Guest Contributor: Chris Barrow
Chris' Posts - Chris' Blog


Having just returned from an 8-day trip to Belgium, Holland and France, it has been interesting to observe the different cultures at work in the business of business-ownership.

In Belgium and France, the culture in dentistry is one of sole-ownership on steroids.

Most of the dentists in these two nations are true lone rangers - working with absolutely no support staff whatsoever and very little contact with each other.

They answer their own phones, manage their own appointment schedules, do their own book-keeping and administration - and throw significant hours of dentistry in there as well!

It appears to be a bizarre lifestyle - with work sessions sometimes beginning at 6.00am, concluding at lunchtime, picking up again late afternoon and continuing into the evening.

The concept of team-building or mastermind grouping of any sort appear alien - and my presentation to this audience was focused on self-marketing to try and increase the flow of new patients - ultimately another job on an already overwhelming “to do” list.

Contrast that with my audience in Holland - much more gregarious and similar to the business models I am used to in the UK.

Teams are in evidence - as is the concept of peer group meetings on both clinical and business related matters.

Here, my presentation was all about effective leadership of teams - and very well received.

Last night in our Leeds hotel - a further comparison as Simon and I enjoy the company of our Breathe Business Club clients over dinner, after a fascinating afternoon listening to their achievements over the last three months and their “shopping lists” for this quarter's meeting.

Although it is dangerous to have favourites - I am especially inspired by this one of our six regional groups - there seems to be a dynamism in this location that may be born from the fact that many of the members knew each other before they came to the group - either in dental school, in their community or through previous work with The Dental Business School - so the ice was broken very early on - and last night Simon and I had a chance to catch up personally for the first time in three weeks - as the clients were galloping away with their own conversations!

Here are the top 10 trends I noticed as we heard feedback around the room yesterday:

1. Our mastermind clients are hiring business managers to work alongside their practice managers;
2. They are redefining "recession" as a period of time in which their marketing plans have to be smarter and faster;
3. Measured expansion is attractive - with selective acquisition as the most favoured route;
4. The hygiene-based assessment business model is looking more attractive by the month;
5. Competition in the market-place is stimulating demand;
6. But it's harder and more important to stay ahead of the competition;
7. Client/patient loyalty must be rewarded;
8. Web attraction is becoming an increasingly essential way to attract new patients;
9. Branding is now more important than design - design follows branding;
10. Membership of a mastermind group is no longer a discretionary investment - it is THE way to ensure continuing confidence and success.

I'm easing myself back into my work routine this week - the change of scenery has been great - and I see nothing but opportunity ahead.