Allied Health Business Brilliance

Have you ever wondered if maybe you should start a podcast for your allied health business? Or how difficult it might be to get set up and running with a podcast of your own? In this episode, I talk about podcasting, pull it apart, and demystify it a little bit. I’ll walk you through the main reasons why you should (probably) start a podcast and the steps to get started (because it’s actually not as hard as it sounds!).   Topics covered in this episode: Why start a podcast Why podcasting is the new blog The benefits of podcasting for time-poor clients Why podcasting is a great marketing tool Simple steps to get started with your podcast Figuring out the purpose of your podcast Knowing your listener My process to brainstorm ideas and plan out content Why you should hone in on a micro-topic for each episode The ideal length for your podcast episodes Recommended styles, formats, and approaches for your podcast The tech I use to record my podcast What to say in your intro and outro What you need to know about editing and publishing your podcast Common excuses and objections to starting a podcast Useful Links:  [email protected] Cathy Love LinkedInNacre WebsitePrivate Practice Made PerfectPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. It affects your day-to-day function, including speech, and it’s no different for kids. I caught up with Sharon Moore, a Speech Pathologist superstar, to talk more about the connection. She’s the founding director of Well Spoken, a private practice in Canberra servicing referrals from medical and dental specialists, for patients of all ages, and has dedicated 38 years to the industry. Her background in the complex issue of sleep apnea and how it affects our speech stems from her training in Adelaide and a deep interest in Orofacial and Myofunctional principles. By integrating these into traditional speech pathology, Well Spoken takes a unique approach to managing disorders of the upper airway including breathing, swallowing, chewing, phonation, resonance and speech. She also spent 10 years in child psychiatry, which she cites as her grounding for socio-emotional counselling, in understanding people and communication. Sharon is also an international speaker, travelling for local, national and international conferences. Her extensive knowledge and training has also resulted in her receiving an invitation to be on the trans-disciplinary team for Canberra Sleep Clinic. On top of that, she is the author of Sleep-Wrecked Kids, which is aimed at helping parents raise happy, healthy kids one sleep at a time. Episode highlights: An insight into Sharon’s background - 38 years’ experience, trained in Adelaide About Sharon’s speciality - what a speech pathologist actually does Sharon’s primary area of interest - the upper airway health and function New research on upper airways - the connection to sleep apnea Being part of the Trans-disciplinary team for Canberra Sleep Clinic Society’s attitude towards sleep Feedback on Sharon’s book, Sleep-Wrecked Kids Developing a sleep screening tool with a specialist in Sydney, Dr Jim Papadopolus SSS-Disturbed Rest - developed for allied health professionals Screening children’s sleep is critical Many parents don’t know what to look for when looking at their children’s sleep patterns Sharon’s private practice clients - a mix of general sleep-related clients and higher upper airways clients   The benefits of a sleep screening questionnaire How Sharon developed her business skills - learning from her “dumb mistakes” Where Well Spoken is headed next - global domination of sleep Glymphatic system - a newly discovered system in the brain that’s only there when we sleep Sharon’s global mission: increase parents’ understanding of sleep Parliamentary enquiry into sleep health awareness Sharon’s sleep tips for business owners Sharon's Website Sharon on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running group programs is a popular topic that seems to be bending the minds of many allied health business owners, particularly those working with children and families. It’s often something private practices want to offer to their clients, but can’t make work from a profitability point of view. While running groups are a lot of work, they’re also a lot of fun. In this podcast, I share my tips on how to make group programs work for you, your team, your business, and your clients. Topics covered: NDIS fee schedule for group programs Crunching the numbers - looking at the costs of staff, preparation and resources Looking at the profitability of your group program Planning a new group program - start with a blank canvas Knowing your clients and planning around them Handouts - branding, language, form The use of interactive handouts/video Creating solid communication with parents, carers and educators - Facebook groups, phone, email, Zoom, Skype Social media apps for group participants - Seesaw. Sameview app founded by Danny Hui Providing a whole experience Useful Links:  [email protected] Cathy Love LinkedInNacre WebsitePrivate Practice Made PerfectPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Knowing your numbers is essential for running a successful business but it seems many allied health business owners don’t know how to manage their books properly. To learn more about how to gain more control of the books, I chatted with Allison Joyce, Managing Director of Efficiency Partners, a financial management consulting and education company. The company offers high-level bookkeeping, education and management accounting services for SMEs in a range of industries, but specialises in allied health and medical industries. Allison founded the company in 2004, when she was working as an accountant and consultant and noticed a large number of SMEs with poor bookkeeping. Although the company is based on the Sunshine Coast, the team of seven works virtually with business throughout Australia providing “clarity, consistency and confidence”. Episode Highlights: When and why Allison founded Efficiency Partners Has being a business owner been everything Allison thought it would be? What Allison has learned from being a business owner Getting a professional bookkeeper for your business can give you more control Why are businesses cautious of engaging a bookkeeper? What Allison likes about Xero software Allison’s thoughts on DIY vs experienced advisor Xero setup The best way to engage a bookkeeper The future of bookkeeping - working virtually Benefits of virtual bookkeepers What services Efficiency Partners offers - 3 different packages Falling in love with the numbers and what that can do for your business What a bookkeeper brings to the mental health of a business owner Finding your way with the NDIS Allison’s tips on managing your summer cash flow Allison’s everyday tips for running a business - regular invoicing and remove paper from your business Useful Links: Efficiency Partners WebsiteEfficiency Partners LinkedInAllison Joyce LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one knows a business's unique rhythms better than the business owner themselves, but we nearly all experience a busier life across the last quarter of the year. Business gets even more frantic in the last few months, especially in December, as the holidays hit. At this time of year we start to notice seasonal cycles and changes, like seasonal client demands and so on. One major thing we should concentrate on though is maintaining personal energy throughout the chaos. In this episode I cover: Seasonal changes and cycles of business Being vulnerable to drama Overreaching and over servicing clients Prioritise your work The benefits of a to-don’t list - delegate the less important items Work using the three by 3:00 pm rule Useful Links:  [email protected] Cathy Love LinkedInNacre WebsitePrivate Practice Made PerfectPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have quality embedded in your overall allied health operation? I spoke to Susan Hawkins, one of the founding directors of Practical Quality plus (PQplus), about quality assurance for allied health business owners, the NDIS audit process and how the company helps both new and existing allied health providers. PQplus was founded as the NDIS was rolled out across Australia. The company helps new and existing providers understand the compliance requirements around quality. Having previously worked in the human services sector across disability, mental health and aged care, Susan is well positioned to ensure quality is embedded in all aspects of allied health operation. Episode highlights: What PQplus offers Helping new and existing NDIS providers understand compliance requirements Quality should be embedded in the organisation Helping allied health business owners get ready for the NDIS audit Creating customised but flexible policy documentation The shift of the NDIS’ expectations of allied health businesses Susan’s thoughts on the national practice standards - translation issues What Susan thinks should be included in the national practice standards - basic HR and professional development standards Susan’s allied health social background - trained as a social worker, worked in England. Dramatic NDIS changes to come - managing the risk How NDIS will be advantages for business owners - opening up the market and client base How PQplus helps allied health providers - different packages and products on offer for both new providers and existing providers Launch - a guide around understanding audits for the long-haul [email protected] Cathy Love LinkedInNacre WebsitePrivate Practice Made PerfectPodcast QP plus Website Susan Hawkins LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are plenty of dietitians in Australia and while the number of those specialising in paediatrics is growing, so are the number of children and families needing help. In this episode, I chat with expert paediatric dietitian and business owner, Miriam Raleigh, about the specialist nutrition sector, telehealth services and balancing private practice duties with family duties. After studying at Monash University with a placement at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Miriam went on to work in adult health services and paediatric dietetics both in Australia and overseas in London. Upon returning to Melbourne in 2009, she used her 16+ years of experience and her new experience as a parent to found Child Nutrition, a private practice providing expert nutritional advice for children and their families. Since opening, Child Nutrition has grown with another 3 locations now open across Melbourne. The practice also offers Telehealth services to help reduce the wait time for such a prolific sector. In this episode, I cover: What Child Nutrition is and what the practice offers Miriam’s background in paediatric dietetics What the first year of Child Nutrition looked like - making time to grow the business Learning to run a business - business workshops, SEOs Building a team over the years with the birth of Miriam’s children Baby-proofing the business - being selective about the hiring process Moving to Practice Management Software Taking the admin load off with a Virtual Assistant New projects for the year - an online course for parents of children with coeliac disease How Miriam built the online course - getting it out in front of GPs and families What will the course look like in 6 months’ time? Miriam’s grand vision for her private practice - what will it look like in 6 months’ time? Moving more towards Telehealth services How Miriam divides her time across