In this episode, Mike Green goes over 5 great areas to place your practice in the Southeast area of the United States. 

Are you a doctor looking to establish a new practice but feeling overwhelmed by the location selection process?

Join us in this insightful topic as we delve into the intricate process of selecting the ideal practice site. We address common misconceptions and guide you through essential steps that can significantly impact the success of your practice. Discover why starting with the big picture is crucial and learn how to find a location that aligns with your specific practice type. We emphasize the importance of considering factors beyond demographics and share expert tips to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to the field, understanding the nuances of practice site potential is heavy lifting that pays off in the long run. Tune in to gain valuable insights and take a step closer to realizing your dream practice location.

Visit DoctorDemographics.com for more valuable resources and personalized market research to boost your practice endeavors.

In this episode, we look at the pros and cons of opening a new professional practice in the great state of Florida. 

🎙️ Welcome to another episode of "The Perfect Place to Put a Practice Podcast and our special Pros and Cons series" by Doctor Demographics! Hosted by Mike Green, today's episode delves into a topic crucial for both new and seasoned doctors: opening a new professional practice in Texas in 2024.

🏥 First, we explore the pros of starting a practice in the Lone Star State: 1️⃣ Booming Population Growth: Texas is experiencing remarkable population growth, offering a golden opportunity for aspiring practitioners to establish a solid patient base. 2️⃣ Diverse Patient Demographics: Texas' rich diversity provides practitioners with an array of patient needs, fostering inclusivity and loyalty. 3️⃣ Favorable Business Environment: Texas' business-friendly reputation, with lower taxes and living costs, contributes to financial stability and long-term profitability.

🚀 Next, we discuss the cons of this venture, including the competitive market and regulatory complexities. Breaking into a competitive market demands innovative marketing strategies and differentiation to succeed. Navigating the intricate regulatory landscape and managing insurance reimbursement are substantial hurdles but are crucial for a successful practice.

🔍 In summary, Texas offers a promising landscape for healthcare professionals in 2024, with a diverse and growing patient base. However, understanding the challenges and strategic planning are key to a successful venture. 🙏 Thank you for joining us on this enlightening episode. I'm Mike Green from Doctor Demographics. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions in our upcoming episodes! 🎉

Join Mike Green, a seasoned expert from Doctor Demographics, in this informative episode as he explores the top pros and cons of venturing into a new professional practice, encompassing Dental, Medical, Optometry, and Veterinary fields in vibrant Southern California. Whether you're contemplating a new venture in 2024 or beyond, this episode is an invaluable resource. Discover the enticing opportunities that Southern California presents, along with the challenges one might face when starting a practice in this dynamic region. If you're an aspiring professional looking to make an informed decision about your next business move, don't miss this episode!

🔔 Subscribe to Doctor Demographics for more insightful content.

Have questions or need further information? Visit our website at www.doctordemographics.com and reach out to us. Your success in the professional practice realm matters to us! #ProfessionalPractice #SouthernCalifornia #DoctorDemographics #BusinessVenture #DentalPractice #MedicalPractice #Optometry #VeterinaryPractice #BusinessOpportunities #HealthcareIndustry #BusinessInsights #Entrepreneurship #StartingABusiness2024

Join us in this insightful episode of "Places with Promise" as your host, Scott McDonald, takes you on a journey through a carefully curated list of promising places and locations for establishing your very own professional practice. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner looking to expand or someone just starting in the industry, choosing the right location can significantly impact the growth and success of your practice.

Scott McDonald, a seasoned expert in demographics and location analysis, dives deep into the factors that make a location ideal for various types of professional practices. From dental offices to veterinary establishments, optometry to chiropractic services, Scott explores how the local demographic, economic trends, competition, and accessibility can all play a pivotal role in determining the perfect spot for your venture.

Drawing on his extensive experience and real-world examples, Scott not only outlines the key considerations when selecting a location but also shares cautionary tales and lessons learned from those who've made both successful and not-so-successful choices. This episode serves as a valuable guide for anyone seeking to make an informed decision about where to establish their professional practice.

Whether you're curious about the nuances of urban vs. suburban locations, interested in understanding the impact of foot traffic and online presence, or eager to learn about emerging trends in location-based business strategy, this episode has something to offer. Join us to gain the insights you need to make a confident choice and set your professional practice on a path toward prosperity.

Tune in to "Places with Promise" and let Scott McDonald help you unlock the potential of the perfect location for your professional practice. Your journey towards success starts here.

Its that time of the year where we do our annual 'Kiss of Death Private Practice Locations' analysis for the next year. These are the areas of the country that are not doing very well or have some external forces (environmental or economic typically) fighting against you. If your area made the list, don't dismay. A little more elbow grease may be required to be successful. 

These past few years have been nothing short of a significant shift in demographics. Everything we thought we knew about urban and rural demographics, family dynamics, and politics is being redefined rapidly. 

In this episode, Scott McDonald discusses what we see on the demographic playing field and how it will impact practice owners. 

Race is a very sensitive topic these days so before I publish my remarks, I would like to make some comments. All races and cultures deserve respect.  There is never a cause to violify one culture over another. More important race, and culture are more important to heed. In my post, I said that I feared the Academy Awards may be putting too much attention on race rather than on producing quality art. 

Let's face it, some sites are better than others. Here are some insider tips for what we are seeing in the marketplace.

In today's episode, Scott McDonald from Doctor Demographics discusses why some areas of the country just won't grow.

It seems that the nation is putting obstacles in its way that make progress and advancement as a nation more difficult and unsure. For example, the administration seems to have no plan to deal with the waves of aliens expected this week. They seem unprepared for the energy crisis on our doorstep.  There seems to be no plan to handle increased violent crime in our cities. America has hobbled itself.  There is no resolution to our banking crisis.

One of the measures of the worth and viability of a practice site is simply this: Is it growing enough?

By many measures, America overall is NOT growing enough. That includes population, income, property values, and sustainability. It is certainly possible to be lulled into a state of hopelessness. But this doesn't have to be your future, www.DoctorDemographics.com is available to research the sites that give you the kind of practice value you are looking for. It isn't about finding people. It is about finding the RIGHT people in the right place.

Get a sample report right away!

Will the news ever get any better for doing business in California? In this episode, Scott McDonald goes over what will need to happen for doctors.

If you are looking for a location with children or teens, this is an ideal method. As the birth rate drops, this is is really proving a great predictive method of research.

It is one thing to find a desirable location to start up or purchase a practice. It is quite another thing to create an enduring practice brand. The Two-Step Model is a useful process to do this effectively and scientifically.  This episode is a follow-up to our episode on Framing Theory and Agenda Setting of a couple of weeks ago. The question is "How do you build credibility quickly and at a low-cost *and reasonable effort.  That is where the application of this theory really becomes useful. 

Demographers have been redefining the urban sites around the United States to try to find locations with growth and money that will offer a good return on the investment if they should they be sold. The term that they have started using is the "near urban core." It requires a little more marketing and management sophistication than average but the return on the practice is excellent. This episode explains more.

