Melinda Heryford Practice Management Consulting is an experienced business management consulting company that specializes specifically in the challenges associated with running a small to medium business.
Since 1986, Melinda and her team have been providing coaching and consulting services to business owners and their teams employing practical experience and innovative solutions to help each company adapt to the challenges of running a modern-day organization.
Melinda has a master’s degree in business management from UC Davis, with early experience in family business. Over the past three decades, Melinda has transformed businesses at all different stages to:
- Address lost customers
- Boost revenue
- Increase team happiness and engagement
- Get paid for what you do
- Improve communication
- Increase profit
“My expertise is to employ practical experience as well as innovative strategies to help businesses deal successfully with today’s industry challenges, specializing in professional development with an emphasis on elevating business profits by engaging people.”
Client Real World Challenges
- Are you tired of schedule changes and the loss in production? Is the inconsistency of your schedule affecting your mood and the overall mood at the office?
- Are you worried about the loss of production in hygiene?
- Are you having a hard time balancing day-to-day delivery of care, training new team members, ensuring the schedule is optimized, and your collections are in sync with your production?
- Do you find yourself in the rat race of buying expensive technology and being concerned about making the payments?
- Are insurance adjustments eating away at your profits?
- Are you worried about not having enough cash flow, money for raises, savings for retirement, …?
- Are you tired of continually working hard and not seeing a gain in your bank account?
- Do you dread going to work in the morning only to find an unhappy team when you arrive at the office?
Our Prime Practice Management System™ is composed of 3 programs structured to tackle these Real World challenges:
Complete Care – VIP Total Access Kick Start – Fast Track Program Virtual MM High Impact Team Training
Trusted by over 200 entrepreneurs and business professionals, Melinda encourages small business owners to seek help when they’re ready, as no one should have to manage their practice alone. Melinda Heryford has over 30 years of experience in Practice Management Consulting. Together, with her team, she can offer your small business or dental practice solutions that match not only your business’s needs, but also your own.
Whether it’s boosting team productivity and engagement, reducing costs, improving cash flow, restructuring your practice, or something else, Melinda and her team are ready to help when you need us.
The best way to determine if we’re a good fit is to CONTACT US, and let’s simply talk about where you are and where you’re hoping to go.
You’ve got your talents. We’ve got ours. Let’s match up and make sure that you’re moving forward with momentum at a pace that is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
♦ How do you define success Melinda?
Businesses succeed and flourish when they have a proactive plan and a cohesive team aligned and working together efficiently and effectively to meet the plan objectives. Dental offices are service organizations, and service organizations improve the bottom line by having an energized, qualified, and satisfied staff who is proactively working the growth plan together.
We design our services to drive your practice to the next level, finding opportunities for increased revenue and growth while energizing team members to deliver their greatest contribution. We use proven techniques and tools to boost your productivity, expand your practice, and increase your bottom-line profits.
GROWTH: We will focus on growing your practice, increasing day-to-day production and collection resulting in an overall uptick to the bottom-line.
OPERATIONS: Spearheaded approach to team and operational enhancements including implementation of consistent systems and processes, leadership skills development, staff up-skilling and tangible productivity improvements.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE: Establish initiatives to foster team engagement and well-being for the entire office. The goal will be to work smarter not harder while boosting job satisfaction
♦ How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a Management Consultant/Coach/Mentor?
To answer this question, it’s probably best that I share with you a defining moment and the resulting “compelling story” that brought me to where I am today; coaching people like you on exactly what to do to manage their practice.
That defining moment in my life happened in late 1986. I had quit my job in a dental practice and went to work for a dental management consulting firm. I quickly realized that rather than being a hygienist, a position I had prepared myself for as early as eighth grade, I had developed an interest in the science of teamwork. I was compelled to interpret how the application of the same set of steps could foster teamwork. Being raised in a family business, my interest in the business side of dentistry flourished and I focused on improving both team engagement and business operations.
I went from my comfy dental front office manager day job to becoming a commission-based coach and consultant at the ripe age of 22. At that very moment, I made a commitment to immerse myself in absolutely everything that had to do with managing a dental practice. I took on the role of trainer of a dental computer practice management system, enabling me to learn the fundamentals of managing a dental practice. I observed that most of the practices had common challenges, including inconsistent systems, wavering teamwork and focus, and unpredictable results. I availed myself of every opportunity to learn from and work alongside a team of consultants. I took advantage of every management course available to study systems that lead to business growth, teamwork, and accountability; systems that lead to productive, consistent performance, and business mindset practices designed to develop leadership confidence and certainty.
I have since made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to helping other
entrepreneurs and small business owners manage and grow their businesses in record time by inspiring people, laying the groundwork for strategic planning, implementing sound management systems, clarifying roles, responsibilities and accountabilities and by aligning the team to focus on the fundamental KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators). I focus my efforts on rallying each team and its members to grow the business year over year.
