Leaders develop a clear vision, says dental business coach

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Learn how to be a leader with dental business coach Andy McDougall from Spot On Business Planning[/caption]This week, dental business consultant Andy McDougall from Spot On Business Planning, continues his series of blogs about leadership.Andy says leadership begins with a compelling vision. You have to know where you are heading before you can ask other people to follow. And your vision needs to be captivating enough that people will want to follow you in its pursuit.
A vision isn’t woolly
It may be aspirational but in essence it sets out what you would like the business to achieve in the planning horizon – over the next three years. It acts as the anchor for determining the most appropriate strategic actions for your dental practice in the short and medium term.
A vision is not set in stone
Richard Branson’s vision when he set off wasn’t to launch a global brand with fingers in the banking, transport and soft drinks’ markets; it was to have several successful record shops. But as each vision was realised, he created a new one that underpinned the next stage of his journey.
It’s not a popularity contest
Leaders set the direction and make certain they have the right people, in the right positions, doing the right things to the highest level of performance. They have passion and drive to overcome obstacles. They have strong beliefs and they stick close to their values. Leaders inspire and they have courage. They know it’s not a popularity contest and they use their great communication skills to keep their teams in close pursuit of the target.
Change is inevitable
There always comes a point where the old answers just don’t work any more so change is inevitable. A key element of leadership is change: change doesn’t happen without leadership. One of the best-known business gurus, Peter Drucker said, ‘Leadership is about doing the right things. Management is about doing things right’. Leaders determine what needs to be done and managers make certain those things are done well.
Does your dental team follow you?
There are many definitions of leadership, but probably the best one suggests that a leader is someone who has followers. So no matter how good a leader you think you are, if your team are not following, maybe you ‘re not as good as you think.Most of all, leaders make decisions and take action. Just as a vision without the means to implement it is a delusion, a decision without action is not a resolution but a whimsical thought – a wish or a desire for change but without the desired outcome.So knowing a little more about leadership, would you be led by you?
Leaders make decisions and take action
To run your dental practice differently you have to run your brain differently. You have to get better at making decisions.Making the right decisions is not a simple matter. For some, making any decision is a challenge. Do you recognise your own behaviour in any of the following scenarios?
- You’re not afraid to make decisions, in fact you make them all the time. You just don’t follow them through into action.
- You dither and delay about making decisions but did you know that not making a decision is a decision in itself?
- You fire off decisions every day. And they change so frequently that no-one takes much notice.
- You make decisions but they are the wrong ones!
Making the right decisions and implementing them successfully are key attributes of great leadership. More on this coming soon…
Book a free consultation with Andy
At Spot On Business Planning we do things differently. Instead of giving advice then leaving you to implement it, we take the journey with you, as your business partner. We ensure you and your team understand how to run your dental practice by transferring the necessary leadership, decision making and business planning skills along the way.You can learn a lot about your dental business with a free consultation with Andy McDougall. Send us your last three years financial accounts, Andy will analyse them and visit you to explain the strengths and weaknesses he reads in your numbers.Contact us to find out more.
Our upcoming events
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BDA Setting up a dental practice
The BDA Setting up a dental practice in-person workshop is a great opportunity for you to gain invaluable support, advice and insider information from expert speakers, including Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston, on how to set out on your own for the first time.

Planning your successful exit
Join industry experts & learn how to plan your successful exit at this free live event!
Enjoy an opportunity to join Andy McDougall & Anne-Marie Houston in person at a free event in Surrey in July for dentists keen to maximise their exit value and gain tips for a smoother sale.
Spot On Business Planning is joining Dental Practice Sale and AMG Wealth on Thursday, July 10 for the informative live event to help dentists plan their successful exit.
The three companies will address key areas of concern to practice owners leading up to a sale, the sale process itself and post-sale aspects.
One of our strategic partners, Dental Practice Sale, is a specialist dental broker with an expansive national network of contacts and a team whose pedigree encompasses some of the UK’s most important, prestigious and noteworthy dental business transactions. Collectively the team has decades of experience in valuing, buying and selling dental practices and utilises its vast knowledge to offer the best all-round service.
AMG Wealth is a chartered financial planning practice that delivers high calibre intergenerational financial planning advice. It develops close working relationships with clients to provide investment planning based on your personal priorities, such as keeping a good standard of living in retirement or protecting wealth for future generations.
- Learn how to maximise your exit value - what are the drivers?
- Understand the benefits of structuring your business ready for exit
- Determine the best point to exit
- Hear a personal account from a DPS client & practice seller
- Gain insights on the state of the market today
- Consider where your practice sits with the different buyers in the market
- Uncover the details in deal structures
- Be informed about the valuation process & how you can influence it
- Be aware of options pre sale such as EOT, Pre Sale Trusts, significant share holder exemption
- Transition into the next phase of life (if retirement, what you will do, having winter hobbies etc)
- Ensure you run out of life before running out of money (cash forecasting)
- Protect the estate for now and future generations
- Complimentary drinks and buffet from 6.30pm
The event at Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge starts at 6.30pm with drinks and includes a buffet.
Click here to reserve your space: https://www.dentalpracticesale.co.uk/events/evant-2?hsLang=en-gb

BDA Business Essentials Course
This two-day workshop is ideal for any dental business owner and their practice manager looking to transform poor performance, prepare for sale, or take their practice to the next level with a vision for expansion. Presented by industry experts Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston, this interactive workshop will equip you with the essential tools and strategies to succeed in today’s competitive market.
Book your 121 Zoom with Andy McDougall
Fill in the form below.
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