Two Reds are Better than One

S07 E04: Top Tips for starting, growing and selling your dental business - and the role of bespoke CRM software in the modern dental practice

An interview with Dengro CEO - Neil Stephen   Listeners - if you think this month’s podcast is an advert for Dengro - think again.   CEO Neil Stephen has a fascinating CV, including starting and selling a number of international tech businesses over the years, as well as running The London Olympic Beach Volleyball competition in 2012.   He “gets” business and speaks with the authority of having worn all the t-shirts in business development over the years.   In our conversatio...

S07 E03: The Monthly Action Plan - How to get the best out of your team, so that they can achieve their full potential

This week we interviewed David Taylor, an ex Dale Carnegie International Master Trainer & Leadership Trainer, who shares the benefits of developing a Monthly Action Plan. Many Dental Practices report that finding the right people, retaining them and the paying their true worth challenging, this concept can help in all three areas and can make the Dental Practice a much more productive and a happier environment On this podcast you will discover; What is an 'Action Monthly Plan' and the ben...

S07 E02: We do things differently down here

If you walk round Manchester city centre, you will often see the above statement, ' WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY HERE'  which glorifys Manchester's achievements in the world and why Mancuncians are different. We have tweaked the above statement slightly for our guest today and you will see why when you listen to the interview.  Born in Glasgow, Lawrence decided to take some time out to travel the world and then visited Sydney 11 years ago to do some dentistry for several months. He ended up sta...

S07 E01: On never giving up (and how to run your business in 60 minutes a month)

On never giving up (and how to run your business in 60 minutes a month) an interview with Dr Mike Hughes of Deintyddfa Na-Nóg Dental & Implant Team in Bangor, North Wales   We begin our new podcasting year with a story of courage and resilience that has led to the creation of an award-winning specialist referral practice in Gwynedd, even though some local councillors and planning officers did their level best to stop the project before it started.   Mike Hughes shares his history w...

S06 E12: Our final podcast of 2023

In our final podcast of 2023, there is no guest, instead,  we share our highs and lows of 2023 and also why we are so excited about dentistry in 2024.   In the interview we discuss;   Our highs of 2023 both personally and professionally  Chris's calendar management system - how he plans out his year, often several months ahead; How and why he takes 12 weeks vacation every year  Ashley's announcement - he is finally taking a short sabbatical  Why are they both excited about 202...

S06 E11: Lessons in Innovation and Leadership - a conversation with Ashley Byrne

Our guest for this month's podcast is dental technician Ashley Byrne - Owner Byrne Dental Laboratory, one of the largest and most advanced in the UK and now part of the European Corus Group.   In the first part of our interview, Ashley reviews the opportunity in digital workflow: The sheer magic of IOS; Why using intra-oral scanners can save time, increase staff retention/morale and engage patents in their oral health to an extent never before seen. We also discuss how important it is ...

S06 E10: Why 2024 will be a great time to buy a dental practice

S conversation with Lis Hughes - Managing Director - FTA   It’s not often that we get the chance to listen to an industry expert sharing with us her view of the dental landscape since lockdown to the present - and beyond.   Lis arrived at Frank Taylor Associates in 2008 to deliver some consultancy work - and has stayed there ever since, describing the company as a great place to work with nice people.   During our conversation we discuss topics that will be of interest to all exi...

S06 E09: 'Paid' - The 10 Secrets to being richly rewarded for the value you deliver

In this latest episode of 'Two Reds are Better than One' Chris and Ashley interview Peter Thomson.    Peter shares many strategies from his latest book 'Paid'    Peter Thomson has been in business for over 51 years and he has been in the Personal Development world for 30 years. He has written 15 books, and produced over a 100 business programmes. This episode was a true masterclass in communication, sales and making sure you get richly rewarded for the value you bring to your patient...

S06 E08: Buying and Selling your Practice - a true life roller coaster of a journey

We asked Claire Nightingale to return as a guest and share with us the pains and pleasure of both buying and selling an orthodontic practice.   This interview will help any dentist (specialist or general) who is interested in embarkation (or disembarkation) from Ownership.   Claire’s first attempt at Ownership was a painful failure and she explains why - and equally why it was another 9 years before she acquired her own business.   In part 1 we talk about that slow journey into Owners...

S06 E07: Why you should advise your children to get into dentistry - an interview with Eddie Small

Ashley and I have known and worked with Gareth and Amanda Small at Helens Bay Dental Practice for so many years that Eddie remembers us as part of their dinner conversation when he and his sister Emily came home from school.   Emily is now a dental therapist working in Dubai and Eddie is a dentist who commutes between London and Helens Bay (just outside Belfast) on a weekly basis.   In this conversation, we trace Eddie’s life so far (one of our youngest ever guests) from thinking about...

