ASP Retreat I

Years before Lucy & I attended your Applied Strategic Planning seminar you had been instrumental in helping me change my office from one in which I was a benevolent dictator to one in which everyone played a role in planning and carrying out shared visions and goals. The ASP Series gave Lucy & me the tools to complete the very important transition to retirement. It really took work to achieve our goals as we proceeded into retiring. Your whole process in the seminar truly guided us each step of the way and for this I will always been indebted to you. My office was truly grateful also. I wanted this to be a win-win-win situation for Lucy & me, for my staff (as many had been with me 25 – 30 yrs) and finally, for my patients. Your ASP Series was vital in me achieving these three goals.

You've got to be kidding if you say "I've never heard of Bob Frazer." He has helped hundreds of dentists fulfill their dreams including mine. The sooner you do Applied Strategic Planning the better. No one is too young or old to do this life-changing experience.

Dr. Bob Frazer was outstanding. I announced during his introduction that, in an effort to get more members to stay through Friday, I had saved the "keynote" for Friday. I could only hope that his presentation would provide the "Wow!" factor I needed to finish out the meeting. Everyone was tired, low on energy, and ready to go home, and then Bob started speaking. Within the first 30 minutes of his three-hour presentation, Bob had our energy levels back up, we were re-energized, and everyone was on the edge of their chair and participating. After another 15-20 minutes I left briefly to go to the restroom, where another Schulman Group member commented, "Have you noticed how the energy level in the room has spiked?" We both laughed and rushed back to the room so we wouldn't miss too much of the presentation. I can't tell you how pleased everyone was with Dr. Frazer's presentation; they were overwhelmed. Please accept my sincere gratitude for recommending Bob!

For me, the overall A.S.P. Series was a process that was long overdue for the USA Section. As I stated at Retreat II, this planning technique was entirely different from the others I was involved with. With our continued diligence, I have great faith that this will be of enormous benefit to the Section. In addition, it was a great learning experience for me personally. I believe this will make a difference to me in my practice and in the way I conduct my life.

My involvement in the Environmental Scan was most meaningful part from the retreats. Such work! However, what I learned about everything that will have an effect on the College, the profession of dentistry, and me personally was incredible. That and working with such an energetic, professional committee was a great reward.

For the College, this process set an agenda with a mission and goals for us to proceed in a productive and efficient manner. As we proceed, the Section should gradually strengthen and rise in prestige and influence. For me personally, it helped me to align and realign my life’s priorities. Professionally, it became a method of reexamining the way I conduct my practice and my professional goals.

The first retreat was a great intro to the ASP process and how it differed from other SP processes. It tied together the books we had read by Covey and Sinek, as well as the Organizational Health Survey and other resources you provided us to make sense of what we were going to do and to inspire us to exert the energy to get it done. The Values audit helped us define our core values and how to create a new Mission for the Section.

As we proceeded from the first retreat forward, it was exciting to take all our work and formulate a strategic business model, and then the integrated action plans to give us an actual roadmap and timetable for achieving our goals.

Thanks, Bob, for a wonderful life experience. I believe it will be valuable for the Section and for me personally.

"We have used R.L. Frazer & Associates for numerous strategic planning and emotional intelligence training projects with our operating companies through the years. At one point we had 3 different operating businesses and R.L. Frazer worked with all 3 companies. Each one of these businesses had their own unique size, scope, and market challenges. In each instance, the process we used could account for those differences and help us achieve a future of choice. We started using his firm in 2008 with one of our businesses, New Earth. New Earth became the largest organic composting business in the state of Texas using the framework of Applied Strategic Planning that Bob and firm teaches. I would highly recommend him and his team in this capacity."

I want to personally thank you for all the work you have put into making the ASP process a success for our 13 doctor group. We could not have gone through this without your guidance, hands-on care and enthusiasm. My only regret is that I will not be with you as frequently as during this past year. My hope is to get with you at other courses and activities you offer to continue to grow both my leadership and our friendship. I look forward to our future experiences together.

I was impressed from the first moment you greeted us as we arrived after a day of travel ...I was impressed with your ability to translate your practical experience for the doctors and their teams ...One of the most significant benefits of thinking strategically is simplifying the process of determining goals, objectives and tactics. If a person learns nothing else from strategic thinking than how to ask the appropriate questions, they're on the right track. I believe the key selling point of Applied Strategic Planning is determining what is important and removing what isn't ...Bob, your passion for people and sharing wisdom is very inspiring ...meeting you and making a wonderful new friend has been a great experience for both of us.

The Applied Strategic Planning experience was way beyond my expectations! A new vision for our practice's future ...that I helped create has had an incredible impact on me (and our entire team) personally and professionally. You gave us so many tools to carry back to the office to rectify problems, attain goals and for follow through. A big positive impact was to connect with other offices throughout the country ...this program attracts the best! There was never a moment during the retreats that I lost interest. I didn't want the last retreat to end! I hung on every single word that was said by Bob and Irene. You are both truly a blessing in my life! Thanks from the bottom of my heart.