When we are looking for favorable places to put a practice, we are often drawn to those sites that are allowing or encouraging growth, particularly those sites that are encouraging the construction of single family, owner occupied dwelling units. In some states (including California) this is becoming more expensive (assuming they are even possible.) Politicians don't like them for several reasons. They don't provide property taxes like apartment developments do and they are difficult to put in utilities. They also represent challenges to voting blocks that local politicians like. Worst of all, they encourage "buy-in" that is independent of politicians. They prefer to deal with individual developers. They don't like individual property owner or their representatives.

When big developers have to answer to politicians, they resent losing their power base.

We are looking for a large population base that also controls building permits rather than politicians that control them like a kind of "patronage gift." When practices depend upon single-family housing that is owner-occupied, the politicians lose power (and control). That is one more reason you want local control to be in the hands of local property owners.

Doctor Demographics can tell you where these places exist. If you are going to put the future in the hands of a building developer, you want to retain control of that property. We have the answers to how this can be done.

This episode deals with the question of competition saturation. How many other general dentists (for example) should cause concern for a doctor considering putting a new office in a neighborhood? The real question is how closely the two offices match up in their definition of their marketing mix (product, place, price, and promotion?) Experience would suggest that unless they are exactly the same, there is no good reason to locate an office in another neighborhood just because there is another office that looks somewhat similar. In fact, the idea that NO ONE would consider putting a competing practice in that location may be sufficient reason to wonder about the neighborhood in the first place. 

So rather than shrink away from an office with competition, it might be considered a desirable factor!

When I first started doing demographic and site analysis reports for doctors nearly 40 years ago, the art and science of this analysis were still pretty primitive. Things have changed in fairly significant ways. This includes the ways that we drew practice boundaries and interpreted the data.  This session talks about one of the BIG changes that have occurred: Zip Code definitions and drive times. Another big change is the inclusion and interpretation of psychographics.

This week our episode deals with presenting the reasons the patient base should choose YOUR practice and how you can present the benefits of seeking can in a more persuasive manner. It is based upon tools we call Agenda Setting and Framing Theories and they are cutting-edge market research. They have been proven wildly effective in recent decades to help "move the needle" for healthcare practices to not only choose YOUR practice but to build a loyal and enthusiastic patient base.

When you are ready Doctor Demographics can customize your image and practice promotion to make them more effective and targeted. Come to www.DoctorDemographics.com to get a sample report and a price quote.

Here is a recording of our Live Youtube stream where Mike Green talks about the 5 Keys for a Successful Practice Placement. He also answer a few live questions along the way from doctors who were on with us live. Want to join us for our next broadcast? We'll be live again next Friday at noon eastern on our YouTube channel found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxB3_hnovfETy3okc3yQudA 

To REALLY meet the healthcare wants and needs of a population, it is necessary to know them well. Otherwise, you will spend time and effort on activities and advertising that won't work. This episode starts with the basic assumption that too many doctors believe the ideal patient base will look like they do (fit their demographic profile). Their unique point of view will be lost as providers carry out these assumptions without doing good research.

Right before our eyes, America's cities are being reinvented and reimagined. They are not what we have seen before. This short episode shows just how America is changing. The Davos Economic Forum Predicted (and Mandated) that Americans would prefer one direction for America's future. It seems that we are heading in a new direction entirely. Doctors should be aware that places they want to practice in are diverging from what the ruling Elites have told us to expect (and demand).

We want to explore how there exists a cross-over between Desirable Demographics and the attitudes within a patient base to purchase healthcare.  This episode explores those demographic factors.  In fact, we have even included a partial list of some U.S. cities that demonstrate these factors so you can see what kinds of places we are talking about.

It might be desirable to concentrate only on those locations that are growing when choosing a place to practice. Still, that isn't always the best choice. Some areas may not be increasing in size, but they have favorable demographics (such as employment, age, or income). The locations that are showing "out-migration" are the ones we see as having the most risk. Three of these were once growing but have reversed their trends.  These include Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. 

This episode describes just WHY these formerly thriving places are losing population (surprisingly). Some of these sites are pricing themselves out of the market. Of particular note is the very high tax rate we are seeing.  This has particularly surprised demographic experts at the speed of the effects on population and employment.  The market has fallen very rapidly. No one seems to know when these trends will be stabilized.

This episode is about a rising trend in Healthcare Practice Locations. When I started Doctor Demographics, clients seemed obsessed with knowing the number of competing practices (and providers) in their neighborhood/ The demographic character of residents was not the important (according to them.) This has all changed, of course but as the costs of parking and site availability rose, another important factor emerged: Walkability. This term is growing in significance for several reasons. This episode will explain why you need to know your walkability score and what to do about it.

We've been getting a lot of questions on whether or not 2023 will be a good year to open a practice. The answer is, as it often is, it depends. In this episode, Scott McDonald goes through what signs to look for in a particular area to know if it is good time or not for that location.

I had a little BrainStorm Session with my Demographic Colleagues about the Mid-Term Election. Most of us came to the same General Observations. One of the big takeaways is that experts should really be cautious about claiming to know a great deal about the future of demographics in the U.S., we just don't have all the answers we thought we had. That does not sound hopeful, but it is true.

These very smart people noted that there were certain trends in current demographics that they would like to ignore. That is what this session is about. The decline in the birthrate is especially important in our discussions. It seems strange that the mainstream media is ignoring the recent changes in the job market. The housing market, especially in the single-family, owner-occupied sector is largely ignored in the national media. We assume this is due to the fact that these reporters are not living in these communities. They are not concerned with consumer debt because they are affluent. Most reporters who own homes are on a fixed-rate mortgage. In fact, the important news stories touch them hardly at all.

This episode is an acknowledgment that there are some important trends and news stories that you hear little about that are not on the elites' radar screen but will be quite important to doctors who want to establish practices.

This episode has so much detail, we do not have a "Short Version." I had to be complete.

I define the differences between these types of sites. In a nutshell, it is important to make the distinction early on that it is more than population size and growth rate. The rural sites are not necessarily more or less desirable. The biggest difference is in population density. Rural sites are more spread out. They have more homogeneity in their lifestyles, In each practice-community area, there are different liabilities and benefits. I mention these in the narration. Demographers are generally cool (at least for now) on urban locations. They are losing population in the post-Covid world as costs, including taxes and other business expenses rise. Suburban locations seem to be the least attractive for reasons I will discuss in the episodes.

I am not saying all practices have to locate in certain neighborhoods. It is certainly true that suburbs carry far less risk. Rural practice sites seem to be struggling to get a sufficient patient base, especially with the rising costs of fuel. So we have here a balance between ideal practice locations, their benefits, and liabilities. This episode contrasts all of these.

These episodes represent a word of caution regarding your source of demographic information on data and analysis. There are lots of amateur demographers who have entered the field recently. True, they may be well-meaning. These "newbies" are usually getting rehashed" data from a source within the Federal or State bureaucracy]that purports to tell you about changes in demographics.  It isn't necessarily true that the data is wrong. The biggest danger to doctors, consultants, and brokers is that they often make claims about the viability, and risks of practice site analysis.  

Several Clients have mentioned that Southern California is not looking so good as the place to purchase or to start-up a practice. Back "in the day," growth (and glamour) seemed eternal in the five mega-counties found in the area (Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties). For the first time EVER, the area is losing population. Among demographers, this has been known as the "California Exodus." True, the birth rate has declined (it has lost at least one Congressional Seat) but there are some other things going on. This episode defines some of the trends. The Governor and the State Legislature are agreeing to raise taxes, restrict water distribution, and the raise the prices on land development.

