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home | Article Index

Complete Article Index

This website includes articles covering a wide range of practice management related topics. Use this index to search the current article database to find articles covering your particular interests.

The following is a complete index of all the articles on this site - presented in the most current to oldest article sequence.

Displaying Matches 1 thru 60 of 352 Found. NEXT

Displaying Matches 1 thru 60 of 352 Found NEXT

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - February 2012

Which statement best describes your situation? You've already discovered Vet-One web-based software. You don't currently use web-based software but are exploring the veterinary PMS market to find the most appropriate system to meet your .... . . . keep reading

Managers: Take a Message

Practice managers are often inundated with phone calls and emails from clients, vendors, team members, and solicitors. It's nearly impossible to answer and deal with each call or email in real time and it's understandable to feel overwhelmed ...... . . . keep reading

What Makes a Great Manager?

I have found that great managers create and cultivate an environment where their team members are motivated. They motivate their team by properly and thoroughly implementing training programs so that employees are equipped to do their jobs. This ..... . . . keep reading

30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself

Our previous article, 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself, was well received by most of our readers, but several of you suggested that we follow it up with a list of things to start doing. So I sat down last night with our original article ..... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 064

In Episode 064 we'll see what we can learn from a character in a TV sitcom and consider how to deal with a member of staff overcome by emotion. We'll ask how best to acknowledge staff achievement, we'll hear from a practice manager on the ...... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 063

In Episode 063 we'll see how to adapt to the challenge of the post recession era and hear some advice about preparing for that all important interview. We'll ask what you understand by the word 'mindfullness', we'll look at a simple tool to ..... . . . keep reading

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - January 2012

John Volk, senior consultant with veterinary market analysis firm Brakke Consulting, presented brand-new data at CVC San Diego detailing what thriving practices are doing to see more clients--at a time when most veterinary practices are ..... . . . keep reading

I've got the map and X marks the spot!

Consider these three key questions: Could better management grow your practice profit and the value of your business by at least 50%? Do you really need more clients and/or Are you missing the treasures hidden in your practice today?..... . . . keep reading

Stop scaring clients with your veterinary fees

Veterinary fees have outpaced inflation. Make sure your clients understand the better medicine they're receiving, and tackle client pushback with bundled services, payment alternatives, and--gasp!--discounts. "All of a sudden, the price ..... . . . keep reading

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Nothing could be closer to the truth. But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been ....... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 062

In Episode 062 we'll hear about getting to grips with Search Engine Optimisation, social media and interacting with clients online. We'll consider how best to handle failure, we'll hear from two Russian vets about the Urals Small Animal...... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 061

In Episode 061 we'll consider the issue of leadership and management training and hear from the experts in the USA and Australia. We'll look at a 60 second seminar to grow your bottom line by at least 15% starting tomorrow, hear from someone.... . . . keep reading

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - December 2011

Arguably the most important, and definitely the most dramatic, way a new or improved website can impact a veterinary practice is in the area of new client acquisitions. After implementing a beautiful marketing driven .... . . . keep reading

What is a practice or business manager worth to the practice?

This simple question is often asked but there is little actual data from the veterinary industry on which to base a reply? If you try to quantify the value that a practice manager or business manager can bring to the business then there are...... . . . keep reading

Break Down the Barriers That Keep Clients From Coming Through The Door

The decline in average annual client visits over the past 10 years is a great concern to both individual practices and the veterinary profession as a whole. It is easy to blame the bad economy and increased competition. But in fact..... . . . keep reading

The 5 most difficult veterinary clients

Every practice has them: clients who inspire you to find a task that needs doing in the back or who trigger a frantic game of rock-paper-scissors to determine who has to deal with them. There's no other way to say it, some clients are just.... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 060

In Episode 060 we'll hear Marty Beckers bizarre tip to encourage more of your clients to say 'Yes' and we'll consider the importance of passion in a hierarchy of human capabilities at work. We'll hear from a vet who now offers ..... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 059

In Episode 059 we'll look at the benefits of working with other practice owners to achieve your common and separate business objectives, we'll see how how the ladder of inference can result in bad business decisions and we'll consider the magic..... . . . keep reading

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - November 2011

Creating a Veterinary Marketing Brochure

A well written practice brochure is a critical practice marketing tool. The unfortunate point here is that most Veterinary practice brochures are rarely anything except 'name', 'rank' and 'serial number' offerings. They are all .... . . . keep reading

Are you hurting your practice by offering discounts?