S06 E06: "Three Reds are Better than One" - a podcast Xtra with Enrica Latter as “The Third Red"

Have you ever considered what a new patient enquiry is worth to your practice?   If a patient is interested in some cosmetic treatments, for example short term orthodontics, bonding, teeth whitening, or implants, each telephone call could be potentially worth thousands of pounds. If a patient is enquiring about just becoming a patient and they join your membership plan, over a ten-year relationship, then they could easily spend several thousands of pounds with you. This is becoming increa...

S06 E05: 'It Does Not Get Greener than this’ - building an amazing practice and a team who love to come to work

One of the biggest challenges Owners and Practice Managers face is creating a highly motivated team that performs at a top level all of the time. A culture in which everyone loves coming to work to do their best, and in which they know they can reach their full potential.  A culture that very few practices manage to achieve.  Marina and Michael Chan have succeeded within their stunning Dental Practice, Iconic Dentistry & Medispa in Perth in Western Australia.  Not only is the interior ...

S06 E04: “Make every second count” - Making More Profit in Less Time with Invisalign and Dental Monitoring

On this month’s podcast we welcome the former owner of Queen's Gate Orthodontics (South Kensington), Dr. Claire Nightingale - now a part of the Dentex family of practices.   We begin by reminiscing that Chris first heard Claire speak at the 2019 BOS annual conference and, thus inspired, he asked for an interview for his own clients in January 2020.   Claire shared her commitment to digital workflow and virtual consultation, little realising that, just a few weeks later, we would be p...

S06 E03: The Secrets to Finding a Passion in Dentistry - How to start a brand new dental clinic and prosper from day one

In this month’s podcast we interview Chris Ball - Co-Founder of a super-successful private squat in Preston, Lancashire - Dentistry by Cure Clinics.   For anyone considering future practice ownership, anyone who has purchased or opened a clinic in the last few years - and for anybody who may have “lost their mojo” - this conversation is a must.   Chris shares with us his personal life story and also a detailed account of the planning and execution of the squat opening in May 2022. ...

S06 E02: The Secrets to Finding a Passion in Dentistry

Karl Walker Finch is our latest guest on the 'Two Reds are Better than One Podcast'. Karl graduated in 2010 in Liverpool and then spent the next 5 years working as an associate on the Wirral before joining Lindley Dental in Huddersfield as an associate who announced on his first day that someday he wanted his own place. Very early on in his career, Karl discovered two passions. His first was for Implants and in 2014 took a Masters in Implantology and the other was that he had an Entrepreneu...

S06 E01: The Queen of Automation

This month we meet with Lisa Catto, founder of www.thebusinesscatlayst.co.uk And creator of:   https://idealpatientjourney.com/   who talks to us about the three critical results of the work she does for dental practices: Saving time; Getting organised and Growing sales. Nothing to not like there.   Lisa has run her own businesses since the age of 19 and has a bewildering CV that includes: Turning a roller-skating rink into a rave venue; Running an animation art gallery in centr...

S05 E20: An end of year special with Chris and Ashley

On todays 'Two Reds are Better than One Podcast' Ashley and Chris discuss their highs and lows of 2022 and share their goals and aspirations for 2023. Like never before, Ashley and Chris open their hearts and share some very personal stories and as usual, there is no holding back. As usual, there are many lessons and takeaways for your own personal and business life. In this podcast you will discover; How a Hotel seriously messed up one of Ashley's Courses and how shabbily they dealt with ...

S05 E19: Bringing Preventive Well-being Education To The Forefront In Dentistry

With mental health at the top of the agenda for leaders, managers and in our own lives, we welcomed Dr. Mahrukh Khwaja to this month’s podcast to discover how she has used her own experiences with burnout and depression to help others in dentistry.  

S05 E18: Creating a dental success story in a North West seaside resort

Five years ago, Stuart and Amy Barnes purchased a two-surgery Dental Practice on the first floor above a Thomas Cook Travel Agents in Lytham St. Annes, near Blackpool.   Through incredible hard work, dedication, often working seven days a week, the Practice has expanded to five chairs, fully private and is experiencing record numbers of new patients and turnover.   In this podcast, Stuart and Amy share their story. It was so good, that this was one of the longest podcasts the Two Re...