the week - juggling admin, marketing, projects, clients, family How Child Nutrition fits in with other allied health services Fussy eaters vs children with oral aversions Dietetics and NDIS - a limited number of children are self-managed Miriam’s thoughts on NDIS Finding a dietitian - through the Dietitian Associations of Australia (DAA) website What it’s like running a private practice - hard work but more time for one-on-one to build a relationship with families What the business has taught Miriam Bringing other experts onboard - finding the balance and making better use of her time Miriam’s advice to budding dieticians Useful Links:  [email protected] Cathy Love LinkedInNacre WebsitePrivate Practice Made PerfectPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s getting to that time of year when everything seems to speed up, blurring past us at record pace. It’s a busy time of year but it’s also the perfect time to delve deep into strategic business planning for the year ahead. A lot of business owners tell me they will do their business planning in January, which is OK. It’s a lot better than no business planning. But would they benefit more from getting a red hot run in the last few months of the previous year? I think so. In this episode, I cover: Why is it good to plan for the year ahead? How to use real life information to build a solid business plan Identifying your highs and lows Dissecting your business - profit, team, services, clients, pricing Looking at your software and systems - are they working for you? Do you have ‘background business hum’? Asking yourself the all-important question: what do you want your business to look like? Taking a look at your marketing and promotional material - how will clients find you locally, nationally and internationally? Playing the numbers game to build a better plan Useful Links:  [email protected] Cathy Love LinkedIn Nacre Website Private Practice Made Perfect PodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The allied health industry is slowly moving into the digital age, but needs to do more to respond to changing technology. I chatted to Yianni Serpanos who’s helping Australia do just that. Yianni is the CEO and Founder of coreplus, Australia’s leading digital health practice management platform. The company is focused on delivering a “practice happy” experience that’s available anywhere, anytime. coreplus allows health professionals to manage client records, appointments, Medicare billing/ claiming and finances in one online system accessible from any internet browser, smartphone or tablet. coreplus began in 2009-10 and continues to grow after implementing a number of firsts in the allied health industry, including Medicare online claiming. In this episode we talk about the digital healthcare experience, implementing changes for allied health professionals and the digital marketplace. Topics covered: coreplus is Australian focused - staying up to date with allied health rules and regulations How the platform works for allied health professionals What is interoperability? How systems connect with each other. Agreed language between allied health providers Yianni’s thoughts on the digital healthcare system in Australia How the client/patient experience is being impacted by the changes in technology The full digital health experience - an emerging idea The evolving customer experience Merging digital marketing thinking with health tech Making the most of the ‘exit phase’ - following up on the client and building the relationship The next steps allied health business owners should be taking - understanding the Privacy Act Data breaches - human error in the healthcare industry Change isn’t a one-off event - allied health business owners need to continually improve their understanding of the rules and regulations with the help of advisors What’s the digital marketplace? Yianni’s thoughts on how the digital marketplace will progress Are GPs going fully digital in the next 12 months? Connecting allied health business owners with secure messaging Cooperating with the Australian Digital Health Agency What will digital healthcare look like in the next 5 years? Australians need to build an integrated health team Reimagining the business model of healthcare - can we introduce a subscription style healthcare service? coreplus Website Yianni's LinkedIn coreplus Facebook Yianni's TwitterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating the disability sector is challenging at the best of times but having a care team that is connected and on the same page is giving families and allied health providers the ‘confidence to thrive’. Danny Hui, Founding Director of sameview, a digital platform designed to help address the problem of disability care coordination. The app works by bringing the care team together - doctors, care workers, therapists, educators, family members etc. Using the app, users and providers can track and share goals and events and keep the team up-to-date to enable effective collaboration. Prior to starting the business, Danny worked in the utilities industry and has a background in engineering. The idea for the app came from his own experience with the stresses of managing a loved one’s care. Last time we spoke, Danny was in the middle of an accelerator program with Optus, which he ended up winning. Fast forward 10 months and the app has officially been launched, with many users and allied health professionals enjoying its benefits. In this episode we chat about the development of the app, feedback from users, NDIS and what success looks like to Danny. Topics covered: Winning the Optus Future Makers accelerator program Building a market-release version of its product using generous funding Danny’s background in engineering Upgrading the platform to engage and reward its users How the app works - social media-type interface, creating a profile, inviting the team Feedback from allied health professionals - creating an efficient platform for allied health professionals Launched in Brisbane - week-on-week growth ever since Seeing growth from educators, mobile therapists and support workers and family members Breaking into the medical sector - working to gain traction with paediatricians and hospitals How the platform is working for families - an opportunity for self-managing (NDIS)  families Danny’s work to measure results to prove the platform’s value Keeping the app open for NDIS goal setting - the ability to customise goals What can be uploaded to sameview - photos, documents Co-designing based on users’ feedback 2019 plans - University research project What does success look like to sameview? Building special features for providers - plan reviews All the information needed for allied health professionals - www.sameview.com.au Online community on Facebook - feedback, communicating about goal setting and teams A platform for users of all ages - built for everybody who needs care Danny’s NDIS plan for his son, Monty Working with allied health professionals to solve the issue Useful Links [email protected] Cathy Love LinkedIn Nacre Website Private Practice Made Perfect Podcast Danny Hui LinkedIn Sameview Website Sameview Facebook Sameview TwitterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Understanding all aspects of your financials is key to the successful running of any business, but it can be a major downfall for some. Having a good bookkeeper can not only ensure you don’t ‘muddy the waters’ but can also be used to set budgets, KPIs and address any financial weaknesses. This and more is covered in my interview with Chris Stenhouse, Business Manager at Professional Booking Services (PBS). The Melbourne-based family business was founded in 1983 by Chris’ mother. Though he is now a successful bookkeeper, Chris’ background was in technology, having worked for Apple for seven years. Built from the ground up by Chris’ family, the company continues to grow and is now located in its own purpose-built premises in Melbourne’s Notting Hill. From there it provides full financial and administrative solutions to businesses throughout Australia and overseas. Working across all industries, PBS bookkeepers support businesses with turnovers ranging from $50,000 to $12million. Topics covered in this episode: Chris’ favourite clients - Allied Health Professionals Every business owner needs a finance team - what’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant? What makes a good bookkeeper? Chris’ advice on how to know if your information is being wrongly recorded - know what you’re looking for The importance of a good rapport between the bookkeeper and business owner Making bookkeeping love happen - conference calls, phone calls, emails Teaching the basics to business owners Better understanding your cost of sales Learning to account for other business expenses Chris’ thoughts on how often fees should be increased How bookkeepers can set up a budget for business owners Understanding your earning potential through budgets and billable days New ideas in the industry - direct debit reports Building your budget from nothing Setting KPIs with your bookkeeper - you always want to stretch your business The importance of testing and measuring your business before any change takes place The financial habits of allied health business owners Chris’ advice for keeping an eye on the trends and how often business owners should be checking their financials Bookkeepers are for every business owners - no matter how small The importance of getting your financials in order from the beginning - a bookkeeper’s knowledge of GST needs to be ‘spot-on’ What are profit losses and balance sheets and what are the differences between them? Accounting for unusual expenses correctly Monthly reviews of your financials are key to protecting yourself from surprises Chris’ tips on dealing with debtors - have a set time before you write them off, chase them up and bill in advance Chris’ thoughts on connecting your practise management software to your cloud accounting What Chris learned from ZeroCON Chris’ tips on staying on top of your payable reports     Useful [email protected]  Nacre Website Private Practice Made Perfect Find out more about PBS on their website. Follow them on Twitter. PBS on LinkedIn. Chris Stenhouse on LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running a successful private allied health practice depends on many things, but one of the key elements that can sometimes be underestimated is knowing and understanding your local community. In this interview Lisa Fruhstuck, director and speech pathologist extraordinaire at Shine Early Intervention, shares her secrets for running a successful private practice and providing opportunities for both families and children as independents from her local community. Shine Early Intervention is based in the Macarthur region of New South Wales. The private practice provides high quality mobile speech pathology services for children with Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and other complex diagnosis aged 0-7. The practice is the brainchild of Lisa who saw a need for a private early intervention team in the wider Sydney region and, 5 years later, are expanding to provide more opportunities for their local community. Lisa has over 18 years’ experience working in Australia with children with special needs, having working in the government and not-for-profit sectors prior to opening the practice. Listen to the short 30-minute chat to find out more about Lisa, her plans for the future and her words of wisdom for her fellow allied health business owners. Topics covered in this episode: Where did private practice start for Lisa? What the first 5 years have been like - a rollercoaster adventure Who’s in the team? Managing the team What makes Shine Early Intervention different? The importance of a local team and a local business Getting the message across - Facebook, local expos + word of mouth Secret sauce for recruiting Dreams and plans for the next year Follow Shine Early Intervention progress on Facebook What have you learnt so far in business?   