The current pandemic greatly demonstrates there is a real scarcity of mentally strong people. Spend more than a few minutes on social media and you will be exposed to meltdowns over trivial concerns. I wondered why, so I searched for advice on improving one’s mental strength. Source: Forbes, January 7, 2019. Link. Most of the articles on mental strength focused on what not … [Read more...]
Build your mentoring team
It is well-documented that those who are mentored outperform and out-earn those who are not. They get promoted more often and report lower burnout rates.However, having just one mentor is limiting. Having a team of mentors puts you in the driver’s seat. Source: Forbes, July 6, 2020 Link. Tell people what your goal and plan is. Mentors will emerge with guidance and … [Read more...]
New research shows gender bias remains an issue, including with veterinarians (video)
Andrea Morris summarizes recently completed research on gender bias, the progress to reduce it and implicit biases, regardless of gender. It is timely. Sociologist Shelley Correll discusses the stalled gender revolution and how women can overcome bias at work. Deeply embedded systemic bias influences our thinking in such subtle and profound ways that we may unwittingly … [Read more...]
Autoship sales projected to help Chewy retain 1.6 million new customers
Commentary: includes complementary commercial content from VetSource® Chewy’s success is getting noticed by our industry. For veterinary hospitals, it is a definitive call to action to embrace, implement and optimize home delivery” - Kirk Augustine Like Amazon and other e-commerce retailers, Chewy has seen the kind of growth that was expected to take years to achieve, get … [Read more...]
Survey reveals 1 in 3 adults misused bleach
The Centers for Disease Control says about one in three adults intentionally used chemicals and disinfectants unsafely, according to results from a recent survey < link >. Some of the high-risk practices included using bleach to wash fruits and vegetables, applying household cleaning and disinfectant products to bare skin, and inhaling, gargling or ingesting cleaners and … [Read more...]
Remain calm and ______________
It’s the perfect slogan on a tee-shirt. Easy to say. Hard to do. No question there is stress in the animal health industry. And, there’s no question Covid-19 has added to existing stress levels. So, how to the most successful industry professionals handle stress? Travis Bradberry’s 2014 article will give you some insight. Source: Forbes, February 6, 2014. Link. When things … [Read more...]
A pandemic positive
The massive shift in people working remotely during the pandemic has not only made people reassess what is most important to them, but also demonstrated that a better work-life balance is within reach, through a flexible work schedule. Source: Forbes, May 19, 2020. Link. With flexible work being the default in a world that must adhere to social distancing, the argument that … [Read more...]
Advice for businesses in the next normal
As pandemic guidance is relaxed, there are considerations for personnel at all levels. Three articles offer guidance as people return to workplaces: Source: The legal dos and don’ts of returning to workplaces, Human Resource Executive, May 7, 2020. Link. Many employers are wading into uncharted legal territory as they aim to keep the workplace and their employees safe, all … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin: Big is not bad. It is fragile.
Temple Grandin, Colorado State University animal science professor and autism advocate, weighs in on the current state of meat processing, the overwhelmed supply chain and possible animal welfare effects. Big operations are extremely cost efficient. That’s why they’ve been built this way, she says. The downside is the fragility of the supply chains, as Covid-19 proves. This … [Read more...]
Make your problem your business
It is difficult to imagine how big an opportunity can be when it’s a problem or market that is very specific. You may dismiss it as a problem you identified that is uniquely yours and assume it is a small opportunity. Or, you can’t fathom how you would possibly create a business model around the concept. Source: Forbes, April 21, 2020. Link. We were spending our time … [Read more...]
Been there. Done that. But, have you recently?
Our world IS scrambling to deal with immediate and mid-term fallout caused by COVID-19. We are dealing with a global five-alarm fire. Local levels, however, may only be a one- or two-alarm fire that can be managed proactively. Proactivity requires setting priorities. It may have been years since you were trained on the urgent/important principle President Dwight D. … [Read more...]
Customer service: Smiles are not enough
For repeatable, sustainable customer service excellence, you need systems and standards for the great people you hire, writes Micah Solomon. Standards are ways of delineating “how we do things around here.” Systems are slightly more elaborate; they are essentially groups of standards. Standards and systems are both important components to successfully serving … [Read more...]
Super chickens under development (includes CRISPR video)
Chicken science may have just crossed a road in moving towards genetically engineering chickens to be resistant to the bird flu. A study published in eLife < link > shows the results of editing part of the DNA in chicken cells. The change prevented the bird flu virus from using the cells to reproduce themselves. Source: Forbes, June 2019. Link. While an important step … [Read more...]
5 forces transforming the animal health market
Animal health is subjected to many forms of pressure driving changes. Michael Helmstetter explores five forces giving rise to a new breed of our industry: Growth, consolidation and competition Increased investment Evolving consumer behaviors Digital transformation Alternative therapies Source: Forbes, December 10, 2019. Link. . . . animal health is subject … [Read more...]
Take the stress out of work and the holidays
Everyone is affected by stress and the holidays only seem to add to the level of it. Stephanie Sarkis offers tips for managing this increased stress level. Source: Forbes, November 19, 2019. Link. If you’re feeling stressed out, don’t take on new assignments. You may be concerned that it will reflect poorly on you, but your health is the most important thing. If you aren’t … [Read more...]