S05 E17: Simple steps to exceptional leadership - an interview with David Taylor

We are currently in the most challenging recruitment and retention crises in dentistry for 25 years and if that was not enough, we are also in one of the worst cost of living crises in 40 years.   With people swapping jobs for more money, It has never been more important to look at how to keep and recruit the best talent.   You have to show up as a great leader..   In the latest episode of 'Two Reds are Better than One' Ashley and Chris interviewed David Taylor who like Ashley, was an...

S05 E16: Building a 10-practice dental business based on what you learned from your Dad

Today we welcome the co-owner and Operations Director for a 10-practice West Midlands micro-corporate - Tri-Dental - a warm welcome to Polly Bhambra.   Buckle up and get ready for the ride - because Polly is a powerhouse of enthusiasm for what it takes to grow a Champions League dental business in the current challenging landscape.   Polly shares with us her unique childhood and career pathway and in this interview you will learn: About her childhood - one of five children of Indian...

S05 E15: How to fail your finals and still be President

S05 E14: Running a micro-corporate, one day at a time

An interview with Grant Watson from Envisage Dental Group

S05 S13: Resilience - an introduction to The Rosie May Charity Day

In this one-off and extraordinary podcast, we meet Mary Storrie, mother of Rosie May, who, in 2003, was brutally murdered at age 10.   That was just the start of an astonishing story of the resilience of Mary and how that and subsequent shocking events gave rise to The Rosie May Foundation.   Ashley and I are joined in this interview by our client and friend, orthodontist Catherine McCanny, who met Mary at an event some years ago and decided that she wanted to enlist the help of dent...

S05 S12: Controversial, Contemporary and Consistent - how to stand out in branding and marketing

Shaz Memon is the founder and MD of Digimax a leading dental marketing agency in London In this brilliant interview, Shaz shares simple, uncomplicated strategies to help you grow your brand and your Instagram visibility. He also stresses the importance of exceeding your client's expectations.   Not only does Shaz share what works, he will also share what happens when you do drop the baton, and the consequences it can bring. Shaz is one of the humblest guys you will ever meet and it to...

S05 S11: The viewpoint from a business manager

Lucie Simic started out as a Journalist and after helping Mike Hesketh at the Exeter Dental Centre with his social media, ended up being his Business Manager. (Mike was a previous guest on our podcast).   In just four years they turned a Practice whose turnover was £400,000 to £2.4M, eventually selling it to BUPA for £3.2m. Lucie implemented 6 strategies that allowed this to happen and on this podcast, you will discover what they are and how they created a truly world class dental practic...

S05 S10: Process and Passion

This month’s guest is unique.   Steve Anderson lives and works in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona and, since 1997 has been building dental offices, thousands of them.   Yes - thats right - he runs a 20-strong building company responsible for the construction of purpose-built dental practices as well as refurbishments of existing premises.   That’s where the “process” comes in - because you can’t build a building that isn’t going to fall down without following the process to t...

S05 S09: What Star Wars teaches us about building a practice in which people want to work

This month we welcome back on old friend, Mark Topley, to talk about the current recruitment crisis in dentistry.   Well, actually, we start off with a bit of general banter but...   With dental nurses leaving the profession, lack of responses to recruitment advertising for all positions and a general fatigue and malaise in the workplace - how on earth does a busy Practice Manager or Principal keep and attract Ideal Team Players?   Mark shares with us the wisdom he has accumulated aft...

S05 S08: How to use the hidden asset in your Dental Practice to increase sales by 20% in the next 90 days

With many Dentists telling us that they are bombarded with new patients but have limited availability, this is a great time to look at your Hygiene/Therapy Department and see how you can make it even more efficient than ever before, you just might be sitting on a hidden gold mine.    In this podcast, Ashley and Chris interview two key opinion leaders from the Therapist and Hygiene world Robiha Nazir and Cat Edney, who will share proven strategies on how to add real value to your patients...

S05 E07: How not to be a knob

In this no holding back interview, Chris and Ashley interviewed Nigel Risner a second time for the 'Two Reds are Better than one Podcast' and it was truly a brilliant interview.  Chris and Ashley specifically asked Nigel's thoughts on the current challenges Dental Owners are facing with recruitment, staff retention and motivating their team. You will learn: How to adapt to change and uncertainty  Understand why people leave and tips to make sure that you retain great people  How to ...

S05 E06: Marketing Truth Bombs - What Most Marketers Won’t Tell You

We are delighted this month to welcome a powerful influencer in USA dental marketing, who shares with us her own professional story as well as some priceless tips on marketing in the current landscape.   Grace graduated in 2007 with a background in advertising and psychology and bears testimony that her first job in sales taught her lifelong skills that formed the foundation for her future success.   She became the marketing director of a 2-location dental business in 2009 and, over the...