Work experience for children with disabilities What have you learnt about yourself? The development of the Shine Shed - what will it provide? How will the Shine Shed be used for delivering therapy? Countdown to Opening Day - October 2018 Plans for 2019 - implement groups, recruit more therapy staff + developing current staff Using the play facility to develop future staff Dreams post-Shed Clinical work vs management work - 2 days a week clinical Words of wisdom for allied health business owners Follow Shine Early Intervention on Facebook. Learn more about Shine Early Intervention on its website. Follow Lisa Fruhstuck on LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Administration work is of paramount importance for any business, but it often takes too muchtime. Outsourcing work to a Virtual Admin Assistant can free up your time whilst keeping overheads low. It’s a win-win. To highlight the value of Virtual Assistants, I interviewed Jenny Pither, founding director of Allied Health Admin Services, with more than 25 years experience within the medical and allied health industries. She helps businesses keep costs low, and efficiency high and has enough NDIS knowledge to be deemed the NDIS post-processing queen. It’s 45 minutes of insightful business chat, but without the boring business jargon. In this interview you’ll hear Jenny’s predictions for the future of NDIS, her favourite practice management software and the ins and outs of virtual assistants helping to run a successful business. This episode covers: What exactly does a Virtual Assistant do? What services can a Virtual Assistant offer? How can hiring a Virtual Assistant keep running costs down? Helping allied health professionals navigate the NDIS portal Admin work and how it’s one of the biggest hassles for allied health business owners Getting the most from invoicing using a Virtual Assistant Quality, Safeguards and Auditing Process of the NDISs Getting the basics done right - policies and procedures that every business should have in place Providing evidence to the Quality and Safeguards Commission Being transparent to your client base and the general public Jenny’s favourite Practice Management Software - Cliniko vs Nookal Supporting allied health professionals Starting Virtual Assistants on a basic contract Why you should learn to trust Virtual Assistants - knowing what to ask for and how to word it Learning a client’s voice as a Virtual Assistant Jenny’s professional background in radiology and general practice to allied health Medical transcription dying out Lessons Jenny’s learned by starting her own business - upskilling yourself is important The future of Allied Health Admin Services - consulting on NDIS and moving into the planned management sector Running a business without a strict business plan Using a Business Advisor to better your business Proud moments in business for Allied Health Admin Services - Finalists in its local Business Awards Lessons Jenny’s learned about herself Jenny’s question to Cathy: how are you navigating NDIS? Why Cathy de-registered from the NDIS in 2017 NDIS predictions - the future could be bleak Will tiered pricing come to fruition? Will NDIS be just as big a financial strain on Australia as Medicare is? Why business models should be adapted to be less one-on-one Pricing models - reducing NDIS therapy fees so clients can get more sessions in their package The importance of experimenting with different pricing models to find a happy medium Value of allied health Virtual Assistants Follow Allied Health Admin Services on Facebook. Learn more about Allied Health Admin Services on its new website. Connect with Jenny Pither on LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s everyone’s dream to operate a stress-free business but is it actually possible when dealing with the everyday challenges of the NDIS? It seems it’s not impossible. In this episode, I talk to Trudy De Silva, a Speech and Language Pathologist. She is also Director of De Silva Kids Clinic, a multidisciplinary private practice offering speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology and music therapy for children with disabilities. The Melbourne-based practice runs clinic sessions on-site as well as outreach services at schools, kindergartens and homes. Trudy has built her clinic from the ground up and has grown it significantly over the past 10 years, so she knows what she’s doing. She graduated with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology from La Trobe University and has been working in the paediatrics sector ever since. Delivering family-centred therapy and an allied health team is her number one priority and she’s got some some sneaky tips up her sleeve when it comes to developing a strong team, being at the mercy of the NDIS, and dealing with cash flow and debt collection. Topics covered in this episode: A brief history of De Silva Kids Clinic Being a Clinician vs managing a business Top tips for leading a great team - your relationships are key Boosting Therapist’s performances through regular scheduled meetings De Silva Kids Clinic: delivering a family-centered approach How to navigate NDIS Trudy’s thoughts on NDIS tiered pricing Navigating your team through NDIS changes The differences in management and clients post-NDIS Debt collection tips - uninterrupted admin time is key Cutting rental costs for better cash flow - one way is to buy a property Have the confidence to solve your biggest problems Ways to recruit: ads, Facebook, LinkedIn and word-of-mouth Hybrid business models - the stability and flexibility of hiring both contractors and employees How to be a paperless business Managing client data Optimise your practice performance using your CRM data The importance of Admin staff - the only thing they don’t do is the therapy A look at Trudy’s typical week juggling motherhood and being a small-business owner Navigating the transition from Clinician to Manager - make room for business work and don’t wait until you’re forced to drop your client work The future of the business - a second premises in the pipeline What percentage of the business is clinic-based services vs outreach services? Furthering community involvement through family workshops Helping families understand and navigate NDIS The importance of a homely Clinic Highlights of De Silva Kids Clinic Links Follow De Silva Kids Clinic on Facebook De Silva Kids Clinic website  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

our website is the gateway to your business for many of your potential clients. If it doesn’t give a good first impression or if it isn’t easy to use, chances are you could lose some business.   So in this episode I’ve brought in my go-to man for all things to do with websites. Jon Hollenberg is the owner of Five by Five Website Design and the Author of "Love at First Site - How to Build the Website of Your Dreams" (see below for a link to a free copy of it).   You’ll love this chat because Jon talks at the level of a ‘normal’ person like you and I without baffling us with tech speak.   It’s like a 40 minute Website Masterclass! Jon talks about treating your website as your own piece of online real estate, how to position yourself as a thought leader and how to use content and images to support that. We discuss being bold in the age of video. And, thank heavens, we talk about search engine optimisation (SEO) in terms that even I understand.   Jon knows his stuff. He first started building websites 18 years ago and has now grown his team to 20 people worldwide. Jon is based on the Gold Coast but has clients all over the county and has worked with brands such as Qantas, Jetstar, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge. Here’s the breakdown of what’s in store for you: When Jon first started creating websites he started from a spare bedroom in his boardshorts and now his team has grown to 20 people Where to start when it comes to creating your website Building a website does not need to be a chore A website can be one of the first points of contact for a customer and you want to put your best foot forward Make your website work harder for you People often undervalue the experience and value they bring to their customers/clients and they tend to not want to make their website stand out from the crowd The importance of content and being an authority in your marketing place Getting in the right mindset for creating your website and getting ‘unstuck’ The importance of putting value on your website The best tools for the job Why Google loves Wordpress Wordpress is driving 30% of all websites on the internet The importance of visual design A website is not set and forget. You also need a content strategy in place and high value content to back it up The different ways to drive traffic to your website My learning curve with my first website [Hint people don’t just flock to your website, you need to promote it] The website is a validation tool that you are an authority and leader in your chosen industry Generating new leads through your website SEO 101 The two components to SEO The emphasis on speed,load time and mobile friendliness Plugins that can help you with SEO Backlinks and why it’s useful How you can rank your website higher than your competitors The advice Jon gives his clients for headshots Remember the business owner and team is the product and the power of photography Using videos on the website and the importance of a WHY video A little trick Jon uses to capture videos for his clients Having visual consistency with your brand Technical intelligence and the user experience for your website Creating a diagnostic tool for your website Demystifying a call to action Jon’s book is a how to guide on partnering with a website designer and easing the process for people about to build their new website   Jon Hollenberg on LinkedIn Five By Five Website Love At First Site - How To Build The Website Of Your Dreams - You can download a copy of Jon’s book for free. Cathy Love on LinkedIn  Nacre Website  Listen to more episodes hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is considerable value in being a published author as a professional. In this episode, I talk to Michael Hanrahan, the Director of Publishing at Michael Hanrahan Publishing (MHP) in Melbourne. MHP helps professionals and small business owners self-publish their books. Michael has been in publishing for his entire working career, starting with Wrightbooks, a small publishing house and progressing to Managing Editor at John Wiley & Sons Australia. In 2003, Michael decided to become a freelance publishing provider, working for many of the major publishing houses, including Oxford University Press, Random House and RMIT Publishing. With experience in all areas of publishing from editing to printing to ebook and bookshop distribution, Michael started MHP in 2014. Today, MHP is a leading provider of small business self-publishing in Australia, with a focus on high-quality professional books that help those business people stand out from their competitors, sets them up