A common question I hear from many D.C.s is whether it really makes a difference where they choose to practice. My answer is that this is extremely important.
by Wayne Wolfson, D.C. in Choosing a Location on Monday, June 22, 2015
So, whether you’re just starting into practice or are an experienced D.C. looking for a place to expand your practice, it is essential that you evaluate a potential location’s:
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Opportunities
- Threats
To do this “SWOT” analysis, you can use a piece of paper, a computer program—any tool that will help you to evaluate your prospective locations according to the four above categories.
Or, download the attached blank forms:
Follow Up With Due Diligence
Due diligence is the process of investigating the details of a potential investment. In your investigation of potential practice sites, the definition of due diligence can be expanded to include the amount of energy you put into assessing potential locations.
For example, let’s say you’re interested in developing a pediatric practice and you’re researching potential communities. If someone says, “Southdale has a terrific school district,” you're not performing due diligence if you interpret that person’s statement as fact. You are performing it, however, if you drive to the district office and ask to see the administration’s 10-year plan.
Or, many times school districts post their plans on their websites. Another key component of due diligence is obtaining the most recent census figures from the Internet. There are many sites out there to get the data. One I like is www.city-data.com.
The general rule is: No third-party opinion can come close to being as relevant as your own investigation. Don’t rely on hearsay. Go directly to the source to determine if a variable is true and how it will affect your potential plans.
Of course, there are many other aspects of choosing the best location for you. Traffic patterns, type of neighborhood, professionalism and condition of the space, terms for any build-out with the property owner, just to name a few.
For guidance on where to practice, as well as demographics, check out the Choosing a Location section on ncmic.com.
Happy Days!
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About the Author
Wayne Wolfson, D.C.
Wayne C. Wolfson, D.C., Regional Chiropractic Group, Orlando, Florida, is president of NCMIC. Dr. Wolfson has been helping patients for more than 35 years, and he graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1977, following graduation from the University of Tennessee. He is a fellow of the American College of Chiropractors and sits on the boards of National Chiropractic Mutual Holding Company and NCMIC Group. Dr. Wolfson has served his community and his profession in numerous ways. He is the past chairman of the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine, past president of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) and a past board member of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). He has been recognized for his service being honored by both the NBCE and the FCLB with their highest awards. He has also been named Chiropractor of the Year by the Florida Chiropractic Association.
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