Change can be challenging and stressful, yet exciting and revitalizing. Regardless of how your company perceives change, one thing is certain... change is inevitable. Our company tries to be proactive, and we encourage our clients to be the same.

This week I’ve been meeting with team members at Leading Home Care about a new series of major website updates. Our firm uses Web-Centric Marketing, therefore website updates are taken very seriously. The changes to our websites will be dramatic. Our strategy shifts will hopefully continue our strong growth in 2006 and beyond.

I’m not going to ruin the surprises by telling you what’s coming this fall, but keep checking our websites and reading our newsletters.

For me personally, this change is exciting and revitalizing! As I sit down to write this week, I’m hoping I can encourage my readers to experience this revitalization in their own businesses and lives. Today’s article simply called “What’s New?!” offers a few suggestions to be more proactive about change.

Look at the critical functions of business, and choose one that you’d like to update.

1. Sales and Marketing
2. Recruitment and Retention
3. Operations
4. Leadership and Management.

Once you’ve made your choice, assemble your team, and get to work! Between now and October 1st you can make a single proactive change that will dramatically impact your effectiveness and growth in the fourth quarter.

One of the most powerful ways to influence your business growth is to embark on a new marketing campaign. I’m not talking about throwing your marketing plan away and starting from scratch. Simply look at your efforts this year. Evaluate what’s working and what’s not, then add something new to the mix.

Any of these suggestions could re-energize your sales and marketing efforts.

• Create a radio or cable television spot.
• Update your website
• Sell a new service to existing clients
• Develop a strategy to get more private pay business
• Design a new logo or adopt a new slogan
• Purchase a corporate gift or add a specialty item for your referral sources.

Even marketing techniques that work eventually get stale. Try something new for Q4.

The term “Human Resources” is more poignant in home care than virtually any other industry. Your people are your employees, your friends, your community and sometimes even your family. Beyond that, your people are also your inventory! Every major manufacturer has a quality improvement department. Every retailer has buyers dedicated to getting the best value in products. Why should home care be any different.

Try any of these to recruit, retain, or educate quality caregivers.

• Start or re-design an employee referral program.
• Create a tuition reimbursement program.
• Advertise for caregivers in a new place.
• Plan a rewards and recognition event.
• Hold a unique in-service.

In this era of high demand and low supply, companies who recruit and retain top caregivers will inevitably win in the marketplace.

Efficient scheduling, billing, payroll and information technology (IT) systems are important for two reasons. First, efficiency breeds profitability. Improving your systems allows your company to grow without increasing overhead. Second, and more importantly, efficiency improves customer service and satisfaction.

Ask yourself these questions and make changes accordingly:

• Is my office staff feeling over-worked?
• Are the same tasks being performed by multiple individuals?
• Are all your team members performing tasks for which they have training and ability?
• Is productivity being limited by outdated hardware or equipment?
• Are you able to process data efficiently?
• Are telephone and other communication systems meeting your needs?
• Are checks and balances in place to alert staff to potential billing or scheduling problems?

First, fix anything broken. Second, improve systems and processes that are at or near capacity.

Most Private Duty Today readers are owners, CEOs or executive management. Sometimes significant change needs to start with the person in the mirror. It isn’t that you aren’t working hard enough or long enough hours. It isn’t even that you aren’t on your game. Recognize that changes in leadership can impact an entire organization.

Leaders who desire improved quality, should try to improve themselves. Leaders who expect high performance should demonstrate it. Finally, leaders who want proactive companies should become proactive managers.

Work on your own skills.

• Take a time/stress management course.
• Read an excellent management book.
• Attend a conference or health fair.
• Network in your community.
• Do volunteer work.
• Raise your IT IQ.

Leaders who accept change lead companies who thrive on it.

Private Duty Today! is published every other Wednesday by Leading Home Care . . . a Tweed Jeffries company. We invite you to pass this newsletter along to your friends and colleagues in Private Duty Home Care by clicking on the link below.

• Publisher - Stephen Tweed, CSP
• Circulation Manager - Diane West
• Editor - Jason Tweed

Permission to Reproduce: Permission is granted to home care companies, home care associations, and home care related publications to reproduce articles from this newsletter as long as appropriate credit is given as follows: "Printed with permission from Private Duty Today! Copyright 2005 Leading Home Care ... To sign up for your FREE Subscription, log on to www.leadinghomecare.com."

You may also sign up for your FREE Subscription to Stephen Tweed's Leading Home Care Report. This bi-weekly electronic newsletter is written for home care company CEOs and senior executives who want to grow their businesses and multiply their performance.

email: jason@leadinghomecare.com

phone: 1-888-668-9333

web: http://www.privatedutytoday.com