How I Managed Change to Increase Production by 84%

In the summer of 2011, I was presented with an opportunity to merge my one-person cosmetic-oriented ceramics laboratory with an in-house full-service laboratory owned by a group of 18 general practitioners, pedodontists and oral surgeons/periodontists. The group was looking for a ceramist who had both anterior and custom shade experience, as well as management skills to oversee the six-technician Fixed Department.

At that point, I had owned Mrazek Prosthodontics, Ltd. for 30 years and the thought of transitioning from owner to employee required careful consideration. After four months of discussion, we reached a merger agreement that included a 90-day trial period during which I would keep my own personal accounts. In January 2012, I began my employment at the dental group, working there four days a week and using the other three days to work for my personal accounts...