#899: A Guide to Celebrating Your Team!

Dental A Team Podcast

Tiff and Dana are encouraging listeners to start planning for an end-of-year celebration now to show your appreciation for the team. Their advice includes ideas that cost money, and ones that don’t!

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Transcript:

The Dental A Team (00:00.756)

Hello Dental A Team listeners, this is Tiff I am back at it today with miss Dana and Dana I'm so excited for you to be here with me We've had a lot of time together like this recently and it makes me so happy. I love when we can do it and Gosh, we need to schedule that hike. I'm telling you it's getting to the fall

So I can come down and see you soon. know that Aaron and I want to do that soon. So how are you today, Dana? How's life in Southern Arizona treating you today?

Dana (00:31.429)

doing pretty good like you said around the outfall although it's still in the hundreds so the thought of hiking sometimes is like you know what Tiff like maybe October you know what you're really good

The Dental A Team (00:35.934)

It's so hot!

Yeah, maybe November. Yep. Good. Awesome. Well, Dana, today's podcast is your baby. This is something and I know I always give you like props for the operations manual and you guys yeah, she is our operations manual whiz but this this today is something that

Dana's actually really fantastic at, she is fantastic at that too, but this is something that comes from her heart and her soul and something that we at Dental A Team gifted her as part of her position with us, just because it really, it literally comes from your heart and your soul, Dana. And you are so, so good at keying into people and what will make them happiest and how, how to make people feel appreciated and valued and

with gifts and words for sure, but like celebrating other people and building out end of year celebrations. And I really want this podcast today. This is your baby. I want you to speak to one, how you do it and two, are some, what are some things that doctors and practice leaders and owners can really can do to celebrate the end of the year, whether we hit our goals, which I hope you did, or whether we didn't, we should still celebrate the work that we put in. But

This is your baby and I want to hear from you, Dana, on how you think end of year celebrating should go for practices and number one, how you do it because you are so passionate about this space and we value and appreciate that. you guys, you clients get birthday presents, celebratory gifts, cards, flowers, any of those pieces, I want you to know that Dana is the person behind all of that.

The Dental A Team (02:32.106)

incredibly valuable piece of our company. So Dana, thank you for that. Take us away. This is your baby.

Dana (02:38.251)

Aw, thanks, Tiff. It truly is like one of my favorite spaces, just in life in general. I think I'm like this in my personal life too. And I think it comes down to being intentional. And I think for a lot of office this end of the year, like we don't think about it until the end of the year. And so I am going to prompt you that yes, while we are closer to the end of the year, be thinking about this.

as much as you can, right? And so I think a great thing is knowing your team, right? Whether it's through one -on -ones, whether it's through a survey when they're hired, whether it's through just taking inventory and listening to conversations that you hear, but knowing the things that your team members like, enjoy what makes them feel appreciated. So I think it's doing purposeful things throughout the year to gain some of this information to be able to celebrate at the end of the year or celebrate throughout the year too. A lot of this information is

super helpful for birthdays, super helpful for work anniversaries, super helpful for like you just did a fantastic job and I appreciate you. So I think it is getting to know those spaces and then the pieces that your team member really like they do get excited about and then kind of to feeding a little bit of like common interests. Are there things that when it comes to the end of the year and we're doing something for the team, are there things or common interests woven throughout the team that really would make it more special or more memorable?

Or you know make them feel more appreciated because it is tailored to like their likes their goals their dreams those types of things and then I also just want to highlight like budget for this right because it's oftentimes we get to the end of the year and it's like man I've got to do this end of the year shebang and like I don't have any funds for it I wasn't thinking about it or planning for it so when you're planning for your year make that a part of if we can say hey if I set aside $100 or

The Dental A Team (04:16.551)

Yeah.

Dana (04:30.813)

$200 every single month in my little end of the year party bucket. It will make doing this for your team much less stressful. Okay? The caveat to that too is if this year wasn't a fantastic year and you weren't able to do that, it doesn't have to be monetary. So if it can't be monetary, make it fun.

And you can do a lot of fun things that make people feel super appreciated, that make them come together and bond and all of that and get time with you and time with each other. It does not also have to be about gifts or bonuses or money or any of those pieces. Team members will always appreciate that. And so if you can't do it or if you're limited on the fun's part, focus on the fun part too.

