10
Items To Review & Build Your Business Now!
By Dr Philip E. Humbert
In
building and running an independent private practice or small
business, there are many items that need to be monitored closely
and should be reviewed periodically. This week’s article
is a "Top Ten" of items to review whenever you decide
to pause, reflect, take stock and re-assess.
1.
Review your client statistics: How many clients did
you have? On average, how long did they stay?
How did they describe their problem? What did they
need or want from you? Does tracking by gender, age, or
other criteria, provide insight about your business?
2.
Review your referral sources: How do clients find you?
Do you have a solid mix of referral sources? Too few
sources makes your business dependent on them, while too many
sources is inefficient. Who refers the most desirable
clients? Who refers the least desirable?
3.
Review your outcome statistics: How many clients
had successful outcomes? How many had unsuccessful outcomes, and
why? How many left before you thought they should,
and why? Which clients are you most effective with?
Which do you enjoy the most?
4.
Review your income, month by month: Look for
patterns or relationships with marketing efforts or community
events that may impact your business. Does your business
go up when school starts or after holidays? Can you
capitalize on any of these cyclical patterns?
5.
Review environmental changes: Has the community’s
awareness of your skills or services been impacted by someone
else’s marketing, by news stories or controversy this year?
Has your neighborhood changed? Have circumstances made
your office more or less visible? Are other professionals
moving into, or out of, your neighborhood?
6.
Review office policies and procedures: Do any
of your forms, brochures, or signs need to be up-dated? Is
it time to add color and graphics? Can office procedures
be streamlined, computerized or contracted out for better
productivity?
7.
Review your insurance coverage, lease agreements,
partnerships and other documents that impact your business.
Is this the year to incorporate? Consult a professional
about making appropriate changes, and meet with your accountant
for a year-end review and tax planning.
8.
Review every aspect of your professional status:
Review your CE requirements, renew your license(s), pay dues to
your professional organizations, and be sure your liability
insurance coverage is adequate and current.
9.
Identify and study the 3 biggest mistakes you made
relative to finances, business and marketing this year.
What did you do, or not do? What did you learn? What
steps can you take so that particular mistake or set of
circumstances never holds you back again?
10.
Be sure to acknowledge and thank everyone who has
contributed to your success this year, including referral
sources, advisors, colleagues, and especially your clients.
Send holiday greetings, thank you notes, and where it’s
appropriate, send a gift or token of appreciation.
Have
a great week!
©
Copyright 2000 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved.
By Dr Philip E. Humbert, author,
speaker and personal success coach. Dr Humbert has
hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can
use for your own success! It's a great resource! Visit
him on the web at: www.philiphumbert.com
And, be sure to sign up for his great newsletter!"
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