Planning for the future is a very important step for Dentists. Setting goals keeps the team motivated and focused. What are your long-term goals? If not created, it’s not too late to begin:
Strategic planning:
Strategic planning is creating and designing goals and objectives that will help you reach your long-term vision. When dentists work with clients, they start by laying out clear objectives and goals — with deadlines — that are written and measurable over a five-year period.
Here are a few ideas:
Use this planning process to plan a new direction for your practice.
• Identify five core values- These core values are yours, the owner’s, true beliefs and will likely remain the same for 50 years. Practices need to identify their values and work hard to live up to them every day.
• Set 5–10 specific “major” goals- These goals should be clearly written, measurable, deadline-driven, and assigned to a responsible person.
• Create a vision- Work on answering that single question: Where do you want to be in five years? You should also add in a financial analysis so that you can set realistic goals based on your current situation.
• Create a timeline for goals- Numerous strategic plans have failed because there were no timelines and no accountability. Each step of the plan should have a deadline and a responsible party assigned to carry it out.
Make short term goals — which you are planning to achieve within a year
Long term goals: — which you plan to achieve in 5 years
Measure and monitor the plan — Hold monthly meetings to measure your plan’s progress and timelines. Without a monthly update, the
focus will be lost and it’s less likely that you’ll achieve your plan.
