It's Show Time Folks!

Alun Rees

In This Issue - It's a Numbers Game

Professional Reflections
Personal Reflections
Resources
News
Finally

Welcome

Welcome to this edition of the regular ezine from Alun Rees, The Professional Coach. You are receiving this because you are either a client of mine or we have met or corresponded professionally. If you enjoy this ezine, why not forward it to a friend?

Professional Reflections

The great privilege of seeing the dental equivalent of front of house, back stage and most importantly the on stage production is the sense of perspective that I can enjoy. Having been through my own productions many times, I can now see myself in the role of the benevolent theatre critic.

The analogy with theatre is not chosen lightly. Every production can be brought down by the smallest bit-part player. How often have we all watched as a vital scene is ruined because someone forgot their lines or worse turned up unprepared or unwilling because their last company didn't have time for rehearsals or believed that their spontaneous ad-libs were better than the agreed scripts.

The practice owner has the role of actor-manager, producer and director yet how often do they neglect the last one?

Frequently they are more concerned with their rendition of the dental equivalent of doing Hamlet in Danish or obsessed by the wonderful props and stage effects that can only be seen by the people in the front stalls. Do they take the time to consider how well they project to those folks in the cheaper seats in the upper circle? Do they do enough to make them come back and what's more to bring their friends to the next production or perhaps become a member of the "friends of the dental theatre"?

It's not easy having to wear the many hats of the actor manager.

Sometimes it's hard to accept that just because you have been treading the boards for many years and know Alan Ayckbourn's work off by heart your team need the time to understand the nuances of the language, the messages beneath the words and the finer points of stagecraft. In order to perform well they have to be rehearsed, to comprehend the meanings and to have practised, practised, practised until they are word perfect - only then can they extemporise.

Your company will be at their best when they realise that the best way for them to perform is to take the words of the great from outside and then turn them into their own for that way the messages will come from the heart.

It's true that you are limited by the size of the cast and that some people (yourself especially) have to play several roles, that's one of the challenges and frequently one of the joys too following the performance when you exchange feedback at your early morning runs through or your weekly rehearsals.

Don't be afraid to accept the fact that you may have appointed Arnold Schwarzenegger to play Miss Jean Brodie because that was the only one the agent sent for the job but you don't have to persist with them if they aren't up to the role.

If you are aiming to be the RSC but you have ended up recruiting the Stratford East Pantomime Players then don't forget that, as Marc Cooper wrote recently, "If you can't change the people then change the people."

The audience is changing; what happens if they are expecting "Cirque de Soleil" and you're still doing The Mousetrap?

If you would like a fresh pair of eyes to watch your performance and the full unbiased review then contact me on 07778 148583 or email me alun@alunrees.com.

www.alunrees.com/solutions/

Personal Reflections

I have had a period of procrastination / perfection paralysis around this edition which is why it's later than planned. The only way to get myself in writing mode more regularly is to get on and produce more often. So it will come out fortnightly from here on, all being well.

Ignoring the economy isn't easy but I gather we lived through one in the 70s and 80s, survived the miners' strike and the poll tax riots. The 3-day week was fun if only for the fact that TV went off early. The pound has been devalued at least three times in my lifetime. Life goes on.

Now more than ever it is important not to listen to negative people, stay away from the "oooh int'it awful" newspapers and broadcasters who seemingly delight in peddling gloom. As I recall they have always celebrated the downside of anything and everybody.

I have just booked my trip to Phoenix, Arizona in early May for my Kolbe Consultant Recertification - can't wait. More about Kolbe next time.

I'll be walking the aisles and listening to some of the speakers at The Dentistry Show next weekend. This is in its third year and is growing into a good couple of days. If you're going to be there give me a call and let me buy you a coffee.

You can contact me on 07778 148583 or email me alun@alunrees.com.

Resources

Social Networking. You can't ignore it and it won't go away so expect that lots of your patients and clients are using it as a matter of course.

Facebook is well established and lots of practices are using it as an information and marketing tool. Here are a few:

Beacon Dental Care Raving Fans Club www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51388554429

Richard Charon's Dental Practice www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67505999144&ref=nf

Harbour Dental Care http://tinyurl.com/bkp6g4

Guidepost Dental http://tinyurl.com/bhtc49

Twitter I am in two minds about and may well be a 9-day wonder but it's great fun. Whilst it lasts and as long as the half a dozen or so US "marketing experts" who have started following me in the past week don't expect me to hang on their every word it's fine with me.

You can follow me on Twitter via the link here www.alunrees.com

The blog is here www.alunrees.com/blog/

Facebook & Linkedin too.

News

From the (Newcastle) Evening Chronicle here's a great bit of no cost positive advertising for a practice.