as the experts in their field and helps them promote their business to a wider audience. Michael has been featured on radio, in magazines and in The Huffington Post Australia. He is also one of the original contributors to Andrew Griffith’s Smallville community, and has written a book on how to self-publish. We talk during the interview about all things writing, from structuring your book to the editing process and how to get started with your book. In This Episode: What is an end-to-end publishing service? I haven’t written a book but I think I’ve got it in me… Where do I start? Where to start in the actual writing process TIP: Why are you writing your book, and what are you actually going to write about? The central question for your book: What is the single question you’re trying to answer with your book? The importance of a brainstorming session What is a content list and how many do you need? Your first draft is just that TIP: Just write it down! The editing process is where we can make your book beautiful The second draft is when you should start sending it to people to review The importance of breaking it down into chunks Michael stresses you’re a lot closer to having a book at a scramble of 40,000 words than a perfect 5000 words How self publishing allows for you to really have your own voice Readers want practical advice. They’re not really after the’ academic fluff’ Michael is not a fan of the phrase ‘You should write as you speak’. He says, “writing is writing and speaking is speaking” but that doesn’t mean you can’t add your personality and tone to your book A sneak peak into the editing process The art of editing The different levels of editing The interior design process of creating a book The advantage of self publishing is the author gets to make the final decision with the design The most difficult part of the whole process... the cover The worst thing you can do for the cover design process The reason why Michael turns down some authors Writing the book is the easy bit, it’s the promotion phase that can be difficult A book is a business card on steroids The wrong approach to writing a book is thinking it will be a great revenue for earning cash The emerging field of audio books and the value of ebooks Michael Hanrahan Publishing Michael Hanrahan on LinkedIn Cathy Love on LinkedIn  Nacre Website  Listen to more episodes hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Kerri-Anne Telford, an Occupational Therapist with a private practice in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. We talk about team culture, using private practice softwares, NDIS opportunities and challenges and a lot more What is covered in this episode: The team The combination of the practice’s independent contractors and employees Her story in starting her own private practice - finding team members and a new office Kerri-Anne’s weekly schedule Goals of the practice The surprises and learnings from the 3-year growth and run of her practice Her business smarts and where, when and how she got it Her favorite books How she uses emotional intelligence in leading her team The impact of practice management software to her business Her thoughts on the NDIS Her hunch on what is to happen in September with tier pricing Families and fundings from the NDIS The next 12 months for her private practice What Cathy would do if she had a private practice with clinicians and her thoughts in terms of leading a team with the NDIS The importance of organizational culture in her business   Links: LinkedIn WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Anjelee Khosla, Founding Director of Anjelee OT. We discuss many things about business including the value of going slow, steady and mindfully into business, business plans, power of networking, social media and a lot more. Anjelee OT is a start-up company that was founded in January 2018. The company’s mission is “to empower families of children with challenges by enhancing their strengths, building their skills and creating solutions within a fun and therapeutic environment to achieve positive and meaningful goals." What is covered in this episode: Private work of Anjelee before starting Anjelee OT The things she has been doing to get started Finding networks for the business Working on her Instagram business account Learnings from building her own website What she’s doing to get clients, introductions, and opportunities Business plan for the next 1-2 years Source of her business skills Dancing through family, business and all matters in life How Anjelee OT will be by the end of 2018 Cathy’s plan on coming back to clinical work and doing a workshop on NDIS   Links: Anjelee OT Website Anjelee OT Instagram Angelee OT FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Sonja Walker, Founding Director of Kids First Children’s Services. She has also recently launched her first book. We also will talk about her team and her values-based business. Kids First provides support for families and children with sensitive needs. The company has gathered a highly trained, vastly experienced team of children’s speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists and teachers who can provide children and parents with the practical, caring help they need. What is covered in this episode: Background on Kid’s First Children’s Services How Sonja anticipated the business when it started and the challenges she has gone through Thoughts on women working in allied health Highlights in her private practice What to expect and love from her book: School Ready - A practical and supportive guide for parents with sensitive kids Extra bonus materials from the book How Sonja’s week looks like Key learnings from being a business owner The story of figuring out the values that she practices in her business Doing charity work and working with B1G1 Their team’s daily huddle and how communication works throughout the team Apps and programs they use in their business The stage of the business today and in the next 5 years   Links: Kid’s First Children’s Services Book: School Ready B1G1See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we talk to Alyce Svensk, Occupational Therapist and Founding Director of Sensational Start Occupational Therapy. Sensational Start is 12 month old business that provides families with a holistic services that support the development of children, identifying areas of concern and providing genuine evidence-based paediatric therapeutic support. What is covered in this episode: The start of the business Learnings from working for her in-law’s business Importance of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) in a business The difficulty of creating SOPs for OT Integration and maintenance of SOPs into the business Sensational Start’s business plan 12 months ago Where Alyce picked up her management know-how The reason her business took off to a flying start in a 12-month period Suggestions for word-of-mouth marketing and how she made her business stand out from the rest What worked for the business to bring in early referrals Practice management software used by the business Bringing in admin support and an additional clinician How Alyce feels about being an employer What sets Sensational Start offer that makes it different from the rest How the support from family in therapy is being received In terms of packaging, pricing and planners, how will the NDIS support the holistic approach to therapy Is the business setting quotas for clients coming from different areas including the NDIS Next steps for Sensational Start Information about their workshops for local therapists What Alyce thinks Telehealth will look like - what things will and will not work The things Alyce is most proud of about her business What has her business, Sensational Start, taught her How Alyce sees the future of Sensational Start in the next 12 months Words of wisdom for people in the first 2-3 years of business   Links: Website Facebook Page Alyce Svensk LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Nardine Presland, Member Development Adviser of ESSA. ESSA is the Exercise & Sports Science Australia is a professional organisation that establishes, promotes and defends the career paths of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners. What is covered in this episode: What is ESSA? 4 professions covered by ESSA, their accreditations, services, and differences Number of members and practicing exercise physiologists at present The services offered by exercise physiologists in the NDIS and NDIA Trend on private practice with exercise physiologists and scientists Exercise psychologists working with families and children Employing exercise physiologists and their pay Professional development investment activities needed for engaging exercise physiologists and scientists Insurance for exercise professionals The future of ESSA and its members in the next 5 years The roles and services exercise professionals can bring in when working with children, teens, and people with different abilities Exercise physiologists working with children and teens with autism and the neurodisability space The Exercise Right Awareness Campaign Insight and take away from the podcast episode Links:  ESSA Exercise RightSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Nicole Grant, Occupational Therapist and Founding Director of Gateway Therapies in Brisbane, Australia. Gateway Therapies offers mobile NDIS support services, mobile occupational therapy, mobile speech therapy and autism therapies for adults and children of all ages. What is covered in this episode: Background of Gateway Therapies Reception of clients on their mobile therapy services Their workplace and how they use their space The Gateway Therapies team, their employment statuses and experience levels The need for an engagement process and on-the-job training for young professionals and early career clinicians Innovative ideas on teaching/learning for Allied Health students The things Nicole is most proud of in what she’s doing in her business Time spent by Nicole in a week doing clinical and business development work and how she achieved this The reason why Nicole chooses to retain clinical work as part of her role especially with the NDIS How Nicole developed all her business know-how Why she invests in and supervises her team closely The difference of Gateway Therapies from other practices Positioning their practice for the NDIS Experimenting, implementing, testing and mentoring in business and what you can learn from it What would Cathy be doing differently Links: Gateway TherapiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we have a rich and interesting conversation with Ingrid Moyle, owner of Heart Harmony Communications and Australian Employee Manual. Heart Harmony Communications is a company that helps small businesses with content marketing, web content, and design. Australian Employee Manual guides small businesses in writing effective and clear business policies and procedures to comply with human resource legal requirements and build team productivity. What is covered in this episode: Ingrid’s story from being an employee to starting businesses A backgrounder on Heart Harmony Communications What allied health business owners should be doing in the content marketing space The shift of how people engage with content and businesses and what is needed to address this Valuable tips on what and how to write your content Ingrid’s prediction for newsletters in the future and the use of other channels to get your business’ message out Repurposing content for