The Dental A Team (05:19.14)

That was beautiful. I love that you said that the fun versus the fun, you know, I love a good time. Good job. That's beautiful. And Dana, I love that we can hear your passion in it just in you speaking and thank you for sharing that. Beautiful tips, start building a bucket right away. And I do have a lot of clients that I push to do that because they want to do end of year bonuses and they want it to be grandiose. And I'm like, fantastic, build it into your goals. So put

a percentage X percentage more in on to your goals so that you can take that percentage then and put it into your bonus your end of year bonus bucket. It's totally doable. You guys you just have to prep and plan for it like Dana said, and it is the end of the year right now are rounding out the end of the year. So whatever that looks like for you is totally fine. I have a lot of clients who are in that that situation where they're like, Tiff, like, do we go to a restaurant? Do we

have a caterer come in? Do we do it at the practice? Do we do it somewhere else? And I think what Dana said is really like, she mentioned take inventory really of what people like, what do they want to do? How do they feel appreciated? Do we get asked, do we do families? Do we do just our team members? I've had practices of all walks of life. I've had practices that have had a little bit of a difficulty in.

the family aspect being there, the spouses, and they've had like run -ins, but that's non -typical. I've had practices that, gosh, even my own practice, one of my favorite, my practice I worked for for years, we always did a Christmas party or a holiday party at the end of the year. One of my favorite memories, Brody is 16th as of recording this, my son. He was three or four.

It was a long time ago and this was one of the parties that just sticks with me. I actually think about it a lot. And our office manager and our doctor put together a family Christmas party and his actually the doctor's wife had majority of planning on this one. But they rented out a space at a hotel nearby the conference room. So they rented out a conference room and we had this patient. He's incredible. He plays Santa. Like he's Santa all year round.

The Dental A Team (07:34.455)

He has a small voice. He looks like Santa. He wears red every day. Like he, and he plays Santa during the holidays for different events and things, because he loves it so much. And his wife looks like Mrs. Claus. Like literally what you would imagine Santa and Mrs. Claus look like that's these people. Well, they got this patient to come be Santa. And we did.

cookies and hot chocolate and like make your own, you know, cookies, do your own icing and stuff in a hot chocolate bar. And we had this incredible party where everyone could bring their kids and they could socialize and get to know each other and, do all of this stuff. And it was one of my most favorite events. And I can't even tell you guys, I'm sure there was because I think we did it every year. I don't know if there was a bonus or not. I don't remember the Christmas present that I got. I know you get that every year. And I don't, I don't know what it was. But I do know

that my kid sat on Santa's lap, got this incredible experience, our patient, like the best Santa you could ever ask for, got to experience that with us. But I want you to understand that memory of that time together with my team and the people that I love and that far outweighed the monetary piece that came in addition to that. So

My point in that is Dana, you you said if you can't if the funds aren't there, make sure it's fun, right? And it doesn't have to be even that grandiose. That was a big party. And I'm like, dang, this is really cool. It doesn't have to be that big. But I also remember parties that we just did in the practice where it was a potluck and we each brought our own favorite dish that we make. I had I remember my co worker, Michelle, she made this amazing like corn casserole dish.

that I had never had before and she brought it and I was like, you're bringing this. We did a recipe book. So then at the end of the year, everybody submitted their favorite recipe. And I was like, if that corn recipe is not in there, like we're fighting like it needs to be there. Right. But we, we figured this out about each other and became closer because of simple things like that. And Dana, think even that one, like a potluck where everybody brings their own stuff, that's very minimal funds from the doctor. So those are

Dana (09:33.783)

Thank you.

The Dental A Team (09:48.308)

Those are just some ideas and some concepts that I've experienced. But Dana, what do you suggest? And I know a lot of doctors are coming to you right now asking and managers asking like, what do we do? And you get this all year round, actually. Because I watch it happen. I watch it happen in like our, doctor conversation, even of like, what do I do? How do I appreciate my team? And like you said, know your team, but what are some fun end of year holiday or beginning of year?

