In her new book, “iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood—and What That Means for the Rest of Us,” Jean M. Twenge discusses the challenges of the iGen and shares start realizations about how smartphones are affecting a generation of young persons. Source: The Atlantic, September … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2017
Leaders ask the right questions
One skill that every effective leader has mastered is asking the right questions. Obviously, this is very helpful when you need information to make a well-informed decision. It is also helpful to check your assumptions when you think you have all the information before deciding. A simple acronym can insure you ask the right questions. Source: Evan Carmichael, September … [Read more...]
National Beef Quality Audit shows its value (includes video)
NBQA auditing processes have improved over the past 25 years, leading to an increasingly meaningful set of results. The 2016 National Beef Quality Audit observed a decrease in cattle with hide brands, horns and an increase in the frequency of Prime and Choice carcasses. Still, continuous improvement is indicated including how to tell consumers the story of beef’s … [Read more...]
Pig show persons stay connected to the industry
The show pig business is a world where people love their pigs. Those who fall short of the prizes try harder the next year. These farmers are not disconnected from the industry production practices, however. Our team wanted to share this site to share with you, especially these entries: Pig show 101 and Top 5 reasons why showing pigs is the best. Â Source: Real Pig … [Read more...]
What you wear at the clinic matters
Veterinary teams will appreciate the discussion presented in this article. Consider using this for a team meeting to discuss dress codes and what professional attire means. Source: Vetanswers, August 10, 2017 via NAVTA. At the end of the day, you are a veterinary professional, working with your clients in a well-equipped veterinary practice where you deliver a professional … [Read more...]
Stress leads to bad decisions
Our brains are wired to be more reactionary under stress, according to decision-making research This can mean that stressed persons resort to binary choice-making, limiting the options available to them. Often, says Ron Carucci, we revert to the “it’s just easier to do this myself” by impulse. Source: Harvard Business Review, August 29, 2017. There are no complex challenges … [Read more...]
Why technicians leave—and what you can do about it
Julie Carlson’s overview of veterinary technician work dynamics is important, especially in with the new veterinary nurse direction and how salespersons interface with technicians and office staff. Practice owners and managers need to look at this from a retention management perspective. Sales and marketing persons will find opportunities in the comments on respect, inclusion … [Read more...]
6 steps to effective communication
We’ve included many posts dealing with interpersonal connections recently. So, how can we communicate more effectively in the myriad ways we exchange information? Denise Yosefat offers an acronym CHOICE to represent the six steps to being effective communicators. Source: leadercommunicator™ blog, February 1, 2017. Here are the six steps Yosefat offers: C is for … [Read more...]
Spike in Salmonella comes from backyard chickens
As we noted in this post last June, hugging and kissing chickens can cause exposure to Salmonella, which has killed one person in the U.S. this year. Young children are the most vulnerable to this bacteria. Source: NBC News, August 22, 2017. Nine hundred sixty one people have tested positive for Salmonella this year. That’s more cases than in all of 2016. It’s been found in … [Read more...]
Chickens becoming beloved family pets
It won’t be long before chickens are the new family dog, according to Kathy Shea Mormino, aka the Chicken Chick. She may be on to something. More than one percent of U.S. households now raise chickens. Plus, the USDA estimates that by 2019, urban chicken flocks will increase by 400 percent. Mormino is attuned to this growth as she answers questions for her 743,000 followers on … [Read more...]
Respect a cat’s hiss
Jane A Kelly shares perspectives on why cats hiss. Some feline behavior experts believe that the cat learned how to hiss by imitating the sound of snakes. Mimicking the sound of other species is a survival technique used by many animals, and there’s no mistaking the distinct warning given by a hiss. Source: Catster, August 21, 2017. Ultimately, the cat hiss is designed to … [Read more...]
Lone star tick is rapidly migrating
Lone star ticks have been implicated in a handful of zoonotic illnesses (not Lyme disease) that are serious to humans and animals. Experts in human allergy, parasitology, and entomology joined to discuss the lone star tick, its geographic spread and the zoonotic diseases it can transmit during the AVMA 2017 convention in Indianapolis. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August … [Read more...]
Dog pee: normal or not?
Arden Moore goes through everything from urine color to frequency to how to obtain a pee sample from a dog. It is light but informative content. Consider using it for websites, newsletters or social media. Source: The Bark, August 28, 2017. The liquid gold stream exiting from a dog contains priceless clues on just how healthy the dog is. Snicker if you will, but any … [Read more...]
Working with bad listeners
It’s a challenge to work with people — peers, junior colleagues, customers, or even bosses — who just don’t listen. Rebecca Knight offers some dos and don’ts in this discussion of distracted and distracting communications. Source: Harvard Business Review, August 24, 2017. Here are some strategies for working with colleagues who never seem to be listening: Consider work … [Read more...]
Put down the phone
Wendy Myers suggests ways to get clients and staff members to hang up their phones and listen. Addictive cellphone use is a growing problem and contributes to declining listening and retention skills. Try a collaborative rather than confrontational approach when dealing with smartphone use. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 23, 2017. Distracted clients may be … [Read more...]
