One vet's view of this year's conferencesMay 19, 2017Every spring I put pen to paper on the issue of veterinary conferencing. Whether my annual exertions delight, confound or dismay (I’ve heard it all), no more entertaining veterinary writing opportunities exist beyond the thoroughly engrossing topic of veterinary exceptionalism as epitomized by our profession’s largest national conferences (NAVC and WVC).
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Why you need emotional intelligenceMay 16, 2017Preamble: In case you can never keep it straight in your head (pun intended), left-brain people are more logical and analytical. In contrast, right-brain people are more intuitive and thoughtful.
How to reignite your Vet team's passion ... for poopMay 15, 2017I recently called a veterinary hospital as a mystery shopper to ask what a 15-week-old puppy would need. The receptionist accurately described an exam and vaccines, but she missed the need for an intestinal parasite screen, deworming and preventatives—items that would add $88 to the visit, resulting in better patient care and revenue.
Helping clients see their pet's health issues as their ownMay 3, 2017I’m a wimp. My wife, Teresa, is a warrior. I get a canker sore inside my mouth (the size of a pencil eraser in diameter), and I gargle with salt water and directly apply a little dexamethasone cream, and then I take oral NSAIDs to further blunt the discomfort.
How to distinguish your vet practice to attract clientsApril 25, 2017Your clinic’s 2017 veterinary marketing plan should be well underway, but if your strategies are flat, here are four unique ways to get back on track.
Is your vet practice a destination practice or irksome errand?April 24, 2017A client arrives for her dog’s checkup. Both receptionists are busy answering calls. The pet owner signs in and takes a seat. Fifteen minutes pass before anyone greets her. A technician shouts across the lobby, “Bailey?
How to manage conflict in the vet practiceApril 21, 2017How do you deal with conflict, Dear Reader? Do you pretend it never happened? Bully your opponent into submission? Retreat sheepishly after hearing the other side’s position?
When to shift from veterinary clinician to counselorMarch 29, 2017Loyalty is a firm and consistent allegiance and a lasting faithfulness. That is what we all want with our valued clients. Because end-of-life circumstances are supercharged with emotions, almost everything you do or say at this time either deepens client loyalty or causes the opposite reaction—which you certainly do not want.
Why pet insurance is a win for vets and petsMarch 28, 2017Europe loves pet health insurance. North America? Not so much. Even though the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s latest survey showed record growth in the number of insured pets—1.6 million as of 2015—that accounts for less than 1 percent of the total population of owned dogs and cats in the United States and Canada.
10 inventory myths and mistakesMarch 27, 2017Pop quiz 1: What’s a clinic’s highest expense? No cheating or peeking. If you answered payroll or labor, you are correct. Pop quiz 2: What’s a clinic’s second-highest expense? Think about it. Think some more. If you answered inventory, you are in the minority of people who aced both questions. In a well-managed practice, inventory might make up about 20 percent of revenue.