Celebration ideas that you shared with some of our community in the past that they could consider right now

Dana (10:23.241)

Yeah, so I mean, you can always do a special dinner, you can always do those things. I've had an office that did a shopping spree. So everybody got x amount of dollars, they went to either a mall or a Target or somewhere. And the reason for that was they felt like if they gave a bonus, team members would spend it on bills or family instead of themselves. And they really wanted it to spend it on themselves. So everybody got x amount of dollars they had to and they made it a game to they focused on the fun. It had to be like up to that amount, like not one penny less or more. And so was really fun

The Dental A Team (10:39.889)

Mm

Dana (10:53.117)

figuring out the math. I had an office take the team to see the Harlem Globetrotters because they're all huge sports fans and that was amazing. I've had

The Dental A Team (10:57.66)

yeah.

Dana (11:02.675)

Doctors just have team members over to their home and they do just games and make it something that's more relaxed. If you've got some introverted team members, that's a really great space for that. That makes that easy. and you know, if you're into music, like going to a concert and there are all forms of that, right? So if you've got people who are interested in sports, you don't have to go to a professional sports game, find a college sports game, find a local sports game, right? It's about being together. I think sometimes we

The Dental A Team (11:11.07)

Mm -hmm.

Dana (11:32.802)

Forget that really at the end of the day, that's what we want to do We want to say thank you for a fantastic year for really hard work

We want to do it in a space that is together. So there's all sorts of things if you've got outdoors You can do scavenger hunts or hikes together like we've talked about doing together If giving back is super important to your team, you can even do community service together You can do a food drive together You can volunteer somewhere together and all of that because it is special to them will be appreciation

The Dental A Team (12:05.947)

Yeah, yeah, I totally agree. That's that space of getting to know your team, right, and really figuring out what's valuable to them. I think speaking on behalf of leadership within that too, I know within our company, it's fairly simple for us to figure out what we can do together as a team, because within our culture, we have built, we've built a culture that attracts

someone who fits our culture, who fits our core values. And it means that we're all super similar. And while we do have varying hobbies and interests all over the place, like Brit gosh, you mountain bikes and road bikes. I'm like, if you put me on a bike, like I am unhappy, right? Dana, you crossfit and I'm like, gosh, if I could get my elbows to move that way, sure, I could try crossfit, but they just don't do it, right. But I work out myself at the gym and I love it. And I have my peloton and I do my spin. And the three of us

Like, and the rest of the team, right? They all have their varying hobbies within that similar vein of activity. So it's like, we know that our culture and our core values has attracted a group of individuals who are interested in health and fitness and who value that aspect of our lives. And it's an important space and an important hobby. So it makes it very easy to be like, great, we all want to move.

we want to be doing something. So if you stiff us in a room, in a potluck, we're going to eat and we're going to enjoy it, but we're going to be like, okay, well, what are we doing? Like, what's the activity? Like, what are we? Yeah, who wants to go for a walk? Literally? Like we would just be like, cool, like there's a mountain not far from here. Like maybe we could like anybody, everybody down great. And we're gone. Right. So we know like who we are as a team because we are so culturally based. So as a leader,

Dana (13:34.709)

See you soon for a walk!

The Dental A Team (13:52.898)

and a practice owner, lean on that too. Lean on what your culture is, look at your core values and really look at how similar you guys are because you're gonna be very different. and I, super similar. We have a lot of things in common, very different, right? Very different. If we switched lives, I would die. I would die, Dana. I don't know how you do it. I watch you and I'm exhausted, right? Like we are so similar in so many ways but we are very different in a lot of ways as well.

But those similarities, instead of looking at the differences, because I think we tend to say, well, so and so would want this, so and so would want that, and she wouldn't like this. What's the similarity between all of the people on your team? What's something that we all enjoy? Maybe it's coffee. Maybe everybody on your team loves coffee. And it's like, cool, let's have a quick coffee brunch social at the office where everybody brings their favorite

creamer or topping or whatever favorite Starbucks drink, I don't know, like, but you could make it that simple. We over complicate trying to appreciate people. I think I could be speaking totally out of context. think when we over complicate it, we overthink it and we try to make it bigger than it needs to be. We lose the value and we lose the intentionality. Like you said, Dana,

behind it because there's so much wrapped up into the like display, right? The display of it all. kind of like, it makes me think of all the times, all the times my friends keep talking me into these baby showers and bridal showers and these stupid balloon arches, right? And it's like, you have this idea of how beautiful this balloon arch is gonna be and you put all this work in the balloon arch and it takes forever, FYI, to do a balloon arch.