This episode takes about where these trends are occurring and where they are NOT occurring. We also discuss other trends that are important to keep an eye on. This would include an idea of where the middle class has gone. For doctors who want and idea of what is going on (and WHERE it is going on), this can be an important episode.

We have been asked about the viability of New York City as a place to practice for a long time. We thought this might be a good time to clear the air and make a definitive statement on it right now. As the nation's largest city, it is certainly a viable option. Still, the City is losing (a little) a population of -0.3 % per year.

From the standpoint of a very large and dynamic community, that is not bad. There are also indications that many of the people who left are going to come back.

But there is a severe bit of caution that goes along with this. The returning population is older and much less "family-friendly" than before. The large numbers of Young Adults are not as likely to come back. From an employment perspective, this might work out. Recall that those who left NYC for New Jersey and Florida still love the Big Apple but are not "starting out" as they did before.

This MAY turn out to be a big problem in the future. Crime and a housing shortage are certainly not helping. But, on the other hand, the rules that have defined other urban areas are not as true in this area. That has made many demographers more hopeful about NYC's future. Still, the nature of the City is unique.

As I have written before, NYC is more of a collection of small cities and villages crammed in an urban setting.

To KNOW the opportunities and risks of such an evolving and diverse community requires special help. Doctor Demographics is there for you, no matter what type of practice you are considering.

In this episode, I discuss the specific aspects of demographics that are causing all the craziness. And it is worth considering in some detail how folks seem to want to look at politics as a "blood sport." No, I don't discuss much the morality of choosing one side or another. Assigning blame is unwise. But it is true that if you are going to choose an area to purchase or start a practice, some places are going to look much better than others. Hey, that is my job. Right?

In this episode, we have taken a deep dive into two concepts that will determine your future practice success or failure. Please understand: They are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they are factors of potential that doctors must understand.

Many people (including doctors and practice owners) do not grasp. Even our competitors are a little foggy about their meaning. The first is the difference and relationship between race and ethnicity. The viability of practice often (increasingly) depends on a thorough understanding of the differences. Last week, we discussed "Hispanic" countries and populations. This week we are examining their culture, nation of origin, and language. We have expanded the discussion to include other countries. But we want you to see how this can influence the potential of this information in your practice.

The other concept (which heavily predicts success or failure) is demographics and psychographics. Both are vital to understanding the risks and rewards of a particular site on your potential business success. They are not the same thing at all. In the end, they are the key to promoting your practices and managing any new growth you may have.

Still, this is only a start.

We are also announcing that in September, we are going to offer a webinar on the best places to practice ortho, oms, emergency care, and endo in the United States. Stay tuned!

I only wish there was sufficient time to discuss all I have learned about the Hispanic population in a single episode. Nevertheless, I have created a long and short offering about Hispanics that will provide a little insight into these important groups of people. Not a day goes by that we don't hear about their immigration numbers. The Southern Border is being crossed into the United States by ever larger numbers and this may prove vital to your practice. Who are they? How do you reach them? Are they ALL desirable as a patient base? This episode is just a start to understanding the "Hispanic Switcheroo." And in this very short version of this episode, you will doubtless learn some important facts that you may not have heard before, I have often said that Hispanics are an important part of our national growth. Practices need this information. As an experienced Hispanic marketer, what I have to say might surprise you!

In the last couple of weeks, I have been asked by subscribers to the Podcast for the locations that are winning and losing population. Rather than break them down by states, I have looked at the Metropolitan Areas that the U.S. Census Bureau has identified as those that are likely to grow or shrink.

This week, we are looking at sites in the United States that are looking more hopeful.  These locations are economically strong and show signs of growth.  Many are manifesting strong economies or improved employment trends. Unfortunately, the short version of this episode can only lightly pass over the location.  Still, I think it will stimulate your thinking.

Let's face it, the U.S. is looking at a period of economic risk and potential decline.  Interest rates are surely going to rise.  Still, that is no reason to sit on your hands while opportunities to grow are just over the horizon.  

This episode explores the places where the potential for growth (and wealth) can be found. These are the places that still have risks but the risks are mitigated.

I hope you will allow Doctor Demographics to explore with you the places that have Promise!

Every year, we publish a list of the sites that are "Risky." We call these areas the "Kiss of Death" Sites.  If you are considering one for purchase or a start-up, we want you to think twice. The factors that make these locations less-than-desirable, change each year.  For example, in recent years, locations that had high unemployment were risky.  But at this time, unemployment has not been a major factor in what makes a good or bad location.  Rather, this year, locations that have above-average crime are undesirable.  Perhaps more important, locations that have the high cost of living, rising taxes (income and property) and a reduced birth rate are having a more difficult time,  Almost without exception, they are losing population.

It has been true for a long time that brokers, realtors, and even demographers have considered only a very narrow number of factors in determining practice site viability.  Traditionally, this may have been due to a misunderstanding of how to interpret the available data.  We knew, for example, if the population surrounding a practice site was growing or shrinking. We certainly could tell if the competition around a location was increasing relative to the population.  Terrific!  But the science of demographic analysis has grown and deepened while the users of these numbers have not kept up.  And there is little surprise why this is so: it is heavy lifting!

I believe (as many researchers do) that we are heading for an economic downturn soon. The only way to thrive during these times is to get the research and then make a plan and THEN you have to stick to it. That is what this episode is all about. But you need to make your plans soon!

What goes up will invariably come down. It is a basic law of gravity, economics, and demographics. We can simply not hope that things will stay the same (either good or bad). Frankly, we are at a time when it appears the World is sliding into a Recession. This has long been predicted. So, with this in mind, we have to assume that there is going to be a "wobble."

This episode discusses the ways that you can work with these local and national trends to build a new patient base that is educated and ready to work. We will discuss the priorities of these migrants, where they might settle, and what you can do to attract them to your practice. Please be aware that Doctor Demographics can identify where the new immigrant residents are moving, what they want from your practice, and how to attract them.

Doctors often find themselves influenced by locations that OTHER doctors are considering for purchase or development. This session explains how this is both good and bad. It also features the parts of the U.S. that are good bets and those that are not. For more information, visit us at: https://doctordemographics.com

Finding a location is tough.  But there are non-demographic factors that can offer you a serious hint about places that show potential for practice locations or may serve as a warning NOT to go there.  This session is about how retail sales is a sign of the good or back potential for practice.

In order to do proper practice viability or best sites report, knowing a practice's borders and boundaries is all-important in order to offer geographic "context" for the site, Yes, we will discuss isochrones, proxemics, and centers of gravity.  This is very useful stuff!

A combination of fields can create a higher level of success for your practice. By studying the demographics in your area, you can ensure that a combination of practices is a smart step to take toward greater success.

In this episode, Scott explains the ins and outs of merging practices correctly to assure higher revenue for your business.

Outbid, Outgunned - Short Version

In this episode, Dr. McDonald shares 5 Trade Secrets on how to market your pracrice. 

In this episode, Dr. McDonald emphasizes how to choose your geographic boundaries and evaluate locations. 

In this episode, Dr. McDonald gives a summation of the best sites where you could place your practice. This is based on their special report called Best Sites Report.

