The 2018 dvm360 Student Debt Survey results showed that student debt loads are common through the years. The survey also sought to understand how DVMs are managing this debt and how they feel about it. Source: DVM 360, November 8, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Take a few minutes to understand the colors in legend. A significant number of DVMs are pinching pennies, not saving for … [Read more...]
Job killing you? Do these things now.
Holiday schedules exacerbate issues with balancing work, family and personal commitments and needs. Stav Ziv offers advice from Jeffrey Pfeffer’s book, Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance—and What We Can Do About It. In the U.S., 120,000 deaths a year could be attributed to work environments. . . racking up about $180 … [Read more...]
Implementing change can be challenging
Why do the results of even good plans and strategies sometimes fall short of our expectations in the execution? The implementation can be far more difficult than the planning. The reason? People. People have different reactions and points of view, different interests and needs. Source: Veterinary Advantage, November 2018. Link. Buy-in is a powerful thing. It takes the … [Read more...]
Packing the perfect suitcase
We’re an industry on the go. Managing the amount of luggage you need is important and can be cost effective. Paring down can make travel more enjoyable. Your trip will be easier—and cheaper—if you take less and pack efficiently Source: Consumer Reports, November 1, 2018. Link. Follow these steps to pack your suitcase like a pro: Make a List—Strategically Pare Down … [Read more...]
3 things all emails should include
You probably don’t put much thought into crafting an email. This means it’s likely you are making some potentially embarrassing mistakes. Most of us have not been trained on crafting good emails making them ripe for misuse. As communication tools like instant messaging are added to the workplace, the purpose and strength of email has started to shift, says Nick Morgan. ““Text … [Read more...]
Opinion: Not my problem: A moral philosophy
I’m including this as food for thought. At first, I thought maybe Jessica Wildfire was on to something that made sense. And it does, but only to a certain point. That point for me was when Wildfire wrote, “Sure, he might cause a major disaster. But that disaster isn’t your problem.” Constantly bailing out others might help your boss, or your company. But it doesn’t help … [Read more...]
Are you productive enough?
Elizabeth Grace Saunders discusses productivity, measurement and improvement and how to tell if you’re meeting expectations. She narrows the definition of “productive enough” to whether you are meeting the requirements of your job when operating at your personal peak performance. It’s a good perspective to consider as we begin holiday obligations. Source: Harvard Business … [Read more...]
Navigate the gray areas of what constitutes sexual harassment
Much negative reaction to women’s voices being raised about sexual harassment stems from a lack of understanding about what exactly constitutes harassment. Because there is a lot of gray area in determining mild to serious forms of gender-based offenses, Kathleen Kelley Reardon developed the Spectrum of Sexual Misconduct at Work (SSMW). It helps people define and differentiate … [Read more...]
Working with people who lack self-awareness
Self-awareness, knowing who we are and how we’re seen is important for job performance, career success and leadership effectiveness. It is in remarkably short supply in today’s workplace, writes Tasha Eurich, PhD. She offers perspectives and ways to deal with challenges caused by self-awareness issues. . . . although 95% of people think they’re self-aware, only 10 to 15% … [Read more...]
Needs and wants are okay, but problems are even better
Sales representatives! Stop, look, listen! This applies to consultative selling situations. It’s OK asking clients about their needs, but the whole reason you exist is to offer different perspectives, to help clients see possible alternative solutions and encourage them to think at a different level. Source: MTD Sales Training, October 26, 2018. Link. As the emphasis is put … [Read more...]
Ways to use CliftonStrengths to improve your employee experiences
Employee satisfaction, advancement and retention are great challenges in the animal health business. Gallup identified seven life cycle stages during which employers can affect the employee experience the most. Applying a strengths-based* approach at each stage of the life cycle can ultimately result in an improved employee experience. It's up to managers and their leaders to … [Read more...]
Greenhouse gas is only part of the puzzle
Concern about the long-term sustainability of livestock production gets a lot of media attention. However, according to Al Rotz, there is fairly limited scientific information out there to support what is being said. When it comes to livestock and long-term impact, Rotz said, “I don’t see cattle being much of a contributor to global climate change.” . . . the greenhouse gas … [Read more...]
The latest from VetFolio
New course options are available for purchase or registration: The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy. Link. Dr. Kathleen Cooney guides a ten-module course, participants explore topics including pre–euthanasia and anesthesia protocols, euthanasia techniques, pharmacology and physiology, caregiver considerations, challenging situations, team support, and more. … [Read more...]
Future is bright for veterinary technicians
There are plenty of doors waiting for you to open and explore, writes Ann K. Johnson, LVT. about opportunities for veterinary technicians. We agree! Veterinary medicine changes every day. Some days by leaps and bounds … others by micro-steps. There’s a place for veterinary technicians within all of these changes. Source: FIRSTLINE, June 2017. Link. Many technicians start out … [Read more...]
Good manners make a difference in life and your career. Thank you!
Manners are the lubricating oil of any organization — or any society, for that matter. Good manners are not phony or forced. They are a habit that has been developed and nurtured so that they are an automatic response. The key to a good relationship at work can be as simple as saying “please” and “thank you”. . . Source: Star-Tribune, October 27, 2018. Link. Interpersonal … [Read more...]
