I spent some time in my dentist’s chair this week for a repair job on a chipped tooth. Like any good repair shop owner, my dentist uses a system to get the best job done in the shortest period of time.
Being the first appointment of the day, I arrived at the office before the Doc, but that was no problem for his staff. They were expecting me and got me seated in the dental chair promptly. My dentist arrived shortly thereafter and explained to me his plan for repairing my tooth while the assistant silently gathered tools, resins and assorted materials for the job. She knew what to expect and what to do.
Time efficient dentists understand systems and the importance of a well trained support team to move through the process of handling large numbers of patients during the work day. Appointments are scheduled closely for the goal of seeing many patients in a short period of time.
You have probably heard talk between your dentist and his or her assistant limited to words or phrases like distal, occlusal plane and aspirate. It’s essential abbreviated communication to choreograph a work dance.
Business systems are nothing more than a choreographed work dance.
You are wondering what a work dance has to do with running a profitable horse business?
Everything of course. If you are operating as an instructor, trainer or horse salesperson, your efficient use of time is supported by a trained support team.
As an instructor, your clients pay you for your time in the ring, instructing. Tacking up, warming up and cooling out are all parts of the lesson, but those parts may be best handled by a staff member-your trained support team.
As a horse trainer, the same parts apply to the process. The work you do with the horse on the ground or mounted is the expert work; haltering the horse, grooming, saddling or harnessing, cooling, blanketing is all work that is best done by your team members.
As a seller of horses, your best salesmanship skills are put in use as you get to know your customer, his likes, dislikes, goals. If a prospect is looking at several horses, your support team will groom, tack and even ride and demonstrate the horse for sale. The efficiency of your support team will create a pleasant and educational experience for the prospect who will appreciate your professionalism and your respect for others’ time.
If you are already using staff to keep your “work dance” flowing, congratulations. If you need to create a better system for work flow, start the process. Don’t ignore the input of your staff as you improve your systems; encourage their participation in the process. The more they feel they “own” the system, the better your results will be.
If you’re growing your solo business, consider getting part time help for your busy times. As an example, peak lesson periods during weekdays or weekends that run “on schedule” will generate the extra revenue to pay the help. If you are mired in the inefficiency of “doing everything” your revenue is as limited as a dentist who is his own receptionist, assistant and hygienist.
Make your own systems to improve your work dance; you’ll add to your business bottom line and have more fun doing it.