Managing practice pain

Let’s face it: 2020 has been pretty painful not only for our community but also for our practices, our personal lives, and our mental health. 

At times it has felt like – and maybe still feels like – the world is spinning out of control, and Armageddon is waiting around the corner with a baseball bat. It feels like we all need a warm fire, the smell of your nanna’s cardigan, and a cosy blankey to hide under.

Unfortunately, the option of hiding under said blankey won’t help us navigate the pain management that our practice may require.

Triage

What’s the problem? I know I know it seems like a silly question, but if we can break down our practice pain to specifics like symptoms, then we can identify a diagnosis.

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1. Money

   • Not enough coming through the doors

   • Too much going out the door

   • Uncertainty
      

2. Clients

   • Drop in numbers

   • Highly stressed
      

3. Overwhelm  

   • because you are human too, and, naturally, what is going on right now is going to have an impact on you.

Money

Being clear on your financial situation is always important, but right now, it is vital. Taking time to sit down and work out your personal and practice budget will help clarify exactly where you are at. It can be stressful, but knowledge is power.
Go through all of your weekly personal expenses, like rent/mortgage, food, motor vehicle, insurance, electricity, etc. Add them together, then multiply that figure by 52. This figure is what you need to have as your minimum take-home income after tax.  This online budget tool can help: moneysmart.gov.au/budgeting/budget-planner

 

Do exactly the same with your business expenses. Here’s another online tool to help: business.gov.au/Finance/Accounting/How-to-create-a-budget

 

If you find yourself in a position where your income does not meet your expenses, then it’s time to look at what spending can be reduced. Under current circumstances, many service providers are offering financial assistance packages to help you stay afloat. Contact your service providers to find out what they may be able to offer. Nobody wants to lose customers right now, so flexibility is the name of the game.

Clients

Having a bit more time on your hands allows you to put together a marketing plan both for now and the future.

 

• Website – write as many articles as you can about what you do and how you can help people. Yes, the AHPRA advertising guidelines can make it confusing to navigate, but if you stick your head in the sand, you will definitely not grow. Effective Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the key. Here’s an article to give you the lowdown. Don’t know how to identify keywords you should use? Google Keyword Planner is the key. It is free and an incredibly powerful resource. Here’s a step by step guide on how to use it.
   

• Client follow up – This is not about soliciting for appointments but making sure your clients are doing okay in these stressful times. A simple phone call can let them know someone cares and that they are not alone. If they are struggling, you have tools to help them.
   

• Online resources – Providing videos or articles about managing this situation, mental health support, self-care techniques, meditation, exercise, etc. that your clients can access easily helps them learn how to look after themselves more effectively.
   

• Networking – Connecting with local practitioners can help you understand more about what they do and how they can help your clients in areas you perhaps cannot. It is also a great way to meet people doing some really cool things, not to mention creating a potential practitioner support network.
   

• Compassion – Whatever you are doing with your marketing or networking, showing compassion in your text and images will make a difference to our community, being able to support each other and cope more effectively.