We know very little about developing grit, says Angela Lee Duckworth. “What if your ability to do well in school and life depends on much more than your ability to learn easily and quickly?” she asked. “IQ was not the only difference between my best and worst students.” In all those different contexts, one characteristic emerged as significant predictor of success: It was … [Read more...]
Survey shows digital-native Gen Z prefers in-person interaction with brands
Just when we thought we were catching up, research shows Gen-Z actually has a complex relationship with technology. And the lesson not to rely on generalities hold true. Some that marketers associate with millennials are not true for Gen-Zers. Research . . . reveals Gen Z’s paradoxical relationship with social media. As the latest survey shows, they don’t overshare and are … [Read more...]
Pet medical insurance is growing, group says
Whether as a member of a veterinary team or as a pet owner, pet insurance is becoming a more prevalent consideration in managing both life quality and financial risk when owning a pet. The number of insured pets increased climbing to 1.83 million last year, up about 16% from the previous year. That’s only 1% of dogs and cats, but insurers expect the expansion to … [Read more...]
Key items that make a successful lunch and learn
Whether working to advance team skills or increase knowledge about a topic, engaging team members is critical. An effective Lunch & Learn involves more than an introduction and a demonstration over lunch. No team member will leave lunch feeling confident about performing a new skill without actually performing the skill him- or herself. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
Strong sales managers coach well
A friend who is a sales manager recently sent me an article titled, “There are too many bad salespeople,” with the suggestion that this could serve as an inspiration for a future column. My friend will be pleased to discover that it worked, but perhaps not in the way she intended. Source: Vet-Advantage – Companion Edition, August, 2018. Link. Real coaching occurs when … [Read more...]
Opinion – Human hospitals will be required to post their prices online
I have no political agenda in posting this. However, I believe it is important for animal health pros to see this legal action and consider how it might play out in animal health. One thing for sure, the ability to differentiate services, skills and value-adds may become further homogenized in this environment. The rule, finalized Thursday by the Centers for Medicare and … [Read more...]
September at The Bridge Club
Brenda and Catherine recently sought topic feedback from all-access members and past participants. The result is a robust set of topics for upcoming months. Here’s a look at what’s coming. August 30th, Noon MST, VMAE Member Exclusive Event: Momentum Book Club – Part 1. This is a closed event for VMAE Members. For more information, contact Catherine Haskins @ … [Read more...]
VHMA annual meeting and conference kicks off October 18
VHMA principles are finalizing the 2018 VHMA annual meeting and conference, “Discovering, Transforming, and Progressing Together.” It will take place October 18 – 20 in Baltimore, Maryland. Great managers understand that progress is dependent on a thorough and deliberate process. At VHMA 2018...discover the practices that the best practice managers rely on to thrive! Note … [Read more...]
9 things to know about dogs in heat
Writer Jackie Brown presents some facts about dogs in heat and the importance of spaying female dogs. Her article helps answer some questions new owners of female dogs may have about heat and reproduction. A dog heat cycle only happens once or twice a year. A puppy can go into heat sooner than you think. Dogs in heat should stay away from intact male dogs for 3 to … [Read more...]
Infections from a dog lick are a risk but very rare
Jennifer McQuiston is one of the nation’s leading experts on capnocytophaga, the bacteria at the center of recent news stories revealing amputations and deaths from these bacteria. According to the CDC, 74% of dogs have capnocytophaga detected in their mouths The bacteria are often found in dog and cat saliva "and on occasion, you can even find this bug in human saliva." When … [Read more...]
Opinion – KC Animal Health Corridor; biggest year ever (includes videos)
As an attendee beginning with the the first KC Homecoming event, it has been great to experience the phenomenal growth and reach of the KC Animal Health Corridor initiatives over the past decade. The addition of the KC Animal Health Investment Forum has created a future-focused pulse to the celebration. And, for the past three years, animal health pros have received market … [Read more...]
Tips for reading the room before a meeting or presentation
Meeting rooms often have feelings or conversations going on that are not fully in the open. Yet, paying attention to the cues can reveal where there is tension, fear or even recalcitrant participation. Rebecca Knight offers these principles to remember that any meeting attendee, presenter or salesperson can use to keep a group headed toward the positives: DO: Consider the … [Read more...]
Opinion – Animal healthcare market trends and major industry players
Key points and trends in the press release from Global Market Insights, Inc. will interest animal health pros. It notes various growth drivers including: Growing trend of adopting pet animals Rising prevalence of food borne and zoonotic diseases Favorable government initiatives Rapidly increasing demand for animal protein in human food Technological … [Read more...]
Rural veterinary shortage continues; food safety a concern
There has been a shortage of large-animal vets in rural areas since 2003. Experts say this is because of a combination of low wages, long hours and fewer new graduates wanting to live outside a major city. Without vets, farmers and the nation's food supply are more vulnerable to disease outbreaks. Source: NPR, June 16, 2018. Link. The death of a cow can set a rancher back … [Read more...]
Is what you do important?
Whether you’re an employer or employee, it is critical that you believe the work you do is important to attain the highest job satisfaction and maintain employee morale and retention. Properly looking at the way we mentor employees and the way we approach our jobs are key to success throughout any organization. Source: Purpose Unlimited, August 13, 2018. Link. The workplace … [Read more...]