Dentists’ grins

A DENTAL firm is celebrating recruiting two members of staff, thanks to the Chronicle.
Husband and wife team, Richard and Josie Fretwell, of Guidepost Dental Practice, realised that their business was growing and that extra staff were needed.

They put an advertisement in jobsnortheast and were delighted with the response.

Lesley Hermiston, from Forest Hall, and Holly Laybourne, from Blyth, were recruited as dental nurses to help the team deliver specialist care.

The new recruits take the total employed by the practice in Morpeth, Northumberland, to 12.

And they are joining a practice that has recently gained the Investors in People Award, demonstrating that the business values its staff and customers alike.

Richard said: “At a time when many other dentists are closing their doors, we are taking on more patients as well as extending our working hours to include late night opening on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“Bringing Lesley and Holly into our team will help us develop our new client’s needs and ensure that our existing clients continue to receive the best possible dental care.”

Lesley and Holly were both previously employed as dental nurses. Lesley brings extensive experience of implant technology to add to Holly’s wealth of general dentistry knowledge.

Lesley said: “We are really enjoying looking after the practice’s clients. The practice is very modern and all of the staff are very friendly. It’s a great place to work.”

Holly added: “Opening the Chronicle jobs pages and seeing the advert has led to an excellent opportunity for us both.”

Now couldn't you have done that? I hope you will.

& Finally

Our family pet Freddie, a 15 year old Yellow Labrador is without doubt coming towards the end of his days. Deaf, nearly blind and diagnosed with dementia; his arthritic legs won't allow walks any more and his periodontal condition leaves a lot be desired.

Yet he continues to be a great companion, returning affection with interest, and so these quotes meant a lot to me.

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -- Anonymous

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. --Mark Twain

About Alun Rees - The Professional Coach

Copyright © 2008 all rights reserved.

Alun is the perfect coach for the practicing professional. He thrives on working with fellow professionals who are good at what they practice but want to do more with their businesses and their lives.

You are welcome to pass this ezine along to your colleagues, as long as it is intact. The author is: Alun Rees and he can be reached at alun@alunrees.com.

Please forward this e-newsletter to your friends and colleagues. Your recommendation is how we grow and anyone can subscribe at http://www.alunrees.com.

To change or cancel your email address, visit http://www.alunrees.com and make any changes in your subscription. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Thanks!

We will never release, sell or give a subscriber's name or email address to any other party or organisation. Our subscribers will only receive email messages that contain requested information, new monthly articles or announcements of new services.

This email was sent to [email address suppressed]. You can instantly unsubscribe from these emails by clicking here.