“1” can change everything; KC Animal Health Corridor
Global Animal Health Week kicked off in the Kansas City area Friday, August 25. Supported by the commitments to the KC Animal Health Corridor, a series of events garnered record participation from around the world. Check out the “goings on” at #KCAnimalHealth Source: KC Animal Health Corridor. Events included: 1st “Women in Animal Health” panel discussion Market … [Read more...]
AHD Bulletin, shorter this week
We’ve spent the last five days engaged with animal health colleagues during the Global Animal Health week, KC Animal Health Corridor Homecoming and CVC Kansas City convention. Obviously, such activities reduce the time to curate materials for animal health pros. Our AHD Bulletin is shorter than usual this week. Many of the posts will be about the challenges of human … [Read more...]
Beyonce goes to vet school
Vet School: As told by Beyonce is the title of this parody compilation of the singer’s hits assembled by future veterinarians. Third-year Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences students recently used the video to welcome the class of 2021. Source: AGDAILY: If “All the Single Ladies” got stuck in your head, watch out for “All the … [Read more...]
Two main points on dairy heifer raising
Matt Lippert discusses many details on how best to economically raise sound animals that will be useful for a dairy herd. Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 8, 2017. One of the best ways to trim cost is to stop raising excess heifers, says Lippert. He references evidence to avoid cutting corners on young calves. They need colostrum within minutes to very few hours after … [Read more...]
Precondition beef calves regardless of weaning time
Preconditioning calves helps ease the stressful transition from being with mama cows to being with peers in the feedlot. North Dakota State University’s Kris Ringwall offers some pointers. Source: Drovers Cattle Network, August 7, 2017. No perfect preconditioning program, no perfect time to vaccinate, no perfect time to market exists, but producers, with the help of good … [Read more...]
Pig transformation changing with the times
In a fun and informative retrospective, Pork’s JoAnn Alumbaugh reviews the history of pig confirmation and the societal influences that shape a hog as we know them today. Source: Pork, August 10, 2017. Genetics, diet, marketing trends and once more, consumer tastes, continue to evolve so the composition of modern pigs evolves as well. Pig farmers now consider all of the … [Read more...]
Feline calcivirus review
Feline calcivirus is a single-stranded nonenveloped RNA virus that frequently presents clinical symptoms in young cats and kittens as acute upper respiratory or ocular signs. The virus often infects cats who become subclinical carriers of the virus. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2015. FCV should be treated on an outpatient basis, if possible, as it is highly … [Read more...]
Go home from work now!
A new study in the European Heart Journal found that people who worked long hours were more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, a rapid-heartbeat condition that can lead to strokes and heart failure. Longer work hours were also associated with obesity, risky alcohol use, depression and anxiety. Source: Science of Us, July 21, 2017. Working too much can harm your health, … [Read more...]
U.S. Court of Appeals puts gray wolf back on endangered list
The debate about whether or not to list or delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list will likely bring new legislation and further definition to managing endangered species. Still, the recovery of a nearly extinct predator has been a remarkable wildlife management process. Source: Drovers Cattle Network, August 2, 2017. Currently there are Republicans and … [Read more...]
When dogs make you late
A fun one! Karen London loves the benefits of dog ownership. She is also realistic about how they can delay a disciplined morning routine or other plans. Source: The Bark, July 17, 2017. No matter how much we love our dogs, it can be frustrating when they make it extra challenging to get to work on time. … [Read more...]
New horse welfare guidelines and penalties released
US Equestrian Federation has released new, official guidelines for horse welfare and safety penalties. To do this, the organization has created rules to govern the actions of its members and protect horses and humans, allowing them to experience the joy of horse sports. The guidelines fall into these categories: Excessive use of whip or spurs and improper use of bits … [Read more...]
6 reasons salespersons win or lose a sale
Research by Steve Martin dug into sales effectiveness. The project goals were to understand how customers perceive the salespeople they meet with, explore the circumstances that determine which vendor is selected and learn how different company departments and vertical industries make buying decisions. Source: Harvard Business Review, June 23, 2017. Martin shares six key … [Read more...]
Horse wellness and medical coverage options expanding
Equine insurance policies have historically been used by sport and breeding horse owners. That changed this June when the Crum & Foster Pet Insurance Group began offering American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Pet Health Insurance to owners of horses that do not hold a high monetary value. Source: The Horse, July 31, 2017. There are many owners who … [Read more...]
Pets seen as starter children
Forty four percent of millennials see their pets as “practice” for the real deal, with 21 percent citing that as the main reason for welcoming an animal into their homes. Another 23 percent said it was at least part of the reason. These are just three key points animal health pros can take home from a recent study conducted by the business consultancy, GALE. Source: Ad Week, … [Read more...]
DVMs losing revenue to parallel service providers
The AABP and AVMA recently released findings that alternate sources or parallel services providers pose an ongoing financial risk to profits in the bovine segments. This is not a new phenomenon, but technology and expanding services by the alternate channels is intrusive to the traditional veterinary channel. Source: Beef Vet, Fall 2017, page 6. Parallel providers offer … [Read more...]