Good record-keeping is critical to making the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) work well. As veterinarians help clients prepare to implement VFD by January 1, 2017, two new tools can help. Source: Beef, August 4, 2016. (registration required for download) Bill Halfman and Sandy Stuttgen have developed a VFD Order Records Summary Sheet, one a PDF-based download for paper … [Read more...]
7 ways youngsters can succeed with elders
It is common for young people to lead teams that include people older than them. This can cause rifts from older to younger and vice versa. Dan Rockwell says the onus for creating understanding and benefit is mostly on the younger set. Yet, he admits both elders and youngsters may feel the other doesn’t get it. He offers seven great tips to make these relationships … [Read more...]
Engaged employees are more productive
When employees are engaged with their work they are more productive and make positive contributions to their organizations. So it is disturbing to learn that worldwide only one in every eight employees is actively engaged. While engagement rates were the highest in Canada and the United States, the level of disengagement was still in excess of 50 percent. So, David and Arthur … [Read more...]
How to have a great one-on-one
Often there’s a problem that needs discussing, but your boss always seems too busy. So, you keep it quiet and hope it goes away. Sound familiar? Without regular one-on-ones, team members' work might be overlooked and development opportunities forgotten. Other workplace problems, such as team disputes or mistakes, could also get ignored. Good one-on-ones are the cornerstone of … [Read more...]
Handling scheduled drugs requires teamwork
Team accountability sums up this article about scheduled drug handling. Too frequently, we forget that inventory is managed best by a trained, knowledgeable team. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, August 2016, page 13. Team Takeaways: Veterinarians: Each veterinarian should carry his or her own individual DEA license, as well as any required state licensure, to ensure … [Read more...]
Best price does not guarantee best value
Andrew R. Clark, DVM, MBA, details the cost of shopping for the best price. His calculations are worth reviewing. Beyond the cost of shopping, there is also the cost of a separate purchase order, another check needed to pay an extra invoice and the likelihood of a separate box to receive, verify and stock with the “deal” purchased. Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, August 12, … [Read more...]
Inventory availability critical to distributor relationships
Eric Jensen shares his thoughts on how customers value distribution based on a survey of wholesale distributors. The results place inventory availability nearly as important as relationships. Technical support ranked third, while delivery time and price ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Source: Industrial Distribution, August 12, 2016. If you are a distributor, while … [Read more...]
Are you really listening?
“They’re not listening to me.” This is one of the more common complaints I hear when working with individuals and groups to enhance their communication and leadership skills. Listening to be polite, listening to respond or listening just to let them vent, are just a few of the reasons for the breakdown in communication today. Source: Vet Advantage: June, 2016. Respecting … [Read more...]
Embracing the open pet pharmaceutical transition
Results from the 2015 Pet Pharmaceutical Market Study, a collaboration of Brakke Consulting, Inc., and Trone Brand Energy are summarized in three main areas: Tracking the portable pet prescription movement Diminishing veterinary pharmacy revenues Veterinary pharmacy revenue loss coping strategies The study collected responses from U.S. companion animal … [Read more...]
Preparing for IRS Section 179 tax deductions
The end of the year will be here before you know it. Now is a good time to look into those capital equipment options to help take advantage of the IRS Section 179 tax deductions. Pam Foster shares information targeted for distribution representatives in this two-part series. The information is applicable to veterinary teams as well. Source: Vet Advantage Blog. Starting … [Read more...]
Dr. Little’s students write for Exponential Vet
Summer participants in the Veterinary Student Innovation Program write about what might be coming. The veterinary students have been working alongside early stage animal health companies to help bridge the gap between technology and the veterinary practice. See their contributions on the following topics: Turning suture material into biological sensors Starving cancer … [Read more...]
Self-awareness key to improvement
Working in the leadership development industry for more than 25 years, I have found that unconscious incompetence is the starting point for most positive interventions. We often get in our own way and have no idea that we are the problem. So, this article attracted my attention. Source: Source: LinkedIn Pulse, July 20, 2016. Self-awareness, one of the four key components of … [Read more...]
Quitting is not failure
Andy Roark, DVM, MS, shares an experience and perspectives with a veterinary technician working in a challenging practice environment. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August, 4, 2016. That’s why the goal in life should never be to overcome all obstacles, but rather to recognize which obstacles should be overcome, and which ones you should just turn and walk away from. We have three … [Read more...]
Minimize distractions
The Mind Tools editorial team offers the 10 most common distractions faced at work and examines strategies for managing or eliminating them. Implementing these measures should mean that you, and your team members, get more done. Source: Mind Tools, August 2, 2016 via newsletter. Dr. Gloria Mark, Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine, says that … [Read more...]
Finding a rhythm at work
Rhythm on a monthly, weekly and daily basis can create the order and flexibility you need for your work and time to flow in harmony. Elizabeth Grace Saunders suggests, “it’s time to discover your cadence.” This piece will appeal to those of us who are challenged with time management, energy management and juggling of priorities. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 14, … [Read more...]
