OASP Phase III

Bob, I can't thank you enough for inviting me to be a part of the National Study Club. Is there anything better than a group of highly accomplished dentists sharing their best ideas and experiences, forming close friendships and bringing solutions to optimize our lives and our practices? Yes! It's being guided by one who is widely regarded as one of the great leaders of modern dentistry. Thank you for being that leader! I owe so much of my success to you and the NSC.

Bob & Bill, I left Austin with an EI – hangover, in love with my team and confident that I can become the leader I imagine. These are rough times in Michigan and in dentistry. You two together (the combination of psychology and advanced restorative dentistry) are amazing.

The overall Applied Strategic Planning Series was very positive and stimulating. Previous goal-setting seminars did not provide the tools to fully develop and implement a strategic plan. This process provided a new sense of excitement and clarity about where we are. It gave the team a sense of purpose about what we're trying to achieve. As a result of this process, our 21-year-old practice grew 25% in both gross and net the year after completing ASP.

I want to sincerely thank you for the extremely positive impact you have had on our dental society. The Dallas County Dental Society has many great leaders and ambitions; however, they cannot be brought to fruition without a plan. Your ability to facilitate our setting and accomplishing of these objectives has been masterful. Any organization without a viable, ongoing strategic plan is like a ship without a rudder. Thank you for enriching our lives both individually and as an organization.

Bob, once again during your presentation you could have heard a pin drop in the audience. Every doctor and dental nurse was riveted on your every word. I received countless comments on how interesting and useful everything you have shared during each of your presentations over the last four years has been. Thank you.

Thank you seems to be such an inadequate statement for the time we spent with you (during the New Patient Experience Practicum). For me it personally answered a lot of questions, but created even more - as any good paradigm shift does. We can all look back at "watershed" experiences in our careers; this has been one for me. It's more than just the practical application of Bob Barkley, it's the philosophy alive! For that I am eternally grateful.

Dear Bob,

What a wonderful, rewarding, productive time. Thank you so much for all you did (and continue to do) to help bring the Dawson Center to its greater potential. In retrospect, I think every minute of the session was critically important to the process. Thank you (and Bill) for your magnificent leadership. And by the way, it was a really fun time. Looking forward to further progress.

Warmest regards,
Pete Dawson
August 6, 2006

Since Retreat I, we have had four staff meetings and the word dentistry has yet to be mentioned! Very powerful meetings! Tears, hugs, the whole nine yards. This Wednesday, I hope to progress to writing our personal mission statements. I can tell that when dentistry is approached by the team, it will have a different angle. They have already, almost unconsciously, begun to see answers to questions through the prism of their closely held values. This path is more difficult than I had imagined. And, I'm not referring to how we practice dentistry. I feel like an ancient sailor who has sailed from port not really understanding what will happen, but sure of our direction!

Written the first year after taking the Applied Strategic Planning Series: Bob, the changes here are truly phenomenal! We are now in our beautiful new office, production and collection has risen over 50% and I swear we are not working as hard. I just stopped to listen the other day, and it is simply wonderful to hear and feel this new energy. People should be standing in line for this experience. Thank you my friend!