Wednesday, January 25, 2017
As 2016 came to a close and we ushered in 2017, many of us took the time to reflect on the previous year and map out resolutions for the New Year. January is often a time for reflection and planning to determine how we can become the best versions of ourselves over the next 12 months.
Like in our personal lives, we can use the New Year as a motivator to become our best selves in our professional lives. For dentists, this might mean taking on more or less clients, hiring a new office admin or retrofitting old equipment.
Oftentimes, making sure your dental office is in the best shape for the New Year comes down to the technology you use every day. And while it can be expensive to completely replace old systems, there are a few low-cost steps you can take to ensure your office starts off 2017 on the right foot:
1. Give your computer a memory upgrade. Replacing an old computer is expensive, but replacing a computer’s memory can save you time and money while dramatically lengthening its lifespan. Computer memory (or DRAM) is what makes it possible for your computer to run multiple applications at once without freezing or slowing to a crawl. It’s the short-term data access of your computer, and when it has more memory, you can do more things at once and be more efficient.
Computer upgrades are easy to install (they take just five minutes) and start at only $50 apiece. Compared to the cost of a new computer, this is an inexpensive solution and can go a long way toward preserving the life of dentist office computers.
2. Use a password manager. Dentists, like almost any other professional, have to use a variety of software to do their jobs. From keeping track of patient records to catching up on the latest procedures, dentists rely on software every day. Along with that software comes login information that includes usernames and passwords.
We all know how challenging it can be to remember all of the usernames and passwords we have on any given day. That’s where password managers can help. Password managers store all of your information in one place and modernize your office. These tools, like Okta and LastPass, are secure, easy to use and can make logging into multiple systems pain free.
3. Get personal with your tech. One of the easiest ways to embrace new technology in your office is to try virtual personal assistants. Considering the workplace is increasingly going mobile, it’s easier than ever to implement assistants like Cortana, Siri or Google Now to help manage the office.
Virtual personal assistants can be used to set a reminder, schedule an appointment or draft an email. It’s easy to multitask and become more efficient by delegating work with voice recognition software. If you’re already familiar with these technologies, consider consolidating what you use. Windows users should streamline their usage with Cortana, while Mac users should use Siri for the easiest collaboration.
There can be a lot of pressure around the New Year to set resolutions that allow you to be your best self. While it can be stressful trying to figure out where to start, there are a lot of opportunities for dentists to refresh their office technology without breaking the bank. Taking small steps to modernize your office can make all the difference and help you start 2017 off on the right note.