Everyone loves a discount and your clients are surely no exception. But when it comes to the health of your practice, are you and your team members giving away too much? I've been looking at recent financial data for a number of ..... . . . keep reading

What Every Team Member Should Know About Practice Management

Ask anyone who has worked for someone for a while and they will quickly agree that nothing compares to having a wonderful boss at work. Several studies recently completed by the American Management Association demonstrate that ..... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 058

In Episode 058 we'll look at the 2011 Study of Well Managed Practices in the United States and at some of the recent Management Analysis Indices for small animal practice in the UK. We'll consider the potential benefits of NLP for your practice, we'll..... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 057

In Episode 057 we'll ask whether customer satisfaction is enough and we'll see how your staff members might judge the success of your practice. I'll ask you to ponder four serious personal questions, we'll look at the issue of employee theft in ..... . . . keep reading

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - October 2011

Looking to grow your practice? All veterinary practices have five fundamental growth opportunities available to them - each of which can be accomplished utilizing the practice's existing clients, patients and staff. You can improve compliance .... . . . keep reading

So, How Is Your Practice Doing?

Dr. Jones has owned the All Pet Animal Hospital for 15 years. Normally, the practice enjoys a 12% to 15% increase in gross per year. However, this year, things do not seem to be going as well. Dr. Jones is not quite sure what is going on, but the..... . . . keep reading

The 5 Pitfalls of Groupon for Veterinary Practices

I talk to many veterinarians about social media every week. More and more are asking about doing a Groupon deal in order to increase exposure to their practice and hopefully increase sales. For those of you who aren't familiar with Groupon, it is... . . . keep reading

4 signs your practice suffers from constipated communication

It's the things you don't say that can hurt your practice's health the most. Here are four symptoms to look for, along with tips to open up dialogue. One of the most valuable communication lessons I've learned over the past 20-plus years is .... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 056

In Episode 056 we'll hear how practice owners, managers and clinicians can sometimes talk too much and listen too little and we'll see how group decisions in your practice can be made to work. I'll show you the 60 second seminar for ..... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 055

In Episode 054 we'll consider the impact of online pharmacy sales on your business and what you might do about it. I'll show you the 60 Second Seminar for this episode, we'll look at the importance of the soft skills in veterinary practice and ....... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 054

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - September 2011

The recent struggles that our economy has faced have forced many industries to change the way they operate. The veterinary industry is no exception. Veterinary practice owners have been forced to adapt to the new economic realities ..... . . . keep reading

Managers: Take a Walk

The responsibilities of a practice manager may seem endless especially when dealing with budgeting, marketing, inventory, and employment issues. In addition to the many critical operational tasks, it's important for managers to keep their...... . . . keep reading

7 Reasons Why We Procrastinate

We'd just begun our coaching call. Don was explaining why he had not kept his word about creating monthly financial statements. Again. In a voice tinged with resignation, he said there wasn't enough time. He rolled out all the things that..... . . . keep reading

The Top 9 Leadership Behaviours That Drive Employee Commitment

Evidence shows that improving any leadership behavior will have a positive impact on employee satisfaction/commitment, but some changes have more impact than others. Through our research we have identified the nine behaviors that...... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 053

In Episode 053 we'll hear about the four mind sets of a entrepreneur like you, we'll look outside the box for some advice for pet owners about choosing a veterinary practice and I'll show you the 60 Second Seminar for this episode. We'll remind ..... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 052

In Episode 052 we'll hear about WYSIWYG in a veterinary environment, we'll look at a series of interactive, online learning opportunities in the business of veterinary practice and I'll show you the 60 Second Seminar for this episode. We'll ..... . . . keep reading

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - August 2011

National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues to dissolve as independent organization; The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has announced that, pending final approvals, the National Commission on Veterinary ..... . . . keep reading

Information overload? Tools for tactical decision making

It could be argued that there is too much information available to managers of veterinary practices these days. Most practices are computerised in one form or another, and a range of of benchmarking systems, journals, external business....... . . . keep reading

Why Your Employees are Losing Motivation

Management must understand the three sets of goals that the great majority of workers seek from their work - and then satisfy those goals. Employees who work for companies where just one of these factors is missing are three times less ...... . . . keep reading

