The Crucial Foundations

UNCAGED CLINICIAN
Blog

February 9, 2025

Everything is built upon the Foundations!

Throughout the lifespan of the UNCAGED CLINICIAN blog, we have shared a wealth of knowledge designed to help the entrepreneur in his or her quest to becoming a successful business owner.

We have covered a wide range of topics to get the reader thinking of ways in which they may improve or make strides in all elements of being a business while avoiding a number of pitfalls.

In today's edition, we go old school in a way. Back to the basics.

More specifically, back to the Foundations.

We were recently asked by a loyal reader: "What exactly are the crucial foundations as defined by UNCAGED?"

Such a wonderful and important question!

After 5+ years of working with hundreds of clinicians, we have been able to identify the steps that so many skip over, resulting in a lot of frustrations down the road.

A recent blog talked about the importance of creating a solid foundation and not skipping steps.

What exactly are these Foundations?

Let us first acknowledge that the different areas addressed in owning and operating a business all have some basic foundational needs. These areas include: marketing, attracting, selling, and serving. Then, of course, there is the "back office, business-y" side of things.

However, before one gets to the point of even marketing, there are crucial foundations which must be solidified to facilitate a smoother ride.

These foundations transcend beyond a "therapy" practice. They are applicable to literally every type of business that exists.

Truly, businesses are more alike than they are different.

All of these cornerstones should be firmly in place in order for a business to reach its potential and beyond.

1. WHY? These includes both an intrinsic (for self) and extrinsic (for community) reasons.

Before putting all on the line - your financial viability, your family's security, etc - it would be best that the intrinsic Why is clearly understood.

Knowing the deeper reasons of why this is important for you and your family gives the "What" that you do more meaning and purpose. It also serves to give you the push needed to get through challenging times.

The extrinsic Why is one rarely considered by most. That is, Why does the practice have to exist for the community?

Having a very specific purpose - i.e. mission - arms one with conviction and determination. It also facilitates a recognition from others of the value your business has in their lives. Why your business is different.

2. WHO? Who do you serve and what problems do you solve for them?

   This can be closely associated with the extrinsic Why.

   Again, so many practice owners take a shot gun approach in the Who. This does nothing more than add to the noise created by all the other (uncaged) practices - particularly the corporate based clinics.

   Be the expert in someone and something, and your business will grow more than you expected.

3. Build Relationships.

   This may seem elementary, but far too many practice owners prefer to do whatever they can to avoid building relationships, if for no other reason than it takes time and effort. Patience is involved.

   Relationships are the currency of business. Without them, a business will go bankrupt (not thrive).

   Every success business owner, regardless of the arena - restaurant, service, construction, therapy, and on and on, has done a phenomenal job at building relationships within the community and with others who also serve their ideal customers.

   Undoubtedly, they each would point to relationships as the key behind their success.

4. Clarity.

   All of the foundational blocks are bonded by Clarity. Aside from being locked in on the intrinsic and extrinsic Why's, it is vital to have a true understanding of what it is that (you) actually do.

   "Therapy" may be something that the business is providing, but what is the greater impact that what the business does have on other's lives?

   Being clear on this frees up the mind for wonder, invention, and discernment. It creates a complete mindset shift in conversations such as the marketing/authority building conversations, or 1:1 conversations with a prospective client.

   Clarity over what you do and for whom enables gatekeepers to recognize that your practice is the one where they should be sending referrals.

   Otherwise, what motivation do they have for suddenly changing their long established referral patterns? Your business becomes another business card in the endless stack of cards in a file.

   A clear game plan as to how you can help a potential client to reach their goals instills confidence in you, and in the client towards you. And, confidence sells.

These four Foundations set the stage for the creation of the practice's mission and vision. You mission and vision.

At the center of these four, there should be a recognition of your (and your business') values.

As you grow, it is going to be very important for you, your team, and the public to know without question what you stand for. Values set the tone for culture. They let others know what they can expect.

Again, why are the Crucial Foundations just that?

When these steps are firmly entrenched, the rest of the building - the marketing, attracting, selling, serving - falls into place.

Without them, reaching the pinnacle of what a practice can become is an uphill battle filled with traps.

Are you ready to build a solid foundation to your practice and your future?. Take the first step here.

Also, be sure to check out our website for other resources!

Your Success is our success!

The UNCAGED team