Sometimes, the best answer is "no," and doesn’t have to come at the cost of your workplace relationships or reputation. Thea O’Connor discusses how to push back to contain your workload without threatening your career or being labelled difficult. Speak from a place of knowing your value and competence, rather than from a place of weakness or being a victim,” - Cynthia Hickman, … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2021
Man 2.0: Men need more rest and how they can get it
We feel better, perform better and are kinder to others when we’re taken care of, writes Dan Doty. He suggests most men are simply conditioned to run on fumes and need to intentionally create time to relax and recharge. Source: Healthline, December 22, 2020. Link. When we don’t rest enough, we put our bodies and nervous systems into overdrive mode. We operate on cortisol. . … [Read more...]
Build an excellent coaching strategy
Effective coaching is a crucial ingredient to satisfied employees. It leads to improved performance, knowledge transfer, skill improvement and employee retention, writes Steve Taplin. His writing shares some results and specific elements to include in a coaching strategy. While his examples are specific to a remote employee business, the initial step of coaching, ‘invite … [Read more...]
A learning mindset
It’s a blend of feeling confident that you can do the project you’re taking on while simultaneously being okay with making mistakes along the way and learning from them. Source: Linkedin Pulse, August 29, 2021. Link. I find that I’m more efficient and better at my work if I allow the time and space to improve myself. Without judgement. INSIGHT: Mistakes are only bad if … [Read more...]
Veterinary pros cannot rely on diagnostic tests alone
A new commentary paper warns veterinary clinicians and researchers that a diagnosis cannot rely on tests alone. The JAVMA article discusses the process of diagnostic test validation and the use of molecular diagnostic tests in clinical and regulatory veterinary medicine. Decisions should not be made solely on the basis of diagnostic test results, especially in the absence of … [Read more...]
Pros and cons of 3 key pricing strategies
There are three key strategies to pricing anything, writes Michael Stanisz. All three apply to B2B, B2C, a product or a service: Cost-based or cost-plus pricing. Note, this includes margin and markup methods. Market-based pricing. Note, minimum MSRP guidance plays a role here. Value-based pricing. Pricing challenges are frequently discussed when animal health pros … [Read more...]
Survey: Workers ages 18 to 44 want payday more flexible
A study of U.S. workers conducted online by The Harris Poll in August 2021, “. . . reveals clear expectations from millennials through Generation X employees (between the ages of 18-44) to make payday more flexible.” Ernst & Young estimated every day there is approximately $1 trillion in accrued employer payroll accounts in the U.S. and 36 other developed countries. 83 … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 9, 2021
Last week’s . . . . . . most read post Success starts with followership, AHD. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Sept 2, 2021. The surprising upsides of spite and how to harness them Source: New Scientist, September 1, 2021. Link. Spiteful behavior, harming another at some cost to yourself, is a psychological game where no … [Read more...]
60 percent more milk from 30 percent fewer cows
Dramatic changes have unfolded in the dairy industry during the last five generations. They include more ore milk production occurring on fewer farms, plus large-scale operations expanding into non-traditional markets. Karen Bohnert examines the top dairy states in the next decade. Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 31, 2021. Link. The June 2021 USDA’s Milk Production … [Read more...]
Danish entry methods benefit calf biosecurity (includes video)
Sponsored Content Replicating biosecurity measures of pig- and poultry-raising units, Kevin Janni, agricultural engineer, says a Danish entry allows people to enter livestock barns in a relatively biosecure way, without having to shower in and shower out. The key is that dirty boots or clothing never cross from the dirty to the clean side. Ideally, a hand-washing sink and … [Read more...]
History of the Bantam chicken
At about a third the size of an average chicken, Bantam chickens have sometimes caused people to question if Bantams are real chickens. Don Schrider shares the history of Bantams and says they are indeed real chickens. Source: Backyard Poultry, August 31, 2021. Link. Bantams are about a third the size of large fowl, eat much less, need smaller pens, and more of them can be … [Read more...]
Take a break and laugh at the 2021 Wildlife Photo Awards finalists
The 2021 Wildlife Photo Awards announced its finalists last week and they’re worth seeing. Judges narrowed selections down to 42 finalists out of 7,000 entries from around the world. The winners will be announced October 22. Source: CNN, September 2, 2021. Link. Source: The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards. Link. … [Read more...]
Nutrigenomics: the future of feeding horses
Nutrigenomics is the scientific study of how nutrients can interact, directly or indirectly, with an animal’s genome. This interaction influences how genes are expressed, which can affect health, disease and performance, writes Marty Adams, PhD, PAS. The goal of equine nutrigenomics is to tailor a horse’s diet based on their genetic information, so they grow in a healthy state … [Read more...]