And then the rest of everything else that was the intentional, those were the intentional pieces, the picture frames of the bride and the groom to be. And those are left behind because you spent so much time on this stupid arch that comes out wonky every time. So it makes me think of that where you're like focusing on the wrong piece sometimes, but focusing back in on that intentionality and the similarities and letting it.

The Dental A Team (16:15.764)

speak from your heart. Dana, you do this space for us and our company and you do it so well because of your intentionality and the heart and the purposefulness that you put behind it. So I think everything you said was a great reminder for them to do that. And pop quiz, Dana, I'm throwing this out at you. What do you think? I know you love it when I do this. You guys know I'm just off the cuff all the time. I hope you realize that at least.

Dana (16:27.071)

Yeah.

Dana (16:37.125)

gosh.

Dana (16:43.391)

you

The Dental A Team (16:44.212)

That's just how I lived my life. That's how I lived my life at the Dental A team, just off the cuff. As you should. I understand. As you should. do the same thing. Kiera and I both do it and Kiera and she'll come me on the podcast and she's like, okay, and we will prep for the podcast prior. Like, okay, these are the things we're thinking. And then we're like, okay, push record. And then she's like, I have a great idea, you guys, this is totally not what we talked about. I'm like, here we go.

Dana (16:47.465)

That's why I come to podcasting sweating. Because I'm like, why am I podcasting?

Dana (17:10.196)

This

The Dental A Team (17:11.721)

Totally off base of what we talked about, but it's always fantastic. anyway, side tangent pop quiz. What are maybe two things that our doctors, our owners, our practice administrators can do right now to figure out what they want to do because the end of the year is coming. What, how they can celebrate. What are two things that they can do? They could put into action right now to start really getting them all rolling if they haven't already.

Dana (17:37.513)

Yeah, I think one, take a look at your funds and set a budget for whatever the event is going to be. And then two, I think it is, if you haven't been able to figure out these pieces throughout the year, intentionally try to get to know whether it is through a survey, whether it is through, we're just gonna have one -on -ones, I wanna check in with everyone. But find space to figure those things out about your team.

And then if I can add a third, I'm just going to add a third really quick because you ripped, so I'm going to riff. And my third one is focus on the appreciation.

The Dental A Team (18:05.982)

Do it.

Do it.

Dana (18:14.249)

It doesn't have like, we, yes, this is an event and you can throw the biggest party, but at the end of the day, if you don't say thank you for such a fantastic year, it's kind of lost its purpose. So just look and say, what do I want to celebrate and make sure that like the appreciation and that is what is showcased in the event.

The Dental A Team (18:34.797)

I love that. And thank you for riffing. anytime, anytime I want you to do that to interrupt me, you know, I'm long -winded. Those are beautiful. Thank you, Dana. And I love that this was your podcast today, because I think it's your space of life where you really thrive. And I can feel the passion from you when you get to do these things or when you get to talk about it. And it just makes me really, really happy that you can be that passionate about it and that

you can one hold that space because you'll know I would get to the day that it was due and be like, shoot, I'm going to send a gift card by email because I totally forgot to send the thing that was so cool that I thought of six months ago that I forgot to order because that's, that's me. So thank you, Dana, for being that person. Thank you for all of the tips and the tidbits that you you provided today. You guys have some incredible action items and Dana, speak from your heart, tell them something. I'm making you riff again, but

Just wrap us up, tell them what they need to hear.

Dana (19:39.519)

Yeah, I think just go into the end of the year, even if it wasn't your best year, the year that you had the most growth and find the appreciation somewhere, find the beauty in the journey of this year with your team and then make sure that, you know, they hear it, they feel it and that you take time to celebrate it even if it was really hard. You got through it and you got through it together.

The Dental A Team (19:42.066)

Bye.

The Dental A Team (20:06.289)

I love that. Thank you so much. You guys, this was incredible. Round off your year. Celebrate your team. Celebrate with your team. Be there. Let us know how much you love this podcast. Drop us a five star review below if you haven't done that already. And reach out to us, [e-mail]. Also watch our inboxes. We do send out the newsletters are related to the topics of the podcast and that newsletter will have some ideas and some tips and tricks as well. So enjoy everyone and we'll catch you next time.