hcfm
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by hcfm on Nov 18, 2008 20:42:37 GMT
Just me again,
As mentioned, i'm hopefully due to qualify in about a months time as FHP.
I'm thinking about approaching a podiatrist who has a clinic about a mile away from me, to ask if she would be willing to refer any clients she can't take herself.
I have been as a patient a few months ago, and had a treatment. what does everyone see as an acceptable way to do this:
a) don't approachas this is a bad idea?
b) ring and try and chat on the phone and introduce myself?
c)book in for an appointment and discuss with her then?
Please can you let me know your thoughts, i'm obvioulsy not looking to take her clients off her, just ones that she can't fit in etc.
thanks, andy x
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ipod
Junior Member
Posts: 55
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Post by ipod on Nov 18, 2008 22:34:46 GMT
Hello Andy, I am puzzled by your post. Why would you think that a pod would have any patients they could "not fit in"? Why do you think that this person who may have spent years building up a business would want to give work away? What's in it for them? Building a business from scratch is hard work, so now is the time to be developing a business plan for yourself, rather than hoping that others will pass work onto you. A better approach might be to contact the pod and ask if YOU could refer to THEM any patients outside YOUR scope of practice. A quid pro quo approach is much more successful ( and professional) than just touting for business. regards ipod.
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hcfm
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by hcfm on Nov 19, 2008 7:01:07 GMT
Hi Ipod, thanks for your reply.
My idea came from either a post on here or another forum or someone i've been chatting to in the past who'd said it had worked for them. The idea of the post was to see if people thought it was a good idea to do or not, so again thanks for replying.
When i asked her i would have started the conversation about referring anything out of my remit to her anyway.
I've done my business plan, and a marketing plan so need to qualify now!!! Then i can put it all into practice! its a shame i'll need to continue working full time as well LOL
Andy
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Post by robertisaacs on Nov 19, 2008 8:29:21 GMT
Hey Andy
I think your idea is a good one!
I have in the past had such a relationship with a private pod in my area. She has more patients than she can conveniantly do so for those in excess (as well as those who are a bit of a pain or live too far from her) she books them in to see me. I pay her an admin charge (30%) for "getting" the patient.
It also means if she is unwell, or goes on holiday she has somebody who can cover for her. As Ipod suggests you could also bounce off her on any patients you might struggle with and make the same reciprocal arrangement.
How you approach them depends on what sort of person they are. Personally i would suggest a well rounded letter would be the way to go. Gives them time to think about it and they won't feel so crowded as if you contact them directly. Make it clear that you are OFFERING not ASKING.
Good luck with that. Regards Robert
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ipod
Junior Member
Posts: 55
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Post by ipod on Nov 19, 2008 8:30:32 GMT
Hello Andy, I am pleased you have a business plan.(I always thought a marketing strategy was part of a business plan?) However, I am wondering at the wisdom of starting a new business when a)we are going into recession b)there is another practitioner offering a higher level of service only a mile away? A rule of thumb estimate on the time to build a practice (in favourable conditions) is one full days work per week for every year of trading. So, are you prepared to put in 5 years hard graft? I also wonder if you have thought out when, if you are working full-time, you will have time to decontaminate instruments, keep your accounts in order, write referral letters, maintain stock levels, get equipment serviced, deal with enquiries etc etc etc. and engage in CPD? Not a walk in the park. regards ipod
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Post by robertisaacs on Nov 19, 2008 8:42:37 GMT
These two problems seem muturally exclusive to me! If business is slow you'll have plenty of time for all those vital things. If its brisk you'll be earning enough to book yourself time out for them.
It is hard building a business but also most rewarding both financially and from a job satisfaction point of view.
Regards Robert
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ipod
Junior Member
Posts: 55
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Post by ipod on Nov 19, 2008 9:11:46 GMT
I don't think we are talking about the same thing here, Robert. Andy is planning on building a full-time business as an FHP. You are talking about a part-time chiropody business after NHS hours. The two are not comparable. In addition, there are some PP tasks that need to be done whether you have patients or not. With all due respect to you Robert, you have no experience whatsoever, about starting a F/T business of any kind from scratch. regards ipod
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Post by blinda on Nov 19, 2008 11:05:24 GMT
Hi Andy et al I also think it`s a good idea to approach the pod in the format of a letter. Not many pods are aware of what the scope of practice of FHPs is, so you could take this opportunity to explain this to her to alleviate any fear of `underhand competition` or dodgy practice You have obviously thought this through as you intend to declare your intention of referring on to her. This could work well for both of you, as Robert and ipod have suggested.... However, I reiterate what Robert advised “MAKE IT CLEAR THAT YOU ARE OFFERING NOT ASKING”. From experience, I agree with ipod that... From your post, I understand that you are going to be starting up part time, whilst continuing to work full time? I did exactly the same when I qualified. I found that by working just one day a week initially, I could build up a patient base, undertake CPD and improve my practice whilst working full time. As we are most certainly under considerable economic stress at this period in history (sorry, couldn`t help myself), I would advocate this as the way to go; build up, slowly but surely. Hope it goes well. Cheers, Bel
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podmum
Full Member
"There is no dark side of the moon"
Posts: 169
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Post by podmum on Nov 19, 2008 12:55:54 GMT
Hi Agree with OFFER don't ASK and the approach by letter, a more professional approach. As far as the practice is concerned 'slow but steady wins the race' comes to mind and if this approach is taken the results should be much more sustainable - even in this economically challanging time ;D Podmum
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Post by robertisaacs on Nov 19, 2008 18:27:26 GMT
Weeeeeell. You have your view, i have mine. Your's may be more informed and correct, or it may not. The example i cited was, of course, of how i approached a pod in full time IPP (which is what andy is considering). She did'nt ask if i was in full time PP or not at the time so the situations are not a million miles apart.
