Developing direction for your practice

As the leader in your practice, you can help shape the direction of your business. Analyze your situation and decide where change is needed. The first step is to develop a clear vision that can create excitement in yourself and your employees. A staff meeting is a good forum for sharing your vision. The second step is to develop a mission statement so that you and your clients, employees, suppliers, and community know where you are headed. The third step is to adopt a business strategy (or combination of business strategies) that you are comfortable with. The final step is to define specific goals that allow you to adapt to changes in your professional environment. To quote the great philosopher, the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland, "if you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there."