TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Our Experience for Your Use
This website was created created and co-founded by us – Sarah Breymeier and Ann Dosen.
Both of us have spent nearly ten years in the podiatry industry, attending dozens upon dozens of podiatric meetings and trade shows.
Therefore, we want to put our experience to good use!
Below are some helpful “tricks of the trade” from us to you… enjoy!
GOOD ADVICE – PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
No matter if you work in the podiatric profession as physician, vendor, or meeting organizer/planner, utilizing the tips and resources supplied below will serve you well!
Increase your Productivity and Without Getting Overwhelmed.
I read this book cover to cover in just a couple of days. It’s been a few years since I read it, but it always stands out as one that I recommend to anyone that wants to continue to achieve. Whether you own a small business (like a podiatry practice or a device company), it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the things you should be doing.
The Slight Edge provides practical/doable advice to help you set your goals and break down the activities that must take place to achieve those goals – step by step. By doing a little bit every single day, you will see big changes over time. There’s no need to do everything in one day, one week, one month, or even one year.
Do one action item every single day and the result will show itself!
-SARAH
Every day I listen to at least one podcast episode while I’m driving or working out to give me inspiration for the day. There are days when I wake up and don’t want to do a single thing other than catch up on episodes of Outlander, but after listening to one of these podcasts, I know I can take over the world! No matter what your daily life brings you, every single person on the planet will get something out of listening to these individuals.
John Maxwell Leadership Podcast – a weekly podcast from the leadership authority John Maxwell. This podcast focuses on the principles, practices, and process of becoming a transformational leader. Even if leadership is not one of your primary goals, the principles translate to any project or position you are in. I always come away with new motivation or a fresh outlook on a current project. Each episode comes with a downloadable resource to work through.
Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield – Amy Porterfield is considered the GIANT in the online marketing space. She is so inspiring to listen to. Her episodes include expert interviews, mini execution plans, and secrets from her product and service launches; all tied together by her mission to make each episode as actionable and profitable as possible. Every episode I listen to of hers gets me thinking about the next big thing I want us to tackle. Her advice is tangible and for real life.
Rise Podcast with Rachel Hollis – hosted by the best-selling author of “Girl, Wash Your Face”, this podcast is a series of conversations with business powerhouses and personal development leaders where each episode provides listeners with tactical, valuable takeaways.
-ANN
TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Tips for DPMs
CHECK OUT OUR LIBRARY OF DPM DOWNLOADS – CLICK HERE!
Reflect On Your Meeting Mentality
If you scroll down and check out my Vendor Tip, you'll gain some insight into my sentiment for the podiatry profession and meetings. As I was reflecting on the 12 years I've been working in this profession, one thing became very clear to me. While most of my time in the last decade has been sitting at my desk and staring at a computer screen, it's the time I have spent at meetings that has truly made the biggest impact on my career. Nearly every single individual I work closely with is the direct result of a connection made at [...]
Find Your Perfect Referral Partner
If you've been a "Tricks of the Trade" fan for a while, you've probably read some of my previous blogs regarding niche. If you want a quick frame of reference, here's one from September, 2019: INVEST IN YOUR PASSION I've had several discussions with DPMs about the possibilities of creating a niche practice, as well as the pros and cons. Obviously it can be scary to ditch the "kitchen sink" of foot and ankle care to focus on one type of patient / patient condition. However, if this is something you're thinking about - or are already implementing - find [...]
CLINICAL CORNER WITH DR. RICHIE
Richie Brace® or Custom Foot Orthotic for Adult Acquired Flatfoot? Clinicians often debate whether the initial treatment of the Adult Acquired Flatfoot (AAF) should start with custom foot orthotic therapy or should proceed directly with a custom Richie Brace®. While foot orthoses can be effective in the early stages of AAF, they become less effective when key ligaments in the midfoot have ruptured including the spring ligament. A quick and easy test to detect rupture of the midfoot ligaments is the “single foot heel rise” test. If a patient has difficulty or inability to perform a heel raise with full [...]