Suburban Renewal & Wasting Money

Long-COVID Panic Uneven Opening

As Joel Katlin says "Our national divide is usually cast in terms of ideology, race, climate, and gender. But it might be more accurate to see our national conflict as regional and riven by economic function. The schism is between two ways of making a living, one based in the incorporeal world of media and digital transactions, the other in the tangible world of making, growing, and using real things.”

This episode deals with the upcoming Economic Civil War

We are seeing the signs that when a single political party has little opposition in its legislatures, very bad things (in policy) occur.  The poster-child in California.  Terrible abuses of power are occurring and those seeking to relocated to such places (as defined by states and counties) should be forewarned.  Hawaii is another great example of bad things on the horizon.

It may seem a little odd, but the Federal Policies being considered will influence where you want to put your practice.  Some states are looking less desirable as the foundation of their economies are in flux.

Where people are working has shifted.  Working from home, new office sites, changes in commutes have made the office they considered convenient "off the beaten path."  This session talks about what to do to build your visibility again.

This episode considers the debate on what the most successful parts of the United States are most viable.  The conclusions rely upon whether you are seeking to start-up or purchase a healthcare practice or another kind of business.  You may be surprised in what matters most to reach a conclusion.

We haven't seen this much falsehood about demographics EVER in the Media.  And there are solid reasons for it.  If the truth comes out, the plans of some cities, states, and counties are going to fall apart. So they have to hope that their falsehoods will hold up for while longer.

I have often said that one of the great freedoms Americans have is voting with their feet.  When laws or regulations become burdensome, Americans move.  And in that way, demographics are a reflection of our choices. That is how Americans live.  The session explains more.

Two recent news stories illustrated that these two places just don't want you here.  On the other hand, some data is showing that several other locations would LOVE to have new doctors and their practices move into town.  The want you.  Does that make a difference?

Every year I offer a glimpse of the future for doctors seeking to buy or start-up a practice in the next year.  There are some BIG trends you should know about.

Every year I offer a glimpse of the future for doctors seeking to buy or start-up a practice in the next year.  There are some BIG trends you should know about.

Perhaps, I am being too hard.  But these 10 locations certainly deserve extra caution.  It is more than slow growth.  It is a combination of overhead, crime, over-regulation, and anti-business sentiment.  

We go through this list every year to share with our listeners the Places with Promise throughout the U.S.  The metrics are different from our previous editions due to changes in the demographics and economic factors found in the Post Covid world.  Give it a listen! This is important.

Practice Brokers and Demographers may use similar data but they can different outcomes.  This is because they have different priorities and different Audiences.  The Broker has to please his Client, the seller of a practice.  The Demographer has to please the buyer AND the seller while remaining entirely objective and consistent.  This is vital for doctors to know.

Even though there is a huge cottage industry of predictions right now, the reliable predictions are in demographics, not politics.  So if you want to know the future, pay attention to the statistical science that avoids short-term predictions: demographics.  We know how to avoid bias and get answers!

Some states are pretty much the same as they were before the Pandemic.  Others are having changes forced upon them as populations shift.  In some cases, people from other states are encouraging theirs states adjust their taxes and credit practices.  Arizona looks like it is going through this kind of shift.

It is easy to list features of a location and its population.  But the relative benefits of a site is much harder to know. Sure, knowing the population size is great but what if that population is not growing or is not large enough? This episode explains.

One of the basic functions of professional practice viability studies involves the measurement of competition factors to consider if another practice can be accommodated.  This can be tricky and this session is all about what you need to consider.  In a way, it is one of the most important episodes on professional practices. 

Florida's governor has just announced the end of all Covid-19 restrictions.  This goes for healthcare practices as well. While Florida is the first, it will not be the last state to offer these modifications.  How will this affect where you practice?

The publishing company, McGraw-Hill, has just released the 20th Anniversary Edition of Marketing Warfare by Al Reis and Jack Trout, two of my favorite Marketing Theorists.  Who can doubt that we are in a Marketing War?  Where to Practice, and Why one location is superior to another is what decides the War. This session explains it all!

This episode deals with projected implications of who wins the Election.  It is NOT a prediction of victory.  On the other hand, it is how social scientists consider lifestyle implications on professional practices.  In other words: psychographics.

Changing demographic trends and research are showing Millennials share their parents' taste in housing and this has shaken the "Woke" crowd.  People are voting with their feet and it is changing where to practice. 

It isn't just a place.  It is a frame of mind and a series of newly developing priorities.  Want to know where the smart, young families are moving? Want to know where to career, married couples are moving? Listen!

Perhaps it is because the media elites tend to live in a few cities on the Coasts that they see the world so narrowly.  But serious demographers are seeing that the Heartland (20 key states) is where the action is the future lies.  Let's talk about them.

I just returned from a week on the road.  I went from the Rockies to the Atlantic to see what there is to see in practice opportunities.  There are four lessons and several locations of promise. 

Practices that treat children should pay special attention to this episode on the demographics of pediatrics.  This is about trends, new location sites, and a changing marketplace.

With riots, pandemics, imminent financial disaster, and even potential war, what comes next?  In this episode, I discuss two emerging trends: 1. Not My Problem attitudes and 2. My Neighborhood, Love It Or Leave It.

The fact is, when everything is going to Hell, you have to care about ONLY those people and causes you can really help (and really CAN help). The second is a rising wave of preserving YOUR neighborhood.  I predict a growing baby boom.  I predict some inward looking.  I predict we are going to be fine. Hear why.

We have just received the new demographic data for the nation and it is creating a stir on where you should consider purchasing or starting up a practice. And we are looking at this from a first-hand perspective. 

New trends and cutting-edge research have reveals changes on where to purchase and where to start-up practices.  This is more of a change based upon the consumption patterns found in your patient-base.  The good news is that these location types are more profitable and better for your quality-of-life.  The bad news is that it may not be what you think.

I got thinking about the hard decisions I have had to make in my life and my career.  And I have been thinking about the many doctors who I have helped endure the sleepless nights wondering and worrying.  This episode is about those nights and decisions.  It about Perspectives to move forward.  I think it may inspire you a little.

So many changes are occurring in determining the best place to practice that we have reconfigured our recommendations as the rules have change. 

A "disinvestment event" is a term demographers use to determine whether a place is going to be in trouble in the future.  We track these to tell our clients the difference between a troubled or promising location.  Let about these events in this episode and where they are most common.

The rules are changing on what makes a good location and what is a bad location for practice.  You may as well learn the truth: Everything is shifting, at least a little. Civil unrest is also changing the natural desirability of locations as well.

It is as through professional practices have been tossed in a blender. At least that is what some doctors feel as they consider what locations to purchase, start-up, or to consider for a job. The Pandemic has made things particularly confusing.  This session helps doctors figure out what is happening (and what WILL happen).

It has been a difficult, moving-target, to predict how the pandemic is going to affect professional practice locations, profitability, and busyness.  But we are getting an handle on it!  This episode shares with you what you need to know RIGHT NOW!

I don't know with certainty what is coming next any better that you.  But research has revealed that this recent pattern of sheltering in place has inspired several of our doctor-friends and clients to start examining how they can find locations that are more convenient to home and family.  This episode in intended to get you thinking.