AJVR – research continues
I often wish consumers could understand the amount of research that goes into keeping animals healthy. This issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research is a reflection of our industry’s commitments to discovery and understanding. Source: AJVR, August 2016 (Vol 77; No. 8: pp. 792-912). (Link to table of contents only) … [Read more...]
New from JAVMA
The latest issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Association is linked below. Source: JAVMA, August 1, 2016 (Vol 249; No. 3: pp. 246-324). Learn “What’s in this issue” including an insightful send-off for AVMA executive vice president and CEO, Ron DeHaven as he retires. INSIGHTS: Congratulations to Dr. Ron DeHaven who will end his responsibilities on … [Read more...]
Combat chronic stress with breathing
Media sources are full of articles these days about suicide in the veterinary profession. Intense experiences are commonplace and stress is inevitable. But, with awareness and a little skill, its negative impacts are not. The authors share perspective and outline a technique called intentional breathing. Directed at those in leadership positions, we recognize that all animal … [Read more...]
The routine exam video
Videos help set expectations for clients and educate new staff members. Consider this one for websites, blogs and newsletters. Link to it for new clients coming to your practice or use it during school or group presentations. Source: AVMA SmartBrief, July 27, 2016. Preventive care visits are an important part of keeping your pet happy and healthy. But what does a … [Read more...]
Scheduling secrets for veterinary receptionists
Wendy Myers shares tips about getting control of hospital scheduling. Effective scheduling techniques improve patient care, hospital revenue and client satisfaction. Reclaiming control of your appointments will also boost employee morale, she says. Source: Veterinary Practice News, July 12, 2016. Get your practice's schedule under control with these tips: Ask questions … [Read more...]
Renegotiate P & L expense agreements
Andrew Clark, DVM, MBA, uses insurance expense to illustrate action steps when managing some of the expenses on your balance sheet. He reminds us that getting competitive comparisons regularly is important. Source: Is My Practice Healthy, July 29, 2016. Veterinarians tend to be as loyal to vendors as we wish our clients were loyal to us. Insurance coverage is often provided … [Read more...]
Is humility a virtue in business?
Humility is a characteristic that most people will agree is in short supply. But, most of us still admire it when we see it. Little in our culture today encourages a humble disposition and I believe this is a relatively new development. More than ever it seems that loudest, boldest and most obnoxious voices often garner our attention. Source: Mark’s Daily Apple, May 26, … [Read more...]
When veterinary clients spend the most—and the least
Dr. Ross Knippenberg, assistant director of economics with the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the association's economics intern Sean Barker have completed a deep dive into seasonality and client spending in veterinary clinics. They confirm that business is slowest in the winter. Their analysis quantifies this effect and shows what the national average looks … [Read more...]
The Veterinary Cooperative joins AHD Founders Circle
The Animal Health Digest team welcomes The Veterinary Cooperative to our Founders Circle group of companies. These companies support AHD, help grow our subscriber base and increase the value of AHD to subscribers and sponsors alike. Source: Animal Health Digest, July 18, 2016. The Veterinary Cooperative joins AAHA, Veterinary Study Groups, Inc., RPR Company and Forays Inc. … [Read more...]
Drug abuse and addiction in the veterinary workplace
Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP, writes about this serious issue in veterinary medicine. He cites veterinary team access to a large variety of mind-altering, potentially addictive drugs, including controlled and non-controlled substances. He also notes light or non-existent drug testing, light inventory access and control, and inconsistent employee assistance programs for substance … [Read more...]
Write smart. Talk smart. Look great.
Despite our best efforts, we all make errors when we write and talk. We often confuse words with their proper meanings. Travis Bradberry, president of TalentSmart, shares 20 words that, when misused, make smart people look silly. Source: Quartz, July 20, 2016. It’s the words that we think we’re using correctly that wreak the most havoc. We throw them around in meetings, … [Read more...]
Be tough, but fair
Some days it seems the business world has things upside down. Kindness is viewed as weakness. Empathy has no place in the business world. Ruthlessness is essential for success. Why, there are even training programs to help you go “from bud to boss.” Now, research that proves nice bosses can and do finish first. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, July 17, 2016. The thing is, nice … [Read more...]
The latest in JAVMA
Feedback from our subscribers has been positive about our postings of the tables of contents from industry scientific journals. Here are links to the latest issues of the Journal of the American Veterinary Association. Source: JAVMA, July 15, 2016 (Vol 249; No. 2: pp. 122-229). Note the special report: The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ 2016 Veterinary Medical Care … [Read more...]
The science behind reading and influence
Michael Hyatt says, “A readership crisis is really a leadership crisis.” Readers are likely to be leaders. With reading in decline, readers have a comparative advantage in today’s business and political environments. Source: MichaelHyatt.com. Here are five ways reading can uniquely develop and empower leaders: Reading Makes us Better Thinkers Reading Improves Our … [Read more...]
Isolate when canine flu hits
If you're seeing canine influenza in your practice, recent findings show it's best to suggest a 21-day isolation period. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that tested shelter dogs with H3N2 canine influenza found that the virus was shed intermittently for up to 24 days after the initial positive test. Source: DVM 360, July 18, … [Read more...]