For those who’ve been at the top of their game for a while, the inevitable truth is this: cresting happens. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, December 2024. Link. The true test of a seasoned leader isn’t how high you climb or how hard you fight to stay at the top, but how you respond when the climb slows down, when the world no longer expects you to be the one with all the … [Read more...]
Praise ending with “-est” is the worst kind of praise to give
Shawn Anchor’s statement, “If you want to enhance others, do not compare them,” was enough to stop and read his premise. Despite the article’s age, his assertions deserve consideration and offer potential value for animal health pros. Our industry is challenged to find and keep good employees. Comparison praise, as Anchor describes it, may be a societal culprit to consider … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 19, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from December 12, 2024 AHD Bulletin Are you asking the right questions? Link. Better flooring creates fewer slip-ups. Link. Bred heifers need individual care, nutrition during winter months. Link. USDA offers support to address rural veterinarian shortage. … [Read more...]
Four critical takeaways, valuable insights into the evolving dairy industry
The 2024 Farm Journal State of the Dairy Industry Report highlights a sector poised for growth, adaptability and new opportunities. By fostering strong relationships, innovating profit streams and securing generational continuity, the dairy industry stands on the cusp of a promising future, writes Karen Bohnert. She shares four key insights: Embracing a growth mindset … [Read more...]
“The tip of the iceberg.” Two cats die after drinking recalled raw milk.
Two cats have died after consuming recalled raw milk from Raw Milk Farms LLC, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated in a news release last Thursday. The two cats lived in the same household. After eating the product, they exhibited lack of appetite, fever and signs of neurological problems. Source: Los Angeles Times, December 12, 2024. Link. “I think this … [Read more...]
Gallup: 7 workplace challenges for 2025
Commentary This was a disheartening read. Sure, employers and managers can make a difference through communication and setting expectations. Yet, employees must come to grips with their own expectations and the continuous improvement necessary to remain successfully employed and contribute to a business’s objectives.* Issues with childcare, feedback and recognition are … [Read more...]
Before you decide on your New Year’s Resolutions, consider . . .
We were recently introduced to Katelyn Jetelina at Your Local Epidemiologist. She and Megan Maisano comment on the Make America Healthy Again movement, falsehoods in the narrative and dialogue on diet-related chronic diseases. We’re sharing the article because, after all, healthy animal health pros provide better animal health care. Evidence has shown that a targeted focus on … [Read more...]
How to combat lifestyle creep with a financial fast
The problem with lifestyle creep is that you don’t notice it happening, writes Emily Guy Birken. She shares how a financial fast can get your lifestyle in better alignment with your money goals, asserting that radically changing your financial behavior for a set period of time helps you recognize which money decisions are nothing more than habits and which are important to you. … [Read more...]
27 “strange” things highly sensitive people do
Commentary It helps to be sure we understand people around us, especially those who may react differently to situations than we expect. In her book, “Quiet,” Susan Cain reframes how we think about sensitivity and shines a light on the power of being highly attuned to the world. In the article here, writer Jenn Granneman shares perspectives on how highly sensitive peoples’ … [Read more...]
“Be Curious.”
Ted Lasso fans will recognize the title as a quote from the popular series of the same name on Apple TV. Curiosity is the key to understanding your customers better and increasing your opportunities to help them. Acknowledging is the genesis of curiosity. Source: Repertoire, August 2024. Link. …the point of talking with another person is to find out what they think as much … [Read more...]
Ours IS a people business
Commentary If people didn’t have pets or raise animals, would animal health pros have relationships with so many people? I say no and have asserted that VCPR really should have been CVRP <Link>. Clients are often frustrating, much like young students, distracted, too busy to listen, emotional, sometimes afraid and even apathetic. It's a lot when you think about … [Read more...]
Webinar: 2024 Therapeutic Update and year-in-review
Consider this webinar to get the latest therapeutic updates as Clinician’s Brief and Plumb’s Pro authors recap which drugs debuted in 2024 and how to use them. Source: Clinician’s Brief. Link. Webinar is available on demand. Registration required. RACE approved (1 credit hour) INSIGHTS: This offering would be good preparation for animal health sales/marketing pros ahead … [Read more...]
Once is not enough
Research shows the average prospect needs to hear a message seven times before they take action, shares David Grossman. He asserts it is crucial to look at your communications as a process of repetition, not a check-off-the-box activity. Commentary Our world is full of redundancy and replication. Educators who research how students learn have studied the importance of … [Read more...]
The cognitive cost of AI
Tara Chklovski’s article discusses the features, functions and benefits of artificial intelligence, identifying its potential, what may change and the mind tax of wrestling with the uncomfortable unknowns. Source: Fast Company, December 8, 2024. Link. Artificial intelligence can help with many types of work, but learning how to mitigate the ‘mind tax’ is important.” … [Read more...]
Every molehill is a mountain for the average overthinker
Overthinking can be paralyzing, but we are wired for it, writes Omar Hussein. Calling it anxiety’s unpaid intern, he describes overthinking as a mental treadmill, “You’re going nowhere fast, but boy, are you working up a sweat.” He offers some tips to stop it. Stopping overthinking is like stopping a sneeze . . . it’s not impossible, but it’s gonna take some effort.” Source: … [Read more...]
