The watchword in this recession is less. Clients spend less, and our bottom line takes a nosedive. We clearly need to provide for ourselves and our staff by lowering expenses.

Every practice, whatever its size, needs a strong, reliable manager to oversee associates and staff. Once trained, he or she should have a relatively free hand to deal with all management problems as they arise.

Violate the 5-to-7 ratio at your risk. That is the ratio between a veterinary practice's gross revenue and the cost of paraprofessional staff. Anything outside that ratio is bad for the practice.

There's nothing unethical about trying to increase average client transactions.

Tough talk is the basis of my column. And it's especially needed as our struggling economy flops around like a newly caught fish in the bottom of your boat.

Brace yourselves. Sometime this summer, coming to an area near you, will be the new graduate.

How do you determine the percentage that goes into a production-based pay contract for an associate?

Our immediate future is about 80 watts short of bright.

It's Monday morning, and only three clients came in.