The WhIP Journal
June 2005 Power Your Practice – THE WhIP JOURNAL [What Helps In Practice]
This is an Opt-In No-Fee monthly ezine/newsletter from Debra Dowdell. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to it. As always you may easily unsubscribe or update your email address, using the link at the bottom.
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In This Issue:
-CHANGE OR DIE: The Emotion of Change
-THAT IS SUCH A GOOD THOUGHT…
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CHANGE OR DIE: The Emotion of Change
"The trouble with the future is that it usually arrives before we are ready for it."
-Arnold H. Glasgow
Change or Die – sounds rather dramatic, doesn’t it? Am I using cheap tactics to get your attention? Most people who know me, even a little, would tell you I’m not prone to hyperbole.
I may be passionate and enthusiastic about certain things (okay, many things) but I am not one to throw in dramatic statements for the sake of entertainment. The title, Change or Die, stands on its own merit and I believe is well stated by its author, Alan Deutschman. Please read on, and form your own opinion.
I know it’s the end of June. It’s hot (at least where I am), summer is finally here, and you’re tired. Some of you may not be actively thinking about Practice Management issues. But I am! Call it a job-hazard, but I think about YOUR practice management much of the time. I do love my work.
Let’s find out why you may want to change but will so often not do the necessary things to make the change happen.
[Excerpts from: Change or Die article by Alan Deutschman Fast Company May 2005]
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/94/open_change-or-die.html
Changing the behavior of people isn't just the biggest challenge in health care. It's the most important challenge for businesses trying to compete in a turbulent world, says John Kotter, a Harvard Business School professor who has studied dozens of organizations in the midst of upheaval: "The central issue is never strategy, structure, culture, or systems. The core of the matter is always about changing the behavior of people.
Myth: Crisis is a powerful impetus for change
The conventional wisdom says that crisis is a powerful motivator for change. But severe heart disease is among the most serious of personal crises, and it doesn't motivate -- at least not nearly enough. Nor does giving people accurate analyses and factual information about their situations. What works? Why, in general, is change so incredibly difficult for people? What is it about how our brains are wired that resists change so tenaciously? Why do we fight even what we know to be in our own vital interests?
Myth: The facts will set us free
Kotter has hit on a crucial insight. "Behavior change happens mostly by speaking to people's feelings," he says. "This is true even in organizations that are very focused on analysis and quantitative measurement, even among people who think of themselves as smart in an MBA sense. In highly successful change efforts, people find ways to help others see the problems or solutions in ways that influence emotions, not just thought."
Myth: Change is motivated by fear
Joy is a more powerful motivator than fear," Kotter says. It's too easy for people to go into denial of the bad things that might happen to them. Compelling, positive visions of the future are a much stronger inspiration for change.
Myth: Small, gradual changes are always easier to make and sustain
The paradox holds that big changes are easier than small ones.
Bain & Co., the management consulting firm, studied 21 recent corporate transformations and found that most were "substantially completed" in only two years or less while none took more than three years. The means were drastic: In almost every case, the CEOs fired most of the top management. Almost always, the companies enjoyed quick, tangible results, and their stock prices rose 250% a year on average as they revived.
Harvard's Kotter believes in the importance of "short-term wins" for companies, meaning “victories that nourish faith in the change effort, emotionally reward the hard workers, keep the critics at bay, and build momentum.”
[End excerpt]
"Resolve to be a master of change rather than a victim of change."
~Brian Tracy
Many Want To CHANGE…
Many of my readers have expressed to me their willingness to join a Strategic Circle group to train, support, mentor, and move them forward in their desire to have a better, stronger, and more profitable practice. BUT… Ah, there’s so often a ‘But’.
….OR DIE
“I’m too busy…”
“Maybe next year…”
“I am too tired or not ready...”
“It’s not really in my budget this year….”
“I don’t know if I would get enough value…”.
“What if my ‘competition’ is there…”
I have answers to refute each resistance statement:
“I’m too busy…” You will always be too busy.
“Maybe next year…” Sure, sure, maybe next year (because next year will be different?).
