Read our top tips for thriving rather than just surviving the festive period!
1. Plan your schedule
Christmas is a notoriously busy time of year, make sure that you and your team take some time to plan your schedules in advance. Use blocked time in PPS to clear a slot in your diary for a meeting where you can plan annual leave and any changes to your opening hours over Christmas. Once you have your plan laid out, make sure you update your appointment diary availability and let your clients know in advance with a mailshot!
2. Take time out
Make sure you don’t overdo it! Longer days and extra sessions to squeeze everyone in can leave you feeling a bit frazzled. Make sure you set aside some personal time each day by adding some unavailable slots to your diary, this ensures that you have time to fuel yourself properly with a nice warm lunch, grab some fresh air, or just have a little breather. Use the repeat button to make sure you are consistent and don’t let bad habits creep back in.
3. Automate and delegate
Take advantage of any tools that you have at your disposal that will help to reduce your workload and keep things running smoothly. If you are using practice management software make sure you have booking confirmations and appointment reminders turned on! It’s easy to lose track of plans in amongst the chaos and appointment reminders will help to reduce your no-shows and cancellations.
Online appointment booking is the ultimate delegation tool. Not only will it provide you with 24/7 reception cover, but it can also process payments and send out booking confirmations. Using PPS’ online appointment booking admin module gives you full control over what you make available and no website is needed!
4. Deck the halls!
This one is pretty simple, crack out the Christmas decorations, put on some festive music and start to embrace the festive cheer! Keeping things fun and festive can help to boost morale and keep the mood light in what can sometimes be a very hectic time.
Here are some ideas you can try with your team for a bit of festive fun:
- Ask everyone to create their own festive playlist and take it in turns to play them in clinic
- Take it in turns to bake a festive treat
- Make a clinic advent calendar, this could involve your clients too!
- Ask the team to bring in a decoration that they love to decorate the clinic
