Adjusting to a new economy (notes from India #1)

Monday afternoon at the Doubletree Hilton in Goa, India (yes - we did get a cookie at check in).

My third trip to India and, once more, I am entranced by the magic of this country.

This morning, a two-hour meeting with my hosts to inspect the room, take a first look at the handouts and run though our agenda for the first two days.

We welcome 60 delegates for "Get Your Year In Gear 2025" and then a smaller group on Thursday for a Mastermind meeting.

It's back to basics first:

• Financial Modelling for Profitability;

• The Patient Experience;

• Low-Cost Marketing;

• Business Strategy for the next 3 years.

Although the majority of Indian dentists are running 2-chair clinics as lifestyle businesses, my delegates are predominantly those who have decided to grow beyond that model and are on the journey from Owner-Managed to Manager-Managed and , ultimately Golden Goose.

My title reflects the need to adjust to the differences in the Indian dental landscape.

• Very little preventative maintenance;

• Higher lab cost KPIs - as much as 20%;

• Lower labour costs - maybe 8% (you wish eh?);

• Very little marketing of any type;

• IOS mainly used by the ortho community;

• Alginate everywhere;

• Endemic price-shopping by patients;

• Zero (and I mean zero) acquisitions - dentists get to retirement and throw the keys down a grid;

But.......

A hunger to learn and grow - and open minds - what more can I ask?

As always, at the beginning of such a journey, the hope that a few members of the audience will recall in years to come that this week changed their lives.

But for now, my UK clients call - 6 hours on the laptop to follow...........