Posts
Friday, May 29, 2009
He's Back...
Well it’s good to be back. So far 2009 has been a blur of projects and activity involving work with a variety of clients and challenges. I’ve completed my work with International Aid’s HydrAid Biosand water filter project wrapping it up with a month long planning project in the Dominican Republic. I continue in a faculty role with the Gray Institute GIFT program (Applied Functional Science). Other client projects this year have involved practice valuations, practice exit strategies, operational and financial performance benchmarking, strategic planning, implementation of variable compensation models for clinical practices, new business startups, implementation of cash based business opportunities in medical rehab, business performance software development, ergonomic product design work, and business development in the personal training sector, among other things.
The economy continues to be front and center with everyone I talk with in Michigan, across the US, and around the world! I’m seeing practices/businesses that are struggling to survive and those that are thriving in terms of growth, opportunity, and profitability. For those who have been focused the past few years on business performance improvement, strategic advantage, and conservative fiscal management, the past 7 months have proven to be a time of new opportunity while competitors struggle. As competitors pull back or fold, it is creating new opportunities for growth for those who remain.
The new Obama administration is certainly positioning for changes/reductions in health care spending – it’s sure to touch providers in every sector. There has never been a time when it has been more important to get and keep one’s house and practice in order. New regulations, requirements, and red tape is certain. Reimbursement will continue to erode. Profitability will continue to erode with it. The bottom line... If you’re tired of the results you’re not getting, then stop doing what isn’t working!
It's time to focus, prioritize, and simplify!
The economy has had a new baseline and a new normal established. Has your practice too?
Every practice should be asking itself, “What are the few things that must be done now to assure competitiveness and profitability in this new economy? Then it needs to accomplish those things quickly and efficiently!
As we continue in the BLOG I would like to finish up some loose ends on my series of Performance Matters Ideas and then shift gears to consider business strategies in a changing market. Thanks for your patience over the past few months. I look forward to continuing to share my insights and perspectives with you. Your questions and comments are always appreciated!
Copyright 2009
Performance Builders
The economy continues to be front and center with everyone I talk with in Michigan, across the US, and around the world! I’m seeing practices/businesses that are struggling to survive and those that are thriving in terms of growth, opportunity, and profitability. For those who have been focused the past few years on business performance improvement, strategic advantage, and conservative fiscal management, the past 7 months have proven to be a time of new opportunity while competitors struggle. As competitors pull back or fold, it is creating new opportunities for growth for those who remain.
The new Obama administration is certainly positioning for changes/reductions in health care spending – it’s sure to touch providers in every sector. There has never been a time when it has been more important to get and keep one’s house and practice in order. New regulations, requirements, and red tape is certain. Reimbursement will continue to erode. Profitability will continue to erode with it. The bottom line... If you’re tired of the results you’re not getting, then stop doing what isn’t working!
It's time to focus, prioritize, and simplify!
The economy has had a new baseline and a new normal established. Has your practice too?
Every practice should be asking itself, “What are the few things that must be done now to assure competitiveness and profitability in this new economy? Then it needs to accomplish those things quickly and efficiently!
As we continue in the BLOG I would like to finish up some loose ends on my series of Performance Matters Ideas and then shift gears to consider business strategies in a changing market. Thanks for your patience over the past few months. I look forward to continuing to share my insights and perspectives with you. Your questions and comments are always appreciated!
Copyright 2009
Performance Builders
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Away
Just a short note to let friends know that I'll be away from this BLOG for a while but fully intend to return to it. My consulting and travel schedule has become severely over-subscribed. Something needs to give for a while and this BLOG will be one of those things. I'll be back...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Quotable
"The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn't know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly." - Oswald Chambers (Barb Fuller - thanks for sharing)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
On reflection
Well as you may have noticed, I've been away for a time... It's been a busy couple of months with travel to Ghana East Africa and Honduras in Central America on safe water projects with International Aid Inc. / HydrAid.It's been a real privilege this past year to provide leadership for IA's global initiative to bring safe water to the billion + people who lack it. People who have no choice but to work hard every day to obtain the only water available to them with the knowledge that it brings disease, disability and death to their children. A child dies every 15 seconds due to unsafe water and over half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by people with water borne disease.
Remember that trip you took out of the country when you were told not to drink the water? Well, more than a billion people have no choice but to drink it every day ...and they pay a terrible price for doing so. For a contribution of about $50 a HydrAid BioSand Safe Water Filter can provide an entire family all the safe water they need for drinking, cooking, and bathing for a lifetime.
Join me - Get involved... www.HydrAid.org/actnow. HydrAid is great cause for Practices, Service Clubs, Teams, Churches, and families. Make a difference!
Share the safe water story with this award winning video Thank you!
May you and yours have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2009!
All The Best
Bob
(c) 2008
PerformanceBuilders
Monday, December 1, 2008
Quotable
"Life begets life.
Energy becomes energy.
It is by spending oneself that
one becomes rich"
- Sarah Bernhardt
Energy becomes energy.
It is by spending oneself that
one becomes rich"
- Sarah Bernhardt
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Variable / Incentive Compensation
With the changes in our economic climate and continued erosion of reimbursement, many clients are calling lately who are ready to pull the trigger on a new compensation system for their Practices. All are asking for help because a change in compensation can be a high risk event if not handled properly. Some have tried before but found themselves with a compensation system that neither they nor their employees found satisfying.
