There is at least one tip for everyone in this article. Here are four of eleven tips offered: Set appropriate expectations at home, at work and in the community. Spend 10% of your time creating and monitoring your life plan. Be present in all that you do. Multitasking is not being present. Measure accomplishment by results rather than by hours worked. Source: … [Read more...]
Learning to learn
“The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive advantage,” said Arie de Geus, a business theorist. The animal health market is one place where complacency to learning could spell the end. Though targeted to executives, the guidance applies equally to all animal health professionals. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 2016. The … [Read more...]
Live a less distracted life
Thirty percent of daily productivity is lost by checking email within the first 30 minutes of waking up. Read about The 4 P’s of managing for a less distracted life: psychology, physiology, performance and persuasiveness from Tracy Dowdy, CVPM. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2016. Research shows getting more than 8 hours of sleep a night improves memory, performance, … [Read more...]
Praise sandwiches don’t work
“If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all,” was likely taught to you by your parents. We’ve modified this coaching in business with "praise sandwiches”: criticisms wedged in between two generic compliments. Learn how this gives our brains indigestion. Source: Fast Company, April 14, 2016. Research has found that we remember concrete words like "chair" better than … [Read more...]
DVMs share the best advice they received from a mentor
Steve Pearson, DVM, captures mentor advice received by a broad cross-section of 14 veterinarians. Much of the advice they received applies to any animal health professional’s role. Whether you read this casually or more thoughtfully, there is something here for nearly everyone. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 6, 2016. Applying wisdom from mentors helps these … [Read more...]
Bullying, aggression prevalent in the veterinary profession
Destructive behavior, a complex combination of relational aggression, horizontal violence, or bullying, appears to be prevalent in the medical field, says Justin Lee, DVM, DACVECC, DABT VetGirl, St. Paul, Minnesota. Lee references studies from the medical field and relates the results to veterinary hospital team dynamics. Strong, proactive leadership is critical, she … [Read more...]
Keep office conflicts in control
No work environment is perfect. Author Silvia Lafiar takes on loose lips, blame and annoyances to help manage the inevitable in our workplaces. Source: Inc., March 30, 2016 as featured in AVMA SmartBrief, 4, 2016. The mantra in most work places sounds like a robust cheer of "his fault, her fault, their fault." The article discusses 5 ways for you to help change the … [Read more...]
Coaching for millennials about boomers
Much is offered to boomers about millennials’ needs in the workplace. In a similar spirit, this op-ed offers millennials tips for working in a boomer environment. Tolerance is the rule. Source: Los Angeles Times, March 25, 2016. Millennials may find that baby boomer self-esteem has declined precipitously in response to rapid societal change. It's difficult to deal with that … [Read more...]
Eliminate bottlenecks
Spinning too many plates or work with a perfectionist? Check out some good remedies for removing bottlenecks in personal, team and business productivity. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 23, 2016. Bottlenecking puts your career and reputation at risk and takes a significant emotional toll. Learn four root causes of it and their solutions: 1) plate-spinning; 2) people … [Read more...]
Make sure employees have a life outside work
Long workdays, extended after-hours time for patient care, customer events and emergency visits tax personal time for animal health pros. Yet, research shows that improving personal time improves work results. The authors of this article offer suggestions for managing in a more friendly and balanced environment. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 25, 2016. We are … [Read more...]
Prep for career changes
Mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, downsizing and ladder-climbing all cause career changes. Whether you are 25 or 55, this piece presents solid reminders for all animal health pros. Source: Money, April 2016, page 24. (direct link unavailable) Whether you have sought change or have been forced to make a change it can strain your finances at least in the short term. The … [Read more...]
Insufficient sleep costs business
Animal health pros burn the candle at both ends this time of year. Veterinary team members often get little sleep during calving season, managing emergency visits or keeping track of post-surgery animals. Reps put in a full day making calls, then travel after hours only to find two hours of email work waiting when they get to the motel. This article explores the link between … [Read more...]
Breaking rules creates conflict
When asked to break the rules at work, most of us experience conflict. We can face the challenges of fine lines, gray areas, ethics, morals and legality with more confidence using principled rebellion, a strategy for being rationally and systematically unreasonable at work when absolutely necessary. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 7, 2016. When asked to break the … [Read more...]
Burn fast food calories
Whether you’re a sales rep, lead technician or director of surgery at a busy hospital, fast food is a likely part of your diet. HomeRemedyShop.com has developed an online calculator that estimates how much physical activity you need to burn off these calories. It will also show you more healthful food options. It won’t change your diet reality, but it can help you manage … [Read more...]
Second-guessing, the great re-think
Many of us see the results of second-guessing played out weekly if not daily. The tendencies to make decisions in a vacuum or change directions from a previous decision is near-rampant in some companies and organizations. These authors outline fixes for common re-think behaviors. Clarify the decision-making process Establish a “silence denotes agreement” ground rule at … [Read more...]
Quiz: Are You a Client Compliance Expert?
Compliance in veterinary medicine is defined as the patient receiving the care the veterinary team believes is best. The acronym CRAFT, where compliance = recommendation + acceptance + follow-through, can help the team remember this definition. It is important that the client accepts recommendations. Following the recommendations at home is just as important. Source: … [Read more...]
Shorter meetings. More action.
Veterinarians, veterinary assistants and sales persons will benefit from Peter Bregman’s assertions in this short article. Learn how leading meetings with a hyper-focused approach changes the value of meetings. Check your cellphone at the door and come prepared! Source: Harvard Business Review, February 22, 2016. If you have half the time to accomplish something, you become … [Read more...]
Under-schedule in 2016
Along with a declined meeting request, a reader sent me this article. He indicated he was acting on the advice from Elizabeth Grace Saunders and suggested some future dates. Many animal health professionals feel productivity pressure and sometimes forget the importance of prioritizing and finishing. Ms. Saunders suggests these areas to reclaim your desired experiences of … [Read more...]
Editorial – Generational overload
Media sources are full of information about boomers, gen Xers, millennials and recently the iGens, or Generation Z. Depending on which date ranges you use, I live with a boomer, a gen Xer, a millennial and an iGen. We’re all different, have different attitudes and approach communication, problem solving and planning differently. I’ve found that engaging in safe, open discussion … [Read more...]
Happiness deserves a list, too
Beyond your bucket list, developing a daily list may be more critical to your overall happiness, according to Claire Diaz-Ortiz. She recently took part in a personal development exercise and shares her experience in this blog post. It includes a how-to for us to consider. Source: Linked-In Influencer, February 1, 2016. There are alot of things that fill me up in life. And, … [Read more...]