Perception Is Our Reality
Inside Dental Technology delivers updates on digital workflows, materials, lab techniques, and innovation in dental technology through expert articles and videos.
January 1, 2022
Volume 13, Issue 1, January 2022
Page(s): p. 32
Executive Editor Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT | dalter@aegiscomm.com
The exercise of perspective reflection should be an ongoing and constant process, but if you have not reflected upon it yet, it is not too late and now is a good time to start. First, you must do some soul searching and answer a few questions to determine your own perspective. How do you view your laboratory? In one word or one sentence, what is the laboratory's purpose? Whom does the laboratory serve, and why? What impact does your laboratory provide in the grander scheme of things? Why should anyone utilize your services and products? And where will your laboratory of the future be? This may take a little time and multiple occasions of contemplation, but it will deliver tremendous feedback for you and your business.
After establishing those key resolutions, write down all the stakeholders involved in your laboratory's business and answer those same questions in their voices. If you feel comfortable enough, you may ask them to answer the same questions and uncover their perspectives regarding your business, particularly for internal members of the laboratory.
Please never assume your perspective is automatically the same as everyone else's. Whether they answered or you answered in their voice, take a look at all of them and try to recognize and identify any disparities in perspectives. For example, if one of your answers to a question was "white-glove service" and any of your stakeholders answered "price consciousness," the value and how the laboratory is perceived is quite different. This likely will lead to failed execution, now or in the future, simply because the perspectives and the intended outcomes are so different. Now, identifying the differences will arm you with the knowledge to best position your messaging—internally and externally—to align your laboratory's perspective, value, and intent with anyone involved; together, these actions will unequivocally propel your business forward.
Wishing all a prosperous year ahead!
It is my great honor and pleasure to elevate and inspire with knowledge!
