Number-Focussed = Client-Focussed

I know I’ve been focussing a lot on keeping your eyes on the numbers in your private practice over the last week or two.?

Truth be told, I’ve been harping on about it and here’s why…

As allied health professionals, we spend years and years (and years and years) at university where we are trained in being client-focussed. As a result, our world as clinicians literally revolves around our clients – as it freaking should! I mean, this is WHY we became psychs, OT’s, speechies, etc… because we love to help people.?

Focusing on the client is an ingrained part of our clinical practice and the core of our reason for doing what we do.?

This becomes an issue though when we neglect to focus on the underlying data that allows us to do this work. The data that allows us to be client-focussed and to help people live better lives. The data that will tell us whether we will still be able to do this in 3, 6 or 9 months’ time.

Because the thing is… even the most highly skilled clinicians can (and will) go broke if they don’t keep their eye on their business numbers.

And don’t for once think this does not happen. Just because you don’t hear about it, does not mean it does not happen. People don’t shout this type of stuff from the roof tops. There is just too much shame and embarrassment attached to it. It IS however the stuff that I – as a business coach and mentor to practice owners – are often privy too and it breaks my heart when I hear this from hard-working practice owners.?

And this does not just happen overnight. It is insidious, because you are clever, intelligent and creative at making things work, until it no longer works. So just because things seem to be going well, does not mean it will stay like that forever (goodness me, I sound like a doomsday prophet!). But I say this because I KNOW it happens and I want you to get your head out of the sand and make sure that you will not fall victim to this in your practice.?

Either way, not keeping your eyes on the numbers WILL land you in trouble, it is just a matter of time and how.

I can’t stress this enough…?

Yes, you need to be client-focussed, but you also need to be number-focussed. These two concepts do not need to exist in isolation. Being number-focussed actually ALLOWS you to be client-focussed. Great numbers mean that you will be able to help more people in better ways, whilst also looking after you and your team.?

So what now? Now you need to….

1. Shift into the acceptance and knowing that being number-focussed = client-focussed.
2. Model this mindset to your team.
3. Identify the numbers that you have been neglecting and need to start looking at.?
4. Analyse how improving these numbers will improve client care.?
5. Devise Key Performance Actions for your team that will allow the improvements in 4.
6. Implement the above.
7. Review and revise.

As always, I’m here to help if you need support in making this shift.

The best way to reach out to me, is via this short form . Herein I ask you a few quick questions that will allow me to ascertain if and how I can help. You can do that by clicking this link .

Here’s to helping you build a private practice you can’t stop smiling about!

Gerda

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After starting her PhD on the topic of?"Psychologists as Practice Owners: Current Challenges, Coping & Success Predictors", Gerda was appalled at the lack of support for Allied Health Professionals going into Private Practice and decided to do something about it.?This was the start of?Private Practice Success Australia.

?E:?[email protected] ?| W:?gerdamuller.com.au

WINNER: National Allied Health Private Practice Excellence Award

WINNER:?Queensland MENTAL HEALTH Achievement Award for Best Small Business?

WINNER:?Logan Business Distinction Award