Dermatology pearls: Your 4-step guide to educating pet parents about pruritus
Owners of pets with allergic pruritus can often encounter confusion and frustration. It’s important to tackle the issue from the first appointment and develop a dependable treatment plan that keeps the needs of both patient and owner in mind. Source: DVM 360, via AAHA NEWStat, August 29, 2021. Link. To navigate these conversations with clients, Ashley S. Bourgeois, DVM, … [Read more...]
VO2 Max, the secret to canine field performance
Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD, talks about getting peak performance out of working dogs. “The key thing is to define what VO2 Max is,” Venator said. “It’s not some odd scientific term. It’s simply the rate of maximum oxygen use. And obviously that’s important because oxygen is going to fuel endurance, performance, and energy. That’s both in dogs and in humans. . . . the higher that … [Read more...]
Select the right food and dietary plan for cats with urinary issues
Any cat at any age can develop urinary stones or crystals, urinary infections and blockages. Catster writers reached out to two of the nation’s leading authorities on cats and feline nutrition to help cat caregivers come up with a food game plan to keep felines healthy. Source: Catster, March 2021. Link. No single diet and no individual pet food company makes the best food … [Read more...]
New study adds evidence for canine “‘theory of mind”’
Researchers studying the cognitive ability known as theory of mind in dogs believe dogs have some insight into what we’re thinking. Their findings indicate dogs can figure out whether we’re doing something on purpose or by accident. Source: Science, September 2, 2021. Link. Also see: New study examines whether dogs understand intent, Treehugger, September 2, 2021. … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLink introduces the Pet TravelPass™ for international pet travel
Complimentary A new tool from GlobalVetLink promises to save veterinarians time and worries when clients want to travel internationally with their pets. GVL Pet TravelPass is available now at http://www.globalvetlink.comand offers an easy sign-up and get-started process, with no subscription fee or monthly minimums. Source: GlobalVetLink, August 7, 2021. Link. The GVL … [Read more...]
Martha Stewart discusses pet CBD, Canopy Growth partnership
Stewart entered the CBD market in 2019 when she collaborated with Canopy Growth to develop a line of CBD-infused gummies, soft gels and tinctures for people. This partnership now also includes a line of CBD pet products that launched early in 2021. Source: Pet Age, September 1, 2021. Link. Based on Stewart’s business savvy and passion for pets, combined with Canopy Growth’s … [Read more...]
Top 7 most popular dog breeds
We’re always curious about lists like this. Here’s the top seven most popular dog breeds in 2021: Golden Retrievers Goldendoodles French Bulldogs Beagles Yorkshire Terriers Australian Shepard Poodle Source: Puppies and Pooches, January 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Pause, reflect, refocus, reignite
Entire organizations are in ongoing redefinition, old and new worlds recombined. Dan Oestreich describes it as a state of permanent, turbulent white water. What many need is a fundamental reset of some kind, or a breather of major proportions. The point is that human beings are tired, confused, angry, anxious and something has to give. To avoid doing the same thing and … [Read more...]
Be interested
Often when I suggest that it would be more effective “to be interested rather than trying to be interesting,” I am met with a blank stare. My advice sounds good, but many people need help in asking the right questions. This column from five years ago may help. Source: Vet Advantage, December 2016. Link. Do not worry about sounding nosey. Leaders are naturally inquisitive, … [Read more...]
Onboarding processes critical to VCPR successes
Opinion Our industry has appropriately migrated to more individualized health and risk assessments for dogs, cats and horses based on their expected lifestyles. In recent posts we asserted how onboarding communication processes can extend the level of client-veterinary team interactions beyond the next vaccination or blood test and improve perceptions of veterinary … [Read more...]
U.S. workers’ satisfaction with job safety rebounds
Findings from Gallup's August 2-17 poll mark the 22nd year of tracking workers' satisfaction with various dimensions of their work life. One year after U.S. workers indicated significantly less satisfaction with the physical safety conditions of their workplace, their satisfaction has rebounded to its pre-pandemic level. Source: Gallup, September 8, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 2, 2021
Last week’s most read post Communicating without words, Link. Last week’s Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 26, 2021. Link. On my worst mental health days, my 3 dogs get me out of bed Source: The Lily, June 27, 2021. Link. Gemma Correll shares a pictorial story of how her dogs help to improve her mental and physical health every … [Read more...]