“I am too tired or not ready...” Receiving training, support and mentoring can rejuvenate you and create energy you didn’t know you had.
“It’s not really in my budget this year….” I want to create far more value for you than the monthly fee will cost you.
“I don’t know if I would get enough value…” My ‘Absence of Fear’ policy says that you can cancel any time. Also read the following testimonial:
"I have been a member of the Strategic Circle run by Debra Dowdell of Power Your Practice for over a year. There are many practice issues which all small practices face every day to respond to the opportunities and threats of our rapidly changing environment. I believe all practitioners must continually attack these matters and re-engineer our practices. Debra's guidance and knowledge have been instrumental in helping our firm along this path. I think almost all small firms would benefit from her assistance. Thank you Debra."
Jim, partner in a 2 partner firm in GTA
“What if my ‘competition’ is there…” If your competition is serious about their practice management, then don’t you want to be involved as well?
These statements may not change your mind, just as the Change or Die article stated.
May I try to appeal to your feelings again?
-You are tired and weary, and some support and mentoring would help rejuvenate your spirits.
-You’re tired of the same old, same old. How many of you read this offer from me last year and find yourself in the same place now as you were then?
-Perhaps you’re moving forward, but could really use some additional support and guidance as your issues become more critical?
-Maybe you need to remember what it is about the accounting profession that used to make sense and make you excited about going to work each day?
-Maybe you just need to work smarter and work less???
-There’s no risk (see below about my Absence of Fear policy)and only positive outcomes to be experienced.
I also believe in the importance of "short-term wins" for companies, just as John Kotter said. Meaning that I want to see:
victories that nourish (your) faith in the change effort,
emotionally {and financially) reward the hard workers (that’s you),
keep the critics at bay, (and maybe get them on board)
and build momentum towards your better, stronger, more profitable practice.”
Please join me in my Strategic Circle [Committed to Inpsired Results by Coaching Leadership Excellence]. A new, 1 year session is beginning in July 2005. I know you may be going away on vacation in July or August – don’t let that stop you from enjoying an amazing year ahead. Last summer we worked around everyone’s summer schedule so no one missed a session. That’s what we do – we help each other.
We focus on issues such as Strategic Management Plan; Team Building; Time Management/Productivity; Marketing/Corporate Story; Document Management/ Technology; Leadership; Client Development; Training/Professional Development; Process, Standards, and Policies; Inspiration; etc., etc.
What’s required to join the next Circle beginning at the end of July 2005?
First, sign up and commit to join by July 8thth (but don’t procrastinate, you know how well that usually works for you). Your commitment to excellence also requires scheduling to accommodate our 2 hour monthly workshops for the next 1 year (in the GTA); plus have individual follow up calls; occasional required reading; personal and professional application of the practices studied; and Circle fees paid in a timely manner.
Your investment:
$500 one-time, initial commitment fee due no later than July 8th, 2005.
Monthly fee thereafter - $250 due by the 10th of each month following.
Note: A 30% discount is available to additional members of the same firm or associates who share the same office resources.
Additional member fee - $350 one-time, initial commitment fee due no late than July 8th, 2005.
Monthly fee additional member - $175 due by the 10th of each month following.
For more information or to sign up please visit my website at: www.poweryourpractice.com
Also please don’t hesitate to contact me: 905-951-9773, Toll-free: 1-888-272-2735 or Debra@PowerYourPractice.com
I really look forward to having you join the next Circle!
Enjoy the Canada Day long week-end!!
“THAT IS SUCH A GOOD THOUGHT”,
Thoughts worth reading, thinking, repeating and embracing.
“You have brains in your head,
you have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself,
any direction you choose.”
Dr. Suess
I hope you’ve found value in this month’s copy of THE WhIP JOURNAL.
My best regards to you,
Debra Dowdell
For more information, or to share your firm’s story please contact:
This is an Opt-in No-Fee monthly ezine/newsletter from Debra Dowdell. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to it. You may unsubscribe or change your information at any time at Details@PowerYourPractice.com. Your information will never be given away, sold, or rented. Ever. Thank you.
Power Your Practice© 2006