Owning a practice? You?December 27, 2018Some would argue practice ownership is only for the most ambitious—for those who love business. Like that classmate who always reads the Wall Street Journal or the one who knows she wants to be a specialist… of some sort… and all that entails. I mean, you know nothing about business. And the stress isn't worth it. The burden of your student loan probably makes practice ownership impossible, anyway. The excuses are endless. But so too are the reasons to own, even more so in this environment of corporate competition, continued consolidation, and rapid change. After all, where there is change—even chaos—there's also opportunity. What's more, practice ownership promises all the things you've always wanted from your profession. It buys you stability and flexibility, the two things that can make having a family more doable. It also means more money. And, paradoxically, those who have the least of it are those who stand to gain the most from practice ownership. I'm not saying it's easy. To be sure, it involves risk. But it's those who never contemplated ownership, those most beset and bedeviled by family-related inflexibility and financial burdens, who also have the most to gain and the least to lose. …
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Professionalism—Own it!December 11, 2018Your veterinary clients deserve and expect to be greeted and cared for by professional veterinary team members. In addition, veterinary teams expect to work with courteous, thoughtful, and professional coworkers.
Ten ways to improve your clinic's cash flowDecember 6, 2018Cash flow in veterinary practices is challenged by several factors, but broken down, it’s simple: how much comes in versus how much goes out. Here are 10 ways your practice can immediately take control of its cash flow.
Treat your techs rightOctober 16, 2018What do your nurses think of you? Are you considered a close friend? A mere coworker? A constant threat? A walking liability? A hopeless disaster? A good ole’ boy or gal? A welcome ally? A dreaded boss? A paycheck signer? A trusted confidant? Here are 20 tips you can use to show your gratitude and appreciation for your hardworking nurses.
Four ways to use forward-bookingOctober 4, 2018Forward booking, or scheduling all patients’ future appointments before they leave the practice after their current visit, can provide timely patient care and dramatically improve your bottom line. However, industry research shows only five percent of veterinarians use forward booking compared to 80 percent of dentists. Increasing forward-booked exams by 10 percent would add $40,000 in annual revenue for a typical veterinary hospital. Here are a few tips on how to forward book four appointment types.
What types of skills are needed to succeed in veterinary management?April 23, 2018It’s a classic story. You have, or you are, a great technician. Or a great receptionist. One day, all this greatness leads to a promotion as head technician, lead receptionist, or office manager. More money, more glory, more responsibility.
The art of managingMarch 19, 2018"Where do you draw the line between managing and micromanaging?” was the question asked recently at the Colorado Veterinary Hospital Managers meeting during a presentation on culture in the hospital setting.
Dispelling myths about entrepreneurship and practice ownershipNovember 7, 2017I had the rare opportunity to speak with Michael Gerber, management guru and best-selling author of The E-Myth Revisited and the E-Myth book collection, who recently co-wrote The E-Myth Veterinarian with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
Want to own a practice?October 18, 2017Veterinarians seeking practice ownership may be fueled with passion and excitement, feeling confident with their medical know-how in their back pocket, but this drive just isn’t enough.
What to do about cliques in the veterinary practiceDecember 19, 2016I took on a practice management role a few months ago in a hospital with about 40 employees. The former practice manager (let’s call her Jane) is still working there, but in a different role. It was her decision to step down from the PM role and she is now the Client Relations Manager.
