Minda Zetlin, Inc. Magazine Online
Reviewed by Michael Vacon, PT
Author Minda Zetlin interviews Dan Schoenbaum, chief executive officer of the software company Redbooth, about his tips and techniques for getting his team to achieve more. Not only is Dan Schoenbaum the CEO of Redbooth, but he is also a former sniper in the Israeli paratrooper force. He relates how the intense training he had when he joined the military has helped him develop some techniques with his team. In his first day in the military, he learned that the culmination would be an 80-mile march with a 50-pound pack on his back. He shares how no one thought it would be possible at first, but after a gradual buildup of intense training it ended up being very attainable.
Overall, he has four simple tips or principles he uses with his employees. Although simple concepts, these can be very helpful in our industry—or any industry for that matter. If you own a private practice, you realize the importance of having to build an efficient team; one that knows how to pull together, multitask, meet sudden deadlines, and still provide a superior product. Here is how Dan Schoenbaum helps his people go beyond their limits:
1. Break it down into manageable steps.
He summarizes that having the long vision of your plan is good for your employees, but many people need things broken down into smaller, more digestible steps to keep them from getting overwhelmed. In some cases, you may not know how to break things into smaller steps, but if you share a grand vision with your team, they might actually help come up with smaller, attainable steps to help you get there. He believes that his job is sometimes to be the rudder. While his team is working on the smaller tasks, he is making sure they are staying on the overall course he has set.
2. Rally the troops.
Achieving goals, especially grand ones, can be a daunting task. We would like to believe that all our employees are endlessly motivated to succeed at any cost, but the truth is people can lose focus on the big picture when they are “in the weeds.” Schoenbaum relates a situation in which his group was constantly losing contracts to a competitor and how he pulled everyone together for a motivational meeting to get all the departments working together to overcome the competing company. Having a sense of comradery can be vital in situations like this; rather than feeling like you are letting others down, you now realize that you have a supportive team around you.
3. Use rewards—the right way.
Schoenbaum is not a big believer in “pay-for-play” where you incentivize a team by offering financial rewards for achieving a goal. He believes that people should be paid appropriately for doing their jobs without constantly dangling the potential of extra money for motivation. He does believe in offering rewards that bring a team together to accomplish a goal. He relates a scenario in which a development team was tasked to come in ahead of deadlines for a project and he offered them a huge party for the whole company if they succeeded. They met the deadline, had the party, and it really showed the team the power of collective effort.
4. Clearly define roles and responsibilities.
Schoenbaum believes that not micromanaging a team is important; however, being specific about who owns what responsibility and when specific deadlines or checkpoints are, is vital for success. Overall, he believes that teams are not good at setting goals, roles, and responsibilities; however, a team that has this established from the start has a much better chance of excellent execution. He believes it is the leader’s role to “map out the goals and responsibilities…and then get out of the way.”
Overall, I liked the simplicity of his leadership plan. We all have teams of different sizes, but following these basic principles can help us lead our team to greatness. I know they hit home with me and gave me some great ideas for leading my team into the challenges that certainly face us ahead.
The article can be found at: www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/how-tohelp-your-team-achieve-more-than-they-think-they-can.html.
By Kevin Hulsey, PT, DPT
Most physical therapists (PTs) are familiar with the concept of “unwarranted variation” when it is applied to the practice of treating patients. However, many PTs are not as aware of the “unwarranted variation” of billing and collections processes that exist.
My reference to “unwarranted variation” of billing and collections is not necessarily intended to reference the vast array of federal, regional, and local payers that frustrate us with myriad payment contracts and regulations—nor am I referring to the equally frustrating variations in payment across practice setting. I wanted to address the “unwarranted variation” of billing and collections processes practiced by those of us in physical therapist-owned outpatient clinics.
During the past 15 years, my service in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and my work history have led me to many wonderful interactions with many physical therapy business owners from across the country. Discussions between these owners almost always result in discussions of payment. A superficial discussion of payment is always interesting, “I get $50 per visit,” “We are paid $75 per visit,” or even the rare “We get $191 per visit!” The superficial conversations are always fascinating, yet, without a deeper dive into the data and the processes, making comparisons between the stated payments may not be helpful in benchmarking your success or lack thereof when trying to assess your billing and collections success.
Key provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and its impact on nonunion employers, both small and large.
By Christine V. Walters, JD, MAS, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
April 2015
Like some nonunion employers, you may be either unfamiliar with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), or believe that neither impacts your nonunion workplace. That would be not only incorrect but also unwise.
The NLRA provides nearly all nonsupervisory employees, union or nonunion, certain rights to act in concert (e.g., two or more employees having conversations or taking action with regard to wages, hours, or conditions of employment). These rights are commonly known as Section 7 rights. Section 8 of the NLRA also provides that employers, union or nonunion, may not interfere with employees’ exercise of their Section 7 rights. If you are waiting for the Section that describes employers’ rights, stop waiting—there isn’t one.
By Tannus Quatre, PT, MBA
While still growing as part of our health care vernacular, the notion of the “customer” is gaining adoption as an acceptable term used to describe those we serve.
But who is the customer after all?
My preferred definition is as referenced above: those we serve. Or more broadly, those we want to serve. This view opens up our perspective on the concept of customer and allows us to focus, not just on the person in need of care, but also on their family, friends, and the community in which they live.
This definition, as directed at the professional referral segment (physicians and other health care professionals), allows for a wide recognition of the customer as well. Not only is the physician the customer, but also the referral coordinator, office manager, receptionist, and anyone else who may hold influence in the decision to mention your name.
PPS Media Corps offers excellent marketing advice for private practice owners on the go.
Interview with Nathaniel Christadoss, PT, CKTP | By Don Levine, PT, DPT, FAFS
There are two things that generally prevent marketing and public relations (PR) efforts from succeeding: too little time and not enough money. Several years ago, the Private Practice Section (PPS) Marketing and PR Committee and Epic PR Group created the PPS Media Corps, offering a new benefit to members that provided PR and marketing resources to busy private practice owners. Nearly 180 members from across the United States have joined the Media Corps and regularly receive press releases, media tips, one-on-one consulting, and additional support from Epic throughout the year.
Last year, the Media Corps held a competition to find out which member has been most successful in using the resources provided. Nathaniel Christadoss, owner of Physical Therapy of Melissa, was named the winner at the PPS Annual Conference in November and was awarded a full year of PR consulting services from Epic.