S05 E05: How a very busy practice in Leeds created a world class team that gives their patients a world class experience every time

The Two Reds are Better Than One interview this week was with Jasmin Wigglesworth - the Practice Manager of Infinity Dental - and Gaby Saracino-Hamill - the lead TCO within the practice.   Last year we interviewed Mohsin Patel who is the Principal of the practice and many listeners stated it was one of the best interviews that we have done. This time we get to interview the key people within the practice who make it all happen. On this interview you will discover: How an extremely busy p...

S05 E04: The Dumb Mistakes Dentists make on a Regular Basis and how to avoid them in the future

Rich Madow is a Dentist, Speaker and Business Coach from Baltimore in the USA.   He graduated in 1984 and started his dentistry career working in a hospital. Very quickly he found an associate position. However, he soon clashed with his boss and after a few months was sacked from his job.   Not long after, he purchased a run down Practice in his hometown which is where he started his journey into Entrepreneurship. At the time, dentists had a real issue with getting paid, and Rich and ...

S5E03: Disrupting Recruitment

This podcast is about how Andy has looked at the clinical recruitment landscape in UK dentistry and decided to wade in there with a completely fresh approach.   “Disruption", “agility" and “innovation" are the key words to associate with Andy’s new company.   In this interview you will learn:   how Clubhouse is taking the social media world by storm (and why CB doesn’t like it); about Mark Beaumont’s book on cycling around the world (and why Ashley loves it); how Andy wants to...

S5E02: The Farmah brothers - three years of transformation

Discover how two brothers bought an Ortho Practice & transformed it into a beautiful multi-disciplinary practice in just three years (with Covid thrown in for good measure).   Brothers Rohit and Karan Farmah, two very young dentists are on a serious mission.   They purchased a traditional Ortho Practice in Birmingham three years ago, during this time, they have re-named, re-branded and now ' The House of Dental' takes referrals from dentists in the area.   They cover every dental sp...

S5E01: How Two Young Dentists have grown their Private Turnover by 1500% and are producing record numbers of Clear Correct & Invisalign Cases

This episode of the 'Two Reds are Better than One’ podcast is something a little different Chris and Ashley interviewed two rising stars of UK Dentistry, Aamir Vaghela and Aran Maxwell-Cox.   Aran and Aamir are two driven, successful dentists who have grown their Private Treatment and are producing record numbers of Clear Correct and Invisalign Treatments. They are consistently doing this week in and week out.   That takes a very special mind set and attitude. In this interview, Chr...

S4 E17: How to purchase a run of the mill Dental Practice, quadruple its size and sell it for 10 times what you purchased it for in only 4 years

This is the most fascinating and compelling interview that we have ever done on the 'Two Reds are Better than one Podcast'    After a spell in the army, where Mike Hesketh saw action first hand in Afghanistan, he came back to the UK and he and his wife Lara purchased a four surgery dental Practice in Exeter. He grew the turnover from £480,000 to £2.5M in four year. They set about initiating a 'game changer' opening 7 days a week within the first three months of opening, becoming the onl...

S4 E16: Becoming the positive voice: challenging the media and getting your patient messaging right

A very informal conversation between Chris and Ashley this time.   Chris in The Barrow Bunker and Ashley in The Indigo Hotel, Paddington, part way through a 2-week lecture tour.   We begin by discussing how a few minutes listening to the news every day can be enough to demoralise even the most optimistic amongst us - and how this must affect team members and patients.   Chris then goes on to explain how he has been using research to challenge the bad news being peddled by the media, d...

S4 E15: Overcoming Cancer, Covid and Fear Itself

13 years ago Jessica Richards was told that her cancer would give her  a below average change of survival beyond 5 years with surgery, radiation and medication. She refused all and is here to tell her tale. Jessica is a Personal Transformation and Leadership Development Specialist who has had a practice in Harley Street since 1991. Her work reaches beyond healing, helping people gain creative insights into their purpose, direction and meaning in life. She is particularly committed to h...

S4 E14: Just the two of us

For the first time in a long time, we decided it would be good to just catch up and reflect on what we can see around us on the dental landscape.   In the podcast:   1. How each individual dentist has to solve their own practicing puzzle in the return to work phase; 2. Using a 90-second video to communicate with your patients; 3. Using Zoom to deliver ethical sales; 4. The emerging digital consultation pathway; 5. Delivering effective telephony as we return to work; 6. A li...

