Here's what's coming at you in this month's newsletter... |
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- Tricks of the Trade - DPMs: How to conquer imposter syndrome
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- Featured Meeting: ACPM Online December 10th
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Speak Up DPMs: Just for fun...
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- The FABI Nugget: Bite-Sized Chunks for Your Practice
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- Practice Partner Academy - Upcoming Sessions and Recordings
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- Tricks of the Trade - Vendors: Reframe Your Show Competition Outlook
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- Tricks of the Trade - Meeting Planners: The Jig Is Up
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TRICKS OF THE TRADE - Quick Tips for DPMs
(and everyone else!)
How to Conquer Imposter Syndrome
Ann Dosen
The article was great, if I do say so myself (and I do!); however, it lacked a solution to overcoming this inevitable feeling. Now that I am on the other side of all the projects that had me spiraling into an imposter syndrome black hole, I was reflecting on how I came through it and if there was a secret that I could pass along. The good news is, I did find a particular action to be helpful in getting through it and here’s the secret: learn.
I figured out that my imposter syndrome stemmed from the fact that I had taken on projects that were new to me, outside of my comfort zone, or some higher level, more difficult version of something I’d attempted in the past. The unknown was scary. The thought that I didn’t know enough to accomplish something paralyzed me. Then, I put my mind to learning. I started listening to podcasts related to the projects I was working on. I started watching YouTube videos and reading blogs, just about anything I could get my hands on. I started signing up for trial periods of various online tools, plugins and software that claimed help with what I was working on. I tested various methods, learned more about how and what I wanted, and moved forward. I leaned on experts for their guidance.
Then, one day, I woke up and that feeling of imposter syndrome didn’t feel as heavy as an elephant sitting on my chest. I was making good progress on the scary projects and feeling like I might actually pull it off.
So, the solution to pushing through and getting past that feeling is to do, and to learn. But, be sure to keep doing at the same time you are learning. Don’t let yourself go down a knowledge mission rabbit hole and not make any progress on the project. Full steam ahead. Fake it ‘til you make it.
Listen closely and I’ll tell you a secret about how imposter syndrome can stop your dreams and goals in their tracks. Have you ever had an idea? Let’s say you have a passion for and feel led to help other podiatrists choose the right paint colors for their office, but you have this nagging thought holding you back saying,
“What do you know? You’re not a psychologist or an expert in color theory. You’re not an interior designer. All you are is a doctor with a Pinterest account. You’re no expert.”
Right there, your dream is dead if you listen to that voice in your head. Here’s the secret… you already know more than enough to be an expert. All you need is a little confidence, and a willingness to continue to learn more. Your passion for something will make you an expert in it simply because it’s something you enjoy. All you have to do is foster that fascination, and keep doing and learning.
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Featured Event
ACPM Presents...
Updates in Periopeartive Medicine: Practical Pearls
The American College of Podiatric Medicine is excited to announce its upcoming contribution to continuing education in Podiatric Medicine.
Earn 6 CECH on December 10th when you register for this "mini-conference" featuring lectures from a wide range of expertise.
Meeting Agenda: December 10, 2022 | 9am - 4pm EST
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9am
Perioperative Testing and Anesthesia Risk Assessment
Scott MacDougall, MD
9:30am
Cardiac Risk Stratification
Anand Prasad, MD
10am
Perioperative Management of Anticoagulants, Glucosteroids, & DMARDs
Marc Jones, DPM
10:30am
Patient Safety
Allen Jacobs, DPM
11am
Perioperative Opioid Use in Foot and Ankle Surgery
Kristine Hoffman, DPM
11:30am
Infection Control
Bryan Roth, DPM
12:15
Morning Q&A
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1pm
Complications Due to a Failure to Communicate
Thomas Merrill, DPM
1:30pm
Perioperative Emergencies
Eric Miller, MD
2pm
Perioperative Imaging: What the Podiatrist Wants to Know
Marlene Jbara, MD
2:30pm
Post-Operative Complications
Christy King, DPM
3pm
Offloading
Coleen Napolitano, DPM
3:30pm
Perioperative and Postoperative Management: Moving Beyond Opioids
Brandon Brooks, DPM
4:00pm
Afternoon Q&A
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SPEAK UP, DPMs
Monthly Quick Poll
Just for fun, what is your preferred email catchphrase? Sarah circles back, while Ann touches base. Are you team circle back or team touch base?