different channels to serve different audiences The kind of content that engage people nowadays The reason why you need to review and go through your published content yearly and the 3 questions you need to ask yourself when doing so A run-through on the history, services, and products of Australian Employee Manual Examples of the policies and procedures covered in the manual The users of the manual Suggestions on how business owners can work through the manual The importance of developing policies and procedures in a business Ingrid’s words of wisdom for allied health businesses going into the NDIS process The future of the Australian Employee Manual and Heart Harmony Communications - where are they headed? The idea of a 3-year business review Cathy’s thoughts about one consistent problem encountered by allied health professionals and businesses and Ingrid’s view about it Links: Website - Heart Harmony Communications Facebook - Heart Harmony Communications Website - Australian Employee ManualSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Liz Brownlee, OT and founding director of Wise OT Solutions. Wise OT Solutions started 7 years ago and is now well-positioned in the industry. As an industry leader, they provide Occupational Therapy and rehabilitation services to people with varying illnesses, injury or disability. What is covered in this episode: Social workers and self-employment in NDIS Background of Spectrum Clarity, how and when it started, their plans for the business, and the services they offer The usefulness of Elaine’s university degrees in serving their business Who are the customers of Spectrum Clarity How the can-do attitude of the employees help them reach their goals The things that have taken them by surprise and problems they’ve encountered in the business How Elaine sees the future of Spectrum Clarity and her worries about several things including the viability of the businesses in the industry Tips for Allied Health Professionals involved in providing support to children and families Spectrum Clarity’s social work ethic and respect for the client Links: WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Elaine Jackson, a social worker and founding director of Spectrum Clarity. Spectrum Clarity is a company that provides a customer-centric approach to social services such as service coordination and pre-planning in the NDIS space. What is covered in this episode: Social workers and self-employment in NDIS Background of Spectrum Clarity, how and when it started, their plans for the business, and the services they offer The usefulness of Elaine’s university degrees in serving their business Who are the customers of Spectrum Clarity How the can-do attitude of the employees help them reach their goals The things that have taken them by surprise and problems they’ve encountered in the business How Elaine sees the future of Spectrum Clarity and her worries about several things including the viability of the businesses in the industry Tips for Allied Health Professionals involved to provide support to children and families Spectrum Clarity’s social work ethic and respect for the client Links: WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Eva Harrold, Speech Pathologist and founder of Healesville Speech Pathology. Healesville Speech Pathology provides consultations including diagnostic assessments and treatment programs for children with communication difficulties. What is covered in this episode: The start of Eva’s private practice Her Source of referrals Working through child-centered principles such as kindness, patience and respect and how it has helped her business The things she did to grow her business and how grapevine or word of mouth has contributed to this The reason why using telehealth is a good idea in her private practice Length of her private practice and the importance of her studying How delegating admin and bookkeeping tasks has assisted her in the business and has given her more time for more important things in life Advantages of practice management program in her private practice How having a collaborative approach towards her practice make parents feel more involved and empowered Engaging parents, especially dads, more in their child’s sessions What has Eva learned about herself in being a business manager The advantages of technology for her practice The reason her business is unique The application and effect of the NDIS to her practice Eva’s thirst for knowledge and service Allied assistant, Nibbler, and his effect on clients Cathy’s message to the world right now Links: Website FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Hannah Dunn, occupational therapist and founder of D.O.T.S. Paediatric OT. D.O.T.S. Paediatric OT offers occupational therapy services and education for children, parents, educators and other professionals. What is covered in this episode: The story of the first few years of Hannah’s private practice The premises of DOTS Paediatric OT Their private practice team Strategies used to get their good retention rate Working with communities, schools and home visits and how it is changing How they are working with the NDIS Thoughts and concerns about NDIS and the pending changes Growing the business with the help of policies and procedures How Hannah’s move and thoughts about stepping back from clients have improved her management focus and personal life Things she is proud of in her business Source of her knowledge and business confidence Going through an audit and how they dealt with it What’s in the future for DOTS Paediatric OT The ultimate dream of Hannah for her business One thing Cathy would’ve changed in her practice Links: Website Facebook InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Natasha Hawker, CEO of Employee Matters. Employee Matters provides employee support to small businesses to maximise profitability through employee productivity. The company provides Employee Experts that will guide you in your HR needs. What is covered in this episode: Employee Matters’ business updates over the last year Managing the team and business The process of rebuilding and rewriting their website and the valuable information you can find there The reason why education is key to any business Discussion on the book: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Key things you need to know about recruitment Tips on interviewing potential talent and building your talent pool Employee Value Proposition and why you need it The future of recruitment The importance of candidate management Current thinking and practices about performance development and management and the difference between the two How job descriptions and accountability matrixes help in achieving strategic goals Voxer App Ten (10) questions that can power up performance development sessions or one-on-one meetings The changing state of performance management 10-minute stand-ups and how it helps in action and accountability Discussion on independent contractors, casual & permanent employees Legal Contracts Services of Employee Matters Book: From Hire to Fire and Everything in Between Links: Website - Employee Matters Book - Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Book - From Hire to Fire and Everything in Between by Natasha Hawker LinkedIn - Natasha HawkerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today in the podcast we talk to Paul Dunn, chairman of B1G1 and a speaker and mentor for entrepreneurs globally. B1G1, a social enterprise, is a global movement that helps businesses become giving businesses. This non-profit organization helps small- and medium-sized businesses embed giving activities in their everyday business operations and transactions to create lasting social impact and transformation in the world. What is covered in this episode: How and why B1G1 started Giving businesses and concrete examples of how it is embedded in the way you do business How Cathy uses B1G1 in her business Transformations and connections a giving business creates and does to you and your business The power of small and how it can make a difference The boom of small businesses and the mindset of owners in the last five years The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals and how businesses can make an impact on these Links: B1G1 Projects of B1G LinkedIn - Paul DunnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today in the podcast we talk with Madeline Avci, an occupational therapist and founder of Jump Up for Kids. Jump Up for Kids is a specialised child-centered development service that supports children through their programs, Jump Up Therapy and Jump Up Outdoors. Jump Up Therapy is Occupational Therapy that provides support, knowledge, skills, and abilities to parents and children in a positive and strengths-focused way for the management of their future development. Jump Up Outdoors offers fun, exciting and imaginative outdoor play opportunities for children with a focus on the development of the whole child. What is covered in this episode: Humble beginnings of her private practice People working with and helping Madeline run her business Description and benefits of OT outdoor play through the Jump Up Outdoor Program The beauty of the natural environment and its effect on kids development and learning Interest coming from different people and sectors and partnering with them Learnings over the years about finding, training and retaining great teammates and how a strengths-based approach has worked well for them The expertise of the Jump Up team Madeline’s work week and how she juggles clinical, management, marketing, and other business priorities Madeline’s proudest business moments Plans for Jump Up Kids Therapy and Outdoors in the next 2-3 years Discussion of Cliniko, a practice management software, and how it helps their business Preparation for NDIS Cathy’s recommendation for a practice management software Madeline’s thoughts on matching childhood development and health with activities to help children grow Links: Website - Jump Up for Kids Facebook - Jump Up For Kids Linked In - Madeline AvciSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today in the podcast we talk with Marijn Kortekaas, Senior Manager and Head of Asia Pacific for Physitrack. Physitrack is a cloud-based patient to client engagement solution used by 25,000+ healthcare practitioners with over 1.5M patients in 102 countries. With Physitrack healthcare practitioners better engage patients and help them achieve better outcomes. What is covered in this episode: How Marijn joined Physitrack Background of Physitrack - what it is, what it does and who can use it The story of how Physitrack was born and how it makes life easier for practitioners and patients Key things and various exercises on Physitrack that cater to different clients PhysiApp as a one stop shop for exercise, outcome measures and educational content Special features and available resources on the PhysiApp and how it makes a seamless connection between the practitioner and client How the 360-degree feedback on the app helps track and measure outcomes data which can be used for reports, studies, and the growing trend on collecting outcomes data The importance of Integration of the platforms used in the business Physitrack and how it integrates with other practice management software systems How Australia is tracking towards Telehealth and the digital health future Convenience of Telehealth Physitrack as an all-in-one platform that provides Telehealth services Recording audio on video calls in the app to make note-taking easier The