S4 E13: Suck it up and make the best of it

In today's podcast The Two Reds interviewed Dr. Bill Schaeffer, owner of 'The Implant Centre in Hayward Heath and Hove.' Bill graduated in 1989 and opened a small squat and today his two practices are leaders in the UK implant world. Bill is a rare individual who always sees the positive side in any situation and there has been no exception with the Covid-19 lockdown. I can promise you will be inspired, motivated and ready to take on the world after listening to this podcast. It was so ins...

S4 E12: I don't watch box sets - I just want to write

Aged only 25 Gemma Cockburn purchased her first Dental Practice and 15 years later she still runs the same Practice. She has built up Chapel Street Dental through her tremendous work ethic and absolute dedication to her very loyal patient base. Gemma is now married and has two children and if you are looking at creating more balance in your life, then you will love this interview.    You are probably wondering what our podcast title is about? During lockdown Gemma wrote a book - The Covi...

S4 E11: How to have it all - build a successful Dental Practice & live a fulfilling life at the same time

If you want to become a successful dentist and at the same time achieve balance in your life, then you need to listen to this podcast. In this podcast, The Two Reds interviewed Stephen Jacobs the owner of Dental FX, a referral Practice in Glasgow.    Stephen was one of the pioneers in UK Dentistry for placing implants and this has been his passion for over 30 years. In this interview you will discover;   That to be truly successful you have to do the opposite of what everyone else is ...

S4 E10: Are you a high achiever or a high performer? Knowing the difference can save your life as well as your business

It’s amazing how sometimes a podcast guest comes along just when the interviewer(s) needs to hear their message.   Lee Evans had what he describes as a “crappy start” in life, tragically losing his mother when he was 15 years old and experiencing bullying at school.   After 25 years in The Army, what has emerged is one of the UK’s best performance coaches, still using his skill in the military but also with high-performing clients in sport and business.   In fact, it was one of C...

S4 E09: The Two Reds meet the the Two Scots who are making a difference in dentistry

This week we keep the interviews going North of the Border in Scotland with not one, but two, dentists as The Two Reds interview Dr Michael Tang and Dr Stuart Campbell.   Stuart and Michael started their own podcast at the start of 2020 - One in the Chair and Two Waiting - and although it's new, the podcast has already built up an excellent following and reputation.   Both Stuart and Michael share how they are getting through Covid-19. We discuss the steps they are taking to maintain...

S04 E08: How to build a micro-corporate in a beautiful area of Scotland (and carry on growing during lockdown and beyond)

We are keeping up the pace with the Two Reds podcast, in an endeavour to keep you positive and focused during lockdown.   Which is why this weeks’ guest was an obvious choice.   Chris Barrowman is a young Scottish dentist who chose to open a private squat in the quiet Perthshire town of Pitlochry and has grown that into a micro-corporate that not only had 4 locations before Covid-19 - but he also completed on his 5th practice acqusition during lockdown!   The InfinityBlu Group is...

S4 E07: The Cadence of Accountability - how to care for a growing team

Guy Deeming is the senior partner in Queensway Orthodontics and a partner in the Queensway Group, which provides both general and orthodontic dentistry to the population of Teesside in the North East of England.   If you think YOUR lockdown experience was stressful, try closing the business mid-way through the opening of three new practices as a result of an earlier successful NHS ortho contract tender.   Guy describes in detail how he and his team have dealt with lockdown and, at ...

S04 E07: The Cadence of Accountability - how to care for a growing team

Guy Deeming is the senior partner in Queensway Orthodontics and a partner in the Queensway Group, which provides both general and orthodontic dentistry to the population of Teesside in the North East of England.   If you think YOUR lockdown experience was stressful, try closing the business mid-way through the opening of three new practices as a result of an earlier successful NHS ortho contract tender.   Guy describes in detail how he and his team have dealt with lockdown and, at ...

S4E06: 'Farting into a Hurricane'

Well if you are wondering about the name of this week's podcast, then you are going to have to listen to the whole thing.   Our interview this week was with Mike Robinson, a Personal Trainer from Salford, North Manchester.   Mike is not only a brilliant personal trainer, but a friend. Because of the lockdown situation we are all in it has never been more important to fulfil your daily activity and maintain a healthy diet; hence why we interviewed Mike. In this interview, he shares ev...

S04 E06: 'Farting into a Hurricane'

Well if you are wondering about the name of this week's podcast, then you are going to have to listen to the whole thing.   Our interview this week was with Mike Robinson, a Personal Trainer from Salford, North Manchester.   Mike is not only a brilliant personal trainer, but a friend. Because of the lockdown situation we are all in it has never been more important to fulfil your daily activity and maintain a healthy diet; hence why we interviewed Mike. In this interview, he shares ev...