Remain calm and lead on
Calmness inspires confidence. It’s a leadership style people want to follow. In most jobs you spend a lot of time with your boss. It’s only natural to want to feel comfortable about that — rather than having your stomach perpetually tied in knots. Source: forbes.com, September 18, 2018. Link. Employees respond well to calmness. Over the long term it’s a pleasant, easy … [Read more...]
Coaching for people who want to work with animals
Before you brush someone off about the challenges of becoming a veterinarian, share this article with them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certain positions in the veterinary field are growing quickly. There are a variety of employment opportunities within the veterinary profession that do not require you to become an actual veterinarian. Source: Tuft’s Catnip, … [Read more...]
Ethical conflict and moral distress widespread in veterinary practices
According to survey results, veterinarians report widespread ethical conflict and moral distress across many practice types and demographics. Most veterinarians have little to no training on how to decrease the impact of these problems. Source: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, August 6, 2018. Link. Ethical conflict and resulting moral distress may be an important … [Read more...]
This is how you are unknowingly making people happy (slide show)
It’s the little things that help the most. A phone call instead of a text. Looking someone in the eyes when speaking to them. Lending a helping hand without being asked. Remembering a birthday. And, saying thank you. Source: Our Life in Brief, October 29, 2018. Link. Sometimes only one small and simple act of kindness can bring much joy and happiness to those surrounding … [Read more...]
10 things to do after checking into a hotel room
Holiday travel, Q4 industry events and national sales meetings will place animal health pros in hotels as the year closes. Arriving at the hotel is every traveler’s happiest moment as they know that they have finally made it to their destination and that they can get some rest! writes John Roper. BUT WAIT! Before you kick your shoes off, there are some important things that … [Read more...]
Put your phone down (includes video)
Emerging research shows that even the simple presence of a cell phone, much less its glowing screen and constant beeps, interrupts our ability to connect. Though it may seem awkward and uncomfortable, our collective response to these behaviors will establish new norms of modern courtesy. Source: Ascend. Link. Consider setting rules for phone use during meetings. Agree to … [Read more...]
Praise: the magic elixir
There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the experience of a compliment. Do we need to be able to receive praise well? Not in the same way that we need air to breathe or a roof over our heads, but it certainly makes for a better experience at work (or life in genera!) when you're able to receive and appreciate the value of a compliment. Source: forbes.com, October 23, … [Read more...]
Spending 5 hours a week learning can create amazing ROI
Why do the world’s smartest and busiest people find one hour a day for deliberate learning, while others make excuses about how busy they are? The answer is simple: Learning is the single best investment of our time that we can make. Or as Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who … [Read more...]
4 buzzwords we need to ban
Buzzwords – we all use them from time to time. They’re still meaningless, according to author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch. She recommends immediately getting rid of: Let’s take this offline. Empower Ownership Bandwidth Source: CNBC, October 16, 2018. Link. But according to bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch, this indirect and … [Read more...]
Coffee breaks don’t boost productivity after all
Citing the results of her own research on productivity at work, Charlotte Fritz says the findings on microbreaks is counterintuitive but real. Nearly across the board, microbreaks that were not job-related, such as getting a glass of water, calling a relative, or going to the bathroom, didn’t seem to have any significant relationship to people’s reported energy (what we called … [Read more...]
Policing women’s anger
Gathering knowledge and experiences from a female star athlete, an NFL coach, a governor and conference speakers, Katie Sanders writes about defining a strong female lead. . . . speaking out . . . can be a challenge in the workplace, where women are disproportionately penalized for expressing emotions, especially when they are perceived as angry. Source: Fast Company, October … [Read more...]
4 ways busy people sabotage themselves
Self-sabotaging patterns maintain a cycle of always having too much to do, or at least feeling like that’s the case, writes Alice Boyes. She examines the problems and proposes solutions. You’ve left an important task undone for weeks. It’s hanging over you, causing daily anxiety. And yet instead of actually doing it, you do a hundred other tasks instead. Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
Sorry for the delayed response
You will find this satirical look at our communication challenges amusing. Whether purposefully or accidentally, the challenges of delayed responses will remain. You’ll recognize some of Susanna Wolff’s examples. After reading this, review previous posts and consider options to improve email and text communications. Source: The New Yorker, March 16, 2017. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Stop doing 7 things found in the worst managers
Animal health pros often lead projects, work in groups and work as managers. Marcel Schwantes reviews counterproductive behaviors that destroy team morale and performance. His perspective is focused on new hires. However, these examples are equally consistent with team and group performance. Source: Inc., September 18, 2018. Link. These behaviors are recognized as toxic: … [Read more...]
Appreciate the art of thoughtful disagreement
Ray Dalio believes we must appreciate and develop the art of thoughtful disagreement. In thoughtful disagreement, your goal is not to convince the other party that you are right. It is to find out which view is true and decide what to do about it, he says. It’s challenging because most people are instinctively reluctant to disagree. . . . it’s pointless when people get angry … [Read more...]