One of the skills veterinary team members possess is the ability to listen to their animal patients. They do it with their ears, their eyes, hands and even noses. These senses are critical to identifying both health and illness in critters. But when that attention is turned to an animal owner, the senses often turn off. Salespeople have similar problems and so do personnel at … [Read more...]
CDC to retail industry: dust off preparedness plans NOW
Whether it is COVID-19 or something else, proactive preparedness is important for businesses and communities. CDC recently highlighted four key preparedness areas for businesses and employers to consider during a conference call convened by the National Retail Federation: Continuity Protecting the workforce Customers Community Source: National Retail … [Read more...]
Talking money with animal owners (video option)
Veterinary team members frequently anticipate client objections to treatment recommendations before the conversation gets started, writes Wendy Hauser, DVM. She offers proactive recommendations to help handle money discussions, including team training. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2020. Link. A disconnect can arise between pet owners and veterinary teams … [Read more...]
Customer service: Smiles are not enough
For repeatable, sustainable customer service excellence, you need systems and standards for the great people you hire, writes Micah Solomon. Standards are ways of delineating “how we do things around here.” Systems are slightly more elaborate; they are essentially groups of standards. Standards and systems are both important components to successfully serving … [Read more...]
PRRS made swine industry better
PRRS remains the number-one cause of economic impact in the U.S. swine industry. First described in the U.S. in the late 1980s < link >, PRRS has challenged swine veterinarians and producers to improvement all management practices. In addition to biosecurity advancements, PRRS made the swine industry better in five ways: Improved communication Fostered … [Read more...]
Approach accountability issues with curiosity, not blame
Melissa Raffoni says a “lack of accountability” is rarely intentional. More often, it’s the result of an underlying issue, such as unclear roles and responsibilities, limited resources, a poor strategy, or unrealistic goals. She offers ways to turn situations around beginning with self-assessment. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 10, 2020. Link. Commit to setting … [Read more...]
Opinion – Convenience and the consumer (slide show)
Americans spent more on pets in 2018 (avg. $662) than on fresh fruit and vegetables, alcohol, beef, pork and poultry, water and other services or medicinal drugs <link>. Consumer research on convenience can help us better understand animal owner needs as a reflection of how they manage their lives. Consumers’ choices in terms of where, how and why they buy are … [Read more...]
Random acts of wellness don’t work
Despite a greater focus on workplace wellness programs, some employers are not getting it right, says Ron Loeppke. They need to fully commit and embrace the programs to make them successful. “Wellness doesn’t work if it’s not done in the right way. Random acts of wellness ain’t gonna cut it.” – Ron Loeppke Source: Human Resource Executive, January 22, 2020. Link. Just as … [Read more...]
Opinion – Lawsuit over popular dog food brand exposes label confusion
You can decide if the litigation described in this article is necessary or accurate. The context is important, as is what animal health pros can learn from it and the inherent call to action, which is pet owners need nutritional counseling and guidance. There is no question that pet diet labels have become more confusing over time pitting marketing perceptions against … [Read more...]
Could the use of diverse languages affect veterinarian influence?
Our team sees a plethora of material when curating information for animal health pros. Our December post, Veterinary medicine; whitest profession in America <link> came to mind as I recently sorted content. Andy Kiersz and Ivan De Luce present a map showing the most commonly spoken languages in every state, excluding English and Spanish. In the ensuing text, the language … [Read more...]
Opinion – 2020 Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET)® Report from Banfield®
Banfield® Pet Hospital has again shared information from their internal data this year on the importance of weight management in pets as it relates to osteoarthritis. The entire veterinary industry continues to benefit from a better understanding of clients, pets and prevalence of conditions. Thank you Banfield! Excess weight in pets is a growing problem (no pun … [Read more...]
Good managers encourage employees to share opinions
In nearly every dimension of business success, the manager makes the difference. From diversity and inclusion to productivity and retention, the manager plays a singular role in the life of an employee. In fact, Gallup's analysis has shown that the quality of a manager accounts for 70% of the variance in team engagement. Source: Gallup, December 30, 2019. Link [ä]. Only a … [Read more...]
Improvements, concerns highlighted in new Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study
The Merck Animal Health Veterinarian Wellbeing Study was released this week citing that most veterinarians rated their job satisfaction high. Conducted in collaboration with AVMA, the study also considered compensation, burnout, substance use disorder, cyberbullying and suicide. It found that 92 percent of respondents were concerned about high stress, 91 percent with high … [Read more...]
AI, telehealth can help combat professional staffing issues (video)
For animal health pros wrestling with telemedicine, information in this article will clarify some of its opportunities and benefits. Citing a recent American Hospital Association study, Nathan Eddy separates telehealth and AI over a future timeline. He also shows how telehealth platforms are useful to providers as health care is increasingly delivered outside of traditional … [Read more...]
The young don’t hold a monopoly on career potential
Women get hit harder than men when it comes to age discrimination. Mika Brzezinski and Ginny Brzezinski discuss age bias and the challenges women encounter. They call for a change in narrative and to reimagine the possibilities of mid- to late-career reinvention. Source: LinkedIn, January 10, 2020. Link. Ageism and particularly gendered ageism may be illegal, but it is hard … [Read more...]
