Are You Following Us Everywhere? You Should.

The FABI Nugget: Your Business Vision

Tricks of the Trade - DPMs: Breaking Out of Your Social Media Shell

Speak Up DPMs: Let's Make Some Matches!

Featured Sponsor Article: Forefoot Supinatus and The Richie Brace®

Practice Partner Academy - Upcoming Session and Recent Recordings

Tricks of the Trade - Vendors: On-Site Communication Tactics

Speak Up Vendors: It's Experienced Exhibitor Mastermind Time

Tricks of the Trade - Meeting Planners: Stand Your Ground

Meeting Calendar - Next 90 Days

We Wanna Be Social With You! Are you a die-hard Ann and Sarah fan? Orrrrr... do you at least like us a little bit ? Then get a bigger dose! If you're not currently following us on our socials - DO IT! Check out our links below to stay in the know when we're not blowing up your inbox. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

FABI Nugget: Bite-Sized Chunks For Your Practice Vision for Your Business

A Vision for your business is a vivid, compelling and value-based painted picture of what the business will become in the future. A clear and well-articulated vision can bring various benefits to you and your practice. This FABI nugget is brought to you by the letter “V” and these 4 V’s are so valuable - they’re virtually priceless. First and foremost, we have to appreciate that our vision is VOLUNTARY. Your vision is self-chosen and self-imposed and likely different from my vision. It is not something that is imposed by external factors or external forces. This is your game to create, play and win. Should you choose not to have vision, how will you know where you’re going? How will you win your game? What does the game even look like? So for the love of FABI, have a vision! What I’m saying to you is that your vision is VITAL to your success. It helps to set the direction for your practice goals and objectives. It provides a framework for decision making and helps to ensure that all actions align with the company's overall mission. Without a clear vision, a business can easily lose focus. Without a vision, your employees will be flying blind. You lose a great opportunity for actual buy-in and sense of ownership from your team since they, like you, don’t have a bigger picture to view and no end zone in site. Hopefully by now I’ve convinced you of the vitality of your vision. If you really want buy-in, then let’s make it VIBRANT, inspiring and exciting. It should energize you, your employees and the community you work in to work towards a common goal. A vibrant vision can bring a sense of excitement and enthusiasm to the company, which can improve employee morale and engagement let alone your bottom line. And with your vibrant vision well documented, you have to make it VISIBLE: A vision should be clear and communicated effectively to all employees and stakeholders. This helps to ensure that everyone is aware of the company's mission and direction, and can work towards achieving it. A visible vision also makes it easier for employees to see how their work contributes to the company's overall goals and overall success. In a nutshell, a vision for a business is vital for success. It is a valuable, vital, visible, vibrant and voluntary component of a successful business strategy. A clear and well-articulated vision can provide a sense of purpose and direction for the business, and align the actions of the company with its overall mission. It can energize employees, improve employee morale and engagement and bring a sense of excitement and enthusiasm to your company. So go forth and be a VISIONARY! Your Valued Friend, Matthew Dairman, DPM MS

TRICKS OF THE TRADE - Quick Tips for DPMs Break Out of Your Social Media Shell Plus a Special Interview with Dr. Sarah Haller Sarah Breymeier Last month's "Tricks of the Trade" for focused on utilizing your time at meetings to the MAXIMUM. One of the ways this is possible is to use all of the unique situations you're in while you're on site for social media. The main message was: "EVERYTHING IS CONTENT." Click here to go back and check out last month's tip. But, a social media presence doesn't come as naturally to everyone as it does for others. If you didn't join us for PodiatryExpo last August, first of all - shame on you.... 😉 but, second we want to share one of the interviews we conducted with Sarah Haller, DPM, AACFAS and star of TLC's "My Feet are Killing Me." In this interview, Dr. Haller describes her experience and gives some insight on the ways to break through any social media apprehension you may be experiencing and TO JUST GO FOR IT!

SPEAK UP, DPMs Monthly Quick Poll - Who Can We Connect You With? We have an amazing group of corporate sponsors that offer products that have the potential to elevate your practice! If you are looking to explore some new products and/or services... we would love to help you make a perfect match! Use the poll below to let us know if you would like more information about any of the following product and/or service types!

I WANT TO EXPLORE POST-OP SHOES, WALKERS, AND OFFLOADING DEVICES Yes, please put me in touch with someone about these products. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE A NEW PATHOLOGY LAB AND/OR LEARN MORE ABOUT BIOPSIES Yes, please put me in touch with someone about this service. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE CONSERVATIVE METHODS OF TREATING INGROWN TOENAILS. Yes, please put me in touch with someone about conservative nail treatments. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE NEW OTC PRODUCTS FOR PATIENT SKIN CONDITIONS. Yes, please put me in touch with someone about these products Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE ONLINE MARKETING STRATEGIES. Yes, please put me in touch with someone about this service. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE OTC ORTHOTICS & FOOTWEAR. Yes, please put me in touch with someone about these products. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE CUSTOM DIABETIC INSERTS & SHOES PROGRAMS. Yes, please put me in touch with someone about these products. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE LASER THERAPY FOR PAIN, FUNGUS, AND MORE. Yes, please put me in touch with someone about this technology. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

I WANT TO EXPLORE CUSTOM AFOs. Yes, please put me in touch with someone about these products. Select My current supplier is satisfying me. Select

FEATURED SPONSOR TIP Casting for the Richie Brace® and Removing Forefoot Supinatus Removing forefoot supinatus is crucial when treating patients with PTTD.

Patient must be casted non-weight bearing, neutral suspension technique Be sure to push down on 1st ray and remove all forefoot supinatus (this is most important when treating PTTD)

Watch Dr. Richie's training video with instructions for removing forefoot supinatus when casting below:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAIL FROM DR. RICHIE

PRACTICE PARTNER ACADEMY Helping You Choose Strategic Partners for Your Practice NEXT WEEK...