For the last three decades I have clocked over 11,000 hours coaching and consulting. Applying performance management systems that address management and leadership succession, team development and culture to prime each business. Galvanizing business growth in productivity, predictability and profits are the targeted outcomes for each engagement.
♦ Who are your clients exactly?
I work with people just like you in business and private practice who are very good at what they do; conscientious, successful practitioners/entrepreneurs committed to their profession.
They are passionate business owners working with both experienced and new team members; team members focusing on peak performance and 100% contribution but often struggling with inconsistent systems, inefficient processes, and unpredictable results. Owners with whom I work often tell me they are challenged with having insufficient time to ensure implementation and accountability. They love what they do, do it well and take responsibility for their success. That said, they find immense value in signing on additional support to develop new efficiencies that can support team members in consistent implementation. I have worked with a full spectrum of businesses throughout my career.
♦ What happens if you have not yet worked with my industry?
I have clocked over 11000 hours working with business owners in a wide scope of private practices and “independent” industries.
Business growth depends on implementing proven performance management systems and rallying the team toward a clearly defined future. The same guiding principles apply to every business, success can be achieved in any industry following the same basic tenants. If you have not worked with a business coach previously, realize that with your commitment and drive there is a world of possibilities, business growth and greater results available to take advantage of.
♦ How are you different from other “business coaches”?
What separates my service from other management coaches is a laser focus approach.
I perform a comprehensive analysis of your unique business strengths and match your strong suits to a personalized performance management system. I custom design processes to get you and your team to the next level of growth. It has been my experience that this approach results in outstanding rewards, a happier team, increased peace of mind and ultimately more profits.
♦ What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?
I work best with owners who have clarity about what they want and take responsibility for their strengths and weaknesses. These are owners who are determined to achieve the new operating state and are eager to get coached and follow through with the customized coaching advice.
My programs are designed for people who are absolutely excited and deadly serious about business growth and putting an end to the “seat of the pants” management approach of “when I have time, I will work ON my business.” We design the method for you to put systems in place within a few months, leading you to consistent, predictable, and scalable change.Being a high achieving go-getter myself, I work best with other high achieving dynamic leaders who are ready to hit the start button and are eager to learn and adopt the exact steps needed to lead their business to a bigger, better future.Your accomplishment with me should include establishing an action plan-based discipline. We will expect you to commit to serious and consistent actions. No excuses anymore, just a unique way of thinking with my team’s full support while you achieve significant goals: business growth, more money and greater peace of mind.
♦ For what type of business owner are your systems NOT going to work?
Please know that I’m very selective and I cherry-pick my clients; choosing to (gently) turn away people who aren’t well suited for my programs and who won’t get the results they are looking to achieve. (It would not be fair to them.)
My programs are not designed for dentists struggling with enjoying their profession or struggling with the quality of their dentistry and appreciation of their team. If you are one of these doctors, it has been my experience that a focus on continuing education would be more fruitful. You would benefit from finding something in which you are you are passionate so as to experience excitement in your work again. It is with this excitement that you can propel business growth. Taking these steps will help you get primed for our work. Passion will drive team appreciation and the desire to implement proven management systems. When you have attained that state of contentment, call me and we’ll get you started. I will be here when you need me. I also avoid working with Downers, chronic skeptics, individuals who consistently make excuses for not completing their assignments and those challenging every aspect of the program. If you are one of these types of business owners, I gently and respectfully ask that you not call, and I hope you understand why. Our combination would not be a good fit and therefore best not to pair up.
♦ What are your coaching programs like?
My programs are personal, implemented with your partnership and your leadership team’s partnership.
We schedule routine time together individually and as a team. When we meet individually, we will evaluate where you see the opportunities for growth, establish a game plan, assess progress, and strategize on future direction. When we meet as a team I will instruct on new and updated processes to align and streamline the team’s ways of working so that everyone is on the same page, following the same processes together to create a new level of result.
♦ What types of Services do you provide?
We have 2 major offerings that will help propel your business in the right strategic direction:
The Prime Practice Management System™ and The Prime Performance Management System™
♦ What is The Prime Practice Management System™, can you provide more details on it?
The Prime Practice Management System™ was designed to establish the practice in the optimal position of Prime. Prime, defined by Dr. Ichak Adizes, is the ideal business life-cycle stage that every company should strive to land on for as long as possible.
Prime is operating within the “sweet spot”, where managed growth is at its’ peak. We design our programs to speed up the primary practice systems to jump start production, ensure collection at the time of service, develop systems that improve new and long-term client call conversions, establish processes to eliminate accounts receivable, institute systems for accountability , and clarify roles and responsibilities for an engaged team. We conduct a facelift on the other systems of the practice in “prime” to boost the bottom line, instill more peace and build predictability.
The Prime Practice Management System™ includes 3 programs designed to elevate you to “PRIME”:
Complete Care – VIP Total Access
Kick Start – Fast Track Program
Virtual MM High Impact Team Training
♦ What is The Prime Performance Management System™ and what does it include?