It is true that market conditions are a problem to understand.  But I thought it might be a good idea to share with you how demographers predict great market trends in the middle of uncertainty.  In this case, it happens when multiple market trends cross or reinforce each other.  I hope you will find this interesting.  BTW, we are still offering our Telephone Consultation Discount.

The recent events of death, plague, economic disaster, and election strife have encouraged me to re-release this episode with some changes.  Please forgive me!  But the updates put a few things in perspective that I think are worth the trouble.  How bad are things and how bad will they get?  This episode deals with that.

There are many demographic factors that are important to track to understand the viability of a practice area.  But the Population per Household statistic is a particularly vital one.  It separates to "fair" from the "excellent" areas.  And this session explains how.

A combination pediatric/orthodontic practice seems to be an increasingly common practice form.  This episode is about what you need to know about the demographics in order to find a successful place to purchase a practice or to set-up a new office.  It is more than just finding a place with lots of kids.  The calculation can be tricky.

The purpose of this podcast is to help doctors identify where to set-up and to purchase practices.  We provide demographic site analysis and evaluation for that purpose.  This episode explores the correlation of locations that have strong job growth and potential for new patients and strong production.  True, the issues are not always simple but a smart doctor should know what is going on and where.

Americans are looking for inexpensive places to retire with lots of outdoor recreation, a little sophistication, and lots to do.  Louisiana is rising, especially for retirees.  Of all the southern states, it stands out for arts, education, expense, and potential.  But there is some poverty and the weather can be terrible. Still, the state has a great deal to recommend it including acceptable competition ratios!

Demographers and those Studying Age are commenting on the big changes in the population and how it matters to doctors seeking a good patient base.  The rules are changing!

Demographers have to take into account SEVERAL factors when considering whether there is room for one more office in a particular location.  Nevertheless, we keep seeing numbers published that don't take them into account.  The result can be a very costly error.  In this episode, we explain some of these factors that we use that you should consider.

If you want to make your aspirations in professional practice a reality, you need to choose the right place to open or to purchase.  This episode tells you the process. Don't miss it!

There is a noted decline in population size in certain places and doctors must know about these trends NOW.  Not only is it going to affect where they want to practice in the future, it is having an impact on the CURRENT locations. This is a great session for a little cautionary tale.

It was once possible to consider different states as homogenous locations for practice.  That is over.  The current trend to recognize that demographic and psychographic differences are very different within the same states.  We look at Virginia and Colorado as case studies.

This is a list of 11 markets that are leading the way.  They are places that are showing significant growth and communities that doctors may want to investigate on where to practice. They are neither rich nor popular but they are great bread-and-butter communities.

It goes without saying that Hawaii is generally considered a success story due to high employment and serious demand for healthcare practices.  But the trend data shows a sudden decline in population and it is important to know why.  This episode is all about the good and the bad of practicing in Hawaii.

No, there are not many locations that are "prom queens" in this region.  But if you are looking for reasonable competition, favorable growth, acceptable cost-of-living and general, the Rustbelt States have a few gems.

This episode refers to our least expensive customized research service to find a perfect place for YOU.  It describes what a healthcare practice demographer does and give you the priorities you should know to the the most out of this service.

As the world population ages, they will be coming to the U.S. for medical and dental care like never before.  But older patients are not going to be like the younger Cohort.  ALSO, we talk about specific places in Ohio you may want to consider to set-up or purchase a practice. Good Stuff!

There are several reasons why Arizona generally and Greater Phoenix specifically have taken off.  Reasonable home prices, new jobs, inexpensive energy, reasonable tax rates and more are acting as a magnet to population.  It doesn't hurt that you can play golf all year. Find out where to look!

Sorry, no place is perfect.  Sometimes what you really need to consider is what is really important about your practice location and what is not worth compromising over.  In fact, we list five locations that are really wonderful for some doctors and practices and some that are just not so hot.

It is certain that this part of Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the Federal District has been growing in population and affluence.  But with this come certain challenges for practice, particularly for new practices, that exist in greater measure than in almost any other MSA.  In short, it is a victim of its own success.

It is true: Los Angeles is not growing.  But that should not be taken as a sign that practice, even a start-up practice, is not possible  This episode is all about finding potential practice sites that appeal to a new patient-base.  I discuss how this has happened and is likely to happen in the near future.  Stop sitting on your hand! Opportunity awaits you if you are diligent and a little creative. 

It is easy for a demographer to slap together data and charts for most cities in America.  That is not the case for New York City.  This episode reviews where the parts of the City contrast with each other and show you what you need to consider to enter this market as a start-up or practice purchase. 

This episode is all about the Greater Chicago area.  It is about the places that are showing promise and why the region is in trouble. At Doctor Demographics, we can tell you where to look and where to avoid.

There are some outstanding reasons to practice in Greater Seattle.  This episode goes through those reasons as well as the cautions such a vibrant but expensive place should cause as one studies the regions.  One of the big take aways is to reduce one's commute as much as humanly possible.

In this episode I discuss two examples of LifeModes and actual Psychographic Groups that are on the rise in the U.S.  The idea is to show you what these groups sound like and how they apply to different professions (veterinary and dental).  I am hoping that you can see how this information can make a big impact upon your practice promotion and location.

What is a LifeMode and what does it represent in finding the best patient base out there?

If you want to know where to purchase a practice or to start-up on office, the psychographics are what matters.  It is not a matter of competition ratio (regardless what your accountant or consultant are telling you). The problem is that they may be well-meaning in their recommendations but they don't know enough about the new social-science research to tell you what you need to know.

For this episode, I am ignoring Florida, Georgia, Texas, and the Carolinas in favor of some states that often get ignored by those seeking to figure out where to practice.  These include Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.  And I acknowledge that this may be my least listed to episode.  But I would be wrong if I didn't tell you a little about them.

We look at the six states that make up the Rocky Mountain States.  Is there potential here? Well, yeah!  They are among the fastest growing states and they have the Nation's highest birthrates.  And did I mention that the cost of living has made them a magnet from those states that are suffering from high taxes and stagnant or negative growth.

While it has the lowest birth rate in the nation, the six states in New England are not a lost cause.  This session discusses the states that make up this area and frankly comments on which of them has the most potential.  Hint: It isn't Rhode Island.

Nope.  Sexy, it is not.  Crazy high growth isn't happening either.  Still for the states like North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri, there is a steady increase in value and a much lower "risk factor" in purchasing and starting-up a practice.  That is because the cost-of-living and the quality-of-life are doing very well.  It a place to invest your time and money if you have realistic expectations and do your research.

The policy of a community on housing, particularly single-family dwellings and home purchases, may be one of the most important metrics on where you want to practice.  It is far more important that the competition ratio, income distribution, and other demographic factors with the possible exception  of growth.  This episode explains why.

Using the analogy of "The Doldrums" (which many doctors are feeling at this time), we discuss what the 5 "factors" are that describe this cyclical phenomenon and discuss strategies to deal with their impact upon your bottom line (and future).

Many locations are going through the sometimes process of "gentrification."  This session deals with whether this is a good thing for a practice or a bad thing.  What does Gentrification really mean to an area?  Is it going to help or hurt a community?  These are the issues that this session reveals as well as some specific ideas on our approach for practices. 

If you are considering where to practice (where to put a practice, where to purchase a practice, and even where to take a job), these are the four factors you need to keep in mind. 

