly not meant for all, however the rewards are that much greater.  Not many career choices allow for full expression of oneself with such a huge lasting impact on the lives millions in our world.

Some will associate, some will open their own practice, some will partner, some will teach and some will research, but ALL together you will form the next chapter in Chiropractic’s history.

Onward and upward,
Darren

OUCH!  AGAIN!

I am currently in the process of opening another Upper Cervical Chiropractic Practice and I am humbled and reminded once again how daunting the process can be even if you have done it a few times before.  Every situation is different.  The permit process is vastly different, from city to city, the loan/leasing situation is always changing, marketing that used to work is now obsolete.  The insurance/cash situations pose unique challenges from location to location.  Then there are the things you don’t know, you don’t know!  Those are my favorite.

Since every process is so different and poses a unique set of circumstances it can often feel lonely in the process.  There are a few places to reach out to but what if you could reach out to a group that was entrenched in the same process as you are now?  What if you could quickly and effortlessly check in on your computer or phone for some sage advice or even just to vent a frustration? How great would it be to share a win in your area that helps another warrior get unstuck across the country.

Dream Practice Mastermind

I am putting together a small group of committed Chiropractors who are on a mission to open an Upper Cervical Chiropractic practice in the next year.  We will form a mastermind group where we can share ideas, work on grand opening campaigns, find money, celebrate wins, overcome obstacles and ultimately facilitate the growth of Upper Cervical Chiropractors across the world.

Are you starting an Upper Cervical Practice in the next year?

Step 1 – Please send an email to me at drdarrenwhite@mac.com letting me know when and where you are opening a practice.  Please also include your Technique preference.

Step 2 – Please log on to DreamPractice.ning.com and update your profile as this will be where the group is hosted.  If you are NOT a member please email me for access as this is a closed group.

Step 3 – Polish or at least have a rough business plan ready.  If you need help please check out the Dream Practice Business Plan inside the Dream Practice Blueprint here.

If you know someone who is opening a practice in the next year please forward this post to them.

Onward and Upward,
Dr. Darren White