Business

As the world's largest economy faces recession and veterinarians brace for lags in client spending, cutting back on employee training might seem like a sure way to save a buck.

Ah, it is yet another New Year that brings joy to those who are preparing for the end of the current economic slowdown. (Yes, we can believe that the economy will rebound.)

"Where were you when the terrorist attacks occurred in September?" I imagine that question will come up often in the years to come, much as it does regarding the assassination of JFK or Pearl Harbor for previous generations. I think I will always remember being in the fitness room of my hotel in Vancouver, B.C., while attending the annual meeting of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

Medical lawsuits might be a declining trend if communications were strengthened between practitioner and client, says Thomas E. Harris, Ph.D., veterinary consultant and professor at the University of Alabama.

Editor's Note: The following companies and organizations are now offering some form of staff training in a specific area of veterinary medicine. (This is by no means meant to be an inclusive list, but rather a starting point for practices in need of training information.)

Violence in the workplace is a much greater threat to your hospital than most practitioners realize, experts say.

Employment manuals: Are they the glue that bonds the relationship between employer and employee? Or are they the grim reaper of future litigation?

VE board member reports from the trenches of 9/11.

Milwaukee - Republican veterinarian J.A. "Doc" Hines, DVM, who is running for the 42nd Assembly District of the Wisconsin legislature, says, let the debates begin.

Minnesota and Wisconsin state organizations are in the preliminary stages of teaming with dairy veterinarians to better define the best role and best practices dairy veterinarians should follow in dairy practice, following the recent passage of a Minnesota resolution.

Relationships fascinate me. They contribute much to the satisfaction and happiness we derive from life. They are also the source of much pain and sadness.

"It seems like he gets shot out of a cannon every morning, and then just starts running from that spot. He's a great vet, but he's just so busy it's hard to get him to do anything that's not an emergency."

"It doesn't make any difference. I'll soon be out of business anyway."?This statement came in response to a suggestion I made to a client while still in practice. I was surprised. The person speaking was a friend as well as a client, and I knew he ran a profitable operation. He was usually upbeat and optimistic, but this morning there was irritation in his voice.

It is time to go to work. You have been in school for nearly eight years and within a few months you will receive your veterinary degree and become a licensed veterinarian. Naturally you are eager to find a job. After all, you have devoted most of your time and effort toward reaching this goal.

Keep money in your hospital by adopting this subtle marketing strategy--and give clients the service they expect and pets the care they need.

These proven strategies will help your practice make more money--and offer better client and patient care