Demographers are hotly debating the meaning of research and social media to illustrate where to put a practice.  The "facts" and the commonly accepted "wisdom" have never been more in conflict that right now.  This episode discusses the issue and even makes some practical recommendations. 

This session is on the topic of how cities are changing the accessibility to practices (and small businesses) through a theory and practice called "Road Diets."  It is one of those changes that are "under the radar" because they do not require any hearings and, after all, they will help save the planet.  Maybe. I also list a discount we are offering for the next week. 

While it is not considered as important and the competition ratio, the percentage and nature of dwelling ownership versus renting is potentially vital.  This session discusses in what way this is important and how it can influence you decisions on where to move and how to promote your practice.  Renters and Owners may be quite different and want different things from a practice.

This session is about finding the density of a city that will serve your practice needs best.  There is a lie that everyone is heading for the cities.  Sorry.  Not true!  Where people are heading where they can own their residence and can get from their home to a professional office conveniently.  

City Planners (and the Political Class) hate this with a passion.  California's SB50 was their last trick and, fortunately, it failed.  In short, it would have killed private practice where it was implemented.  And, worse, it would have raised the price of office space.

When we consider the predictions recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau, it becomes plain that the future may rest with those over 65 years of age.  This session discusses where to find these potential patients and how to attract them.

I have been consulting doctors on where to practice for more than 30 years and I have learned a few things that you may want to know: 1. Your marital status will influence where you want to practice. 2. Your likelihood of wanting to marry another doctor, regardless of their practice type or profession, is going to matter, 3. Finding someone is getting harder than ever.

This episode takes briefly about these issues and what to do about your situation.

Pediatric Practices are not the only ones put at risk by a declining birthrate.  Through direct and non-direct means, all practices and businesses can be hurt when there are declining rates of birth.  This episode talks a little about why this is happening and hints are where the most impact will be felt.

I know that there are some serious advocates for you becoming an "employee doctor."  I suppose that works for some.  But if you want to make "serious money" you are going to haver to consider being an owner and you have to consider what makes a "reasonable risk" in terms of location.  That is what we are here to tell you.  I am sorry to say but the marketplace is dividing.  Some places look better and better while others are looking worse and worse.

Every year about this time I produce a list of locations that are showing the best potential sites for a start-up practice in the U.S.  I have tried to get less specific this year than in the beginning.  When I first started, there was a rush of folks trying to get to these sites first.  Now, I am describing locations that are broad enough to support several offices being created at one time.  These locations are widely distributed as well.  Enjoy!

In the May 2019 issue of "Health Magazine" an article appears under the title "Truth About Dentistry."  It accuses the profession of shoddy and incompetent, even criminal standards of over diagnosing and over-charging patients.  This is my response.  You probably know I am a professor of Communications (among other things) and I have some things to say to journalists who use this technique to undermine worthy professionals particularly dentists.

Every Spring publications like U.S. News and World Report come out with their recommendations on the top cities in the U.S. that you should consider to live. But they have some methodology issues that come be deceptive for doctors.  In this episode, we look at their recommendations and share places we think shouldn't be on their list and add those we think should be.

Some demographic factors seems to be valued much more highly that they should.  Among these is the competition ratio.  When there are few Practices in an area, you have to ask yourself "Why?"  Often doctors will look for places with many rich people.  Hey, Money is not a bad thing.  But it can also be a negative when it comes to your bottom line.  What DOES matter?  Well, Educational-Attainment matters.  This episode deals with why and where these folks can be found. 

Demographers are contemplating the impact of the reduction of write-offs on State and Local Taxes for where to put a professional practice, government representation, and growth (and population loss).  This is an important session you don't want to miss!

There are some wonderful accountants, consultants, and financial planners that deal with the process of parent-child practice transitions.  I won't deal with those issues.  Rather, let's talk a little about the implications of a practice that will continue far longer than most, the issues of keeping a practice image or brand over a long period, and some deep thoughts on competing with such a practice. 

Based upon a conversation with a bright but panicked young doctor, I am offering this observation of what to do when there appear to be no convenient alternatives to practice. This is really an extension of last week's session on Micropolitan Areas and Small Towns.  Don't give up! Get Creative! This session is all about finding the answers when the easy path seems unavailable. 

I recognize that if I speak about locations that have fabulous potential but a smaller size, those who listen to this podcast and wait around will be disappointed. These locations are NOT going to last long.  Remember, they are as small as 15,000 residents and go up to 50,000.  But there is a caveat: these are places in which the doctors will want to live close to the office.  That is both good and bad, depending on your needs.  But call us about finding other, similar locations and more about these!

I have had some pretty deep discussions with young people who have called us recently regarding what it really takes to succeed in practice. A good location, reasonable competition, and the like are important.  But there are attributes of your attitude, sense of joy, and a bit of humor are vital to overcoming trials, and all manner of difficulties.  You need to develop your "intangibles." 

There has not been so much movement in and out of different parts of the nation in many decades.  People are on the move!  If you are professional trying to determine where to consider practice, this session explains not only where people are move from and moving to but WHY.

Please understand: I am not trying to promote these locations as sites that will be the best for a dentist to move.  Rather, I am providing them because these cities have aspects of their layout and "commute culture" in common.  So, if you want to find a place that has good potential based upon travel-time, these are your models.  I hope you will find them as interesting as I did.

In Part 1 I reviewed the concept of the "Dentist Commute."  In this Part, we will discuss the key trends and implications of the commute.  Yeah, I get a little "politically incorrect" dealing with gender and the commute.  But I think you will understand why I bring this issue up in discussion the relationship of where you live and where you practice. 

I was called in again this week to help a wonderful practice deal with the thorny issue of resolving a serious misunderstanding of their relationship.  I have been thinking of the five simple things they could have done short of threats, yelling, and using a sharp blade.  I even invoke how Alexander the Great resolved these issues.  It is meant to be light, useful, and a little entertaining.

The commute times in the U.S. are increasing and so are the commutes for dentists.  But the challenge for doctors is that their travel time is becoming a greater liability to their productivity, quality of life, and sanity.  In short, we have to start dealing with how far  you can reasonably travel to a dental office from home. 

Have you ever wondered about the many inducements cities and states are offering for new businesses?  The real question is, "How well are these inducements working?"  This session is about that topic. 

I have been trying to get back to featuring the locations that show the most promise.  Florida is definitely one of the places to consider. It have divided the best places between those that are best to start-up and those that are most promising for purchase.

Our books are now on Amazon.com and DentalSiteSelection.com!

I know this may sound like hyperbole but it is true: I have been really working to make sure that the good folks who order our telephone consultations can get serious value out of it.  That is why I am introducing a free video conference option. It allows you to see data and maps.  And we are now accepting data from YOUR sources to make sure your research value is great.  And don't forget the BOOK! Visit www.DentalSiteSelection to get it free.

Over my years as a dental demographer, I have seen MANY such practices.  And there is a reason so many fail or never really reach to their best potential.  This episode will discuss some of the specific of why and how to avoid these pitfalls. 

I created this episode to illustrate WHY some locations (including states or just parts of states) are doing well and will serve well for practice purchases or start-ups.  In this case, we will discuss how being on a state border will impact your location choices.

