Obstacles To Overcome

There are many obstacles to overcome before a successful group can be formed.

Most consultants are under the impression that they have to disclose and share their own private practice with other members of the group. This need not happen if members wish to retain their own private practices. The group can be set up to accommodate this.

If private practices are to be pooled in the group then it has to be recognised that members will have different levels of income and as such some agreement reached on if and when there will be parity in earnings or some other arrangement.

Personality clashes will be inevitable and occurs in all types of groups of professionals. It does not mean the group has to fragment just because people do not get on. What it does highlight is that members should be selective in who they choose to be associated with.

The finances of the group and other administrative arrangements need to be transparent and capable of being understood by all members. Most fall outs in any group centres on a lack of understanding of the finances of the group.

Basic ground rules between members are vital. In addition these need to flexible.
If, for example individual private practices are to be retained then to avoid any conflict with the group the private practices have to be defined.

The size of the group is important. There is no optimum size. But in most cases groups grow by evolving in response to increase workload. Large groups need members to delegate responsibilities to other members or the function of the group freezes.

Professional advice and information is vital in setting up and administrating any group. Time has to be set aside for discussion.

Most groups can be formed and left dormant until the objective is activated. This can avoid opportunities being missed because it has taken too long to discuss and form the group.

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