Mark Cushing, JD, explains how the Veterinary Virtual Care Association came to be and how it plans to bring clarity, definition and structure to the growing segments telehealth, telemedicine and virtual care. . . . what was a side feature. . . is now an expectation” Source: Todays’ Veterinary Business, June/July 2020. Link. Virtual care is a tool alongside in-person care and … [Read more...]
Opinion – Star Wars tech featured at NAVC E-Commerce Summit
Imagine a pet owner talking to a virtual assistant via Alexa about a problem with their dog at 3:00 a.m. which sets up a live phone call from a veterinarian only minutes later. Or, having your cellphone notify you that your dog is barking excessively because the house is on fire or a stranger has entered. These and other technologies had attendees riveted as presenting … [Read more...]
Listening boosts compliance and loyalty
Encouraging clients to talk about their pet or lifestyle helps bond them to your practice and improves compliance, shares Amanda Donnelly, DVM, MBA. What she shares is an example of how open-ended questions can add situational information that is relevant to a pet’s lifestyle with an owner. Practice teams demonstrate compassion and learn more about a pet when they invite … [Read more...]
Pet King Brands turns 20
Pet King Brands, Inc., celebrates 20 years in business this year. The company makes Zymox skin care and Oratene brushless oral care products. In addition, Debra Decker joins the company as marketing chief and Michaela Kosmis becomes veterinary channel manager. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2019. Link. Zymox and Oratene are sold through veterinarian practices, … [Read more...]
Add margin verification to year-end inventory activities
As 2018 closes, many teams are getting ready for a full, year-end inventory count. Some have already completed cycle counts of key items. They’ve discovered duplications, hidden outdates and found things they forgot they had. Once the counts are done, computer records will require adjustment. As computer counts are reset, it is a good time to review the margin settings for … [Read more...]
More than backup needed for good computer security
There is no 100 percent guarantee to make computers and networks secure,. However, you can take steps to provide reasonable security, writes Joseph Axne. He offers seven areas to determine if your hospital or business has security gaps that need filling. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, December 2018/January 2019, page 8. Link. Using a layered approach to computer … [Read more...]
Thinking equipment before year end
The fourth quarter of each year brings thoughts of end-of-year inventories and opportunities to use Section 179 of the IRS code. It provides incentives for all types of veterinary equipment purchases. Pam Foster writes about how equipment features, function and capabilities have changed over the past decade with some expert help from Rick Warter, of MWI Animal … [Read more...]
Interest building for NAVC Resource Library
NAVC’s recent introduction of the Veterinary Resource Library <link> is generating considerable interest from the veterinary community and manufacturers alike. Designed to eliminate the need for veterinary personnel to check multiple websites to seek information, the resource center is quickly building toward its objective of becoming a one-stop product portal. The … [Read more...]
NAVC Resource Library puts product information, detailers, videos, more all in one location
NAVC’s Today’s Veterinary Business is extending its educational efforts to include a handy one-stop website. The Today’s Veterinary Business Resource Library is the next generation of the Vet-Advantage Resource App, part of the Vet-Advantage acquisition by the NAVC in early 2017. More than 30 companies currently have information available on the website including product … [Read more...]
Understand your market, but set your own price points
Kara Perez offers realistic guidance on establishing price points with knowledge of but independent of competition. Focusing too much on the competition can prove to be a distraction. Source: DUE, August 19, 2018. Link. Knowing your market rate is powerful knowledge, but only to a point. If you base your prices off of someone else’s business model and someone else’s work, … [Read more...]
Price, price, price
When products move from single channel to multi-channel sources, there are sensitivities around price to the consumer. The real issue is on dispensed items such as flea, tick, heartworm, parasiticides and in some cases NSAIDs and vaccines. The team at Vet Advantage put together a price benchmarking tool to help veterinary teams understand how certain products are priced across … [Read more...]
The price is not always right
“If you don’t know the difference between margin and mark-up,” says Daniel Truffini, “Your revenue might be taking a hit. Don’t let anyone tell your otherwise, it’s all about the margin at the end of the day.” Trufinni makes the cost compared to. value distinction and offers three formulas to help animal health pros calculate them. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, … [Read more...]
Take stock of your inventory
Inventory is frequently the second-largest expense in veterinary practices. Now that year-end counts are completed and new promotions are launched, it is a good time to review Brian Conrad’s approach to getting inventory under control. He takes a pragmatic approach to eliminating duplications, applying usage reports and establishing parameters for stocking top items. He also is … [Read more...]
Learning from dentists
Dental and chiropractic medical practices are frequently referenced as similar to veterinary practices. Bob Lester shares ways the dental industry adapted to become a prevention business. In his analysis, team-based health care delivery is a win-win. We help more pets, our teams are empowered and we reap the financial rewards. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, September … [Read more...]
Retail price index benchmarks OTC pricing
Regardless of where you are in the supply chain, alternate sources confound pricing decisions daily. Animal owners are often full of low-price information without understanding whether it was on a different size, pharmaceutical equivalent or a targeted promotion as part of a bundle. The Retail Price Index is designed to help animal health pros understand market pricing and not … [Read more...]
Veterinary well-being initiatives move forward
Keeping industry professionals healthy is the focus of two announcements this month. AAHA just introduced the Healthy Workplace Culture Initiative. A major part of the initiative’s launch is the 20-page “AAHA’s Guide to Veterinary Team Wellbeing,” available at http://bit.ly/2jKCw5i. Additionally, The AVMA announced that Dr. Jen Brandt joined the staff as the association’s … [Read more...]