future of Telehealth Physitrack as a marketing tool for practitioners The next 5 years for Physitrack Key things practitioners should look out for when looking for a platform Links: Physitrack PhysiApp Marijn Kortekaas - Linked in Marijnn Kortekaas Email - [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we talk to Jacqui Pretty,  Founding CEO of Grammar Factory. Grammar Factory is a publishing company that works with small business owners and leaders, entrepreneurs, health practitioners, topic experts, and turn their knowledge into published books. What is covered in this episode: The reason people put off writing a book Ways to manage the fear or hesitation of starting Using a blueprint to guide you in writing your first book The importance of having a clear idea of who your readers are Identifying, testing, expanding and organizing your ideas into a blueprint The value of “how to” books Methods to help you focus when writing your book Recommended length for books Doing a self-review and finding an editor for your book Different editing and publishing services available in the market The steps Grammar Factory takes in editing your book The book cover’s internal layout and design process Difference of traditional publishing versus self-publishing companies Marketing your book and the value of building partnerships Why the Ebook is recommended Book Blueprint: How Any Entrepreneur Can Write an Awesome Book Grammar Factory and its services Links: Grammar Factory The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Awesome Book LinkedIn - Jacqui PrettySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today in the podcast we talk with Jo Muirhead, the founding director of the Purple Code. Purple Code is a company that helps people return to work following illness, injury and trauma and works with the tagline “Purpose for People.” What is covered in this episode: The story of how and why Purple Code was born Importance of sense of work and contribution for people People in her business Speed bumps in her business venture The story of how Jo changed her business model and how systems are very important to a business The advantage of using a recruitment company in finding people who were fit for the job Investments made when Jo started the business How a coach has helped her in running her business How the health system is not designed to help with the chronicity of health issues at hand and how chronicity is disabling people How to make a business sustainable instead of wanting overnight success ICF and Coach Training / Certification How Jo uses coaching principles and other skills associated with coaching has helped her business Coaching as a unique skill set Jo as an allied health business coach The benefits and differences coaching has made for Jo What happened to Jo’s business when her clinical load went down The future for Purple Code Jo’s upcoming book “The Entrepreneurial Clinician” Links: Purple Co. Linked In - Jo MuirheadSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today in the podcast we talk with Emma Price, founder of Source Kids. Source Kids, founded in 2014, is a multi-channel resource magazine for parents and carers who are raising children with disability. What is covered in this episode: Emma’s inspiration in building this business Range of channels where Source Kids information is available How Source Kids has grown over the course of 4 years Variety of the magazine’s audience Information available on the Source Kids’ website and directory 1st Disability Expo in Brisbane on July 6 & 7, 2018 Activities and exhibitors to expect in the Disability Expo Source Kids Disability Expo in Melbourne on March 29 & 30, 2019 Practical things supporters can do to help promote the expo The role of Source Kids as a support mechanism to parents and carers The mission and vision of the magazine The magazine as a visual feast which contains energizing content Sources of images in the magazine Not all disabilities are visible disabilities How source kids reminds health care professionals what real collaboration and partnerships with families are Parents, carers and people with disability making their own decisions How to establish the best relationships and outcomes with others Expansion roll-out of the magazine from national to localized state-based magazines The magazine’s need for expert content for its audience Links:   Source Kids Facebook Website Disability Expo Website Disability Expo Facebook Event in Brisbane Business Legal LifecycleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we chat with lawyer and author Jeremy Streten from the Business Legal Lifecycle. No matter what the size your practice is, you must pay attention to the legal aspects right from the start. If you don’t take care of your legal obligations and plan for the inevitable problems that will surface, you will be exposing yourself to additional stress as a private practice owner.  Jeremy breaks down the 13 phases of your business lifecycle to make it super easy for you to understand. What is covered in this episode: Jeremy’s different and holistic approach to service the type of clients rather than the type of work How the Business Legal Lifecycle is helping small to medium business owners make the right legal discussions at the right time The most common mistakes made in the first five years of business Why it is important to get advice from consultants in all areas of your business Why you need to have a service agreement in place before you start working with clients The importance of having a debt recovery process in place Why you need to consider when you start employing staff The difference between an employee and a contractor The dangers of listening to 'BBQ advice'  The four stages of your business An overview of the 13 phases of your business lifestyle What you need to consider when trademarking What is considered intellectual property in a private practice Starting with the end in mind with business planning The difference between scale and growth The importance of regularly updating your policies and procedures What you need to consider if you take cash payments Don't be afraid to ask questions to make sure you understand the advice you are getting Links: Business Legal LifecycleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we talk with Melbourne based clinician and private practice owner Dee Wardrop.   What is covered in this episode: How one family helped Dee to start her speech therapy business The juggle of balancing a family and starting an allied health business Highlights of her business development of the last 10 years that has led to currently 12 staff and 3 sites The importance of having a beautiful and supportive workplace facilities Tips for recruiting the right staff members that fit the culture of your team The importance of trusting your gut when recruiting Knowing the importance of a good brand and vibe of your business The mistakes Dee has made over her business journey The regret Dee has in naming her business by her name The importance of innovation and creativity in delivery of outcomes to families How she brings together a dynamic team of allied health professionals to deliver exceptional customer service Dee thoughts on the NDIS and the opportunities it can bring to speech pathology to bring about change Some of the timing frustrations she has found with the NDIS and the funding being allocated to families The importance of pre-planning and prep work for NDIS families The question of capping the number of NDIS patients allied health practices take on How Dee thinks the NDIS will look like in 5 years with a more collaborative approach Her unique leadership style and how she motivates her team through love and passion What owning a business has taught her about herself and how the business will look into the future See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we talk with Amanda Abel, founder of Northern Centre for Child Development (NCCD), a multidisciplinary paediatric practice in Preston Melbourne. Amanda has over fourteen years’ experience as a psychologist working with families and has a special interest in paediatrics, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, learning difficulties, disabilities and behaviour management. She has worked in a variety of settings in both the public and private sectors which has allowed her to gain extensive experience helping a wide range of clients. What is covered in this episode: The importance of being authentic and transparent with her clients whilst sharing their knowledge and expertise in her practice How persistence and driving ambition has helped her to create the practice she always wanted, without a business plan What she has learnt in the first two years of being a private practice owner Importance of trusting your gut and instincts to avoid errors, especially around staff The joy of having a recognisable brand in the industry Amanda's impressive Facebook strategy that aims to build brand awareness and how she achieves that through interesting and engaging page content Her blogging efforts (or lack of!) The importance of having weekly team case discussions The difference adding Paediatricians to her practice has made How Amanda balances her busy week between being a business owner and a mother Creating boundaries between work and family time The benefits of investing in awesome administration support and how it has helped to reduce stress as the business owner The importance of having solid policies and procedures in place that evolve over time Why she outsources the HR function of the practice The lessons learnt in offering workshops and parent retreats What the future looks like for herself professionally and NCCD Who would she add to her team if money was no object How the NDIS is changing the way her business operates and why she didn't register as a provider The payoff of all the hard work knowing she and her team are changing the lives of their clients and the importance of celebrating these wins   Northern Centre for Child DevelopmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we talk with Tara Stafford who is the founder of Learning Links Speech Pathology about her start up journey of the last 2 years.   What is covered in this episode: Rebranding and the ups and downs of opening new clinics over the last 12 months. The steps and modelling she did in the planning phase and how that has led to rapid growth. How she came up with the business name. Her commitment to developing a family-friendly work culture. How she reduced her patient cancellation rate. Communication lines and relationships she builds with her referral partners. Key learnings on building a successful practice business and how she has learnt to distance her work and personal life. The importance of looking after yourself as the business owner so that you can look after your patients. Difference between being clinician and a manager. What Tara is most proud of in her business journey so far and how getting good support has allowed her to give back to the industry and community. The importance of developing guidelines with working with families. Marketing tactics to the importance of personal contact in your marketing. Facebook and email marketing tips she used to get referrals before opening the doors to a new practice location. Leadership techniques for bringing the team together and prioritising personal development. Creating a culture where staff are welcomed to ask questions. Training your staff in your marketing activities and relationship building. What to look for when recruiting staff that suit your brand. How she has customised their Practice Management Service software to boost productivity. How using templates has increased the practice's productivity. The year ahead, the impact of the NDIS and letting go of control. Tara's key learning around why you don't need to know everything. The supportive role Tara's husband provides for her and the business.   