Commentary Anthony Iannarino’s article fits the ongoing content focused on client retention and loyalty. To appreciate his comparison, one must accept that we are all in the transaction business at some level. How we go about it differs by the situation, business category, and, in some cases, the business’s strategies. The differences between transactional and relational … [Read more...]
For consideration: It’s the things you learn after you know it all that count
While scrolling through Facebook recently, a video reel of Bill Walton, former pro basketball player and sportscaster, popped up. He describes phrases from famed NCAA basketball coach John Wooden and closes with the title of this post. The short reel and Walton’s delivery of Wooden-isms may be enjoyable, if not thought provoking. It was for me. Source: Facebook. Link. Among … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 19, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 12th AHD Bulletin – Likeability – How to find it in others and develop it in you. Link. Don’t forget. Manure can kill! Link. Use the Two-Minute Rule to stop procrastinating. Link. ===================================== The 5-3-1 Rule is … [Read more...]
Study estimates superbug crisis could get worse, killing nearly 40 million people by 2050
A recently published study <Link> projects the challenge of antimicrobial resistance into the future. AMR, one of the top global public health and development threats, is expected to get worse. It is driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals and plants. Source: CNN, September 16, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
JBS to transform renewable gas to sustainable fuel at US beef and poultry plants
JBS and GreenGasUSA are collaborating to collect methane from wastewater streams at JBS facilities using GreenGasUSA’s on-site upgrading systems, which can purify biogas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. Source: AgricultureDive, September 18, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Parasitic ‘horror’ wasp bursts from a fly’s abdomen like an alien
Scientists accidentally discovered a new species of wasp, Syntretus perlmani, that lays eggs inside living, adult fruit flies, which then burst from the hosts' abdomens while they're still alive. Finding the wasp surprised the researchers because Drosophila flies are so common and well-studied. Source: Live Science, September 13, 2024. Link. Image credit: Matthew … [Read more...]
Explore different facets of empathy to improve client communication, earn CE
Jennifer Sperry, DVM, leads this online CE webinar and shares the different facets of empathy through storytelling, real-world examples and academic publications. She identifies some tools any clinic or practitioner can employ to activate and improve empathetic practice. Source: ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance. Link. Earn 1 Hour of RACE-Approved CE Credit. Related: Search … [Read more...]
Why we forget things we were just thinking about
The brain isn't capable of multitasking, states Earl K. Miller, PhD. He describes two types of memory, long-term and working memory, and explains why we sometimes forget what we were just thinking about or go to grab a specific item only to return without it. Working memory is like the sketchpad of conscious thought and has very limited capacity. It has to juggle different … [Read more...]
The best managers are like great coaches
Author Roy Williams asserts great coaches are great, not because they were superstars, but because they know how to awaken the star that sleeps in each of the team members around them and they're not afraid to hire people better than they are. Williams suggests that managers spend the next 21 days complimenting a team member for every correct action they make. "Then prepare … [Read more...]
Subtle leadership
Every member of the veterinary or pet services team has the opportunity and responsibility to lead when the situation presents itself. This article on charisma will help you be ready and able when that situation arises. Source: The Gentle Force, August 24, 2024. Link. It is refreshing when someone truly listens and asks thoughtful questions.” INSIGHT: It’s all about … [Read more...]
Are we really busy enough to hire? (podcast)
Eric Garcia and Andy Roarke, DVM, discuss management adjustments versus the need for hiring in veterinary practices in this podcast. They question if practices are truly understaffed or if the desire to hire is to offset by non-managed inefficiencies. They explore ways to increase operational efficiencies and where technology can improve practice management. Source: Cone of … [Read more...]
Use the Two-Minute Rule to stop procrastinating
David Allen’s two-minute rule is simple and dynamic. With it, there’s no complex workflow, it’s easy to follow and can be implemented immediately. Source: todoist. Link. If an action will take less than two minutes, it should be done at the moment it’s defined.” – David Allen Also see: Do it NOW!, AHD Archives, January 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 12, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 5, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 5th AHD Bulletin – A priest, a drunk and a business leader meet and . . . Link. Wildlife decision tree helps clinic staff deal with wildlife properly. Link. New guidance for AMR gram-negative infections. Link. Swine producers, veterinarians … [Read more...]
Drs. Peter Weinstein and Marty Becker honored in Kansas City
Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, was presented with the Distinguished Life Member Award and Marty Becker, DVM, received Pioneer Professional Award for their commitments to advancing veterinary medicine and the animal health industry. The VetPartners™ 2024 Mid-Year Conference, took place August 20–22 in Kansas City, Missouri, and was attended by nearly 100 industry leaders. Source: … [Read more...]
Time teaches biosecurity importance
We like Kevin Shultz’s title, “Time teaches biosecurity importance.” It represents the importance of collaboration and applied experiences. He reviews findings from SHIC’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program. Whether producer, veterinary clinic staff or animal health representative, understanding and advocating for tightening swine farm biosecurity measures is … [Read more...]