Pet insurance remains polarizing for many
Addressing the fear and reluctance found in many veterinarians and staff members, Wendy Hauser, DVM, summarizes key elements of pet insurance. Pet insurance is property insurance, not an accident and health product. Veterinary teams are allowed to endorse the idea that pet health insurance is a helpful tool in helping the client provide care for their pets. Source: … [Read more...]
Veterinary Study Groups selects Airvet as telemedicine provider
A new strategic partnership with VSG and Airvet offers options for independent veterinary practices to incorporate new technologies and implement telemedicine to meet the ever-changing expectations of their clients, according to Steve Curvey, VSG COO. Airvet intends to create new efficiencies in a practice’s daily workflow, while providing continuity of care for clients, all … [Read more...]
New Labor Dept rule clarifies ‘joint employer’ standard
Does your business use outsourced services such as cleaning, maintenance or temporary workers? The Labor Department issued a final rule that clarifies when a worker is employed by more than one company. Source: Associated Press, January 13, 2020. Link. Taking effect on March 16, 2020, the new rule provides a four-part test to determine whether a company is a “joint … [Read more...]
Facing veterinarians’ loss of mindshare
Veterinarians created Dr. Google by its restricting access to veterinary expertise at clients’ times of need, shares Ed Blach, DVM. If you bristle at these words, you are likely on a veterinary team. Blach’s article speaks to the declining influence veterinarians possess and how this occurred. An admonishment? Yes. But, not without a situation analysis and actionable … [Read more...]
Video: Banfield launches free suicide training
Banfield has created the first suicide-prevention training designed specifically for veterinary professionals to help curb the industry suicide crisis. The interactive e-learning program, ASK, is an acronym for assess, support, know. The training is available at no charge, compliments of Banfield Pet Hospital. Source: NAVC Spark, January 6, 2020. Link. Male veterinarians are … [Read more...]
Success is successful right up until it isn’t
Dealing with antigenic drift or drug resistance is something animal health pros are well-suited to adjust to and manage, relatively speaking. Changes in customer preferences, channel sourcing and dedication to “the way we’ve always done things” . . . well, maybe not so much. Mike Shipulski shares that when business successes begin to decline and challenge us to work toward a … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Quality acronyms and terms, Banfield-style
Leaders from Banfield review quality acronyms live on video. There’s a bit of memory prodding required while revealing the disciplines required to provide safety and best care for animals, clients and staffers. Source: Quality talk with Banfield leaders, YouTube, October 21, 2019. Link. Note the discussion of the five domains for quality and the focus on culturally competent … [Read more...]
Veterinary medicine; whitest profession in America
The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges’ director, Lisa Greenhill, MBA, EdD, shared information and corrective steps to address a history of discrimination and marginalization within the veterinary profession. At the current rate of change, black women will achieve pay equity in 100 years. For Latinx women, it will be 125 years until the wage gap … [Read more...]
Telehealth: 2019 regulations set the stage for increased access and use
Jeff Lagasse says 2019 was an interesting year for human telehealth. A framework is starting to emerge, and while it's not fully mature, it is no longer the nascent healthcare delivery approach it once was. Understanding and monitoring the human telemedicine developments is important for animal health companies. The technology infrastructures will be similar and resolutions … [Read more...]
Fido is likely older than you think
New research from geneticists and biologists at University of California – San Diego believe they’ve developed a more accurate formula to calculate dogs’ ages than our current thinking that seven human years are the equivalent of one dog year. In fact, that energetic year-old pup, may be closer to 30 years old. Source: Washington Post, November 28, 2019. Link. They … [Read more...]
Favorite posts about ourselves
AHD readers continue to show interest in topics related to how we get along with other people, how we lead them and how we protect ourselves physically and emotionally to sustain our work in animal health businesses. Here are most read posts about human topics from June 1 through October 31, 2019: Things that make employees quit, AHD, October 25, 2019. Link. Invest one … [Read more...]
Animal Health Digest enters year 5
Four years ago, we set out to provide a curation service to help animal health pros meet the challenges of staying current with information relevant to our industry, jobs and customers. Our objective remains; to provide actionable content in the context of how animal health pros do their jobs and as close to the original publishing date as possible. You can then put the … [Read more...]
Giving thanks
It is that time of year when we reconnect with images of the first Thanksgiving when pilgrims and native Americans gathered to celebrate a bountiful harvest. More important than the meal was the gathering of cultures and mutual learning, plus the attitude of inclusion and survival. With this spirit, our team extends a hearty Thank You to our readers. Your input and our … [Read more...]
Being a working parent changes as children grow
Much of the discussion around working parents focuses on the needs of new mothers. It is as if the challenges of integrating work and parenthood evaporate once a child enters school. NOT! Children need continuing care and parental support as they move from grade school to middle school and into high school. As their independence grows, they may need less supervision, but their … [Read more...]
Questions about hand asepsis
Hand asepsis is one of the most critical components of surgical asepsis to lower the risk of nosocomial diseases. Phil Zeltzman, DVM, tackles four critical questions related to hand asepsis: Could you lose your driver’s license by scrubbing in? Should women who perform surgery wear nail polish? Are you scrubbing in long enough? How should you handle perforated … [Read more...]