Feeling like your whole world has turned upside down recently?
Yeah, me too.
No one alive today has ever experienced anything like what we’re going through right now. We are certainly in uncharted waters (without a paddle).
This begs the question: Where do we go from here?
There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world (more than usual), but there’s one thing we know for sure…“this too shall pass”. We don’t know exactly when and we definitely don’t know what the world, and the healthcare industry, will look like when we begin to recover from Covid 19.
We also know this…there will be a new normal of how we live, interact AND deliver physical therapy. And if you want to survive (and eventually thrive), you will need to embrace technology…and help your team to embrace it as well so you’re ready for the new virtual world.
Our team is, unequivocally, the most valuable asset we have…and it’s imperative that we support and nurture them through this uncertainty and the epic changes that are facing us…now and in the future.
Here are some important questions you may be asking yourself:
- How do I mobilize my team remotely so they can still deliver care to patients?
- How can I communicate with them since I can’t just yell down the hall?
- How do I keep track of what everyone is doing? (it was hard enough when we were all in the same office).
Here’s 3 ways to ensure your team (and business) thrive in the new virtual world:
Substitute Post-It notes for digital messaging
Just because your team is spread throughout the community (and perhaps multiple states), doesn’t mean you can’t continue to have real time communication. In fact, when tension and emotions are high, like they are right now, it’s extremely important to have open lines of communication. Yes, an email or phone call could work in some cases, but collaborative communication is better-especially when multiple people are involved.
To keep lines of communication open, consider using a group messaging tool like Slack to enable you to:
- Share important announcements and updates with your staff in one centralized location
- Provide clarity of purpose and communicate prioritization of tasks for your team
- Use away statuses to respect personal boundaries and communicate availability
Substitute in-person for video conferencing
Keeping your staff (and yourself) up to date with everything going on is hard enough. But staring at a computer screen day in and day out with minimal adult interaction doesn’t do much for morale. Re-ignite your staff’s morale and keep them engaged by:
- Utilizing video conferencing. Using a video conferencing tool such as Zoom or WebEx can make otherwise boring meetings more lively, personal and engaging.
- Re-sharing your vision. TIP: If you haven’t recently shared your purpose and practice vision with your staff, now is the perfect time to reignite and inspire them with the question: Why do you do what you do? We all need to believe in the people and place in which we work…and doing so will help raise people’s spirits and get them focused on what needs to be done.
Substitute manuals for management tools
Systems are the foundation of how your business works. They provide clarity on how things are done and reduce confusion in the workplace. Good systems will also increase productivity and decrease the amount of time an owner spends in the administrative abyss.
Now is the perfect time to review and update your systems and processes, and help your team transition with clear expectations to the virtual world.
If you don’t have a centralized, digital location to house your processes and tracking important projects…things can go off the rails pretty quickly.
Consider a project management tool like Asana to keep your team on track (and highly productive). By enabling your team to manage projects on their own, you’ll be able to manage your business from your bedroom and provide empowerment to your staff.
What’s next?
Now that you’ve equipped yourself by upgrading your technology to survive in the virtual world…it’s time to prepare to thrive!
Simon Sinek said it best when he posed this question:
“[The successful company] who learns to embrace change and adapt will come out of this crisis thriving in the new world”
Don’t you want that to be you?
Now is the time to consider how to add value, connect with your patients and referral sources and be the PT of choice. And, oh yeah, make money RIGHT NOW!
And if you want help in preparing your practice for the amazing opportunities that lie ahead, I invite you to have a conversation.
Schedule a strategy call with me right now. No hype. No obligation. I’m just here as a guy who has been through his share of shit storms who can help you get through this one and come out smelling like a rose on the other side.
By Jamey Schrier
PT, Founder & CEO, Practice Freedom U
April 9, 2020
5 minute read