If you are not thinking about variable compensation that is based on an individuals contribution to Practice performance and job security you should be. No excuses... Its time!
Performance Builders offers consultation and management tools to get it done right. The cost of doing it wrong has a risk that is great. The cost of doing it right is an investment with a great reward.
Take action now... need help call.
Bob
(c) 2008
Performance Builders
If you are not thinking about variable compensation that is based on an individuals contribution to Practice performance and job security you should be. No excuses... Its time!
Performance Builders offers consultation and management tools to get it done right. The cost of doing it wrong has a risk that is great. The cost of doing it right is an investment with a great reward.
Take action now... need help call.
Bob
(c) 2008
Performance Builders
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Performance Matters - Idea #26
Here's a piece of sound advice that saves time, enhances performance, avoids confusion, and protects integrity... Communicate what you know when you know it.
Too often leaders communicate what they have been exploring, thinking about, talking about, or hoping for. Their communication leans toward what could be rather than what is. Essentially they "put the cart in front of the horse".
The result is that leaders trade supposition for reality. They find themselves explaining, defending, and defusing that which may never come to be. Employees and colleagues find themselves refocused away from matters that matter. The inevitable conclusion is rumor, gossip, and resistance or unreasonable expectations.
In doing so they send mixed signals, create confusion, waste valuable time, fan emotions, and erode their own credibility.
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. When matters are communicated before they have been decided upon leaders compromise themselves, the organization, and those who follow.
This advice becomes critical in times of change, transition, and restructuring when uncertainty, emotions, and insecurity runs high.
Bob
(c) Copyright 2008
performance Builders
Too often leaders communicate what they have been exploring, thinking about, talking about, or hoping for. Their communication leans toward what could be rather than what is. Essentially they "put the cart in front of the horse".
The result is that leaders trade supposition for reality. They find themselves explaining, defending, and defusing that which may never come to be. Employees and colleagues find themselves refocused away from matters that matter. The inevitable conclusion is rumor, gossip, and resistance or unreasonable expectations.
In doing so they send mixed signals, create confusion, waste valuable time, fan emotions, and erode their own credibility.
The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. When matters are communicated before they have been decided upon leaders compromise themselves, the organization, and those who follow.
This advice becomes critical in times of change, transition, and restructuring when uncertainty, emotions, and insecurity runs high.
Bob
(c) Copyright 2008
performance Builders
Thursday, October 9, 2008
On Reflection
"Worry is a misuse of the imagination." - Dan Zadra
"Live out your imagination not your history." Anonymous
With the world's economy in dire straights and mainstreet feeling the pressure, I'm finding myself in many conversations with clients who are reassessing their business practices and strategies. They are realizing this is not a time for business as usual. It is time to take stock of where you are, where you are going, and how you will get there. It is a time when clear thinking, right strategy, informed decisions, and firm action count.
This is a time unlike any other in the past 80 years. It is a time not only of challenge and threat but also one of unprecedented opportunity. This is a time of opportunity that is unlikely to be repeated in your lifetime. It is a time when some Practices will move ahead and prosper while others will fall by the wayside.
What do you imagine your future to be? What steps are you taking today to place prosperity in your future?
Bob
(c) Copyright 2008
Performance Builders
"Live out your imagination not your history." Anonymous
With the world's economy in dire straights and mainstreet feeling the pressure, I'm finding myself in many conversations with clients who are reassessing their business practices and strategies. They are realizing this is not a time for business as usual. It is time to take stock of where you are, where you are going, and how you will get there. It is a time when clear thinking, right strategy, informed decisions, and firm action count.
This is a time unlike any other in the past 80 years. It is a time not only of challenge and threat but also one of unprecedented opportunity. This is a time of opportunity that is unlikely to be repeated in your lifetime. It is a time when some Practices will move ahead and prosper while others will fall by the wayside.
What do you imagine your future to be? What steps are you taking today to place prosperity in your future?
Bob
(c) Copyright 2008
Performance Builders
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Performance Matters - Idea # 25
Retired CEO of Herman Miller and author Max DePree (from my hometown) wrote that, the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality, the last is to say thank you, and in between to be a servant.
By servant he meant someone who takes care of the needs of others and positions them for success. A servant is one who removes obstacles and honors those who are served. Such attitudes are not common practice today but are certainly the traits of effective leaders.
Be honest in your communications with others, even if the message you bring is not comfortable. People deserve the truth. Only then can situations be changed and opportunities be grasped.
The more you respect others the more you are obligated to share the truth!
Learning the skills of a servant leader that leads not from the front of the parade but from its middle is a goal worthy of pursuit and mentoring. Where are you leading from.? Do you routinely define reality? Do you position others for succes? Are you satisfied with your leadership?
Bob
(c) copyright 2008
Performance Builders
By servant he meant someone who takes care of the needs of others and positions them for success. A servant is one who removes obstacles and honors those who are served. Such attitudes are not common practice today but are certainly the traits of effective leaders.
Be honest in your communications with others, even if the message you bring is not comfortable. People deserve the truth. Only then can situations be changed and opportunities be grasped.
The more you respect others the more you are obligated to share the truth!
Learning the skills of a servant leader that leads not from the front of the parade but from its middle is a goal worthy of pursuit and mentoring. Where are you leading from.? Do you routinely define reality? Do you position others for succes? Are you satisfied with your leadership?
Bob
(c) copyright 2008
Performance Builders
