Planting Trees

Years ago, a good friend planted a row of beauty ornamental trees along her driveway. In the years following, she enjoyed watching these trees grow and display their beautiful flowers and foliage every spring. One day, upon returning home, she was shocked to see that her neighbors had sheared the limbs that protruded beyond the property line. The trees once beautiful now looked horrible.

I was surprised to see my friend's response to this action. Instead of reacting to the insult, though the neighbors were within their rights legally, my friend looked at the event in a philosophical way. The next day all the trees were removed, the following day, new trees were planted...well within her property line. She told me she was "planting trees." That was her way of saying she was investing in her property, and, I suspect, in her soul.

How many of you are "planting trees?" Planting tree can be as easy as taking an extra minute with each patient. Make sure you have answered all their questions and that there is no doubt in their mind about the treatment you propose.

Benchmark data would suggest that your new patient ratio should be about 33% of you total patient schedule. If it isn't, perhaps you might consider "planting trees" for your business.