As a dental attorney and business advisor to dentists, I speak frequently on the importance of employee engagement. As a Midwest Implant Institute (MII) guest lecturer, I am looking forward to the opportunity to participate in the upcoming course “[801] How to Start a Successful Implant Practice” on May 1, 2021 at MII. One of the topics that I will be discussing is the systematic, consistent, and methodical way to identify, select, and retain team members. As many business owners and advisors will attest, this is an important topic and one that is frequently overlooked.

During my discussion on Saturday, I am going to emphasize the importance of communication, service to team members, and caring for those around you. Here is my introduction to the topic, and I look forward to a great discussion.

1. It is all about Communication.
2. What do I mean by that?
3. Well, every day that you come into the office, every day that you leave the office, and every day that you wake up and think about the office, you have to be thinking of others, including your team members. And, I am not only talking about your current team members, but also your future team members, and your past team members.
4. You want your actions and your words to communicate to them that you are the type of leader that wants your practice to be the best place that anyone could ever work. Seriously!!! That you are not self-seeking; rather, that you are here to serve, not only the patients, but them as the team members. That you care about them, that you celebrate them, and that you are there to help them succeed. And, you must be sincere or they will see right through it.
5. Well, how do we do this? How do we communicate this? How do we get this across to everyone that we work with? That we are here to serve. Well, we do this …..
   1. Through our vision, mission, and core values.
   2. Through our culture development.
   3. Through our identification of team members.
   4. Through the selection process.
   5. Through the onboarding process.
   6. Through the life-cycle of maintaining high-quality, loyal team members.
   7. And yes, also through the transition of a team member that no longer works with the team.

Employee engagement requires a systematic, methodical, consistent, and well-thought-out plan that is not compromised or rushed, simply because you need to fill a seat.

For those attending “[801] How to Start a Successful Implant Practice” at the Midwest Implant Institute, I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, May 1, 2021.