Business

Here are the top 10 toughest parts of your job, in order, with advice for solving them from our Editorial Advisory Board.

Pet owner diversity calls for creative client service.

I think a lot of veterinarians see poor compliance because they ask clients to do things that are all but impossible. For example, say you're treating a dog that has a horrible ear infection, and you would need to manhandle the dog to get an ear drop in. And then you tell the client to give the dog three drops a day at home. The client can't do that.

More clients are complaining about their veterinary care because they expect more of you.

Owners and associates aren't on the same wavelength when it comes to team education. What's causing the divide?

Your clients look to you for medical knowledge-so give it to them.

According to a survey by BtoB, the average percentage of the marketing budget spent in 2008 on online marketing will be 33.8 percent, up from 26.5 percent in 2007.

Pets still need care even when times are tight.

When it comes to veterinary spending, the issue isn't clients' income level but how pets fit into their lives.

We veterinarians often, inadvertently, treat human patients.

It's hard to initiate task-sharing. But once you do, you'll never go back.

We educate clients about pet insurance by putting fliers in puppy and kitten kits because it's too late to offer to help defray the cost of treatment once a chronic condition is diagnosed. We direct clients to the brochure or to a pet insurance company Web site.

Don't be afraid to start planning now.

Boarding and retail are important revenue sources for some veterinarians. