Note: Th importance of taking into account the future as the ‘now’ is vital for a dentist that owns his or her practice, and a way to embrace that fact is to seek dental consulting.
Futurists always measure their batting average by counting how many things they have predicted that have come true. They never count how many important things come true that they did not predict. Everything a forecaster predicts may come to pass. Yet, he may not have seen the most meaningful of the emergent realities or worse still, may not have paid attention to them. There is no way to avoid this irrelevancy in forecasting, for the important and distinctive are always the result of changes in values, perception, and goals.
But the most important work of the executive is to identify the changes that have already happened. The important challenge in society, economics, politics, is to exploit the changes that have already occurred and to use them as opportunities. The important thing is to identify the “future that has already happened”—and to develop a methodology for perceiving and analyzing these changes. A good deal of this methodology is incorporated in my 1985 book Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which shows how one systematically looks to the changes in society, in demographics, in meaning, in science and technology, as opportunities to make the future.
ACTION POINT: Identify the major trends in your market that have already appeared. Write a page on their likely longevity and impact on your life and organization.
So what are some of those futures that are already happening?
All insurances are paying lesser for your services. Rent and cost of employees going up and up. Your mal-practice insurance costing more and more. Patients’ loyalty almost non-existing anymore.
The cost of marketing has significantly increased, yet with little increase in returns.
Without dental practice marketing, in the case of a dental practice, survival is becoming almost impossible.
But who will take action beyond just recognizing them? Seeing smoke and not doing anything about it will still burn something down.
If the weather changes you better prepare for different clothing and learn how to operate in the new weather, such as learning how to drive a car in the snow.
The future is occurring and it is effecting the health care industry, therefore do not ignore it!
Look at the pharmacies. Any small ones around?
What about optometrists? Are Costco’s, Wal Mart’s, Lenscrafters and several others making life hard for the rest of the optometrists?
Any notion that 10%, maybe even 30% or 100% increase in your practice will get you through till retirement — if you still plan to be in the work force in 10 to 15 years — is greatly misguided and will most likely be not happening.
Work hand in hand with the future, as it is the only way to stay on top.
It is a fact that there will always be a need for medical professionals, but if one is not smart about it, will end up making the salary of a 9-5 regular worker. Hence, without an effective dental marketing, this will be the case.
The good news is that it is all up to you. You are in charge, in control.
The economical climate is no longer what it used to be. Having a medical degree is not what it used to be. Therefore, adapt to now’s changes!

Are you thinking about selling your home yourself? then