Resources Learning Links Speech PathologySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we talk with Sandra D’Souza, author of Social Media for Baby Boomers and CEO of social media and marketing agency Curate Bee.   What is covered in this episode: Social media tips for the allied health professionals Why it is important to understand how your customers use Facebook The struggles Sandra faced 8 years ago to find information online when researching her daughter's condition Understanding the buyers journey and why you need to identify the pain points of your potential customers when communicating to them The power of online communities for getting customer feedback The importance of having a person-centric focus instead of a system focus practice The big guys vs the little guys approach who have a priority on innovation and flexibility The importance of Facebook marketing as a sharing and community focused ecosystem How parents are using social media to research and gather community feedback How to get started using Facebook and why you need to post valuable information on what you know instead of just sales-based messaging 70% of customers do their research online before purchasing How to manager customers complaints online and create a moment of truth Understanding the more information you have out there, the easier it is for potential customers to find you The importance of good customer service 101 The important features every allied health professional needs to have on their website How to use blogs and simple language on your website to connect with potential new customers visiting it The future of online bookings How newsletters can nurture the customer relationship and how to repurpose the content How Curate Bee helps small business owners with their social media and content marketing Taking your knowledge, overcoming fear and marketing yourself online How practitioners can use their fears to their advantage.   Resources: Email  [email protected] to get a free copy of Social Media for Baby Boomers Curate Bee Curate bee FREEBeesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we talk with Steven Whittington, Chief Product Owner from coreplus. coreplus is an Australian online e-health practice management software that’s accessible anywhere, anytime saving time and money for their users. What is covered in this episode: How coreplus got started and the impact the cloud has had on the uptake of the software Developments in the last 6 months of the coreplus software including user interface upgrade, automated workflows and secure messaging A breakdown of how automated workflows would work practically into a practice A background to secure messaging and how it will impact the flow of patient records and communication between practices in the future A patient-centered focus for automated workflows and secure messaging The top 3 feaures and benefits of the coreplus software The ability to work with coreplus online anytime, anywhere Integrated workflows and costs saving with coreplus connecting directly with Medicare online Lessons learnt from communicating and working with allied health private practice business owners The need for greater investment in business management and mindset of clinical business owners What the digital health world will look like in the next 5 years The issue of Practice Managers changing where referrals go for cost savings The need to make the process receiving referrals as easy as possible for allied health providers The impact of the rollout of My Health Record for allied health providers The lack of a NDIS tech backend to enable practice software integration The future features rolling out on coreplus.   Resources: coreplus website Steven on LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast we talk with Ingrid Cole from Everyday Independence. Based in Victoria, Everyday Independence supports children, adolescents and adults living with disabilities to improve their independence in everyday life through the provision of occupational therapy, speech pathology and physiotherapy     What is covered in this episode: What Ingrid learnt going 'back on the tools' recently Supporting for people beyond their physical needs Everyday Independence’s range of services and how they cater to the needs of their clients throughout their lives How theory works in between sessions, not just doing the actual sessions How Everyday Independence operates as a Person-Centred practice approach The use of one-page profiles for staff and clients How Everyday Independence implemented a coaching-based culture last year Adjusting the coaching approach when needed on an individual basis The benefits of having a Graduate Program 5% of the future workplace will be based around industries as part of the NDIS How to engage and retain experienced clinical staff Embracing and encouraging creativity and innovation with staff How Ingrid has developed her skills as a business owner through just-in-time learning and embracing mentors The importance of having a growth mindset within your organisation Ingrid's thoughts on the NDIS now and how it will be in the next 5 years What is unique about Everyday Independence Lessons learnt as a Co-Director Where the business will be in 12 months’ time.   Resources: Everyday Independence websiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My superstar guest this week is the founding director of Pro-Assist, Karina Follent. After embarking on her journey as a virtual assistant and finding that the market was peppered with talent and often hard to break into, she stumbled on her niche. Commencing work with a physiotherapist she discovered the lack of support available in the virtual space for allied health professionals. Thus, Pro-Assist was born. Pro-Assist is a VA service for allied health professionals. Pro-Assist is a team that enables business automation, development of a customer service model and business efficiency by taking on those nagging day-to-day tasks. Now 2 years into her business, Karina’s business has grown to a team and a very healthy client base. If you are a business owner looking to be more efficient in the administrative space and get back to focusing on your clients, you do not want to miss this conversation!   We also get to talking about: The processes and systems that private practices can automate Onboarding the right VA and establishing the relationship between practitioner and assistant The opportunities that the VA investment presents Client transformations – the difference a good night’s sleep can make and what a good VA can deliver The flexible business model – pay for what you use Creation and curation of social media content – getting to know your audience Social media scheduling tools, she reveals her favorite Who is on the Pro-Assist team Her opinion of practice management software The considerations that should be made when choosing a practice management software The lack of affordable support for allied health professionals in the virtual assistance space How she learnt about the business of business Books and blogs that she loves to binge Why you’re never too small to get a VA Her client list and what specialties it includes Tailoring your service to fit your business size What she would do with the business cash injection Her great question for me!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s super intelligent and talented guest is the founding CEO of Cliniko, Joel Friedlaender. Joel has a background in software development and has been introduced to private practice by his partner. His partner is an Osteopath and was becoming increasingly frustrated with the practice management software options available. She suggested to Joel that he spend a few months creating some practice management software.  Jump forward to now, 7 years later where Joel is working on Cliniko full-time with a team of 25. Joel is making leaps and bounds in the transformation of an all-inclusive practice management software and running a successful business. This chat will certainly teach you something about the tech space and the future of practice management software. We also get to talking about: How the plan has changed from a tool for appointments and notes The dream of a one-stop-shop for practice management software, what that looks like and where Cliniko stands How he prioritizes important feature development Cliniko as a responsive software and what this means What feedback Joel and his team are receiving – the good and the bad Cliniko’s current strengths – reliability, customer service and more Changes to customer service and what this means for the end user Cyber security and what it means for practice management What you should be focused on when it comes to cyber security Managing teams and how he does it – communication, management, productivity, applications, etc. The no management model – how does this work? His dislike of processes and how this works when you’re running a business and a team of 25 Management dashboards and how this is going to help the budding entrepreneur private practitioner What practice management is going to look like in 5 years’ time Big data 101 – a crash course Cliniko transparency – the scoop on what is coming up for the business His advice for those paper file lovers! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My very remarkable guest this week is Maria McKenzie, founding director of Adaptive Abilities and Hartley Knows. She has been working in the Private Practice space for 19 years, starting out ‘very part-time’ as a sole trader while on maternity leave. She gradually grew her business as her children got older to move into working with schools and in rooms with other private practitioners. Jump forward to now and she is practicing full-time as an OT, has gone on to develop a handwriting program and start her second business. Based in Mt Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula, Maria grew her business organically and away from a metropolitan hub. We also get to talking about: Offering school based services What the paediatric private practice community looks like on the Mornington Peninsula What the economic landscape is like on the Mornington Peninsula and the challenges this presents Her business knowledge when she started out Running her business manually – without the assistance of practice management software Her booking system, how it’s different and why it works Why she has made the decision to remain a sole practitioner What makes her business unique Hartley knows – why she developed the program, what it is and how it works Her business mentor – who it is and the value of having a business mentor The value of having coaching training The personal growth experienced by being in business What’s in the cards for the future of Adaptive Abilities and Hartley Knows Her tips for our listeners! