ASP Retreat I

I want to personally thank you for all the work you have put into making the ASP process a success for our 13 doctor group. We could not have gone through this without your guidance, hands-on care and enthusiasm. My only regret is that I will not be with you as frequently as during this past year. My hope is to get with you at other courses and activities you offer to continue to grow both my leadership and our friendship. I look forward to our future experiences together.

The Applied Strategic Planning experience was way beyond my expectations! A new vision for our practice's future ...that I helped create has had an incredible impact on me (and our entire team) personally and professionally. You gave us so many tools to carry back to the office to rectify problems, attain goals and for follow through. A big positive impact was to connect with other offices throughout the country ...this program attracts the best! There was never a moment during the retreats that I lost interest. I didn't want the last retreat to end! I hung on every single word that was said by Bob and Irene. You are both truly a blessing in my life! Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Your tape series, especially those involving your extraordinary team, are invaluable resources to any office committed to becoming the best they can be. First, they helped me understand the kind of people I needed to evolve my Tier IV practice. Then, they facilitated my communicating what I want us to do. Finally, they are great resources that those very people can return to time and again. Thank you Bob for sharing your great people with us!

The quiet, facilitative environment in a retreat setting coupled with the ability to mastermind with other couples and teams made Applied Strategic Planning a life-transforming experience. Bob is an exceptional mentor who has the expertise and personality to guide individuals through this challenging process. If you commit to the work required, your personal and professional lives will be those of your dreams.

I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the group, the sharing around the campfire, especially the personal daily experiences of each person. The planning, the guides, the food, the seminar were all super. It was an extra special gift to spend time with my son in such a special place (the Salmon River). I am ready for the next one, thanks again!

We found the (co-diagnosis) tape immensely valuable in helping us to modify our co-diagnosis process to a more effective level. The first two co-diagnoses we did following the tape were large, complex cases, and they went beautifully. The people are scheduled to begin treatment.

For me, the overall A.S.P. Series was a process that was long overdue for the USA Section. As I stated at Retreat II, this planning technique was entirely different from the others I was involved with. With our continued diligence, I have great faith that this will be of enormous benefit to the Section. In addition, it was a great learning experience for me personally. I believe this will make a difference to me in my practice and in the way I conduct my life.

My involvement in the Environmental Scan was most meaningful part from the retreats. Such work! However, what I learned about everything that will have an effect on the College, the profession of dentistry, and me personally was incredible. That and working with such an energetic, professional committee was a great reward.

For the College, this process set an agenda with a mission and goals for us to proceed in a productive and efficient manner. As we proceed, the Section should gradually strengthen and rise in prestige and influence. For me personally, it helped me to align and realign my life’s priorities. Professionally, it became a method of reexamining the way I conduct my practice and my professional goals.

The first retreat was a great intro to the ASP process and how it differed from other SP processes. It tied together the books we had read by Covey and Sinek, as well as the Organizational Health Survey and other resources you provided us to make sense of what we were going to do and to inspire us to exert the energy to get it done. The Values audit helped us define our core values and how to create a new Mission for the Section.

As we proceeded from the first retreat forward, it was exciting to take all our work and formulate a strategic business model, and then the integrated action plans to give us an actual roadmap and timetable for achieving our goals.

Thanks, Bob, for a wonderful life experience. I believe it will be valuable for the Section and for me personally.

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.