Jennifer Porter writes about working with dysfunctional teams and developing the skills to improve team dynamics. Teams are complex systems of individuals with different preferences, skills, experiences, perspectives and habits. The odds of improving that complex system in a meaningful and sustainable way are higher if every team member (including the leader) learns to … [Read more...]
Petco versus PetSmart: no clear winner in big box dog fight
The pet business is one of retail’s long-term bright spots. But the dynamics of alternate sourcing, internet sales and aggressive competition challenge two of the large big box retailers. Private-equity firms bought America’s two biggest pet-store owners within months of each other. One spent billions to boost its online business by acquiring the top internet pet … [Read more...]
Goodbye dead wagon, hello composting
Transporting carcasses of livestock mortalities is challenging to biosecurity, air quality and groundwater safety. This calls for new alternatives. Jennifer Shike shares her experience visiting a farm using an aeration composter and shares her thoughts on the science and the importance of the topic. Source: PORK, February 15, 2019. Link. Forced aeration composting is a win … [Read more...]
Vaccinating mice may slow Lyme disease
Former veterinarian turned immunologist Mario Gomes-Solecki focused beyond animals susceptible to Lyme. She studied the large population of Borrelia burgdorferi infected white-footed mice and on reducing the number of ticks that become carrier after biting a mouse. Roughly half of ticks carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, pick it up by … [Read more...]
DVMs called to action to reduce breeding of brachycephalic dogs
Paul McGreevy, PhD, and Anne Fawcett issue a challenge to the veterinary community’s role in reducing or preventing any negative health impacts of disorders in animals. They utilize brachycephalic or short-skulled dogs as their examples which include French bulldogs, pugs, British bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. . . . given what we know, we’re … [Read more...]
AVMA tackling technician underutilization
Veterinary technicians continue to struggle with low pay, compassion fatigue and burnout, as well as a lack of recognition and career advancement opportunities. Underutilization was the main topic during the AVMA’s house of delegates Veterinary Information Forum. Discussions included: how to encourage the consistent use of credentialed veterinary technicians as part of … [Read more...]
What retailers can do for healthier pets
Help DVM360 to investigate retailing and the interactions between pet retailers and veterinary hospitals. Take this short, 5-minute survey <link> and share your insight on the relationship between veterinary practices and pet retailers. Note: The survey is open to a wide set of categories of animal health pros. Vet professionals and pet retailers may have some of the … [Read more...]
Generational management challenging, but can be done right
Right now, the U.S. workforce is made up of five different generations, (Link) all of which have their own opinions and expectations — about colleague camaraderie, about power dynamics, about work-life balance, and about office culture. And, that’s a good thing. Source: Medium Leadership, February 5, 2019. Link. For a younger employee, being dropped into a directorial role … [Read more...]
Talking money, a team opportunity
Brendan Howard put some good thought to using Naomi Strollo’s assertions on talking money with clients. By making the topic a team challenge, there’s an excellent chance team members will be more likely to be more effective at presenting options to animal owners. Source: FIRSTLINE, January 30, 2019. Link. . . . reflect, discuss and get greater clarity and open … [Read more...]
There’s no such thing as a universal periodontal procedure fee
Barden Greenfield, DVM, DAVDC, cautions veterinary teams about the variability of dental procedures, client consent forms and client accessibility to approve of variations from a periodontal exam and treatment plan. 80 percent of all dogs and cats over the age of 3 years have some form of periodontal disease. Therefore, the initial treatment plan for an oral procedure is … [Read more...]
5 signs you spend too much time with your phone
Most of us know we likely spend too much time on our phones. From Facebook to games to email and texts, they’re a never-ending source of information, entertainment and frustration. A 2017 analysis of multiple studies found that people spend more than hours a day on their smartphones – the equivalent of a part-time job! The folks at grammerly share five signs of excessive … [Read more...]
Active listening is an art
Glenna Fulks shares typical hindrances to listening. Too often we’re guilty of hijacking a conversation, speaking too soon and cutting off the other individual's response. Count to eight before you reciprocate. Source: Linked In, May 4, 2018. Link. Fulks’ common deterrents to listening include: we don’t give ourselves a chance to listen since we never stop talkingwe … [Read more...]
Employees don’t need another friend
When manager-employee relationships grow too close it can compromise a manager's ability to act as he or she might really want or need to. Source: Forbes.com, February 6, 2019 Link. When normal boundaries get blurred, when managers start getting "too close" or "too familiar," it can open the door for all kinds of awkwardness and unintended issues to seep in. In this … [Read more...]
Petco to close Drs. Foster and Smith
Drs. Foster and Smith pet supply operations will close officially February 12 according to a press release from owner company Petco. “Taking into account the needs of modern pet parents, shifting consumer preferences and the ongoing evolution of the Petco brand, we believe this will enable us to streamline operations and better focus on our core business and … [Read more...]
These tips will help you protect against data breaches
Fighting the temptation to abandon our attempts at securing our data is not realistic. We need to adopt a defensive attitude for the inevitable breach of our data. Whether it is your personal or business account, the main change needed in our thinking is to assume that we are targets. The first step is to use a different username and password on each crucial site or … [Read more...]