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When following up via email, I like to...
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The FABI Nugget:
Bite-Sized Chunks For Your Practice
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In this version of the FABI Nugget, I want to talk about ways to increase revenue.
There are only two ways to increase revenue and that is to increase the number of patients that come through the office and to increase the revenue/visit for those that come through.
While many people focus on throughput and just try to jam as many people through the clinic as possible, I don’t think that is the best solution for anyone. Patient care suffers. Team members get burned out. The doctor runs around and often provides less than complete care while feeling exhausted. For most podiatrists, there is a sweet spot in the amount of patients/day that can be attentively cared for and still maintain high revenue.
The best way to really take care of the patients and still increase revenue is to provide comprehensive care. By identifying all problems and fully taking care of them with appropriate treatment, you will not only improve outcomes and do so more quickly and increase the revenue/visit of those patient encounters.
Take a look at the video I recorded where I really talk in depth about what this means.
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Click image to watch video. |
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Increasing the revenue per visit can be done in a number of ways:
- Documenting and billing for the care you provide and getting the proper E/M charge
- Appropriately taking xrays to evaluate musculoskeletal problems
- Utilize vascular screening/testing to help identify vascular disease that is a huge problem for our patient population.
- Utilize office procedures when appropriate
- Utilize ultrasound guided injections when appropriate. Evidence based medicine has clearly shown improved outcomes when ultrasound guidance is coupled with injections.
- Offer DME in your office.
- Utilize orthotics with more confidence and consistency.
- Consider adding cash-based services such as ESWT/EPAT, laser, Swift, Amniotic injections and more.
When you understand that comprehensive care of the patient leads to better outcomes and that revenue will follow, not because of “increasing the bill,” but better care. Instead of trying to put as many people through the office as possible, slow down and do a better job of treating less people and you will see your revenue grow.
Lowell
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CALL FOR GUEST CONTRIBUTORS!
Do you have an article, blog post, podcast, YouTube video, or other resource your fellow podiatrists or industry colleagues could benefit from? Tell us!
We are looking to share content from our faithful subscribers in an effort to continue to provide valuable information to the industry.
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PRACTICE PARTNER ACADEMY
Helping You Choose Strategic Partners for Your Practice
NEXT SESSION
Braces and Supports for Plantar Fasciitis
Presented by Jon Auvil from DARCO International
Tuesday, December 13th @ 8pm EST
MATCHMAKING OPEN HOUSE
Recording now available! We recently hosted a Matchmaking Open House for associates and practices to find your match and find your practice. The event was presented by John Guiliana, DPM, Mike Crosby, and Bruce Levin, DPM and sponsored by Provider Resources.
This 2-hour event tackled all the tough questions related to selling or joining a practice.
If you weren't able to attend live, you can
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TRICKS OF THE TRADE - Quick Tips for Vendors
Reframe Your Show Competition Outlook
Sarah Breymeier
One of the comments I hear regularly about whether or not an exhibitor should attend a show is, "well I have to show up because my competitor is there." I don't disagree, however, that isn't the end-all, be-all of that decision.
In past years, I know I have said those words myself and I have even consulted clients in regard to signing up for an event because we know our top competitor is going to be there; but recently I've rethought this.
First, why would I be so worried about my competition? Are you ever worried when you know you're performing at a high level and satisfying your customers? Probably not.
What's The Real Problem? Is It You?