Are you asking the right questions?
The power of asking good questions permeates business, investing and even our daily lives, writes Eric Markowitz. Focus on finding quick answers and you’ll likely miss the bigger picture. Rather, master the art of asking the right questions to open up new possibilities that others have yet to consider. The best answers often come from knowing which questions to ask . . . with … [Read more...]
Mexico notifies United States of New World Screwworm detection
Commentary The recent announcement that officials detected a New World Screwworm in Mexico brought memories of removing screwworms from baby rabbits, ducklings and newborn puppies in the late 1960s. These experiences make this situation a priority to share with animal health pros. Vigilant monitoring and managing fly populations is critical to avoiding the devastation … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 5, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 27, 2024. Link. November 2024 AHD post archives. Link. ==================================== Less meat, better health? No so fast. Source: Drovers, November 18, 2024. Link. Nevil Speer asserts it’s clear that solving our weight and/or diabetes issues is far more complicated than simply eliminating … [Read more...]
A viral investigation of bathroom biomes
This article will likely prompt more thinking about the bacterial and viral diversity we encounter daily. The discussion of bacteriophages and biofilms is intriguing. The amount of microbial diversity out there is awesome, and the amount of phage diversity is another degree of magnitude or several greater, which is kind of mind-blowing.” – Erica Hartmann, PhD Source: The … [Read more...]
Reframing mindset, changing habits help manage burnout
Commentary Since the early pandemic almost five years ago, our industry has been facing, defining and discussing burnout, compassion fatigue, overwork and workplace adjustments to ease various burdens and, of course, avoid suicides. Routinely, our AHD team has questioned whether media is informing or perpetuating these topics. Work, by definition, requires us to apply some … [Read more...]
Mastering and winning at customer experience
You don’t buy your clothes at a shop offering only one size or one style. Has anyone ever read a mail piece that is addressed to “Postal Customer?” “That’s the way we’ve always done it,” will put you out of business. Thrive, grow and succeed by winning the customer experience. Source: Forbes, February 9, 2024. Link. The winning formula for customer service: … [Read more...]
When you disagree across power structures
Commentary Author Marlene Chism offers what could be called CliffNotes to a course on conflict management in this article. Coupled with PAR skills Patrick Malone routinely shares with AHD readers, implementing her five questions promises to reduce the effect of disagreements in the workplace. Disagreement doesn’t have to lead to conflict, writes Chism, especially if you … [Read more...]
Venmo privacy tip
It seems many animal health pros are using Venmo to transfer cash, send money gifts or reimburse a friend for some expense. Because these activities are visible to anyone in your contacts, we're sharing this privacy tip. Open Venmo, click on your "me" or "profile" button, click on settings . . . then scroll down to privacy. Choose a privacy setting that keeps your … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 21, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 14, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the November 14th AHD Bulletin – A dairy like you’ve never seen. Link. Reinforcing the 12-month flea prevention message. Link. Blueprint for receiving new feeder calves. Link. Well Groomed’s canine wellness revolution sweeps Florida. Link. … [Read more...]
Rendering: Every part has a purpose
The parts of animals we don’t eat provide many benefits. NARA has a new informative video for the young, the old, those in the livestock business and those who’ve never touched it. Thanks to Sharla Ishmael, editor of NARA’s Render magazine, for sharing. Source: North American Renderers Association, November 2024. Link. (animated video, 4:00 min) … [Read more...]
50th Leaman Conference. What the experts had to say.
It’s been two months since the 50th annual Leman Swine Conference. Those who attended likely left with three or four action items. Now, let’s revisit some of the comments made by experts to refresh our intentions and focus on making a difference. Topics include biosecurity compliance, managing influenza, continuing to fight PRRSV and environmental effects of concentrated animal … [Read more...]
New study, employees prefer pet-related benefits
Complimentary Commercial Content New research from OnePack Plan by PetPartners, a leading employer-based pet insurance brand, revealed just how important pet-related benefits are to employees, with nearly half of employees reporting that pet-related benefits influence their job decisions. Other results we noted include: Two-thirds of employees are interested in PTO for … [Read more...]
When to delay a conversation
Most problems can be traced back to a conversation that should have happened but didn’t. Still, timing is important. This article highlights three situations when it’s more strategic to delay a conversation until a more opportune time. Marlene Chism offers ways to go into conversations with the right frame of mind. Source: SmartBrief, October 7, 2024. Link. Photo by Joel … [Read more...]
Can people be ‘inoculated’ against misinformation?
Commentary Since our inaugural AHD Bulletin in 2015, we have curated content for animal health pros, including published information at all levels, with consumer-facing media being part of it. The growing amount of misinformation creates tremendous costs in our lives and industry. Once out in the public, incorrect information requires a lot of time and effort to correct, not … [Read more...]
Facts + Feelings = Attitude
To help you improve your ability to get decisions, let us focus on helping you better understand your decision-maker’s range of attitudes. Source: Repertoire, June 2024. Link. More complex decisions, such as continued treatment options, can be dominated by the emotional component of decision-making, while costs of treatment options can be more factual. INSIGHTS: Pay … [Read more...]