Comments on: Many Dentists Have Been Disappointed by Dental Consultants http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/112/many-dentists-have-been-disappointed-by-dental-consultants/ Jim Du Molin offers dental marketing news and dental practice management advice for dentists. Thu, 4 Dec 2008 03:01:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: The Visible Dentist http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/112/many-dentists-have-been-disappointed-by-dental-consultants/#comment-919 The Visible Dentist Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:24:59 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=112#comment-919 Jim, first let me say that I really like your new videos with Julie; they are very effective and convey your messages well. As for dental consultants -- oh boy - they do seem to be popping up these days like mushrooms after a rain. I think most dental consultants, especially those new ones we see, either don't have a company mission statement in place to guide them, or their primary goal is to only make money off the dentist. Without a win/win strategy -- one which focuses on helping the dentist first and foremost, the consultant begins and continues the relationship as but a liability rather than an asset to the practice. And since dentists tend to network with other dentists, on what works and what doesn't, both the suggestions and the reputation of the consultant are doomed to failure. While I restrict myself to advising dentists about online marketing and SEO for their websites, I personally think it's best, especially in a suppressed economy, to first refine foundational marketing efforts such as: * prominent signage streetside * internal marketing to established patients and * resolving any issues at the front desk ...before exploring other more risky promotional ideas, or contracting with questionable consultants. John Barremore Houston, TX Jim, first let me say that I really like your new videos with Julie; they are very effective and convey your messages well.

As for dental consultants — oh boy - they do seem to be popping up these days like mushrooms after a rain. I think most dental consultants, especially those new ones we see, either don’t have a company mission statement in place to guide them, or their primary goal is to only make money off the dentist.

Without a win/win strategy — one which focuses on helping the dentist first and foremost, the consultant begins and continues the relationship as but a liability rather than an asset to the practice. And since dentists tend to network with other dentists, on what works and what doesn’t, both the suggestions and the reputation of the consultant are doomed to failure.

While I restrict myself to advising dentists about online marketing and SEO for their websites, I personally think it’s best, especially in a suppressed economy, to first refine foundational marketing efforts such as:

* prominent signage streetside
* internal marketing to established patients and
* resolving any issues at the front desk

…before exploring other more risky promotional ideas, or contracting with questionable consultants.

John Barremore
Houston, TX

]]> By: Bryon Satterfield http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/112/many-dentists-have-been-disappointed-by-dental-consultants/#comment-43 Bryon Satterfield Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:47:18 +0000 http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/?p=112#comment-43 Not one, but two different Scientology-based consultants got me to waste $20,000 total in consulting fees that were, and likely will always have, a negative effect on my practice. It was my poor judgment in succumbing to the extremely agressive pressure(personal pressure by Steve Poore, the owner of Poore Management)to sign up for the $13,000 fee the second time around. The 1st consultant was not as agressive as the 2nd, but left town owing me time and services already paid for. The 2nd consultant, Steve Poore, out of Glen Loch, CA, was super agressive, more concerned about getting his monthly fee by mandated overnight delivery than about doing what I asked for the practice. I asked specifically, "Identify strengths of my practice and help me do more of those." Poore(POOR!) management tried to hammer me through a hole shaped like Poore Management(Scientology-"Hard Sell":Repulsive!) using a female consultant I'd never met who the staff had no liking or confidence in. I did get prosletyzed for Dianetics in the course of it. The main loss is the damage to the practice that will likely be forever. I feel like I put a match to $20,000 in cash. I am not a high-volume producer and will never be. I can't bring myself to invest in another consultant to burn more money for recommendations I can't use. I just inquired with Sally McKenzie, who seems like a good consultant, but the $18,500 fee quoted brought back images of thousand-dollar bills burning. I have a practice already successful in very many respects. I've been in practice 27 years, reputation as the best dentist in the area and strong loyalty and trust from many people who I have known for more than two decades. I don't want or need to change my practice wholesale. I would appreciate analysis of specifics and only one or two recommendations that I could IMPLEMENT while maintaining the exceptional character and integrity of my practice that is me and my comittment to do the right thing for people as I would appreciate myself. I just can't change a lot of things- and don't need or want to. My last waste to a consultant (of $3,000) was to a consultant who gave me an analysis of the practice and no recommendations. I'd say avoid all Scientologists and anyone who uses high-pressure tactics to tell you what is in your own best interests. Not one, but two different Scientology-based consultants got me to waste $20,000 total in consulting fees that were, and likely will always have, a negative effect on my practice. It was my poor judgment in succumbing to the extremely agressive pressure(personal pressure by Steve Poore, the owner of Poore Management)to sign up for the $13,000 fee the second time around.
The 1st consultant was not as agressive as the 2nd, but left town owing me time and services already paid for.
The 2nd consultant, Steve Poore, out of Glen Loch, CA, was super agressive, more concerned about getting his monthly fee by mandated overnight delivery than about doing what I asked for the practice. I asked specifically, “Identify strengths of my practice and help me do more of those.” Poore(POOR!) management tried to hammer me through a hole shaped like Poore Management(Scientology-”Hard Sell”:Repulsive!) using a female consultant I’d never met who the staff had no liking or confidence in. I did get prosletyzed for Dianetics in the course of it.
The main loss is the damage to the practice that will likely be forever. I feel like I put a match to $20,000 in cash. I am not a high-volume producer and will never be. I can’t bring myself to invest in another consultant to burn more money for recommendations I can’t use. I just inquired with Sally McKenzie, who seems like a good consultant, but the $18,500 fee quoted brought back images of thousand-dollar bills burning. I have a practice already successful in very many respects. I’ve been in practice 27 years, reputation as the best dentist in the area and strong loyalty and trust from many people who I have known for more than two decades. I don’t want or need to change my practice wholesale. I would appreciate analysis of specifics and only one or two recommendations that I could IMPLEMENT while maintaining the exceptional character and integrity of my practice that is me and my comittment to do the right thing for people as I would appreciate myself. I just can’t change a lot of things- and don’t need or want to.
My last waste to a consultant (of $3,000) was to a consultant who gave me an analysis of the practice and no recommendations.
I’d say avoid all Scientologists and anyone who uses high-pressure tactics to tell you what is in your own best interests.

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