Choosing the right PIMS for your practiceFebruary 5, 2019Love 'em or hate 'em, all veterinary practices need one: a practice information management system (PIMS). There are so many factors to consider when researching which PIMS is the best fit for your clinic. They include practice efficiency, integrations, data security and backup, and impact to the client experience. No doubt, change can be complicated, especially when transitioning to a new PIMS. It can often feel a bit overwhelming for veterinary teams that are already stretched thin. However, choosing a PIMS that works for your practice is possible, resulting in overall improvements to practice workflow, productivity, and even team satisfaction. Understand your workflow needs—now and in the future A good PIMS should provide the foundation and infrastructure for a smooth workflow today and five years from now, but you must know what you're looking for at the outset to ensure a successful outcome. Remember, you can't buy software to improve your internal processes if you do not first understand them, as well as your pain points. For example, if your practice is looking to go paperless, consider how a system manages client and patient information, how it monitors inpatient care, and how its mobile functionality works. Not ready for paperless? …
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Building trust with pet parents through digital marketingFebruary 5, 2019Pet parents come in all shapes and sizes, ages and genders, backgrounds and income levels. Yet, they all share a few common concerns that guide them as they choose a veterinarian. In addition to a convenient location and budget considerations, such as pricing and the availability of financing, pet parents put a high premium on finding a veterinarian they can trust. Why is trust so important to today's pet parents? Today's pet owners live in a world that tells them they shouldn't trust anybody. The combination of claims of "fake news," well-loved celebrities and politicians acting badly, or major corporations indulging in unethical behavior results in a public wary to take anything on faith. The benefit of the doubt has evaporated, leaving veterinarians forced to market themselves in an environment where customers do research before committing to even the smallest purchase. (Think sports drinks and snack foods.) Choosing to get health care for a pet is a high-consequence decision. Seventy-eight percent of pet owners agree a pet is a member of the family.1 In July 2018, a survey conducted by Pew Internet and American Life found more than one in five people research specific physicians and hospitals before seeking …
Not planning an exit strategy? You shouldFebruary 4, 2019The average baby boomer today is approximately 63 years of age, and in seven years, all of them will be over the age of 60. Obviously, this has implications on the number of veterinary practice owners exiting their business. Baby boomers are unique. Unlike generation Xers who value time, traditionalists who value community/family, and millennials who value individuality, baby boomers value success. They are also known for their 60-hour work week. These two attributes—working hard and being successful—should also play a role in how baby boomers approach their exit strategy. The Exit Planning Institute (EPI) estimates 50 per cent of business exits are involuntary, meaning they are unplanned and/or unexpected. If you are fortunate, you will experience an unplanned exit because you received an offer for your practice you did not expect; if you do receive an offer, we would advise you not accept the first offer without seeking professional advice. Why's that? Well, it is likely neither the only offer available nor is it likely to be the best offer. The reality, however, is most involuntary exits are due to death, disability, divorce, or disputes. Avoiding regret and preparing for an unexpected exit Engaging in an exit planning …
Five reasons clients will love your dental experienceFebruary 4, 2019What if clients loved their pets' dental experiences at your veterinary hospital? As most dogs and cats have periodontal disease by age three, you will speak with clients multiple times about dental treatments over their pets' lifetimes. Creating a positive experience for the first dental procedure can set you up for success when you need to present future care. Here are five strategies for creating stellar client satisfaction through your dental services. 1) Tackle paperwork in advance. Don't wait until the morning of procedures to get signatures. Clients may have experienced road rage while driving to your clinic, chased the cat for 45 minutes trying to get it into the carrier, and were late for work. Instead, have clients sign treatment plans and anesthetic consent forms on the day of diagnosis when they book procedures. At my recent seminar in Reno, Nev., a technician testified this tactic reduced a 20-minute surgical admission to seven minutes. A backup plan is to use text and email together. Two days before the procedure, text the client to confirm the admission appointment: "See you tomorrow at 8 a.m. for <pet name's> dental admission. No food after 10 p.m. Water is OK. We emailed …
Why a happy veterinary profession needs independent practicesJanuary 21, 2019Does it seem so unlikely we might suffer from an epidemic of unhappy veterinarians?
Practicing in paradiseJanuary 15, 2019In 1982, four scuba diving-loving colleagues came up with the crazy idea of setting up a veterinary practice on the beautiful Caribbean island of Turks and Caicos. To that end, they created 52 shares that would be available to other colleagues.
5 Questions With… Paul Wise, DVM, Evers Veterinary ClinicJanuary 15, 2019With more than 68 years of experience in the veterinary field and counting, Paul Wise, DVM, is a force to be reckoned with. Indeed, at the tender age of 100 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Widening the scope of laparoscopyJanuary 10, 2019The advantages of laparoscopy are obvious—smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery, and less scarring. It is no wonder, then, that laparoscopy continues to advance in application, instrumentation, technique, and training.
The dilemmas associated with televeterinary practiceJanuary 10, 2019Televeterinary medicine is poised to become more mainstream, but are U.S. state practice laws a stumbling block?
Are you an LCD manager or an HCD leader?January 9, 2019Observing the differences between lowest common denominator and highest common denominator management.
