We Have Liftoff! – A New Era in Dental Compliance

Rarely do I announce a new website. It's like buying a new car and not offering a ride to your peeps. It's not about the site, it's about the value the content brings to your community. I'm breaking my rule because the launch of this start up is a parable for anyone who wants to leverage the power of the Internet to create a successful business. On Friday Linda Harvey and her team launched the Institute for Dental Compliance and Risk Management DentalComplianceInstitute.org. We had been working quietly for three months on this game-changing, first-mover online learning organization. From their About page,

"Emerging integrative healthcare models and technology advancements make this an exciting time for dentistry. Yet when coupled with an ever-changing regulatory landscape it creates new responsibilities and unknown risks. The Institute is dedicated to providing national certification for staff and leadership in order to promote proven compliance practices throughout dentistry." Linda describes this launch as, "A new era for dental compliance and risk management"

I agree.

Significant Factors

Let me share the inside story that lead to Linda's success.

Understanding the Need

A few minutes before the launch Linda shared with me that this company had been a dream of her's for 10 years. Like all great companies, it started with the idea that there was a need in the marketplace. Linda started with a keen awareness of her customers and what they needed.

Awareness of Emerging Trends

Linda spends much of her business day traveling and working with customers onsite at their dental practice. It was the acceptance of online learning by businesses more than Linda's desire to get off the road that fueled the decision to move her training online. This was our second successful online learning management project, proving it's more than a fad, it's a movement.

Demands a Plan

Delivered under budget, two weeks ahead of schedule. The original launch deadline was September 4th. Tech start-ups are known for a flurry of activity right up to the launch. That's not Linda's style. She is basking in the glow of her well-wishers and fans as she prepares for the official launch at an industry conference in San Diego. Keep Calm and Carry On Linda. Her attention to detail and communications style allowed the team to complete the initial scope ahead of schedule.

Integrated Marketing Communications

It takes a virtual village to build momentum. It takes all the channels. Our launch included:

An email broadcast to ten's of thousands of Linda's fans
Blog based press releases
Social engagement via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
Most importantly, live agents available by phone to engage prospects in real-time.

This strategy allowed Linda to develop a path of engagement from discovery to relationship building to sales. The initial courses are already full. We launched a pre-registration feature to handle the overwhelming response to this "New Era".

New Technology Mindset

Like any other start-up, she had access to all the available technology. Linda's entire web presence was created with off the shelf technology.The difference is in mindset. We started with the business model, identified the customers, their needs and what we wanted to accomplish. Then and only then did we proceed to acquire and connect all of the technologies needed to create this extraordinary learning platform. It's not about collecting the dots, it's about connecting the dots.

Debt-Free Start Up

My association with the folks at San Diego's CyberTech incubator has been invaluable. The mantra of working toward a debt-free start-up helps me understand that it creates tremendous value in the marketplace. The revenue model for the Institute is staggering to comprehend. The fact that Linda didn't need to give any of it away is impressive. I have always measured the success of Make Technology Work using the yardstick of my clients success. By all measures the Institute for Dental Compliance and Risk Management is an unqualified success! Linda, thank you for the opportunity to be of service!