As part of my series on site selection for dental specialists, I have created this episode for periodontists.  Granted, there are not a huge number of them but the things that make for a good site are fairly unique. 

This is a session devoted to identifying the factors that will make a good endodontic practice.  And, yes, I do get specific on the thorny issue of determining whether there is room for one more. We offer reports on analyzing specific sites but I thought getting an idea of the real numbers might be useful. 

I am not trying to be critical of other demographic companies the help dental professionals but their methodology is naive and wrong.  This session is all about how to find the best place to put an OMS practice. I will deal with other specialities in the future. 

So many young dentists have the idea that if they could only know how old dentists were in an area, it might give them an important clue to how likely an area would be to have room for one more.  Sure.  This episode deals with this issue and other worthwhile facts about dentists and their careers.

The differences among the various states and municipalities is increasing more than ever before.  Forget natural disasters, the policy disasters are making practice viability much harder.  Good policies are having the opposite effect.  And people are acting in response rather dramatically. 

Over the years, I have posted episodes on how to tell if an area is saturated or if it has potential.  I have put all of the guidelines in a single episode.  Here it is.

There seems to be a great deal of confusion out there about the difference between Market Segmentation and Market Differentiation.  Unfortunately, most dental consultants in the profession don't know what either term means, let alone the differences between them.  This episode explains it all.

The age of the people living in the patient base that really influences the potential of a practice, either to purchase or start-up, and this episode gets into the nitty-gritty of just why this is so.  In short, age matters (a great deal!).

One of the first and most important decisions a doctor (or any business owner) can make it to name their practice.  It is one of the first steps in establishing a brand or image and a giant step in determining how to promote the practice.  This session is exceptionally important as it outlines the do's and don'ts of the process. 

We are going through another version of the Great American Migration where people are picking up and moving to new locations.  This episode describes the move and provides an explanation of why it is occurring.  This provides an idea of where YOU can find the perfect place to put a practice. 

There are lots of reasons why practices fail.  This is an episode exploring what you ought to know about purchasing this type of practice, how to evaluate the risks you are running, and what resources you should choose in your research. 

There are lots of reasons why practices fail.  This is an episode exploring what you ought to know about purchasing this type of practice, how to evaluate the risks you are running, and what resources you should choose in your research. 

Too many "poser" demographers are putting emphasis on where to put a practice on the wrong statistics.  One of the smartest ways to determine a location with strong potential is to consider the Middle Class Housing Affordability numbers.  It will predict growth, economic stability, and a growing patient base. This episode explains why.

This session breaks down the difference between race, ethnicity, culture, and language group.  As the United States becomes more complex in its make-up, this is one session you don't want to miss!

I am going to rat myself (and my colleagues) out a little when it comes to the truth of demographics.  No great numbers on competition, growth, wealth or other demographic will be more predictive of success than people skills.  Listen to what I mean.  It will help you. 

I am often asked about when you need to start your research into locations and regions to purchase, start-up, or even associate.  This session is a review of what you want to know and when you need to know it.

This episode is about the process of choosing a practice broker to find the Perfect Place to Put a Practice.  It is getting trickier to select the right broker given the way the industry has changed.  This episode is an objective method to find what you need to know.

You have to love Norman, who is a tremendously experienced expert on lease negotiation and real estate evaluation for dentists.  He works all over the U.S. (which makes him rare) and has so many stories and ideas, as well as warnings and wisdom to share.  I thought you would find him as fun as we did. Mike Green and I found him informative and charming.

When it comes to determining where you want to practice, you want to research the facts that will make a real difference.  Surprisingly, these factors might actually make you happier in practice in addition to making your practice more profitable.

During my many conversations with dentists I hear lots of complaints that the best places are too crowded.  I have mentioned that before.  But as we look at the populations who have need and money (and time), we have to go back to look at the Elderly.  New places are springing up which look increasingly viable when we take the older crowd into account. 

Success does not always hang on what can be found in a demographic data table.  Often, it will be indicated by accessibility and visibility.  This session discusses the five key infrastructure variables.

This session is all about finding what to do and what NOT to do when looking for start-up locations.  When there are no practices in the region you want to consider or the prices are just too high, you have to consider where to start-up.  And this session is all about where to look.

The search for a second location for Amazon will result in 50,000+ employees and billions of dollars in development.  This is how demographers are examining the finalists for this location and illustrating what YOU need to know about sites for practice. 

There are great reasons to want a partner and their are some terrible reasons as well.  You want to avoid the one and choose the other.  This is a pretty "steely eyed" approach to the topic that is so important. 

This is a little, timely gift to those who have not read the book and don't seem to mind my voice reading it from beginning to end.  

Merry Christmas!

You are going to have to make some important decisions right now in order to have a prosperous 2018.  Granted, this is a marketing and demographic-heavy podcast. But it will probably make the difference between striking forward and being left behind.

We are getting lots of questions about where to put a multi-office practice.  How to evaluate these locations is tricky.  The session talks about the of the dentist transitioning to a dental CEO.

Last week we discussed the 10 places to avoid to start a practice.  This week, we have the top 20 cities to consider for a start up based upon growth, development, taxes, and other demographic factors. 

One of the advantages of being more experienced in life (and I mean by that: Older) is you can look back at your mistakes and share the errors with others who have similarly been through a rough time.  The disadvantage is that you cannot really go back and fix all the dumb things you did.  

This session is intended to help you avoid the biggest traps and pitfalls that can haunt you for years to come.  Listen to this session if you want to keep practicing and to avoid the drama that comes from doing dumb stuff.

The concept seems to have been lost, particularly among younger dentists, that one of the best ways to gain visibility and credibility is through local community involvement.  It is difficult to calculate just how important the potential benefit to a practice (and doctor) it can be to get involved in local causes.  Sure, it take time and it is not always easy.  But the judicious use of your time to volunteer can add greatly to the bottom-line value of your practice. 

One of the big problems that amateur demographic sleuths have is that they are not familiar with what is normal and expected.  Because of this, even when they get good and reliable numbers, interpreting them can be a problem.  In fact, in this episode, we discuss some of the biggest and most widely misunderstood data that people use.  And we discuss a little why these mistakes are made.

And I hope you will find this episode entertaining.

OK.  I have to admit that this is both a little news, a little encouragement, and a little screed.  I am not sure why I tend to take the side of individual dentists who are struggling every day to service their clients, make a living, and still have time to do all the good things that they do in their communities.  My primary point in this episode is to add my warning voice to others who are becoming apathetic in the fight for the profession.  But I also firmly believe that there are parts of the U.S. that are showing a much greater amount of benefit for professionals than others.  I supose I don't think you are a victim in your own career.

This episode deals with the numbers, the HARD numbers when it comes to sufficient population and percentage of growth that one needs in order to consider a site for practice.  I tell a story that really happened THIS WEEK to a wonderful professional who had a ridiculous covenant area she was working with and also some fairly unrealistic communities that she was trying (and hoping) would work for her.  All I am saying is that you have good choices on where to go but you have to be accepting of reality (and the demographic numbers) to evaluate them. 

This is a call to action when it comes to making your office more presentable.  Cleaning up your office and parking lot is something that can easily get away from us.  NOW is the time.  But it is also the time to update your image including photos and web site "copy" that may need revision.

