Chris Barrow’s Blog

Lousy photograph – but at the front, there I am, presenting my comments on the past, present and future of Uk dentistry to a crowd of 45 who attended La Tasca Spanish restaurant last night.

We didn’t get started until almost 20:00 and, as tribes of late commuters and early revellers swarmed over the pavements of Deansgate in blistering heat and humidity, there we all gathered in the gloom.

First up Paul Tipton with 45-minutes on crown and bridge work, then tapas, followed by my good self.

The evening rounded off with the “one and only” Prem Semhi and a Q&A session for all the speakers.

Finish line was 23:00 when, again with my daughter Ellie (almost falling asleep in her chair), we emerged into the (still bustling) City Centre and made our way home under a yellow moon.

What did the VT’s who braved the elements want?

• free beer and tapas (let’s be honest)
• a clinical lecture from one of the all-time greats
• some idea of how to frame their career pathway

A great pleasure to bump into Chris O’Connor, who had travelled from Newcastle for the gig – an individual who I first met at a Northern Deanery day earlier in the year and has since galvanised himself into action as a prominent blogger. Delighted to hear that Chris is really forging an exciting career for himself.

The attitude in the room?

Some trepidation as to the opportunities for general dentists going forward and a clear bias towards more specialised training over time.

The realisation that the best way forward (to quote Paul) is to have three essential qualities:

1. good hand/eye co-ordination
2. a fantastic mentor
3. confidence

Just ordered my copy of Chris Anderson’s new book – rather critically reviewed in today’s Financial Times.

Better received by Seth Godin.

Whatever they think – I enjoyed The Long Tail as much as I enjoy reading Wired magazine.

I’ll be scurrying down to Falmouth Bookseller on Sunday to pick up my copy.

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There are days when it all just goes according to plan:

• the hotel is in the right location
• the traffic doesn’t snarl up
• the room is airy, well-lit and air-conditioned
• the room layout is correct
• the organisers do a great job of hosting (thank you Practice Plan)
• the guests are all in the mood
• the speaker manages to hold the room
• the material is interesting and relevant to the needs of the audience
• there is a “can do” atmosphere

Yesterday was such a day in Bury.

Over 115 delegates attended possibly one of my best ever workshops.

The feedback at the conclusion was unanimously positive.

Plenty of practices leaving the workshop with 90-day goals and a 24-month plan to galvanise their marketing.

A chance for me to say “hello” to some old friends.

And the bonus – my youngest daughter Ellie attending as a work-experience day.

You know what?

It doesn’t get any better.

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I was privileged and a little flattered to be invited to say a few words at the opening of Sanjeev Bhanderi’s new Endo61 practice in Gatley, Cheshire last night.

There was an exceptional turn out of dentists, team members and other well-wishers – and a real trip down memory lane for me as I bumped into a number of former clients.

Congratulations were in order to Sanjeev and the rest of the team – he has partnered with general practitioners Paul Ager and Spencer Richman, who occupy the ground floor surgeries in a brand new development (61Dental) in the South Manchester commuter village.

A full suite of photographs are at my Facebook site and you can see them here.

As always, I am inspired to see one man’s vision (perhaps first expressed to me 7 years ago) become a reality.

All it takes is imagination, determination and inspiration.

…is the people I meet.

James Hamill of Blueapple Dental in Northern Ireland sent this photograph over the weekend.

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and the smiles on the faces of myself and Sonya represent the culmination of a productive day in practice and a 3-year vision that is helping them become one of the most successful practices in the country.

We should look tired – I had arrived the afternoon previous and, after a dash from Belfast to Belcoo, presented to their Study Club of referring dentists until after 22:30 – then, after a brief night’s sleep, took part in a long and detailed conversation encompassing all aspects of their business.

But it’s just a pleasure to work with James and Sonya and to be a small catalyst in their evolution.

I love my job!