Finding a good place for pollinators
Farmers, as well as suburban property owners, can effectively install pollinator habitats. Ben Powell, MS, shared the importance and opportunity farmers have to plant a wide variety of native crops to provide pollinator habitat at a recent field day. His focus is on crop farmers in this article, but the content applies to suburbia, acreages, along roads and green spaces in more … [Read more...]
Beyond joints; regenerative medicine advances in horses
Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, reveals new paths for using stem cells and other biologics to help horses heal in this article. She shares the 20-year progress with stem cell development to treating tendons and ligaments, musculoskeletal issues and other conditions; cell-less therapy; and new ways of efficiently producing large numbers of stem cells. Oke provides an eye-opening … [Read more...]
The latest email scams
Thanks to artificial intelligence, email scams are becoming tougher than ever to detect, writes Steven J.J. Weisman, JD. He reviews five scams many will recognize and how to avoid or deal with them: Spoofing scams from what appears to be a known email address Fake invoice PayPal email scam Airline customer service scam Social Security update scam E-Z Pass … [Read more...]
Reminder: Prioritizing veterinary technicians, a virtual conversation
The Bridge Club’s September 18th Zoom conversation seeks to advance successful paths forward for all technicians. Despite their crucial role in veterinary care, veterinary technicians continue to encounter numerous challenges, including title protection, underutilization, low compensation and high turnover rates. Join via Zoom, September 18, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT. … [Read more...]
Likeability – How to find it in others and develop it in you
We find people who are interested in us to be interesting to us. Source: Inc., September 2, 2024. Link. Be curious. …asking a question, and then two follow-up questions, dramatically increases how likable others perceive you to be.” INSIGHTS: Being nice is one of the most underrated business skills, according to Mark Cuban. It's better to be respected and liked. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 5, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 29, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 29th AHD Bulletin – The 5 levers of compliance. Link. Character and integrity. Link. Highlights from the 2024 KCAHC Animal Health Summit. Link. What did we miss at the VIS? Link. 5 silent revenue drains and ways to plug them. Link. … [Read more...]
Advocacy helps pet owners discover benefits of choosing pet health insurance (Part 5)
Sponsored Content This series on how veterinary teams position and share the benefits of pet insurance has been well received. In this edition, Roberta Jaime shares how pet insurance is integrated into discussions with pet owners at Aloha Veterinary Hospital. Our doctor takes it further by writing recommendations directly onto the ASPCA Pet Insurance pamphlets during … [Read more...]
Job security driving trends in vocational schooling
Commentary More Americans are building trade skills to take jobs where there is a shortage of skilled labor. This trend bodes well for veterinary technicians, pet care services workers, groomers and livestock workers. The key will be to support continuing education and certifications from accredited veterinary technology programs and from groups like AKC, IBPSA, NCBA, PACCC … [Read more...]
Pathway to CVPM certification (videos)
Samantha Millet, CVPM, Tiffany Consalvo, CVPM, and Christine M. Cesena, CVPM, share their challenges, perseverance, and benefits of becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. The link below begins with Millet and then links to Consalvo and Cesena in a series of informative personal experience videos of about two minutes each. Source: VHMA, YouTube, February 23, 2023. … [Read more...]
Functional freeze explained
The responses known as, “fight” and, “flight” are self-explanatory. In addition, two more responses, “fawn” and, “freeze” are responses to stressors. Freezing is not often discussed but manifests in myriad ways. Rachel Gresh explains functional freeze and shares tips to deal with the less obvious state of emotion. It impacts sufferers mentally and physically but without showing … [Read more...]
What did we miss at the VIS?
The 2024 Veterinary Innovation Summit, organized by the NAVC’s Veterinary Innovation Council, provides a platform for veterinary and industry professionals to explore new ideas and technologies. Past gatherings have opened eyes as companies work to ensure an innovative and resilient future for veterinary medicine. The networking and relational elements are also not to be … [Read more...]
West Nile Virus now a permanent U.S. resident
Until late summer 1999, few American horse owners had heard of West Nile virus. The story of how it was found, spread, monitored and prevented is worth reviewing. Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, writes the 25-year story of WNV in the U.S. in the feature linked here. Understanding the history informs our current situation as CDC data indicates 48 states and the District of Columbia … [Read more...]
AKC turns 140 in September
The AKC staff provides a historical look at how the AKC started from hunters’ desires to standardize their animals to what it is today. The original dogs registered were Pointer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, English Setter and Gordon Setter. The Lancashire Heeler was the latest dog registered in … [Read more...]
The puzzle of personality: who are you, really?
Human personality pioneer in the study of well-being, Brian R. Little, PhD, dissects the surprising differences between introverts and extroverts. He then explains why your personality may be more malleable than you think. You’ll enjoy his TED talk and maybe gain some perspective about yourself, a colleague, friend or client. Source: TED, February 2016. Link. [15:06] We’re … [Read more...]
Character and integrity
All smart leadership and business decisions are founded on the bedrock of character and integrity. Operating with character and integrity means having unwavering certainty, especially when faced with difficult choices. Source: Inc., August 19, 2024. Link. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” – Warren Buffett INSIGHTS: Integrity is the … [Read more...]