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 …
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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 …
Partnership to provide prescription home delivery service to pet ownersDecember 27, 2018LifeLearn Animal Health has integrated its WebDVM custom websites with Vetsource’s home delivery program to enable clients to make purchases through their veterinarian’s online store and have products shipped directly to their door.
A thriving relevant veterinary profession must include "roots" and "shoots"December 4, 2018While we stand “tall and sturdy” with a great root system of respect, trust, and relevance holding up the profession in general, and most practices specifically (given the small number of closures), we risk withering unless we also push out shoots in the form of new growth.
Two-way texting service available for veterinarians and pet ownersOctober 24, 2018VitusVet, a client communication company for veterinary practices, has added two-way text and picture messaging to its services available to practices across North America.
Breaking up is hard to doOctober 9, 2018The idea of owning and operating a veterinary practice with a 50-50 business partner can be pretty enticing. The two of you will share the financial burden, split the profits, and offer clients complementary professional services. You will become the closest of colleagues and the best of friends. And when difficult decisions need to be made, you will be each other’s trusted sounding boards.
How infographics boost veterinary practices' public relations and marketingSeptember 19, 2018Although infographics have been around for a while, many people aren't clear on what they are and how to use them. An infographic is a graphic display of data, information, facts, opinions, etc., intended to organize information in a visual, easy-to-digest manner to quickly and clearly help viewers understand the message. Often, infographics include photos, illustrations, statistics, and facts. Infographics actually have been around for centuries. No doubt you've seen them throughout your lifetime, you probably just didn't realize you were looking at one. One important infographic you likely encountered during your school years is the Periodic Table of Elements. Today, many businesses use infographics to share important information. They are ideal for the veterinary industry. Several of my Chicago-area clients used an infographic to help spread the word about the highly-contagious H3N2 Canine Influenza Virus when it first hit the United States in 2015. It was used by multiple veterinary clinics, local shelters, and news media, and was shared in print and via social media. It reached an estimated 100,000 people. This infographic was so popular that one of my colleagues discovered it at a local dog park. Someone, unknown to us, had likely come across the infographic …
Will death do you part?July 7, 2018There’s an underlying expectation among pet owners that veterinarians understand the human-animal bond is everlasting. As such, how a veterinarian handles this end-of-life process can determine the client’s future relationship with the practice.
Are small-town clinics on the way out?July 6, 2018Veterinary practice ownership, like the continental drift, is gradually moving and shifting across our time. The trend now points toward increased corporate ownership and practice consolidators, whereas previously there were more private, solo-owned practices.
Mission: Possible?July 5, 2018In the U.S., roughly 179 million households include pets. With the addition of 2.05 million U.S. farming operations and the millions of livestock being raised, the growing demand for veterinary services is a no-brainer.