However. I've offered my thoughts as have you. Time now for others to do so.
Shalom Robert
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hcfm
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by hcfm on Nov 19, 2008 20:58:38 GMT
Hi all,thanks for all the advice, i never thought of a letter.
Just to feedback, i'm currently a nursing home manager, and will be moving back to a nursing job as soon as i qualify, this will allow me 3-4 days off per week to start my FHP business and allow me time to do CPD for FHP and PREP to maintain my nursing registration as i intend to be a registered nurse for as long as necessary.
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Post by dtt on Nov 19, 2008 21:42:29 GMT
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ipod
Junior Member
Posts: 55
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Post by ipod on Nov 20, 2008 7:08:46 GMT
Hello DTT, Your emotive response brings little to this discussion.
So let's look at some facts.
"Business failure up as credit crunch bites By SmallBizPod, 7th April 2008 at 13:14 Quarter one of 2008 has seen the first increase in business failures for 12 months, according to the latest figures released by Experian. Some might see this as the first clear indication that the credit crunch is beginning to make life tough for small businesses.
Experian data reveal 4,798 businesses failed during the first quarter of 2008, up 8.5% on the previous ear. It’s also the second highest single quarter jump in failure rate since Experian started recording figures in 1997.
Tony Pullen, managing director of Experian’s business information division, clearly believes this may be the thin edge of an increasingly precarious economic wedge. He comments:
These figures are hugely significant, highlighting the impact the continued credit crunch is having on businesses across the UK. It’s the first overall increase in failures that we’ve seen for 12 months and demonstrates the nervousness there is in the economy.
The banking/financial services and property sectors appear to be taking the brunt of the pain, unsurprisingly. But failures in agriculture (up 109%), food retailing (up 35.9%) and textiles and clothing (up 29.8%) sectors are also of concern.
By far and away the most affected areas of the UK are Northern Ireland which saw business failure rates rise by 51.9% and the East Midlands which saw a 53.6% increase.
Whether or not these latest figures represent a trend or a blip, it’s likely that most businesses will be looking to exercise caution when it comes to assessing their risk exposure to certain types of customers."
In his book "Small Business Management" Micheal Ames gives the following reasons for small business failure; lack of experience lnsufficient capital poor location poor inventory management over-investment in fixed assets poor credot arrangements oersonal use of business funds unexpected growth
He goes on to say that underestimating the the difficulty of starting a business is one of the biggest obstacles entrepreneurs face.
We are discussing a situation , where someone is considering giving up a well-paid and highly respected job, of their own volition, and becoming self employed, with an unrecognised qualificaction, after 2 week's practical training in that area. Their nearest established competition (who is providing the same service at a higher level) is 1 mile away.
Other postings on this thread have gently advised caution. I have told it straight.
Incidentally, I did not criticize Robert's expertise as a pod in any way. I pointed out that he was marketing a totally different product (backed by a great deal of experience). The two scenarios are not comparable.
What this this forum could do with is a very sucessful FHP who can advise newly-qualified FHPs how to be sucessful also. I wonder why one has not come forweard to "help the newcomers" as you put it? regards ipod
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Post by Admin on Nov 20, 2008 8:58:30 GMT
Much cut.......... What this this forum could do with is a very sucessful FHP who can advise newly-qualified FHPs how to be sucessful also. I wonder why one has not come forweard to "help the newcomers" as you put it? Hi ipod, I think this is a very pertinent point. The problem is that most FHPs qualified four years ago or less, and so are still building their Practices. Those practitioners who have decided to deregulate away from the HPC are probably running their Practices down anyway, and so wouldn't be of much help. Our bet bet at the moment is to look to the posts of dtt, since he was in a similar position to the new FHPs of today when he started out (albeit a little better-trained than some), and he does run a successful Practice. Regards,
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Post by blinda on Nov 20, 2008 9:23:24 GMT
Some very interesting information about new businesses provided by ipod there, thanks for that With respect Ipod, we are not discussing the above. Andy was asking our opinion on his idea of approaching a local pod to discuss his future practice, which is a very sensible idea. He did not ask for our judgment of whether he should give up his current work. Your assertion that his qualification is “unrecognised” is an entirely different debate, one which I for one, am sick to death of. You are not really in a position to say that they will be “providing the same service” as you do not know either practitioner personally. Whether it is intentional or not, your “telling it straight” conveys as aggression (not to mention being a familiar catch phrase : Davidh is correct in his summary; most FHPs are still steadily building their businesses. As you rightly pointed out in your earlier post, it does take around 5 years of hard work to get there. Both DTT and I are among some who regularly post here, with a similar background in training to Andy. Therefore, if we can be of any practical help, we will offer it. That is what this forum is about. We all learn from each other. Good innit? ;D Cheers, Bel
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