Accelerate My Practice Blog

Coopetition? What the....?

This is a new word to most, but the concept is not new. AMP TV has started a new series in dental marketing for your practices that will show you how coopetition is a friend not a foe.

First, let's answer the question: What is coopetition?

Coopetition is cooperative competition. Meaning you know you are in the same industry as others, in this case Dental, and the other dentists are willing to collaborate together on services they provide to patients. By having a community of dentists who are willing to see each other as partners instead of direct competitors, you are opening a path to creating an elevated level of dental services in your community instead of the typical frictionized competition.

How are You Contributing Within Dentistry and Your Community?

There are many forms of Contributions deemed in Society and dentistry.  Let's focus on daily Contributions that occur throughout the year; every day.  It is important to make the distinction between achievements and contributions.  An Achievement is defined as something accomplished successfully, especially by means of exertion, skill, practice, or perseverance.  Therefore, achievements can easily become a task that is simply checked off our "to do" list once accomplished.  On the other hand, a Contribution is defined as something contributed such as money or an idea.  It can also include your time.  The correlation between the two is quite simple; our contribution is the entire Picture seen through those snapshots of multiple achievements.  They are imperative in reminding ourselves that "we can make a Difference."

How to build good relationships with your dental patients quickly?

If I were to give my overall analysis of Dentistry; I would sum it up by stating that it is definitely a relationship Business.  In order to Develop and Foster those relationships within the Dental Practice; we must be cognizant of our goal.  The Goal of the entire Dental Team must be to offer every Patient a "WOW" experience.  This must be the "Golden Rule" with every patient, every time, without any exception.  Let's look at the opportunities within your Dental Practice to achieve this goal.  The Primary foundation on which you built your practice was to have a "thriving (not just surviving) " patient first practice that promotes overall oral healthcare throughout the patient's lifetime.  One opportunity to accomplish that Patient First goal is communication.  This is a pertinent step for every Team Member.  It typically begins with that first phone call prior to the appointment.  We must "offer that WOW experience " from the beginning.  This imperative time is the initial start of "the patient relationship."  There are many ways within your Dental Practice to continue fostering that first experience.  However, a consistent method within your practice is highly recommended. 

Maintaining the Win/Win Attitude within your Dental Practice

I teach this process to my dentists everyday. The infamous rule of thumb " You can teach any skill, you cannot teach Attitude." Therefore, the dynamics that form the Dental Team and entire practice create a challenge involving attitude. The challenge is that while the concept of "think win-win" seems simple, its location is the challenge. The concept lies in our mind in our unconscious paradigm, in the way we view the world. Therefore, a vast majority will not think win-win. While understanding the concept might challenge you or the Dental Team at times, the biggest challenge is living by it.

To keep this simple yet comprehensive, let's define the paradigms.
When relationships are paramount, Win/Win is the only viable alternative. If on the other hand relationship building is not as imperative, Win/Lose might be the appropriate attitude. There are five angles to see when understanding the Win/Win model: Character, Relationships, Agreements, Supportive Systems and Processes. I will describe it as detailed as possible.

Put First Things First in Your Dental Office

In Habit 3, Covey demonstrates a parallel division of distinguishing leadership from management in that leadership is more of an art, referencing a right-brained activity consisting of asking the ultimate questions relating to life whereas management is implementing this perspective into action.  Effective management is implementing first things first, while leadership involves the decision of what the first things are.  This is where prioritization plays an important role.

It is imperative that in your Dental Practice a clear understanding is distinguished.  There are a few ways to assist in making more profound Leadership and Management decisions.  A couple of pertinent questions within your personal and professional life might include…