• Today Plymouth, Plympton, Exeter and then in Scotland for three days this week. "Billy no mates" in Glasgow for the next 2 nights. #
• waiting at Exeter for my Edinburgh flight and feeling very red-eyed after a busy, busy day #
• Its light so early up here! Busy day ahead, IDH workshop PLUS evening meeting – it'll fly by. #
• @DawnCunningham delegate my dear, delegate! in reply to DawnCunningham #
• @dacunningham luck is defined as the meeting place of opportunity and preparation in reply to dacunningham #
• One of these days I'll have more time to write….. #
• having a blast in Glasgow – really enjoying the audience – they are up for it! #
• @AllanMackintosh Wednesday night in Edinburgh! in reply to AllanMackintosh #
• Enjoying a slow Lagavulin at the end of my day #
• Prime Minister out of touch? Iran or England? Ayotollah Mandelson watches and waits. #
• staying with friends in Edinburgh last night was a pleasure – a long day ahead of work and travel #
• Our defeats establish the value of our victories #
• And many miles to go before I sleep http://bit.ly/11CXgn #
• @thackeraydental often wondered about a place in Edinburgh – I already have Falmouth and Manchester in the collection in reply to thackeraydental #
• excited about my first ever "Studio Day" – its been a work in progress for 3 years #
• some are willing but not able, others are able but not willing. The search is for the willing and the able. #
• @marketingkate thank you! #followfriday in reply to marketingkate #
• and now I'm off for my Saturday afternoon bimble around Falmouth with my beautiful lady – big grin moment #
• breaking the rules, I complete a 4.5 hrs at my desk – finances are polished for the month and I can now enjoy the rest of the day #
• Just completed a 13.16 mi bike ride with @runkeeper, check it out http://bit.ly/13YRYf #runkeeper #

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I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

My thanks to John Davies for bringing this to my attention

Smile Pod appears to be a walk-in hygiene practice which wants to franchise.

I’m confused at the term “walk-in hygienist” and then the reference that all treatment is provided by professional dentists (are there some unprofessional ones?).

Of particular interest to me is the price list CLICK HERE which has de-commoditised their services into experiences – very clever.

At first glance the web site looks very primitive but it’s a fascinating concept and I wish them well.

You are so busy.

So much “to do” and so little time to do it.

Lists, tasks, meetings, deadlines, projects, ventures, commitments, responsibilities.

But you are missing the most important.

Conversations.

Good conversations.

Empathetic listening.

Here’s what a client told me this morning:

Busy day. I saw that a lady I hadn’t seen before had been scheduled in. For some reason, I decided in my mind that she was in for a “new patient consultation” and whilst the nurses were cleaning the surgery and as no-one else was due in immediately, I went and sat with her in the lounge and chatted about her, why she was here, her previous experiences etc.
I then took her into the surgery and continued to treat her as “a new patient consultation”. A few minutes later I noticed my rather agitated nurse who passed me a note to let me know that this lady was not “a new patient consultation” but a “pain patient” for whom I had a short slot and presumably was expected to sort out her immediate problem only. I did shift gear and focussed on the problem but what was clear was that this lady was blown away by the attention and interest she had received!
She was actually talking excitedly about it in the lounge to the next patient whilst waiting for her estimate, antibiotics etc.

It made me think about ways in which the labels we use for situations can dictate our behaviour. This lady received much more care and attention than she had expected, was hugely impressed, and I will be changing the way we label our appointments in future………..

And I responded that this was a potential tragedy – an opportunity lost.

Yesterday I read a two-page email (copied to me) written by a dentist who was angry, VERY angry.

The email was a list of operational complaints.

But the real issue was his perception that nobody was listening to him.

The detail was easily resolved.

The emotion will take longer to heal.

You cannot progress in life without good conversations.

So here is my question?

Who “out there” is feeling abandoned and unappreciated by you right now?

• simply superb weekend – and now an exciting week ahead #
• Is now waiting another half hour for a chest x-ray after the Doc told me there was nowt wrong. BTW fans, I am recovering from a man-cold! #
• GPS location: http://bit.ly/1uXhoM #
• getting to that stage on a "desk day" where the brain stalls – need some fresh air and big space #
• early start at the desk – before we are off to see Take That this evening! #
• GPS location: http://bit.ly/95RzJ #
• on stage in Crewe and all set to go – after the best stage show I've ever seen – follow Take That! #
• a great workshop draws to its conclusion – and I'm off to Manchester this evening, there to meet with my excellent accountant #
• this morning I'm reminded how much I love my children and how much they love me #
• 370 miles to get home after a great day with good friends #
• Desk day for me in Falmouth, LOADS to do! Then off to Sarah's graduation dinner ,so proud of our neighbour, friend and surrogate daughter #
• had my haircut. Prison Break! http://yfrog.com/07i0uj #
• been awake for hours…… #
• Just loaded Tweetdeck for iPhone which autosyncs with my Macbook. Very cool #
• http://twitpic.com/7w9k1

  Feeling a bit poorly after last night #

• a super sunny morning after a quiet evening with friends #
• http://twitpic.com/7zyev
  Delegate! #
• Lazy evening as we end a party weekend #

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