Adam Grant speaks to reality. In a survey just released by Lean In and SurveyMonkey, nearly half of male managers report being uncomfortable mentoring women, socializing with them, or working alone with them. In the wake of #MeToo, the number of men who are afraid to mentor women has tripled. Source: LinkedIn, February 6, 2018. Grant addresses what we can do about it … [Read more...]
Exotic baby animals need unique milk formulations
Animal health pros who care for exotic animals will appreciate the efforts described here. Milk for each species is unique. The team at Wombaroo in Australia is developing powdered milk formulas for exotic baby animals, including lions, kangaroos, koalas and pandas. It is one of few organizations conducting research in this area. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, … [Read more...]
Use criticism to your advantage
Honest feedback is one of the more valuable tools we have for self-improvement. Yet, it is a catch-22, according to Mel Robbins. Researchers from the University of Michigan and the Gottman Institute concluded that in order to keep a relationship or work team performing well, five or six positive interactions were needed for each criticism or negative interaction. Source: … [Read more...]
A case for micro-leading
Micromanagers are not helpful in the long run, says Steve Keating. But, his perspective changes when it comes to developing new or inexperienced team members. Keating proposes a new term: micro-leading. It is simply closely supervising someone for their own development and learning. Leaders must also understand that good judgment comes from experience. If your people lack that … [Read more...]
Survey shines light on pork industry’s biosecurity investment
A new survey study from Iowa State University (ISU) reveals the challenges of biosecure swine production and the variations of adoption of biosecure measures. It also highlights opportunities to help increase biosecurity measures. For animal health pros, the challenges in these results further underscore the themes of compliance across all species. Specifically, note the … [Read more...]
Don’t let urgency take over importance
Given the number of interruptions animal health pros face daily, it is important to regularly return to this topic. An urgent item is a task that cries out for immediate attention. Important tasks are those that, once done, will add value for the long-term. Important tasks move you forward. Source: Entrepreneur, February 6, 2018. It's easy to let the urgent overtake the … [Read more...]
How good breeders raise puppies
Fearless puppies don’t just pop out of their dam, say hello to the world and settle into biddable dogs. Linda Rehkopf shares her approach to raising puppies that grow into happy, confident dogs. Breeders and puppy owners alike will value this information. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, January 30, 2018. Starting with a sire and dam that were both calm confident adults at … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club: virtual value
Gifted Leaders founder and VetPartners President Dr. Jeff Thoren hosted an engaging Bridge Club virtual conversation, “Mind Full or Mindful? Maintaining a Peaceful Presence in a Hectic World,” February 19th. Thoren offered his go-to resources and getting-started recommendations. For those who stayed for the after-party discussion, participants revealed some terrific … [Read more...]
KC Animal Health Corridor continuing workforce development efforts
A 2015 study predicting a shortage in skilled labor for manufacturing jobs spurred Kansas City area manufacturers to begin developing meaningful workforce solutions. Since then, the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor has worked alongside industry executives to close skill gaps affecting the global animal health industry. One tool KCAHC developed is ExploreKCCareers.com. It … [Read more...]
AVMA, Merck collaborate on veterinarian mental health study
Veterinarians younger than 45 years old are more likely to experience serious psychological distress, according to a new survey conducted in collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Association and Merck Animal Health. According to the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study, younger veterinarians are more affected by the financial and emotional stresses of … [Read more...]
The underdog strategy may make you a winner
Victimhood is a popular excuse these days for being unhappy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Certainly, there are people with greater advantages than you. This simply means you need to work smarter and harder to achieve your version of success and now there is a strategy that will enhance your chances of success. Source: Women@Forbes, February 6 2018. Have the courage to … [Read more...]
Second annual Veterinary Emerging Topics® (VET) Report
Kudos to Banfield Pet Hospital® and The NAVC® for collaborating on The 2018 VET Report. It focuses on feline antimicrobial usage and the mounting public health issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The 2017 VET Report addressed AMR in dogs. A lack of awareness about existing guidelines for antimicrobial usage in veterinary medicine has contributed to discordance between … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLINK, investment announcement to fuel regulatory compliance
GlobalVetLINK (GVL®), a leader in digital animal health compliance solutions, today announced a significant investment led by Lead Edge Capital. “GlobalVetLINK is the leader of the veterinary compliance space, and we see huge opportunities for their technology on an even broader scale,” Nimay Mehta, partner at Lead Edge Capital, said. The GVL platform connects animal health … [Read more...]
Up next on The Bridge Club
Join The Bridge Club virtual event, Mind full or mindful? Maintaining a peaceful presence in a hectic world: Expert: Jeff Thoren, DVM, PCC, BCC, VetPartners president and Gifted Leaders founder Topic: The practice of mindfulness. Dr. Thoren will share a very real look at challenges and benefits including suggestions to help take positive first steps. Date/Time: … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club, new platform for veterinary community (includes video)
Whether you meet over cards, a beverage or meal with industry colleagues, the conversations can be valued and cherished. Brenda Andresen and Catherine Haskins have developed The Bridge Club as the first video-based, professional community. The video conference platform promises to return to face-to-face discussions on topics relevant to veterinary professionals. Andresen and … [Read more...]