The Prime Performance Management System™ is a comprehensive package covering the full range of management systems to deliver consistency and predictable results. It is a complete management and leadership program with clearly defined processes designed to achieve exceptional business results.
Effective management realizes that all organizations have a life-cycle and undergo very predictable and repetitive patterns of behavior. Each stage of development provides organizations with a unique set of challenges. How well or poorly an organization deals with these challenges has a significant impact on the success or failure of the organization. Leading an organization through the life-cycle phases is not easy, or obvious. It requires fundamental changes in leadership and management to develop an approach that balances the amount of control and flexibility needed for each stage. This optimal stage is “Prime”. The material in this system was developed by a brilliant business professor, Ichak Adizes. The management processes presented enable a business to predictably achieve “Prime”.
Prime Performance Management System
♦ What results can I expect from The Prime Performance Management System™ ?
Implementing your Management Model with well-defined and discipline-based systems give us business predictability. We focus on the CORE elements of an integrated Business Management Model which when operating together, enable the business leaders to realize a significant increase in efficiency and effectiveness. What makes it so effective is the comprehensive integration of the top business practices. These are the steps of the management system that I’ve adapted after working with thousands of independent business owners over the last 30+ years to help them manage and continually growth their practice.
In addition to these core business categories, you will learn hundreds of things to manage your business with less effort, to make your time work for YOU, to close the case without feeling like you’re selling, to champion accountability with your team, to work smarter not harder, to eliminate the fears holding you back, and to establish systems for making more money in your actual business.
What’s in it for you …
* Retain the patients or customers that will complete their care and pay you what you are worth, enabling significant results and gaining positive referrals
* Establish your service as one that stands out in your industry and in the marketplace
* Create a management strategy within the first three months
* Learn proven ways of educating your environment so more than just your patients are sending you referrals
* Get out there and market effectively
* Implement systems so you consistently grow your services easily
* Add more services so your patients stay longer and leave happy
* Learn how to schedule more effectively and more efficiently so you have time for more patients and more revenue
* Work smarter at building your practice, not harder
* Close the treatment without ever feeling “pushy”
* Create new goals for your business every 90 days to keep driving yourself into the future as opposed to pushing so hard. Stay accountable to these goals and achieve them
* Learn time-saving techniques that will dramatically cut down your learning curve
* Make more money than you’re making now, while enjoying being “an owner” even more than you’re enjoying it now
♦ How quickly can I expect results from the The Prime Performance Management System™ ?
Obviously, this depends on how long you’ve been in business and how much time you dedicate to the assignments we give you. That said, virtually all clients see results within the first six weeks based on full team commitment to application of the systems. Full team member accountability will show results in the form of more revenue, new patients, patient retainment, and positive referrals from these clients.
♦ How can I feel comfortable that I will get growth in record time from the The Prime Performance Management System™ ?
With your ability to clarify your vision and rally your leadership team to execute The Prime Performance Management System™, business results happen efficiently and consistently.
♦ Will I recover the investment I put into the The Prime Performance Management System™ ?
These systems are proven to secure a more productive schedule and add more money to the bottom line. With only a few more patients signing on for additional services, you will have covered your investment in one month.
♦ How will we work together to implement the The Prime Performance Management System™ ?
Regularly scheduled meetings, leadership engagement, targeted action planning and accountability-based execution of the action plan.
♦ What is the duration of The Prime Performance Management System™ ?
The typical duration is 6-18 months. Some owners chose to do a à la carte system which can be designed as the need arises.
♦ Do clients ever re-up with you?
Many high performing clients choose to sign up for a month-to-month program and then end up re-upping every year. They find it helpful because it commits them to growth over time and one ingredient for that consistent growth, they believe, comes from routine coaching, meeting regularly and inspiring and holding people accountable to the vision.
♦ Where can I find feedback from some of your former clients on their exeperience working with you?
Please go to the Client Testimonials page and read them. See which ones you feel drawn to, either because the person has gotten the results you are looking to achieve, or perhaps that person is in a similar spot.
♦ Do you accept Credit Cards?
Yes – we accept Credit Cards.
♦ I have a family and a busy life. Although I want more growth badly, I have little time to spare. How much time do I need?
I understand. You are busy providing services, there is little time to lead the team. When owners decide to develop their practice and team, we identify the goals and determine the GAPS between what is happening today and what they desire. There is time set aside weekly (within the defined schedule, typically) for team development. We establish a meeting management system that supports training on new skills and reinforces accountability of current processes. This process supports and sustains the future of your business.
♦ How can I learn more about your programs to find out what would work best for me?
If you have any questions, just visit the GET IN TOUCH page to send me an email or book a complimentary call with me. I will be happy to walk you through the different options to see which one will be the very best for you. I can’t wait to see you succeed and am honored to be the one to help you. Let’s get going!
