Practice Management Question: Staff Meetings

**1968** · 09-03-2003, 05:18 PM

Our small office (2 doctors, 2.5 employees) currently does not hold regular staff meetings. For those of you who do, what suggestions might you have for a general agenda outline and tips for keeping the entire staff involved?

Thanks!

**Jana Lewis** · 09-04-2003, 09:39 AM

1968,

Our office holds staff meetings bi-weekly just to keep everyone informed and on top of what is happening in our practice. Our minutes usually include Dr./staff vacations, patient issues, managed care changes, and anything that the Dr's or staff would like to bring up. I truley believe that having our bi-weekly meetings really help keep our staff motivated and issue free.

**EyeManFla** · 09-04-2003, 11:20 AM

Jana has very good points to use. With a small office staff, never assume that everybody knows what's going on.
One added feature, at some point I leaev the room so that my employees can complain about me. Then I come back in and Doc leaves the room so everybody can complain about him.

Of course, we tell everybody too bad, suck it up and get back to work..........:bbg:

**optigoddess** · 09-04-2003, 11:42 AM

I would recommend an agenda that includes (but is not limited to:)
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"strengths" -- can include any goals met for the week, month, quarter etc -

"Opportunities" -- can include any goals that were NOT met, difficult patient/customer "opportunities"
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I think it is really important for success that everyone understand WHAT are the goals for the practice are & what the results are -

To keep everyone involved, perhaps involve the person "in charge" of frame buying to introduce new frame products, review any new lens/ materials that you will be using also so that everyone understands fitting heights etc.

Ask the staff, "what do YOU think we could be doing better?" (they might surprise you!)

Karen

**Robert Wagner** · 09-04-2003, 01:40 PM

Great thoughts Janna,

Here is another idea, It is kind of "cross training" however, the person (s) who specialize in one area ie; front desk, billing, Optician, Dr's assistant etc, have that person show and teach the staff just exactly what you do and how you do it. At times this gains a whole new respect of just exactly what you do as well as your co-worker.

Robert
;)

**Deepak** · 09-11-2003, 08:01 AM

you can talk out your issues informally on day to day basis,with this small stafff.

**hcjilson** · 09-11-2003, 10:10 AM

you have a small staff. Regardless of the size of the staff, the tendency is for individuals to act as individuals and that is not always in the best interests of the business involved.

Staff meetings provide focus. It is important to the company to have the staff all on the same page. It is also the only way to insure that company goals are established, and more importantly are met. Staff meetings are important!

the view today from Cape Cod
hj

**Chris Ryser** · 09-11-2003, 10:58 AM

I am holding daily staff meetings at 7 am to 7.30 am with coffee included. If no important item is to be discusses we just do a "brainstorming session"

It has been working for years.