Q: Hello Dr. Margolies; I am attaching a response received from Ivan Delman to a question I posed to him asking for help in obtaining already existing lists of the various duties to be reviewed on daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual periods. I simply do not want to re-invent the system if it already exists someplace. My entry into chiropractic is a little unusual since my age is 58 and I am just starting with nothing more than an industrial management background in material procurement only. I simply do not have an education nor background to manage a small business, and after 2 years in practice with many problems related to lack of self monitoring tools, I am determined to either create them if they are not already in existence. So far - I have found that when these things are put to the test, someone will know of someone else who has already done the hard part. He mentions a book authored by you called 'SmartStart", and indicates it may have what I am looking for. If you would be so kind as to answer my post with some description, or maybe even better your phone number and a date and time you might be able to talk with me, I would appreciate it. My practice has not done well, I am looking for some good solid sound ways to change history. Thank You A: Thanks for the e-mail. Before I promote my book lets look at what your question poses. Ivan and I are not spring chickens ourselves .. in fact .. he is a little more ripe than me .. so I'll leave it at that. From our point of view .. age makes no difference since strong business seasoned sense will overcome age .. in other words .. wisdom in all professions is far superior than book knowledge .. you just need to apply it correctly. My daughter is a graduate of Ga. Tech as an electrical engineer and I applaud you for your hard work and degree .. therefore .. you are no fool and just looking for a special list is like looking for fools gold .. every stone may be different as every list and the office it applies too will differ as well. First .. the list you should be looking for is really a plan. Week by week and month by month there should be action steps to both acquire new patients and keep those you already have. You should sit down and quietly write every service you provide and who is responsible and accountable for it .. who is accountable to keep the practice excited with chiropractic and wellness and who makes sure that these plans are reached and surpassed .. call them goals or whatever but start your week with a plan. This means a months goals and action steps should be written and checked off as either being implemented or not. To kick start your office be sure these action steps are all reachable .. like baby steps therefore frustration will not overwhelm you. Second .. write down what you feel about your office as if you were an objective efficiency expert .. and use your IE experience to consult yourself with whatever financial and material resources you presently have. What would you advise yourself to make a change. Remember .. we have many successful high volume chiropractors in our profession .. many are consultants .. if they were to visit you and ask you to take an extended vacation for a month and take your place .. using your present budget and staff .. do you think they can turn your office around and light up the place? I think so .. just by being there and making sure that their plans were implemented .. plans that cost hardly anything. Plans such as asking for referrals .. sending e-mail newsletters .. beginning office workshops or knee to knee discussions with patients .. reaching out to the community with ethical and responsible marketing ideas .. utilizing surveys and specific scripts and forms for new and established patients .. meeting and greeting other healthcare professionals and even attorneys .. retraining your staff and getting them on board .. learning to delegate and creating a service oriented and a most favored office in your community. Third .. reach out to your corporate community. The economic environment is weak and people tend to think chiropractic is an elective luxury or will use their insurance until it is dry. This is only because they place little value in our services .. most probably because they perceive chiropractic incorrectly. So .. who do you think must change their attitude and how must this be done? Well .. you can start with a strategic plan .. a community wellness project .. a community corporate ergonomic program using your IE and DC degrees as an incentive .. also why not a forensic promotion using your IE and DC degree for local attorney's .. they will eat this up. Fourth .. seek help. The fact that you tracked down Dr. Delman and then me is a great start. You are wise enough to know that there is more and it is in reach. No one is saying that it is easy .. there are many roadblocks in our path. I would next visit my webpage: www.chirosmart.net and take your time scrolling around the areas called Practice Tips and Cyberconsulting. The items on the bottom are just as useful and the ones on top. Next .. write down why you think you have hit a roadblock in practice growth. Be honest and let it all out. But .. prior to sending it to me or others .. give some thought as how you could change it around .. with or without more money or material equipment. Then send it to me and we'll tweak it together. You may find some answers on my webpage already .. that's what it is for. I am not sure if you receive my weekly e-mail newsletter .. I am not at my office computer with the list. I will add you .. these will also stimulate you to get going each week .. read them. I also invite you to attend a Fernandez Seminar .. I teach there and there are loads of information each seminar. There is little time for fun and games as each instructor spends time providing solid information. And .. there is no obligation to join and no one will grab you in the hallway to sign you up .. in fact it is very low key. But .. if you desperately need hand holding management .. Dr. Pete's Practice Starters program may be for you. That will be your decision and believe me .. you have to ask them. If interested in attending .. call them at 1-800-882-4476 .. be sure they know you are my guest for free. Oh .. you wanted to know about my Smart Start Book and what is in it .. well everything I wrote about above .. you can purchase it on line when you visit my webpage. Good Luck Dr. M