"I only do high end work" what is everyone supposed to get from that? is it helpful? I just don't understand what the point was in that post it's not that I don't like you, it's that you have my respect because I think you are one talented guy, but when you come off like an elitist you start to lose me a little. Maybe it was me not getting your point too, not sure how you wanted the point to be taken.
Thanks for the last advise Rob that's something I can take to work on monday and use. Sometimes admittedly the business runs me but I have 2 little mouthes to feed so I have to be careful to which direction I drive my business. I think were both right to some degree Rob I'm not sure your last post is in agrivation or whatever but the points are well taken. See the thing is Rob I'm not sure what kind of guy you are ,are you a guy I can joke around with by calling you an O B, or are you not? I assumed a little jab on age wouldn't be so controversial, I guess I was wrong. You know what they say with age comes wisdom and you do have 40 years under you belt and a lot of wisdom and I really do apreciate any wisdom you have to share and that goes for Danny too. I just feel like you guys have tunnel vision that all there is, is high end work out there and that's what everyone should be doing.
Bart,
I know what you are talking about!!
Being a dental technician and especially a lab owner can be financially challenging to say the least.. I have two daughters and they remember some very difficult financial times I had as they were growing up. Over the last three decades my lab has evolved to where it is today.
My current lab did not just happen because I decided to market middle to high end prosthetics, it evolved from the mistakes I made when my lab targeted the low to middle market of prosthetics.
If you have read my articles you know I discuss the need for tiered marketing and offerring a wide range of prosthetic needs (extended product lines) to meet the desires and demands of todays prosthetic patient.
What you must understand is you are in business and no matter what market you cater to or which prosthetic product you are manufacturing you must make a PROFIT.. Now the level of profit will vary with every case depending on the variables involved. You must know how to read a profit and loss statement and understand where your percentages should be in line with sales and gross margin. I did not understand this myself until about 10 years ago and just opened and dental laboratory 35 years ago not a business!!
There is a definite difference from owning a lab and operating a business..
I understand that you are very young and do not have the experience, knowledge or wisdom as the old bas...ds in the dental laboratory world.
Being young you will see many changes in the dental lab industry/profession in the coming years...Removable prosthetics will evlove as did fixed prosthetics and there will be a technology revolution in manufacturing processes that is inevitable....
Remember that knowledge is the key to success...regardless of what market you are in........
Rob