Prepare for Your Vendor Experience
We always preach planning for your upcoming meetings in an effort to help you maximize your experience. It's been two whole years since we first created our "My Meeting Exhibit Hall Plan" DPM Download. So, this is a helpful reminder to utilize this tool (and our other downloads) to prepare your experience beyond CME... and into the exhibit hall where you will find the corporate partners to elevate your practice. It's important to remember just how important the industry's exhibitors are for your continuing education. Exhibitors are investing thousands of dollars to make you aware of their products and services at [...]
Casting for the Richie Brace® and Removing Forefoot Supinatus
Removing forefoot supinatus is crucial when treating patients with PTTD. Patient must be casted non-weight bearing, neutral suspension technique Be sure to push down on 1st ray and remove all forefoot supinatus (this is most important when treating PTTD) Watch Dr. Richie's training video with instructions for removing forefoot supinatus when casting below: https://youtu.be/Vfyc1ma1uSQ
Maximize Meetings for Marketing
Being out of the office for several days to attend a meeting can be really stressful. Sometimes, it may even make you resent even going, right? Well, going along with Dr. Dairman's article about having the right attitude will certainly put you on a more motivated path, but I'm also here with another tip to help you find even more value in your meeting experience outside of your continuing education. SHOW YOUR PATIENTS THAT YOU ARE DEDICATED TO INNOVATION If your patients don't get to see you in the office while you're gone, let them see you on social media. [...]
TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Ideas for Meeting Planners
Today’s Ultimate Trending Tool: Chat GPT
You’ve heard about it, but have you tried it yet? Do you ever have a day or a moment where you can’t think of the right word to use in a marketing phrase or description? It’s right on the tip of your tongue, right? It happens to all of us. I usually rely on Thesaurus.com to help me through these brain farts. Now, we have ChatGPT to help. Just like with anything, there are plenty of wrong ways to use this tool. I have found it to be most helpful in generating title ideas for articles, lectures, or webinars as [...]
No Secrets Here. This is What We’ve Been Chatting About with Vendors.
Over the last several weeks, we have taken a deep dive into creating practical ways exhibitors can determine how to "choose the right meetings". So, we thought it only fair to share with you the information we are recommending to our vendor family when they are figuring out what meetings make sense for them. First, we want them to MAXIMIZE OUR RESOURCES. This includes our calendar of events, our surveys, and publications (like this newsletter!) So, with that in mind, we highly recommend that you keep an open line of communication open with us (Ann and Sarah) so we know [...]
It’s all about the company you keep
There was an article published in the March/April 2023 issue of PCMA Convene Magazine written by Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes called “How to Use Social Proof to Market Your Event.” Read the full article by clicking here. PodiatryMeetings.com was founded on this concept and we believe the power of reviews and testimonials can be the difference between a successful event and an epic event that our industry talks about for the rest of the year. The good news is - you already have everything you need. All you have to do is open the tap and let it flow. Unless you’ve been [...]
Bigger is Not Showing to be Better
Ann and I have been to a lot of meetings... we've really taken on the Sampler Platter; meaning, lots of different shapes and sizes to choose from! One thing we've noticed that really came to a head during our Experienced Exhibitor Mastermind focus groups, is that the meetings that take place in smaller spaces typically seem to result in happier exhibitors. After really reflecting on it some more, it makes total sense. Here are some reasons why you should consider downsizing your conference space... Smaller Spaces (typically) Equal Loser Costs When you don't have as much overhead in the hotel/conference [...]
Stand Your Ground
Ann and I have had the opportunity to speak to a LOT of meeting planners and organizers over the last several years. One of our favorite aspects to discuss are the sponsorship packages for vendors. On the same token, one of the things we hate to see are companies who have "deep pockets" using and abusing the meeting staff. Ick. Look, we know how vital it is to have strong relationships with companies that continue to support meetings. It. Is. Crucial. What is not crucial, and is fact a poison, is when a company begins to bully the meeting organizers [...]
Have You Really Tried Knowing Them?
Over the last couple of years, Ann and I have had the awesome opportunity to work with more of you - the planners behind the scenes! We've also been able to get a closer look at those who are going the extra mile to truly get to know their audiences - both DPMs/attendees and the exhibitors. While every meeting is going to have DPMs complete evaluations, I challenge you to reflect on what you're actually doing with those evaluations. Are you just sifting through them and getting a general idea of common remarks, or are you really taking them into [...]