There are some doctors who curse their community, patient base, and everything around them, blaming them for slow production, lack of patient cooperation, and referrals.  But the fact is, sometimes the problems that dentists have are self-inflicted wounds.  I mean by this that no one else is responsible nor capable of changing the attitudes of others when it comes to their practice specifically and dentistry generally.  They have to power to make this shift.  I touch only briefly on the Personal Influence Theory which is the means that they have to change things.  This public relations method is a terrific means to adjust the attitudes of people whose opinions matter to the success of a practice. 

There is a rational way to choose between favorable sites and this session is all about it.  Unfortunately, too often doctors will consider the amount of competition in a neighborhood the only criteria they really want to consider.  Unfortunately, that is a bad idea.  Oh, don't get me wrong! Competition can matter but it is certainly not at the top of the list to decide where to go.  Instead, there are other criteria discussed in this episode that are much more important. 

The issue of immigration is a hot topic and represents one of the most significant changes on where to put a practice, especially in major urban centers.  The source of immigrants to the U.S. is changing and so are the cultures and language groups they represent.  This means that doctors can and should consider where the newest additions to the potential patient base are originating.  This session will discuss five of the biggest ways the immigrant population is influencing professional practice. 

This session deals with the issue of choosing a site based upon the cost of doing business.  We are seeing increasingly large differences from community-to-community and site-to-site with regard to the cost of real estate and staff salaries.  There used to be a standard percentage that accountants would set for the costs associated with the office space as well as the amount that was appropriate for staff salaries.  But when we see places that cost twice as much in each category, some places are becoming just too expensive to consider.

Start-up locations in rural communities is a reality when the demographic characteristics are favorable.  This session deals with a rule of thumb regarding growth rates and population size for consideration.  Specific states that are showing promise in their less populated areas are mentioned. 

Over time, I have developed standards for how practices can and should look.  Please understand that for a poor location, the standard is not to compare this to other locations.  Rather, it is to consider how this office contrasts with those around it.  Some of the aspects of the office image are, therefore, relative.  Nevertheless, there are aspects of the location that are not flexible while other aspect are just nice to have.  This this episode, I speak about issues of Visibility and Accessibility.

So many people are challenging their basis assumptions about politics, life, and practice.  I thought It might be a good time to list five of the things I recommend about determining who to trust and how to evaluate their expertise.  

Regardless of what stage of practice you are in, I think you will find this one helpful. 

Every week I talk to doctors who are considering moving their offices.  Admittedly, most of the time they have good reasons to want to consider a change.  But, occasionally, I actually wind up talking them out of doing so.  While this may not make a great deal of business sense, I still think we  have a responsibility to provide the insights to our friends on why it might be a great idea or why they might want to reconsider their choices.  This episode is all about the logic of making the change.

Doctor Demographics offers on-site evaluations and marketing services.  We can learn things at your office that will not be knowable from any other source.  But we wanted to let you know what we do so you can do the same thing if you are evaluating a location without us.

There are a few facts that doctors have to deal with these days.  One of the big ones is that there are more large, competing practices moving into desirable or even marginal areas.  How does another practice handle it?  Do you have to move?  No!  But you do have to differentiate. It is necessary for doctors to consider what makes them different in terms of benefits and features.  This is based upon some outstanding research that is discussed in the lecture.  Do NOT give up! THINK!

To be honest, this is a little closer to a rant than a full-blown podcast episode with lots of numbers.  I have been speaking to some new associates and this podcast grew out of our discussions.  It matters what kind of practice you are joining and the location of the site.  You are making some big commitments.  This episode is about the fundamental facts you need to know.

Please forgive me for frothing at the mouth but I do so only because I really care.

In this episode, I examine how real estate market research has helped define how far is "reasonable" for a practice to draw patients or customers.  Now, I have to confess that I only went into the numbers and time-distance that were appropriate for a few kinds of practices.  But the theory holds up and can be projected for every type of professional practice.  The implications of this are that different practice types have unique standards from which they are likely to draw a patient base.  And they hold up to scrutiny on a legal and marketing basis.

I suspect that if you are involved in a legal case or are contemplating setting up a covenant area that will pass muster, you may have to contact me to get those numbers.

This may be the most important session we do this year as it has a serious impact upon the practices that are trying to enforce or challenge covenant areas in employment contracts.  I am getting serious interest from attorneys and brokers on this issue.  My approach is market-based.  The idea is to present a rationale that will stand up in court, not on some obscure legal basis, but rather on the way the market operates.  I look back at case law (briefly) and communications/market theory to come up with a way that these boundaries should be considered.

I am neither an attorney nor a practice broker but I think this may be the most reasonable way to make these agreements and be able to enforce them to the satisfaction of all parties.

in my work with practice realtors and brokers, I have come to understand just how vital they are to the success of selecting a practice location.  But not all of them are the same.  This is a brief session for those who are evaluating using a broker or realtor to find or set-up a practice location.  For those who need a little help, I am offering to share my referral list (I get no kick-backs, by the way) to get you a few more steps down the process to success. 

This is not so much a "sales pitch" as it is an explanation on how  you can utilize the marketing services we offer to a limited number of practices in the U.S.  I also discuss what makes these services unique.  Many of our listeners have asked for a brief explanation and training on how to use marketing research information to implement on on-going marketing plan 

Every aspect of general and specialty practice sites have their own set of criteria to consider.  In this episode, we will discuss the factors that make sites for endodontic practices so unique.  Rather than looking for straight population-to-endodontist ratios, the variables are more subtle and relate to the demographics of general dentists (their referral base) and the demographic characteristics of the patient base particularly important.

While we have a much longer and detailed video on the issues of competition, this is a short session dealing with the key issues relating to competition ratios for all professions.  We get into the relationship of how demographic character will influence whether there are too many professionals of a particular discipline in a given area. 

During my decades of advising professionals where to put their practices, I have encountered a simple series of questions to start the process.  Continuing with the process of choosing a place to practice started in installment 33, we continue with the process of designating priorities  in site selection BEFORE we add the demographic and psychographic elements to the process.  

This is a short but crucial part of the site selection process.

When things slow down in a practice area, many doctors are quick to shout that they are suffering because there is too much competition.  Not necessarily!  Many slow downs are caused by other factors.  But it may also be caused by practices targeting the SAME PATIENT BASE rather than diversifying and seeking one that is not already dominated.  "Corporate practices' are good at some things but not everything.  This is the basis for market segmentaiton.  We also discuss briefly the "hypodermic needle" theory of communications and persuasion.

This is the first in a series of podcasts that will take the listener through the process of determining what aspects of a location will work best for him or her.  The ideal site to practice is not a "one size fits all" proposition.  In fact, it is highly individualized.  But not all aspects of practice site selection are as important as others.  Remember that practice site selection is a process rather than an event. 

Veterinary practices are unlike any other given the wide variety of services that they offer.  This session discusses the priorites in demographic variables that will apply to the various options of practice.  It is a kind of primer on the topic.  It is especially important for anyone contemplating buying, selling, or starting up a veterinary practice. 

The factors determining the idea OMS practice sites are evolving.  While once dependent almost entirely upon referral base, the focus has shifted from quantitative to qualitative factors.  This is due to shifts from homogeneity to heterogenity in population demographic character.  The bottom line comes to 5 key factors.