alunrees.com Alun Rees
In This Issue - It's a Numbers Game
Professional Reflections Personal Reflections Resources News Finally
Welcome
Welcome to this edition of the regular ezine from Alun Rees, The Professional Coach. You are receiving this because you are either a client of mine or we have met or corresponded professionally. If you enjoy this ezine, why not forward it to a friend?
Professional Reflections
The great privilege of seeing the dental equivalent of front of house, back stage and most importantly the on stage production is the sense of perspective that I can enjoy. Having been through my own productions many times, I can now see myself in the role of the benevolent theatre critic. The analogy with theatre is not chosen lightly. Every production can be brought down by the smallest bit-part player. How often have we all watched as a vital scene is ruined because someone forgot their lines or worse turned up unprepared or unwilling because their last company didn't have time for rehearsals or believed that their spontaneous ad-libs were better than the agreed scripts. The practice owner has the role of actor-manager, producer and director yet how often do they neglect the last one? Frequently they are more concerned with their rendition of the dental equivalent of doing Hamlet in Danish or obsessed by the wonderful props and stage effects that can only be seen by the people in the front stalls. Do they take the time to consider how well they project to those folks in the cheaper seats in the upper circle? Do they do enough to make them come back and what's more to bring their friends to the next production or perhaps become a member of the "friends of the dental theatre"? It's not easy having to wear the many hats of the actor manager. Sometimes it's hard to accept that just because you have been treading the boards for many years and know Alan Ayckbourn's work off by heart your team need the time to understand the nuances of the language, the messages beneath the words and the finer points of stagecraft. In order to perform well they have to be rehearsed, to comprehend the meanings and to have practised, practised, practised until they are word perfect - only then can they extemporise. Your company will be at their best when they realise that the best way for them to perform is to take the words of the great from outside and then turn them into their own for that way the messages will come from the heart. It's true that you are limited by the size of the cast and that some people (yourself especially) have to play several roles, that's one of the challenges and frequently one of the joys too following the performance when you exchange feedback at your early morning runs through or your weekly rehearsals. Don't be afraid to accept the fact that you may have appointed Arnold Schwarzenegger to play Miss Jean Brodie because that was the only one the agent sent for the job but you don't have to persist with them if they aren't up to the role. If you are aiming to be the RSC but you have ended up recruiting the Stratford East Pantomime Players then don't forget that, as Marc Cooper wrote recently, "If you can't change the people then change the people." The audience is changing; what happens if they are expecting "Cirque de Soleil" and you're still doing The Mousetrap? If you would like a fresh pair of eyes to watch your performance and the full unbiased review then contact me on 07778 148583 or email me alun@alunrees.com. www.alunrees.com/solutions/
Personal Reflections
I have had a period of procrastination / perfection paralysis around this edition which is why it's later than planned. The only way to get myself in writing mode more regularly is to get on and produce more often. So it will come out fortnightly from here on, all being well. Ignoring the economy isn't easy but I gather we lived through one in the 70s and 80s, survived the miners' strike and the poll tax riots. The 3-day week was fun if only for the fact that TV went off early. The pound has been devalued at least three times in my lifetime. Life goes on. Now more than ever it is important not to listen to negative people, stay away from the "oooh int'it awful" newspapers and broadcasters who seemingly delight in peddling gloom. As I recall they have always celebrated the downside of anything and everybody. I have just booked my trip to Phoenix, Arizona in early May for my Kolbe Consultant Recertification - can't wait. More about Kolbe next time. I'll be walking the aisles and listening to some of the speakers at The Dentistry Show next weekend. This is in its third year and is growing into a good couple of days. If you're going to be there give me a call and let me buy you a coffee. You can contact me on 07778 148583 or email me alun@alunrees.com.
Resources
Social Networking. You can't ignore it and it won't go away so expect that lots of your patients and clients are using it as a matter of course. Facebook is well established and lots of practices are using it as an information and marketing tool. Here are a few: Beacon Dental Care Raving Fans Club www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51388554429 Richard Charon's Dental Practice www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67505999144&ref=nf Harbour Dental Care http://tinyurl.com/bkp6g4 Guidepost Dental http://tinyurl.com/bhtc49 Twitter I am in two minds about and may well be a 9-day wonder but it's great fun. Whilst it lasts and as long as the half a dozen or so US "marketing experts" who have started following me in the past week don't expect me to hang on their every word it's fine with me. You can follow me on Twitter via the link here www.alunrees.com The blog is here www.alunrees.com/blog/ Facebook & Linkedin too.
News
From the (Newcastle) Evening Chronicle here's a great bit of no cost positive advertising for a practice. Dentists’ grins A DENTAL firm is celebrating recruiting two members of staff, thanks to the Chronicle. Husband and wife team, Richard and Josie Fretwell, of Guidepost Dental Practice, realised that their business was growing and that extra staff were needed. They put an advertisement in jobsnortheast and were delighted with the response. Lesley Hermiston, from Forest Hall, and Holly Laybourne, from Blyth, were recruited as dental nurses to help the team deliver specialist care. The new recruits take the total employed by the practice in Morpeth, Northumberland, to 12. And they are joining a practice that has recently gained the Investors in People Award, demonstrating that the business values its staff and customers alike. Richard said: “At a time when many other dentists are closing their doors, we are taking on more patients as well as extending our working hours to include late night opening on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “Bringing Lesley and Holly into our team will help us develop our new client’s needs and ensure that our existing clients continue to receive the best possible dental care.” Lesley and Holly were both previously employed as dental nurses. Lesley brings extensive experience of implant technology to add to Holly’s wealth of general dentistry knowledge. Lesley said: “We are really enjoying looking after the practice’s clients. The practice is very modern and all of the staff are very friendly. It’s a great place to work.” Holly added: “Opening the Chronicle jobs pages and seeing the advert has led to an excellent opportunity for us both.” Now couldn't you have done that? I hope you will.
& Finally
Our family pet Freddie, a 15 year old Yellow Labrador is without doubt coming towards the end of his days. Deaf, nearly blind and diagnosed with dementia; his arthritic legs won't allow walks any more and his periodontal condition leaves a lot be desired. Yet he continues to be a great companion, returning affection with interest, and so these quotes meant a lot to me. The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -- Anonymous If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. --Mark Twain
About Alun Rees - The Professional Coach
Copyright © 2008 all rights reserved. Alun is the perfect coach for the practicing professional. He thrives on working with fellow professionals who are good at what they practice but want to do more with their businesses and their lives. You are welcome to pass this ezine along to your colleagues, as long as it is intact. The author is: Alun Rees and he can be reached at alun@alunrees.com. Please forward this e-newsletter to your friends and colleagues. Your recommendation is how we grow and anyone can subscribe at http://www.alunrees.com. To change or cancel your email address, visit http://www.alunrees.com and make any changes in your subscription. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Thanks! We will never release, sell or give a subscriber's name or email address to any other party or organisation. Our subscribers will only receive email messages that contain requested information, new monthly articles or announcements of new services.