Well planned and enthusiastically presented, a Planning
Retreat can pay big dividends for your practice. A day away from the office involving all the dentists and the entire staff working
to evaluate how the practice is progressing, modify work systems as
needed, and set new goals for the next 6
to 12 months can produce giant strides in increased productivity, cost savings,
team cohesiveness, patient service, marketing efforts, on and on. All systems in the office can benefit from review
during a Planning Retreat.
There are several criteria that add to the success of a
Retreat. Choose a venue away from the
office. Doing so makes the Retreat stand
out from a routine work day and invites expanded thinking and out-of-the-box
ideas. Involve the entire staff,
part-timers too. Seek input from the
team at least a month prior for topics to be included in the day’s discussions
and provide a written agenda as the Retreat begins. Assign time slots to each topic and stick as
closely as possible to the plan so that no one issue bogs down the day. Begin the Retreat with a short,
enthusiasm-building session to break the ice and signal an enjoyable, up-beat
day. Doing so can assure that everyone
is open-minded, senses the positive ambiance, and is ready to listen, to talk,
and to participate fully. An
experienced, knowledgeable third party facilitator can be invaluable, even if
brought in for a part of the day, perhaps to work issues that will enhance team
communication. As the team evaluates
current work systems and plans new goals, assign tasks to individuals, take
notes, and follow up on accomplishments at subsequent General Staff Meetings.
Once you experience
the benefits of an annual Planning Retreat, you may decide a semi-annual
Retreat is even more advantageous. One
day per year or two, Retreats can be most profitable for your practice.
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