Consider this. If you're so worried about your competitor being at a show when you're not there, did you do something that would make them want to jump ship? If you haven't, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
However, I know there are customers that just like to be a pain in your side even if you're meeting expectations or going above and beyond. In those cases, I would say - let them jump. The seller-customer relationship is not a one-way street.
You will spend countless hours (time is money) trying to please customers that just bleed your time. In fact, if you're really wanting to "stick it" to your competitors, let them have those customers that are impossible to please. Now they will be spending time on a single issue instead of growing and building with customers that suit you.
OK, circling back... So if you feel a particular conference is not a good fit for your goals, then don't go. Even if your competitor is going to be there. Instead, focus on what you're doing that is making you nervous about your customers speaking to your competitors and fix that problem.
You can also consider using the money you will save by not going to a particular event and using those funds to provide an on-site visit (in-service) to the client(s) you're worried about losing. A personal visit to your valued customers goes a long way, and then you can say you've done everything in your power to please them and save the account.
Are Personal Beefs Holding You Back?
Another way your outlook on your competitors may be hurting you is by focusing on your personal beef. Talk about more wasted time.
I hope it's not too much, but reflect on the amount of time you have spent
- thinking about
- having conversations about
- researching
- devising a scheme against
someone you consider your competition that you just don't like (or that you've had a personal conflict with).
Sometimes I'll get phone calls from friends and colleagues who share details with me about "one of my competitors is saying this about you."
Because I'm human, my initial response is to be offended and learn more about this gossip train. But I've gotten better at taking a step back and realizing:
- They're not my competition because nobody does what I do the way I do it.
- If someone is talking about me, kudos to me. If I find myself talking about someone it's because I care about them in some way shape or form. I'd be more offended if someone was indifferent.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY. I don't have the time. I've got a "to-do" list sitting on my desk that is going to suffer if I spend any more time talking about these insignificant issues.
So - bottom line. Stop spending time on them. Do what needs to be done to meet your customers needs and you won't have to worry about losing them. Do what needs to be done to make your business grow because talking sh*t about your competitors isn't going to get you there.
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SPEAK UP, VENDORS
Monthly Quick Poll
We know many of you in vendor-land are doing awesome things to help educate DPMs... and we want to know about it! As the industry's leading resource for information about podiatric events, we want to go beyond events that provide CME/CECH credits.
Instead of a poll this month, we simply want you to contact us and let us know if you have any upcoming webinars planned. If you don't have the details right now, shoot us an email anyway and let us know that it's on your radar and we'll check back in with you to get the details!
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90-DAY MEETING OUTLOOK
Click below to see industry events for upcoming months.
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TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Quick Tips for Meeting Planners
The Jig Is Up
Ann Dosen
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I know we have said this before but we are saying it again because it is, by far, the #1 leading cause of disgruntled exhibitors. No, it’s not the food (although that’s important!).
Please, I beg of you, do not inflate your attendee numbers by adding staff and speakers to the attendee list. It leads to “negative nancy” conversations on the show floor.
If your exhibitors arrive at a conference expecting to see a lecture hall and exhibit hall filled with 600+ attendees but they only see about 200, they are going to be upset. Not because there are only 200; they are upset because they staffed their booth and sent sample and promo quantities and literature based on the numbers they were given. They established sales goals and expectations based on the numbers they were given.
Believe me when I tell you this - exhibitors would rather you tell them there will be 200 attendees and there actually BE 200 attendees than to be given misleading information. Best to be completely honest - underpromise, overdeliver.
Plus, we’ve noticed something interesting is happening since conferences have come back… very much like 40 is the new 20 (take it from me), 200 is the new 800. We’re seeing that the meetings with 200-400 attendees are providing a better experience and return on investment for exhibitors than the much larger conferences with 800 or more attendees. Lately, it’s much more about quality over quantity.
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PodiatryMeetings.com presents information about upcoming podiatric events, featured podiatry vendors, exhibiting and travel tips, and more!
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