The best leaders are teachers
SuperBowl LII is in the books. Much of the discussion surrounding the results encompassed leadership and coaching legacies. Sydney Finkelstein has studied leadership in organizations for over a decade. He shares his surprise on the extent to which star managers emphasize ongoing, intensive one-on-one tutoring of their direct reports, either in person or virtually, in the course … [Read more...]
Opinion – Weaning age variations in pig production
The quotes below are from two excellent articles demonstrating options in pig production. Data aside, economics frequently override what’s best for piglets and sows. Part of this stems from how the swine industry has been vertically integrated and where revenue is created in the process. In beef production, calves that do not survive or are sick are often charged back on the … [Read more...]
10 obesity related conditions in fat pets
Nationwide reports that its members filed 1.4 million pet insurance claims for conditions and diseases related to obesity in 2017. They sorted through its database of more than 630,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 most common dog and cat obesity related conditions. Source: DVM 360, January 26, 2018. Nationwide data from 2016 showed more than 51,000 pet insurance … [Read more...]
AVJR, February 2018
Research about obese cats continues. The study titled Effects of weight loss with a moderate-protein, high-fiber diet on body composition, voluntary physical activity, and fecal microbiota of obese cats will be of interest to companion animal practices as they deal with obesity in cats. Source: AVJR, February 2018. (limited access) … [Read more...]
10 human foods dogs can eat
Rose Frosek shares healthful people foods that can be shared, guilt-free, with dogs. This list can be used on social media, in newsletters and websites. Who knows? Maybe, if the dog eats green veggies, so will the children. Source: Modern Dog. Remember that treats and other additions to your dog’s regular meal should comprise no more than 10 percent of their daily intake. … [Read more...]
“Hey,” “Hello,” “Hi” and other ways to start emails
The salutations we use to start an email affects the response rate, according to a recent analysis of 300,000 emails. While omitting a salutation on follow-up replies seems to be increasingly common, you are best off including an opening, at least in your initial email. Source: Quartz, January 22, 2018. Perhaps we should move past the era of formal salutations, as … [Read more...]
Get better at being jealous
Kristin Wong likely has classmates and friends who envy her successes as a writer, just as animal health pros may feel jealousy or envy as colleagues receive honors, awards or get jobs they aspire to. Animal health has always been competitive at the DVM level. Competition is evident in manufacturers, suppliers and distributors and is now accentuated by mergers, acquisitions and … [Read more...]
AAEP publishes updated infectious disease guidelines
Most of the changes in existing guidelines highlight updated sampling and control measures. The AAEP’s Infectious Disease Committee also amended suspected case guidelines for respiratory, neurologic and clostridial diarrhea to outline appropriate actions and steps for suspected cases, along with several resource documents for sampling and equine herpesvirus. Additionally, … [Read more...]
Animal Health Digest receives Bronze VETTY Award
Our AHD team is pleased to be recognized with a 2018 Bronze VETTY in the category of Digital Education Tool, B2B/Trade. The VETTYS are the first and only animal health marketing awards competition created by NAVC. The competition focuses on products and services available through veterinarians or that support the veterinary profession, including pharmaceuticals, pet foods, … [Read more...]
It’s up to you to create a civil workplace
According to Georgetown University researcher Christine Porath, more than 40 percent of employees say they hesitate to show civility at work because they fear people will take advantage of them. The workplace, with its reliance on technology as a primary means for communication, increasingly distances us from face-to-face interactions. This, in turn, makes many of us a rusty on … [Read more...]
The high cost of low action
Few things grow as effortlessly as a problem ignored, writes Steve Keating. Realistically, the things that aren’t working out well now only tend to get worse over time, and issues that remain unaddressed grow larger, not smaller. Doing nothing is easier, faster and cheaper until the bill comes due. And it always comes due. Source: Lead Today, January 22,2018. Problems … [Read more...]
Horses’ feet are miracles
Animal health pros who work with youth or new equine owners will appreciate this. Understanding the mechanics of the horse hoof helps horse enthusiasts better appreciate its complexity. The equine foot is a marvel of joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels and bone encased within a horny capsule that is vital to the horse. See what Stephen O’Grady, DVM, likes to … [Read more...]
Cattle eat what humans don’t
Critics of beef production often point to pigs, poultry or fish as having better feed conversions than cattle. They frequently leave out a critical point; cattle eat things we cannot. They turn grass, corn stalks, wheat straw and byproducts such as distillers’ grains and cottonseed meal into high-quality protein for human consumption. At the recent Academy of Veterinary … [Read more...]
Back-to-back conventions offer learning and conversation opportunities
Convention season is here. Many industry personnel will be crisscrossing the country for convention activities, continuing education, customer interactions or group meetings aligned with the events. The same is true for AHD team members. Rick Purnell, AHD editor will join AHD founder/president, Kirk Augustine at the Cattle Industry Convention and Trade show January 31 … [Read more...]
Attorneys fighting over sexed semen
A battle is brewing in the U.S. over new technologies designed to make sure only milk-producing cows are born. Most of America’s 9.4 million dairy cows are bred using artificial insemination from bulls with specific genetic traits, but there’s still a randomness about the sex of the offspring. So, more farmers are paying a premium for semen that contains only the X chromosomes … [Read more...]