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s exceptional guest is the Founding Director of Same View, Danny Hui. Danny is developing the Same View App to give families of those with a disability a collaborative platform to manage their care teams. The idea for this app came from his own experience with the stresses of managing a loved one’s care. Danny has a background in engineering, emergency and disaster management which has equipped him with the right tools along with his personal experiences to create the successful platform. Starting in November 2016, Same View is already in its prototyping phase and is getting noticed – with good reason! Danny and I get to discussing: Why he is personally driven to build and drive the success of this app His personal discovery of finding the right care and managing that care for a loved one How Same View kicked off About the Optus Future Makers recognition that Same View has received What Same View is going to look like, and will it be easy for busy parents? How allied health professionals will be able to use the app Duplication, how Same View is making it easier for the user and allied health professional The focus on adding value What has changed for his family by using the app The benefits he has personally experienced from using the app The collaboration involved in writing the goals of the app Who is picking Same View up in its prototype stage Who the app can be applied to The importance of getting feedback and what that means for the future of the app What the next 6-12 months looks like for Same View What Danny would like from allied health professionals His great question for me – not one that I have had before! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My very experienced and talented guest this week is Founding CEO of One on One Children’s Therapy, Sue Marden. Sue was the first mobile Speech Pathologist in Sydney’s eastern suburbs when her private practice journey began 27 years ago. Sue started her business when she was 6 months pregnant and by the time her son was born was already at a full case load. With baby number 2 the business moved to her garage before evolving when her third child was 3 to private practice rooms. Now flying high (25 stories high to be exact) over Bondi Junction, One on One’s Children’s therapy is a hugely successful, multi-disciplinary private practice with a wait list and more growth on the horizon. Sue also shares with me: What the private practice landscape looked like when she started out and what people thought of private practitioners A guided tour of her very unique practice rooms in Bondi Junction A who’s who on her growing multi-disciplinary team Her involvement with Latrobe University in developing an app for her clinical work What ESDM is and why this is such a large part of her practice Her opinion on how ESDM is different from the ABA How she finds and trains her team Her system and processes and how this drives her business The admin and finance side of her business and how this is constantly evolving What a typical week looks like for Sue – her business management to clinical ratio What her main challenges are with social media (hint: it doesn’t involve marketing) What her business has taught her – the good and the bad What her team does brilliantly and how the culture of her business has changed because of the team’s dynamic Mentoring – why it is important to the business and the development of the team The evolution of her administration team Where / how her business brain developed Learning from your mistakes and how this is valuable to business and self Where she sees the business in the next 12 months What she would do with a $50,000 cash injection into her practice Her question/s for me – they were some good ones!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My trailblazing guest duo this week are the founding directors of Therapy Connect, Sue Cameron and Simone Dudley. Sue Cameron a Speech Therapist and Simone Dudley an Occupational Therapist met online. They are both located in rural, Australian communities, married to famers and share a passion for providing therapy to those that aren’t able to access it as easily as those in metro areas. Therapy connect was born from this passion and is now a thriving telepractice providing teletherapy to those in rural communities within Australia and offshore. Their truly unique business model, their innovative natures and drive for continuous learning and improvement is sure to inspire! Sue and Simone also share with me: •A detailed explanation of ‘telehealth’ and ‘telepractice’ and the benefits of this technology •How and where the trailblazing duo met •What they are working on and where they are working from •The different requirements for teletherapy and how it all works •How they measure their success (hint: it’s not dollars in the bank) •The time it takes to adapt what they would do in a face to face session to a telepractice setting •The different online resources they are finding to assist them with telepractice and how this is shaping their business •Where they stand on the NDIS •How they are educating parents to be their child’s therapist and the lasting effects of this •The project that they are working on with the University of Sydney •Where their practice is flowing to off Australian shores •What their business has taught them in the last 2 years •What they are most proud of in their business life •Their question for me and my advice to them •And so much more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My dynamic guest this week is the Founding Director of Melbourne Child Development, Robyn Stephen. Robyn is a pioneer of private practice in Melbourne. Starting out, like most of us, from her own home as Robyn Stephen and Associates she has grown to a multi-disciplinary practice in her very own building. With the assistance of some innovators in the private practice space and her husband as her business coach the possibilities are endless for this new venture. Robyn Stephen and Associates may have been parked to make way for Melbourne Child Development and all the exciting opportunities that come with a re-launch but the same love and standard of service has carried across. Robyn also shares with me: Being on the Speech Pathology Australia Board 6 years – her various roles and what she has learnt Developing a strategic business plan - what to do, how to do it and who to speak to The scary side of rebranding and the emotions associated with this huge transition to a business that no one knows the name of Having her husband as a co-director and business coach How she gets things done when she’s self-described as ‘not a planner’ How the launch has allowed them to connect with new clients, re-connect with previous clients and retain current clients How to successfully inform current clients of the re-branding of a business that they know and love Rebranding and organisational culture – does one influence the other How her staff have embraced the business strategic plan and incorporated it daily into the organisations culture Authentic marketing and messaging –the important pieces Upgrading the practice – how many times she’s upgraded the practice and why Being a pioneer in private practice, the changes she has noticed in the industry What her business has taught her about continuous improvement Why she is not afraid to spend money on seeking expert advice Her investment in her team (check out the Rockstar photos on the website) and who is in it Innovation and their point of difference Her philosophy of excellence and what that means for her and the business The future – what is in store for Melbourne Child Development See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest this week is the super savvy founder of Allied Health Marketing, Chris McCarroll. Allied Health Marketing looks after allied health professionals in a marketing capacity. While Chris is the first to say that he is not a business coach but in fact a service that sits between the business and business coach developing marketing strategies and offering a range of solutions to grow the business. Chris started out in fashion marketing at the tender age of 21 and straight out of uni. He then moved to not for profit marketing with Surf Lifesaving while working with freelance clients. After deciding that freelancing was where he wanted to be he was introduced to the allied health world by working the National Board of Exercise Physiologists and so, Allied Health Marketing was born. I am blown away by what I learnt in this conversation. Get a notepad because we also get to talking about: What he heard that Allied Health Professionals wanted from a marketer His response to “I’m not comfortable marketing myself” The best way to make connections with potential clients Selling outcomes – why it is important The changing landscape of marketing in allied health Where allied health professionals are coming unstuck with marketing Identifying your ideal customer and their need How to put yourself above everyone else and sell your services Who is in his office, what they do and how they do it Why he’ll never be hands-off and why he loves being involved in the strategy Why it’s important to take care of your team The process of getting started with Allied Health Marketing – the customer experience Websites – return on investment, are you getting yours? Instagram – the fun, the distraction, the casualness… Video marketing – why it’s important and why you should attend one of his incredible workshops (yes, please!) His own experience with a video marketing workshop The best way to start shooting your own social media videos What you have in your household to be able to shoot 5 videos today 3 types of video content that could benefit your business So many more tips for engaging content and video! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My incredible guest this week is the founding director of Occupational Therapy Helping Children, Lisa Hughes. Lisa Hughes is a Paediatric Pioneer when it comes to private practice. An extremely talented Occupational Therapist she opened her first private practice in 1994 on Sydney’s northern beaches, when most were working in the public health sector. Like most allied health professionals, she had minimal business and management training. With the assistance of her husband an accountant and business coach she has continued to pave the way for paediatric private practice opening additional practices, now at a total of 5! She has recruited an amazing team and expanded her business knowledge from 0 to superstar status! You are sure to get as much out of this inspiring conversation as I did. We also get to talking about: Outsourcing – why she swears by it and what she outsources now Going full circle on everything she thought originally She takes us on a tour of her practices Who is working in her team currently and potential additions in the future Engaging a practice manager – what got her across the line when deciding to hire Providing an ‘in school’ therapy service and her percentage of clinical and community based services What practice management system she is using and how this has changed her business game Practice policies and procedures, what state they are in and how she maintains these very important business elements Contractor or employee? How she structures her human resources for ultimate flexibility School holidays – is this a busy or quiet period for her business? How she works during this period The NDIS – her thoughts and how her business will work with this What her and her team do the best Marketing and social media – what she is trying and what seems to be working The struggles and dark moments of private practice The future – what is in store for Occupational Therapy Helping Children Her fascinating question for me! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.