Drive: Do you have it?
What gets you up in the morning? Do you need someone else to set expectations for you? Or do you flinch at being presented with a schedule and a set of expectations? Source: Forbes.com, November 11, 2019. Link. Beyond pluck, grit, perseverance, and luck, business success takes one trait above all: drive. Drive is what gets you up in the morning . . . It’s what makes you … [Read more...]
Opinion – Listening with the intent to reply
Do you hear or listen? One thing that frustrates me is how news anchors or sportscasters continuously speak over someone. It happens even when the person speaking over the other is getting an answer to the very question they just asked. Listening is NOT a competitive sport.” - Anonymous Source: Forbes, October 29, 2019. Link. Most people do not listen with the intent to … [Read more...]
What if…?
What if I fail? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” These two brief sentences speak to both the fear that paralyzes so many of us, as well as the unlimited potential should we allow ourselves to imagine. Source: Forbes.com, October 15, 2019. Link You can’t successfully go after what you want until you can clearly articulate what that is. Challenge yourself to dig deep … [Read more...]
Managing our attention
Wish there were more hours in the day? Sorry. Everyone gets 24 – no more, no less. If you’re serious about personal productivity, time is not the most critical issue. Personal productivity is mainly about attention. Source: Forbes, October 8, 2019. Link. The first person we will break an appointment with is always ourselves, requiring us to spend time “dragging” tasks from … [Read more...]
Failure is a step to success
Failure simply means that I set an intention that I was not able to live up to or a goal that I did not achieve. The only sure-fire way I know to completely avoid failure is to never set intentions and never state your goals. Source: Forbes, September 27, 2019. Link. A life without failure is a life without striving. Of course, no one (knowingly) strives for failure. We … [Read more...]
Lead employees by coaching
Employees don't need a pat on the head once a year. Nor do they need hand holding every step of the way. Successful businesses achieve goals through regular, effective feedback. Source: Forbes, January 30, 2018. Link. Leaders and direct supervisors provide the primary example and outlet of learning for employees. Employees don’t expect to sit back and wait forever for … [Read more...]
Suicide prevention tips for employers
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is the perfect time to be proactive and learn more about supporting your employees who are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. Knowing the signs and offering immediate access to help are two keys to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Read on to discover how to provide training to the … [Read more...]
Lead like Barry Manilow?
This sounded ridiculous to me the first time I saw the headline. Too many leadership experts want you to be someone you’re not. However, this article really hits home on five key attributes of many of the successful people I have known. Perhaps it can help you too. Source: Forbes, August 8, 2019. Link. Don't Take Yourself So Seriously. Disarm your critics by taking yourself … [Read more...]
Differing views create Lyme wars
Endemic or not in any geography is no longer easy to define. It seems the medical community is at odds with its approach to diagnosis and treatment. Parallel to the human discussion is the ongoing debate about vaccinating dogs. These two articles are helpful resources for making decisions about Lyme prevention, treatment as well as addressing animal owner questions. One thing … [Read more...]
Meet Gen Fur, the biggest growing target market
Jeanne Shields says to forget Gens X, Y and Z. The biggest growth market is what she calls Gen Fur. Shields sites a recent article from Forbes < link > that features metrics that confirm the explosive growth of the pet industry. The new generation of pet owners embraces pet ownership with enthusiasm and spares no expense in treating their pets like family. Source: … [Read more...]
Tick, tick, tick . . . TICK!
The range of ticks is expanding, more diseases spread by ticks are being identified, and new species are being introduced to the U.S. by global trade and travel, writes Judy Stone. The expansion of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases appears related to two major factors: a) climate change and, b) forest fragmentation. Humans and animals are challenged. Source: Forbes, May 29, … [Read more...]
References are important
With the average tenure in a role hovering around 4.2 years, chances are, there's a job search in your future. If you’ve updated your resume with relevant accomplishments, built a strong online brand, and practiced for the interview, you’re way ahead of the game. What about your references? Source: Forbes, May 28, 2019, Link. In a study conducted by the Society of Human … [Read more...]
Choose your mentor carefully
Having a mentor can be the catalyst for enriching career development in nearly every industry. Mentors not only bestow real-life lessons and skills upon their mentees, but also open doors to professional networks, facilitating connections to other professionals who can help shape career success. So look for these characteristics when choosing your mentor. Source: Forbes, May … [Read more...]
True grit helps you achieve
It turns out that intelligence might not be the best indicator of future success. According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, the secret to outstanding achievement isn’t talent. Instead, it’s a special blend of persistence and passion that she calls “grit.” Source: Forbes, March, 6, 2017. Link. That’s why IQ and SAT scores aren’t a good indicator of someone’s future success. … [Read more...]
MIT study challenges goal setting
Dr. Jeanne Ross, a researcher at MIT's Sloane School of Business, says that goal-setting is an incomplete strategy for high-performance teams. Ross suggests that organizations should put their attention on formulating hypotheses, and then rapidly (and repeatedly) testing these new ideas. Source: Forbes, April 16, 2091. Link. A goal is not always meant to be reached; it … [Read more...]