What You Can Expect From HCG
Technical expertise with strong communication skills.
Your consultant should be well-versed in the ins and outs of physician business practices. But that sort of knowledge can be of little more than academic value if your consultant doesn't have first-hand knowledge of how it applies to your business. Management of personnel at all levels from physician to front desk clerk is important - understanding the different perspectives and having an ability to communicate on different levels throughout the organization. He can bridge the technology and communications gap that often exists between business processes, IT needs and implementation for your office.
An awareness of your budget — and resources.
Practice consultants are proving increasingly essential to a broad range of small to medium-sized businesses. But a consultant's critical function shouldn't necessarily come at a crippling expense. When looking for consultant, ask how fees are structured. A responsive consultant certainly won't be free, but should be sympathetic to those sorts of services that can drain business coffers dry.
A long-term planner, implementer, and strategist.
Even the most carefully thought out business plan is of little use if it grows old on the drawing board. An involved consultant also means a handle on implementation, whether it's suggesting a gradual introduction over time or a complete business practice change. A consultant can help prioritize needs and plan an effective implementation strategy.
An industry watcher who maps technology advances and developments to your needs.
A proactive consultant stands ready to pinpoint new technology and regulatory developments and to suggest updates and changes accordingly. That means keeping close tabs on your business's growth and development — as well as on developments across the healthcare world that might apply to your practice. Your consultant should continually develop an understanding of the business at hand, then, they can offer strategic insight into how new solutions and technologies can reduce cost and streamline the operation."
A keen ability to troubleshoot and solve problems.
It's unrealistic to think that any element of business management practices are without flaw. Your consultant will analyze your process flow and point out areas that may be not giving you that return on investment. They will then map a course to processes that utilize your time, money and staff to their fullest potential.
An interest in handling all of your technology needs.
Nothing can prove more annoying — not to mention wasteful — than you having to hop from consultant to consultant or business to business to address individual elements of your technology needs. One final element when shopping for an consultant is knowing that all your business and technology needs will be met under one roof. They should act as a single point of accountability and contact for all business practices and technology issues.