7 sales trends to help you dominate in your industry
John Hall has seen more change in sales recently than ever. He says shifts like AI technology and a rapidly declining sense of trust have made it incredibly important to stay educated about best practices and evolution in the way prospects buy. . . . unless you can piece everything together to see the big-picture changes that are underway, you’re going to have a hard time … [Read more...]
Oral ulceration diagnosis needs proper etiology (slide show)
Jan Bellows, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DABVP, provides a comprehensive look at oral ulcers and a diagnostic flow chart to help with diagnosis. As National Pet Dental Health Month helps bring clients to veterinary hospitals, oral abnormalities may be discovered during exams. Oral ulcers have several causes ranging from physical trauma to malignancy and are characterized by a loss of … [Read more...]
Firm dental recommendations nearly tripled compliance
John Jeffreys, RVT, CVPM, < link> took the initiative to adjust how dental recommendations were being presented. By moving from low-pressure suggestions to a more needs-based dialogue, the practice grew dental revenue in a short time. . . . it is our job to educate the client and make a firm recommendation for what their pet needs. Source: DVM 360, January 10, 2019. … [Read more...]
Revenue growth may be wishful thinking – re-post
Editor’s note: Oops! We had the wrong byline on Patrick Malone’s post last week, so we’re re-running it here. Please accept our apologies. According to a recent healthcare survey conducted by TD Bank, 87 percent of veterinarians surveyed expected to grow revenue in the next two years. Given the continuing onslaught on pharmacy revenue from 800 Pet Meds, Chewy and others, I … [Read more...]
Be an agile practice to remain competitive
Maureen Metcalf’s article on leadership trends in the next five years appeared on forbes.com last August. It caught our attention because of the applications to the animal health industry. No trend is more important than the need to become an agile practice. Source: Forbes, August 21, 2018. Link. As leaders, it's important to adopt a nimble mindset and culture. Being nimble … [Read more...]
Paws down, deformed puppy getting better after surgery
A puppy born with his front paws facing up rather than down is on the mend after surgery at the Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Source: Associated Press, January 25, 2018. Link. Clary says Milo, apparently part beagle and coon hound, suffered from congenital elbow dislocation. Clary inserted pins into Milo’s elbows to realign the joints … [Read more...]
Rethinking osteoarthritis: findings from the 2019 VET Report
Successful management of osteoarthritis (OA) requires a multifaceted approach, according to findings in the 2019 Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report from Banfield Pet Hospital. The report considers 3 areas of concern for pets with OA—weight gain, reduced mobility, and the progress of arthritic changes—and offers veterinarians a means to better manage and treat these … [Read more...]
2019 is going fast!
It may seem like we’re just getting started on 2019, yet 6.3 percent of the year has already passed as of this morning. 2019 offers us 251 working days, 104 weekend days and 10 public holidays. Twenty percent of the public holidays are behind us and we’ve already used eight weekend days. Source: Working days.US. Link. INSIGHTS: Planning and tracking progress … [Read more...]
Innovetive Petcare receives VETTY awards at VMX
Congratulations to the Innovetive Petcare marketing team for being chosen for 2019 VETTY awards. They won a gold medal for a new logo and the 60th anniversary logo for the Animal Hospital of Wilkes in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Plus, this logo earned a prestigious judges’ award. Innovetive Petcare’s website design for Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Knoxville, … [Read more...]
Pitching veterinary products in the clinic (includes video)
Of all the actions that take place in exam rooms, presenting products often frustrates clinic team members. Bash Halow, LVT, CVPM, emphasizes that recommendations shouldn't be the first things and to pay attention to body language. Source: Veterinary Economics, January 16, 2019. Link. Halow shares a comment from one of his sessions where an attendee told the class how she … [Read more...]
Retailers get guidance on dental care
Simplicity is key with oral hygiene, according to industry insiders—and brushless options have become very appealing to pet owners, writes Jen Sotolongo. The low-hanging fruit in the modern dental market for animals is centered on home care options that are alternatives to the long-touted brushing. It is important to start conversations. Note the article does not suggest … [Read more...]
Video calls becoming as popular as voice calls
Live video calling has reached near-universal adoption for social use. It's quickly growing as the preferred method for consumers to connect with businesses, according to the results of the Vonage Video Chatterbox Nation Study. The study notes that video calling is on track to become the main form of consumer to business communication. Source: BusinessWire, January 17, … [Read more...]
Better ways to say, “You screwed up”
Whether you’re interacting with a brand-new hire, a peer, a direct report or even your boss, needing to tell someone they messed up is always awkward, writes Kat Boogaard. Fortunately, she shares a few phrases you can lean on without being totally brutal. Source: The Muse, December 2018. Link. Traditional wisdom might tell you to sandwich your constructive feedback … [Read more...]
Farm animal welfare, a growing trend
Consumers care. Packaged Facts survey data from February through March 2017 shows that 58 percent of U.S. consumers are more concerned about food animal welfare than they were just a few years ago. The demand for transparency around where their food comes from has most consumer packaged-goods companies listening. For those partners already a part of the Global Animal … [Read more...]
VMX 2019 starts January 19th
VMX 2019 is hours away from its kickoff. Hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), the largest U.S. convention enters its second year with its new name. More than 17,000 animal health professionals anticipate sharing experiences, taking continuing education and interacting with colleagues from across the globe. Source: NAVC. Link. As last-minute plans are … [Read more...]