Treat Warts and IPKs with Class IV Laser Therapy WITHOUT a Local Anesthetic & WITH Insurance Coverage.  Presented by David Zuckerman, DPM Tuesday, April 4th @ 8pm EST CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION PREVIEW

DO YOU WANT TO REGISTER FOR THIS SESSION Um.... Duh. Please send me the login details! Select My patients don't have warts... they're perfect. Select

Did you miss our latest? Well, we're bummed you didn't show up for the live airing, but we always have our Academy Sessions recorded. Check 'em out!

What Causes a Flatfoot Deformity and Does it Always Need Treatment? Presented by Dr. Doug Richie

Breaking the Fungal Recurrence Cycle: Importance of Disinfecting Footwear Presented by Dr. Bryan Markinson

How to Become a Top Performing Podiatrist: The Changes it Takes to Join the 1% Club Presented by Podiatry Marketing Specialist, Randy Rosler

TRICKS OF THE TRADE - Quick Tips for Vendors On-Site Communication Strategy Sarah Breymeier Last month at SAM we held an Experienced Exhibitor Workshop that was packed with information. We do plan on sharing it all with you... but here's a chunk focused on pre-show communication that you can sink your teeth in to for now. Did you miss the pre-show communication tip last month? CLICK HERE TO GET TO IT NOW Communication strategy is a LOT to digest... so we're trying to deliver this to you in a way that is easier to swallow. Enjoy!

GIVEAWAYS Go beyond the standard promo item - consider higher-value such as gift cards or other non-sample items. You can be picky! Make sure they give something too (i.e. fill out a survey, schedule a demo, etc). Spin the wheel – provides fun creates an excuse for conversation (now they can’t just do the drive-by of snagging off the table and running away) Pro tip - take a fun short video (try boomerang) of the spinny wheel to grab some attention on social media or save it for an upcoming email.

PRINTED INVITES & FLYERS While we're not convinced that mailing flyers or invitations has an impact, personally handing invitations for a special event (like a Learning Lab) to attendees while at the conference, before the event, DOES make a difference. Try printing a simple 4x6 postcard and handing them out to every attendee you see at the conference in the hours leading up to your special event.

EMAILS SCHEDULED DURING THE EVENT Automate as much as you can ahead of time. Schedule emails strategically to be sent during breaks when attendees are likely to be looking at their phones. Send short last-minute reminders right before anything special. Focus your content on one specific thing - either your show special, sample offer, special event, or whatever it may be. Be sure your subject line lets them know you’re emailing them about the conference they are at right now.  STAY TUNED FOR POST-EVENT STRATEGY AND TACTICS!

SPEAK UP, VENDORS Monthly Quick Poll is Cancelled! Instead, join us for our next Experienced Exhibitor Mastermind Our April 2023 sessions are coming up and we want you to share your experiences and brainstorm with us!   Here's how this will work: You pick a day and time that works for your schedule using this link: https://calendly.com/cloverconf/experienced-exhibitor-mastermind We set the max number of attendees per session to 6. We will meet via Zoom and have an open and frank discussion that will focus on a theme and a few specific challenges or questions. The theme and questions will be provided to you with the Zoom information so you can prepare some thoughts ahead of time. This project will NOT be a b*tch fest. The goal is to come up with ideas and suggestions and give feedback on what works. If we simply hosted a complaint forum with no solutions, that wouldn't benefit anyone. These sessions are always a good time and the sharing of key success factors for exhibiting is invaluable! Be there or be super duper square!

90-DAY MEETING OUTLOOK Click below to see industry events for upcoming months.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE Quick Tips for Meeting Planners Stand Your Ground.

Ann and I have had the opportunity to speak to a LOT of meeting planners and organizers over the last several years. One of our favorite aspects to discuss are the sponsorship packages for vendors. On the same token, one of the things we hate to see are companies who have "deep pockets" using and abusing the meeting staff. Ick. Look, we know how vital it is to have strong relationships with companies that continue to support meetings. It. Is. Crucial. What is not crucial, and is fact a poison, is when a company begins to bully the meeting organizers and staff for their own agenda. We've seen companies spend a lot of money with a meeting (which is awesome!) but then use the power as a coercive weapon (not awesome.) Most people would say, "well if you're being bullied, then just tell them no." OK. Well, where are we going to scrounge thousands upon thousands of dollars that they provide? You know this conversation. I'm not saying it's an easy one to figure out. It's not. Affording meetings on site is getting more expensive every year and corporate dollars are getting harder to come by. But that doesn't mean that anyone should be taking advantage of the situation in a way that doesn't make you feel good about what you're providing, or about conducting your responsibilities on a daily basis. Who wants to go to work knowing they are going to be bullied? Every scenario is different, which is why you have probably caught on to why I haven't provided a concrete solution. What I will say, though, is start finding new ways to ensure you are not relying on a single provider who has you "bent over a barrel." When they know you have no options, there really isn't any way to negotiate and receive the monetary support you know you're worth. Stand your ground and don't allow a company to start calling the shots at your event. In fact, Ann and I have consulted with planners to find new ways to build sponsorship packages so that more vendors can get involved - those who don't have deeper pockets, but do want to participate. We have uncovered some really fun ways to create MORE OPTIONS at a LOWER PRICE, which ultimately results in increased revenue. If you would like brainstorm with us, let us know! We love working with organizations that truly want to make progress and enhance experiences for DPMs and vendors alike - and we want you to love your meeting.

PodiatryMeetings.com presents information about upcoming podiatric events, featured podiatry vendors, exhibiting and travel tips, and more! Contact us by hitting "reply" or email us directly at BeHeard@podiatrymeetings.com