Change is in the air for U.S. cattle ID and traceability
A 2017 BEEF Survey says beef producers give cautious support to traceability, Burt Rutherford said as he spoke to members of the International Livestock Identification Association (ILIA) at their annual conference. This is important because at present, outside of those for various value-added programs, the U.S. doesn’t have a nationwide birth-to-consumer traceability … [Read more...]
Does free-range access really offer poultry a better lifestyle?
We’ve linked to a one-page summary that outlines key points from a new study, “Impact of Free-range Poultry Production Systems on Animal Health, Human Health, Productivity, Environment, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare Issues.” Management is key to optimizing animal welfare in any production system. Although many perceive free-range poultry production systems to be more animal … [Read more...]
Protect your business
“Disruptive times call for transformational leaders with a knack for addressing complex problems. To navigate effectively, we must learn to let go—and become more complex ourselves.” This lead paragraph in an article in the March 2018 edition of the McKinsey Quarterly caught my attention. The further I read, the more I realized there is an acute need in the companion animal … [Read more...]
How we use our land helps customers gain perspective
Animal health pros, especially those serving livestock and wildlife sectors, often get into conversations about the best use for certain types of land. Bloomberg writers Dave Merrill and Lauren Leatherby used data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to show the major uses of land in the lower 48 states. You may be surprised at how little is used to grow our food. Source: … [Read more...]
Productive things to do when killing time between meetings
Those little spaces of time between “this” and “that” often seem insignificant. Still, with better focus we can use the spaces more productively and save time at the end of our days. Alyse Kalish offers 12 things you can you do in that itty-bitty timeframe that are productive enough to feel like you checked something off your to-do list. Source: the muse, August 3, 2018. … [Read more...]
White paper covers how dogs will help owners in distress (includes video)
The white paper “Timmy’s in the well: Empathy and prosocial helping in dogs,” was recently published in the journal Learning & Behavior. Paper authors studied the time that dogs responding to their owners’ crying. The study involved 34 pet dogs of various breeds and sizes and their owners. The results show that dogs will frequently push through barriers with urgency to help … [Read more...]
ARH-WOOOOOOO! Why do dogs howl?
Beyond ancestry, communication seems to be the primary reason dogs howl, writes Melvin Peña. He discusses some common reasons and situations when dogs howl. Source: Dogster, July 12, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Peña’s list of howling-prone dog breeds might help with a dog owner’s choices for a new animal. … [Read more...]
Therapy dogs may help with ADHD
There is good reason to suspect that dogs could be helpful for kids with ADHD, writes Karen B. London, PhD. If the Motivational Hypothesis is true, then interacting with dogs may help these kids by heightening their arousal and emotional states which may lead to increased attention and interest in the environment in which therapy takes place. Although promising, there is … [Read more...]
Our pets are fat and getting fatter
Sixty percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight. In fact, the Association for Pet Obesity estimates that veterinarians now classify more than 100 million dogs and cats as overweight or obese. That is up from 80 million five years ago. Some pet owners fail to recognize the severity of the problem. Source: New York Times, August 2, 2018. (paywall) … [Read more...]
Traveling with pets: AVMA FAQs
August is traditionally a busy family vacation month. These trips include pets more than ever before. The AVMA has a solid resource to answer questions about pet travel. Consider using it to inform pet owners via social media, website links and in vacation readiness newsletters. Many of these FAQs also apply to the dogs and cats that attend state fairs with 4-Hers and FFA … [Read more...]
Virtual farm-to-table experience a must-see for animal health pros
The Maschhoffs is the fourth-largest hog production company in North America. Its new farm-to-table experience, an interactive digital tool that explains how pigs are raised, opens pork production to public. Less than 2 percent of the U.S. population works in agriculture and some animal health pros are unfamiliar with how pork is produced. Consumer education has been a priority … [Read more...]
Stable management topics
The Equine Network Newsletter topic for August 2018 is stable management. Content is provided from four different publications. Source: The Equine Network, August 1, 2018. The risks of poor arena air quality, EQUUS. Link. Fencing for the dressage facility, Dressage Today. Link. What to know during tick season, Practical Horseman. Link. Piles of grass clippings … [Read more...]
Opinion – Train new hires to give location directions
A recent family reunion and the return trip across new geography exposed the weakness of cell phone coverage, internet connectivity and the stark reality that many younger persons cannot give directions to their work location without the help of digital technology. Imagine the end of a 600-plus-mile day, traveling with a gracious but tired octogenarian and not being able to … [Read more...]
The harrowing tale of veterinary management service agreements
Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD, looks at the fine print in veterinary management agreements and raises concerns about governance and oversight. This is a must-read for all animal health pros to gain perspective on clinic ownership and the dynamics of MSAs. Source: DVM 360, July 10, 2018. Link. The MSA/MSO structure has been widely adopted as acceptable and legal in myriad … [Read more...]
Keeping pace with veterinary technology and services
Veterinary care providers have been slow to adapt to the rapid growth and industry advancements, writes Lidia Staron. She predicts some will be left behind. She reviews some of this year’s top trends that practice owners can consider to help stay ahead of the competition. Source: Veterinary Money Digest, July 28, 2018. Link. In addition to revenue growth, the veterinary … [Read more...]