Prosperident Pulse #64 December 2017

Merriam Osmondson

Executive Director

Fresno Madera Dental Society

At first glance, that question may sound like a threat. If I’m replaceable, then what is my real value? If I’m replaceable, where’s my leverage? Who needs me?

I can hear your answer. “Me, replaceable? Heck no! I’m the owner! I do the work. I’m highly trained and have years of experience doing x, y, z.

I have specific relationships with our clients or patients – it wouldn’t be possible to replace me without severe damage to the business.”

“I’ve worked hard all my life to get where I am.”

And exactly where are you?

“At the top of my game. I have a practice (job – ed.) to go to every day of the week. I can’t take time off because I am so busy doing the thing I spent so many years learning. I still have a ton of debt to pay off, and I don’t see any way off this hamster wheel. But life is good. Someday I’ll be able to enjoy it.”

Hmmm, sort of a Catch 22. The better one becomes at “doing the thing,” providing the technical labor, the less freedom there is. Trading time for dollars, no matter what the hourly pay rate, is not a path to freedom.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

I hope that all of you enjoyed Thanksgiving and are now getting geared up for a month of holiday celebrations. As we are entering December, I will risk being a “Debbie-Downer” by mentioning that this is also the season that is most likely to produce embezzlement in your practice.

This is because the thieving element in your office is most likely to help themselves to a little more than your generous spirit to pay for Christmas, making December and January particularly active months for employee theft.

With patients’ insurance coming to its year-end and some non-insured patients looking to maximize tax deductions, it is a perfect time for money to disappear, undetected, from your office.

My team and I wish nothing but the best for you and your two families (actual and work “family”) this holiday season, but we would not be doing our jobs if we did not ask you to make sure you pay attention to unusual staff behavior during this busy time of year. Charity begins at home, but this should never be unwittingly extended to your work family.

If you have any reason to believe that you are unwillingly funding someone else’s holiday celebrations, please reach out to us and we will be happy to provide discreet assistance.

My deepest wish is that none of you fine folks would ever feel the need for embezzlement investigation, however, statistics do not support that wish and so I will let you know that if you are concerned about someone behaving badly in your office, we are here to help. Always.

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays,