Includes Commentary
Time management in animal healthcare isn’t about squeezing more hours out of the day – it’s about spending the hours you have on what moves the needle, writes Brian Sullivan. His focus is on salespeople, but the guidance is universal. He asserts that it’s not time that’s scarce, it’s your focus. Agreed.
Source: Veterinary Advantage, April 2025. Link.
If it’s truly not a priority, fine, but own that. But if it is a priority, then it’s time to shift things around and make the priority fit.”
INSIGHTS: Be sure your priorities fit with your clinic’s priorities.
AHD Commentary
Sullivan writes about sales reps using downtime effectively while waiting for an appointment. Practice managers (PM), veterinary technicians (VT) and clinic owners (DVM) can benefit from what the sales reps see and hear while waiting. Here are some simple questions to ask trusted representatives:
- PM, “We’re swamped today more than normal. How is my team holding up?”
- DVM, “You see how other practices operate on your calls. Did you notice anything today while waiting that we might improve?
- VT, “Our waiting area can be a real zoo. Do you think the new configuration separating the cats and dogs is helpful?”
For sales reps: Downtime can also be used to interact with clinic clients, learn how long they’ve been coming to the location, clinic resources they use and inquire about the pet’s lifestyle. There’s a good chance you’ll learn something that can shape the discussion during the appointment.