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Articles by Barbara Phillips

Browse published articles attributed to Barbara Phillips, with full-archive search.

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By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

The Face of Your Business - The Front Desk

The front desk and your receptionist can make or break your practice. Here are some tips to keep the face of your practice professional, yet refreshing and friendly. 1. Decide the atmosphere that you want in the front office. Do you want it calm and friendly, clinical and professional, or somewhere in between? 2. Consider your décor and include the colors, sounds, and smells. 3. How do you want your clients greeted when they present to the front desk or call on the phone? You may want to script out exactly how you want your staff to address and greet your clients.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,354 views2.7/5 (3)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Attracting New Clients to Your Business

A question that comes up frequently is about attracting new clients. This is especially true for the business that is just starting up. Most of us don't have thousands of dollars just sitting around to use for marketing. But there are several ways in which you can find those first few clients, spending little to no money. Here's a few tips: 1. Simply start by asking. If you are currently employed, ask your current clients how they found this particular practice. In most cases, you will find all the information you need to start marketing.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,010 views3/5 (4)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Business Tip: Income Goals

Come January 1st, most people start thinking about their goals for the coming year. Goals are a big deal however... and I think waiting until the end of December or into January is a bit late to get started.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,124 views3/5 (3)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Want to improve? Ask your clients

If you're in business, chances are you looking for ways to improve your service, as well as market your business. One of the best marketing tools available is word-of-mouth. Truly nothing else beats it. We are all looking for proof from someone else. As a business owner, we want to know just what our current clients thinks about our business - what we're doing right and where we need to improve.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,254 views3/5 (2)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Taking Care of the Provider & the Business Owner

Many of us are at work all day, taking care of everyone and everything else. Many business owners are also hard at work all evening and each weekend getting caught up on billing, policies & procedures, marketing or just finishing the day's paperwork. Practice owners are entirely aware that you generate money only when you are seeing patients. So while taking a week off for vacation or CME sounds like a good idea, generally we think again, especially in the early phases of our business. Is there enough cash flow to cover your time off? What about employees?

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

924 views3/5 (3)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Business Tip: Building Your Cash Reserves

Certainly you have heard from financial experts that you should have a three month cash reserves at all times. The premise behind this is to protect you should you get sick, loose or job or have unexpected expenses crop up. This is even more important for your business. In fact, three months is not enough. You really need to look at five to six months of having a cash reserve. If you haven't done this yet, you'll need to start now. With all of the uncertainty and the economy today you will certainly want to protect your business. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. 1.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,229 views2.5/5 (2)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Preparing Your Business for Your Absence

Like many of you, I am the solo provider in my office. So when I am away, there are several things I need to take care of. Here are some things for you to think about when you are away for vacation, illness, continuing education or what-have you. 1. Let your patients know of your plans well in advance. At least one month if not sooner. This allows them to plan as well. 2. Notify your pharmacies as well. Several of the ones I routinely deal with will go ahead and fill a refill if it's a chronic medication so patients don't run out.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,226 views2.5/5 (2)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Business Tip: 7 Steps to Getting It Done

Most entrepreneurs, if they are honest, will admit they have too much to do and things sometimes get lost in the shuffle. You are wearing at least half-a-dozen hats at any given moment. There are many systems out there to help you get it done, but let's look at just 7 steps you can take without investing in and learning a system. 1. Break your projects up into tasks. If your project is to "open your office" or "expand your office", that's great, but it cannot be accomplished in one day. You want to break the projects up into small steps that you can do piece by piece. 2.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,248 views2/5 (2)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

A Website for Your Business

More and more a website is becoming essential for any practice. The big question is how do you get one. While it is possible to go out and hire someone to build you a website, it's also possible to design and create a website for those of you who want to do it yourself. Website planning is the same regardless of which method you choose. 1. Choose a domain name. In many cases this will be your practice. Attempt to purchase it as a dot-com. You can purchase your domains from various domain resellers. The one that I use is GoDaddy.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,164 views2/5 (2)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

You Did Insure it Didn't You?

Shortly after we opened our office, there was a mishap. The floor above us flooded one night. The next morning, a portion of the ceiling was laying on the exam table and our exam room laptops were sitting in water. That incident brought home quickly that our business insurance was well worth the cost. Be it Mother Nature or Murphy's Law...you'll be glad you got that policy. This past week, we acquired a few pieces of equipment that totaled more than our start up cost. Naturally, we wanted it covered.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,135 views2/5 (1)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Business Tip: Before You Market

Some Questions to ask yourself before your begin your marketing. Most businesses open up and assume people will come. This is especially true of health care practices. After all, everyone needs health care services. But don't fool yourself. Just because your shingle is up, it does not mean that people will flock to your front desk. And of those that do find their way to your door, are they the ones that you really want to see? In other words do they fit your scope of practice? Do your health care philosophies match?

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,113 views2/5 (1)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Business Tip - Random Tips & Pearls for your Business

Marketing: Getting the word out. Not all practices and businesses have flyers and brochures. I recently met with an NP who uses Vista Prints for business cards, post cards and brochures. Her office even had a double sided sign in the window that she received for free from Vista Prints. Taking Call: I take my own call. In the past, I would just forward the office number to my cell phone. The problem was that my phone would ring day and night. It was not uncommon for patients to call at 3 or 4 am to leave a message to request or cancel an appointment for that day.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,009 views2/5 (1)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Practice Owners Need to Know the Cost-Per-Patient

Nurse Practitioner business owners need to understand the cost of doing business, especially in terms of reimbursement in order to assess the viability of their practice. One of those metrics is determining what it cost the practice to see each patient. It is vital for you to know this information so you can assess the cost effectiveness of seeing patients under certain plans (you might find some insurers pay less than the cost of care).

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,184 views1/5 (1)

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Business Ideas: Urinary Incontinence Practice

I am frequently asked "what kind of business can I have"? While there are several forms of business, most NPs and PAs choose a clinical practice. And while most chose primary care, more are choosing a niche or specialty practice. One such niche is urinary incontinence (UI) care. A continence practice is a fantastic opportunity for the advanced practice clinician. There are three very important factors for this type of business. First, there is a huge need; second there are few clinicians involved and finally, the evaluation, management and procedures are reimbursable.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

1,437 views

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Get Rid Of Your Waiting Room

Nurse Practitioners and other clinicians can no longer continue business as usual. Our patients (clients, customers) deserve and expect much more. Gone are the days when a white coat gives one cart blanche to treat patients and staff indifferently behind the ruse of being busy. There is no doubt that you are busy. But just as you want respect from your patients, they are now expecting it from you as well. Addressing one of the most common conce s patients make about provider offices will go a long way.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

985 views

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

EMR’s – Amazing Charts

There are a multitude of Electronic Medical Records/Electronic Health Records software available on the market today. Some are free and others can cost literally tens of thousands of dollars. I cannot give comment on many of them, however, I can tell you about the one I use. (If you have a different one and want to write a post for us, sent it to us with your contact info and we’ll add it to a post of its own).

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

895 views

By Barbara PhillipsRecently published1 topic

Avoiding Potential Legal Issues

All health care professionals including advanced practice clinicians (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) want to prevent any potential legal actions related to the excellent care they provide.

Primary topic: Entrepreneurs

870 views

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