Management When you take the time to define your core values and live by them, decision-making becomes extremely easy. You don't have to push your team forward. The mission, vision and values pull them in the right direction.

Hiring for Excellence in 2025 Hiring the right people for your orthodontic practice has always been a cornerstone of growth. But as we look toward 2025, the challenges of inflation, rising interest rates, and workforce uncertainty are redefining how practices approach the hiring process. It’s no longer about just finding “good” employees—it’s about hiring for excellence with systems that deliver predictable results. Recent data from the labor market highlights both opportunities and risks. While inflation has moderated slightly, interest rates remain high, creating a cautious economic climate. This puts pressure on wages and forces small businesses, including dental and orthodontic practices, to be laser-focused on…

The Transformative Power of Orthodontics: A Smile Journey Orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth; it’s about transforming lives through the power of a smile. In my recent feature on Orthotown, A Smile Transformed, I discuss the incredible impact a smile can have on an individual’s confidence, health, and overall well-being. At the core of orthodontic care is the ability to provide patients with more than just aesthetic benefits. A person's smile is often one of the first things others notice. For patients with misaligned teeth, the effect on self-esteem can be profound. Orthodontic treatments, such as braces or aligners, help restore confidence by giving patients a…

Hierarchy Matters. In an interview with NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, the unconventional yet effective management style that has contributed to NVIDIA’s success was highlighted. Huang’s approach, characterized by having 60 direct reports, challenges traditional best practices in corporate management. Stripe founder Patrick Collison noted that such a structure is atypical, prompting an exploration of Huang’s reasoning. Breaking Down Barriers Huang’s philosophy centers on the democratization of information within the company. He eschews the conventional practice of one-on-one meetings, favoring a more inclusive approach: “I don’t do 1-on-1s, and almost everything I say, I say to everybody all the time. I don’t really…

Marketing Enhance practice visibility and brand awareness, attract new patients and build trust within the community. Ensure patients are well-informed and empowered to make the best healthcare decisions while improving access to quality care in your community.

The Test of Time Today's society seems fixated on the next big thing. I wrote about this a few years ago and referenced the book, Spectacle, which I highly recommend you read if you want to become a master at marketing and selling. If everyone else is fascinated by what's new, it's insightful and important for you to consider things that remain constant. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, once highlighted this perspective, stating, "I almost never get the question: 'What's not going to change in the next 10 years?' And I submit to you that that second question is actually the more important of…

The Hero’s Journey I'm neck-deep finishing some work for a large international client and their marketing department. What the CMO likes to call "the hero's journey" I phrase as a question for the entire marketing team: If we don't know where they are, how can we help them get where they want to be? Most products and services are not marketed and advertised with this question in mind, but they should be if they want to be successful. From Broadway to Hollywood and Washington D.C. the story has been told a thousand times from "small town USA" and "rags to riches" the narrative…

Take Them Backwards. Eataly is an Italian fooderie that has opened stores in 31 cities in 12 countries around the globe. Before speaking to over 1,200 Italian entrepreneurs, Ashley and I took some time to visit the $118 million experiential park called FICO Eataly World. Located outside Bologna, Eataly World spans 25 acres with over 40 restaurants, pastures, food demonstration areas and learning centers. To get around the huge attraction, visitors can ride adult tricycles by famous Italian bike maker Bianchi. Farmers and chefs will teach 30 daily interactive workshops in the truest sense of farm to table. Eataly World plans to welcome…

Leadership Inspire and motivate your team, foster a positive work environment and boost employee morale. Learn how to make informed decisions, set clear goals and allocate resources efficiently so that patient care and outcomes are maximized. A culture of excellence, innovation and compassion begins here.

Keep Showing Up Brad Stulberg said something recently that stuck with me: “The goal is the path; the path is the goal.” Brad says a lot of smart things, actually. He was incredibly generous with his time on The Burleson Box, where we talked about his book Master of Change. What he’s getting at, I think, is the constant temptation to chase some big milestone—and then feel oddly disappointed when we reach it. We hit the goal, look around, and ask, “Is this all there is?” And then, as if we’ve learned nothing, we set off again, chasing the next big thing. In…

Resilience and Reinvention: What Dentistry Can Learn from High-Performance Athletes In elite athletics, peak performance is often less about sheer talent and more about the ability to recover, reset, and sustain energy over the long haul. Dentistry, a profession that demands both technical precision and emotional resilience, is no different. Yet, too often, the industry has ignored the very real demands placed on providers, leading to burnout, high attrition rates, and a struggle to attract and retain talent. In a recent conversation with Dr. Erinne Kennedy, Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning at Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine, we explored how dentists can apply lessons from high-performance…

Navigating Workforce Challenges in Dentistry The dental industry is currently facing significant workforce challenges, with many practices experiencing difficulties in retaining staff for more than a year. This trend is influenced by several factors, including generational differences, workplace dynamics, and broader labor market conditions. Recent industry reports highlight the following insights: The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that staffing issues are a major concern for dental practices, with many experiencing difficulties in hiring and retaining qualified dental assistants and hygienists. Studies published in the Journal of the American Dental Association emphasize that a lack of leadership training among dental professionals can lead to challenges in…