24 tips to endear clients to your veterinary practice

All we hear about is the recession, declining client numbers, falling client visits, rising ACTs (average client transactions) pushing clients away and the emergence of frugal and savvy veterinary clients. Yet, some veterinary practices are thriving ..... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 051

In Episode 051 we'll see how to start a budget in your practice, we'll look at another social network website ideal for professionals like you and I'll show you the 60 Second Seminar for this episode. We'll ask whether 'common sense' or .... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 050

In Episode 050 show we'll consider the importance of engaging your employees in the business side of your practice using key indicators, I'll show you a tool which you can use to convert text into audio clips for your practice website and ...... . . . keep reading

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - July 2011

Budgets are a foreign concept in many small general practices. However, if you want to take your practice from good to great, you need to know the heartbeat of your practice. What profit centers generate the most income in your practice? What.... . . . keep reading

Job Descriptions - Why do I need to Write Them?

Drafting job descriptions requires time, effort and creativity. The focus needs to be on what the job requirements are to support your Practice's current needs and long-term objectives. Without a job description, it is not possible ...... . . . keep reading

The Ten Powerful Musts in Marketing

Whenever I meet a Veterinary Owner or a Vetpreneur the first question I ask is "how does your Marketing measure up"? Their usual response is that their Marketing Sucks! How about yours? If you are like most, Marketing is the last thing that you ...... . . . keep reading

Pricing Veterinary Services for Profit and Value

You can be at the top of your profession as a veterinarian, but still have a struggling practice if you don't make business and marketing operations top priorities. Studies show that far too few veterinarians understand that effective use of ...... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 049

In Episode 049 we'll learn how to make the most of feedback when delegating tasks in veterinary practice, I'll show you a very cost effective way of conducting a client survey and we'll consider whether you should aim to reach a point where your .... . . . keep reading

Veterinary Business Video Show - Episode 048

In Episode 048 we'll see how to de-mystify business budgeting, I'll show you a nifty business tool - one which I use almost every day and we'll ask whether seeking help is a sign of wisdom or weakness. We'll consider the link between attitude and business..... . . . keep reading

Practice Management News and Views from around the World - June 2011

UK Vets Profits Down. Martin Hall has very kindly sent me a copy of the May issue of 'in The Know - Veterinary', the regular newsletter prepared by Dodd and Co. The annual profits survey based on the accounts for their veterinary clients, reveals ..... . . . keep reading

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I have read the article “Do You Really Need More Clients?” and it is very enlightening. Well done for your pioneering approach to practice management. It is a pity more vets didn’t read and listen to you (David Finlay)

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Thank you very much for this great lecture, I really enjoyed it! I was also wondering what technology did you use to record such a long lecture? (the sound quality was also amazing)(Sandor Gal) Thanks Sandor - I used Powerpoint with iSpring Pro to add the commentary

I just had a quick look at your latest Webcast ("So you want be the boss?"). I found it great and very useful. You should give it to any vet thinking of becoming "the boss" anywhere in the world. In France, where around 75% of practitioners are either sole owners or partners (and at least two thirds of them are do-ers), it would be especially indicated. Congratulations and thank you. (Philippe Baralon)

50 Min Action Plan - extremely well done and highly pertinent to practices in the US (Wilson W McManus DVM)

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Like the music background John. Nice compilation of slides , zoom , narration as well - and keep up the good work in 2009 (David Finlay)

Hi John great clip but would be tonnes better as a pod cast or mp3 I could listen to in the car (Paul Proctor)

Your audio clip this month was particularly interesting. It is excellent news to hear that some management skills training is now on the veterinary school curriculum. I can't believe it's taken this long. It is well overdue. It was also sobering to hear how the student debt relates to earning potential. (Dave Cumber)

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'the latest video' - Great! As ever you remind us ogf the simple, basic things to get right. Not that we didn't know them already, just that when you're up to your arse in alligators it is sometimes difficult to remember that the intention was to drain the swamp! (Jerry Crick)

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'I like that video very much: excellent tips and well presented on video . Your clip certainly emphasises the power of video in getting the message across' (David Finlay)

Another very good little video tip John . It is amazing the difference a little smile can make to a consultation!. I certainly have found this recently, and keep pinching myself to keep that happy smile , no matter how lousy I actually feel. Keep them coming (David Finlay)

These seminars .. hope you have plans for another series … was particularly grateful for your time repeating sections (Wayne Gray)