The Key to Starting a Successful Non-Profit Health Clinic

Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, KPI Compilation: 800+ Corporate Strategy KPIs (186-slide PowerPoint presentation). This presentation is a comprehensive collection of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) related to Corporate Strategy. A KPI is a quantifiable measure used to evaluate the success of an organization, employee, or process in meeting objectives for performance. KPIs are typically implemented [read more]

Also, if you are interested in becoming an expert on Strategy Development, take a look at Flevy's Strategy Development Frameworks offering here. This is a curated collection of best practice frameworks based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. By learning and applying these concepts, you can you stay ahead of the curve. Full details here.

* * * *

Unless you have ever started a business of any kind, you may be among millions of Americans who simply have misconceptions about what a ‘non-profit’ really is. Most of us understand the term to mean that a not-for-profit organization isn’t supposed to make a profit, any kind of profit whatsoever. That just isn’t true! The key to starting a successful non-profit health clinic is to understand what you are supposed to do with any profits that may be realized. If you are pursuing a master of public health, this information may prove useful in your future.

Common Myths to Be Dispelled

Perhaps the biggest myth to be dispelled right out of the gate is that a non-profit organization can’t earn a profit. Actually, it is in the best interest of a non-profit to earn profits to be put back into the coffers so that it can sustain itself over time. Like any other business, there will be lean times and it is often this buildup of revenue that sustains a non-profit.

Also, although profits cannot be distributed among private persons/entities, it can and should compensate anyone for services rendered. It is not true that non-profits operate largely on volunteers, although volunteering is certainly welcome. Anyone seeking an MPH degree to open a non-profit health clinic would obviously need to pay doctors, nurses, secretaries, technicians and any support staff necessary for day to day operations. Did you realize that a little more than 10% of those privately employed in the United States work for non-profit organizations? So you see, non-profits can pay staff!

Serving a Need

Of course a health clinic is going to be established to provide much needed medical services to a community. However, where is the need greatest? Many non-profit health clinics do quite well in rural areas because this, believe it or not, is often where there is the greatest need for doctors and nurses. In fact, many rural areas have no doctors or clinics whatsoever and patients are required to drive many miles away to get health care from a provider.

If you are thinking of starting a successful non-profit health clinic, it would be wise to research areas around where you would like to reside. You can do this while pursuing your public health degree online and by the time you’ve earned your degree, you will have a good idea where you would like to ‘set up shop.’ Also, this time can be used to research local, county and statewide laws and ordinances. If you use your time wisely while studying for your degree, it won’t take long to get your clinic approved and operational.

One for the Road

A few closing thoughts would be in regards to actually drawing up a business plan / model for your health clinic and begin contacting the people you will need to make it happen. From financing to staffing your clinic with clinicians and support staff, you can have this well underway long before you have that piece of paper in hand. Keep in mind that there are simply not enough clinics in rural areas so you will be serving a great need. There is no reason you cannot establish a successful public health clinic if you plan and prepare well in advance.

Want to Achieve Excellence in Strategy Development?

Gain the knowledge and develop the expertise to become an expert in Strategy Development. Our frameworks are based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. Click here for full details.

"Strategy without Tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without Strategy is the noise before defeat." - Sun Tzu

For effective Strategy Development and Strategic Planning, we must master both Strategy and Tactics. Our frameworks cover all phases of Strategy, from Strategy Design and Formulation to Strategy Deployment and Execution; as well as all levels of Strategy, from Corporate Strategy to Business Strategy to "Tactical" Strategy. Many of these methodologies are authored by global strategy consulting firms and have been successfully implemented at their Fortune 100 client organizations.

These frameworks include Porter's Five Forces, BCG Growth-Share Matrix, Greiner's Growth Model, Capabilities-driven Strategy (CDS), Business Model Innovation (BMI), Value Chain Analysis (VCA), Endgame Niche Strategies, Value Patterns, Integrated Strategy Model for Value Creation, Scenario Planning, to name a few.

Learn about our Strategy Development Best Practice Frameworks here.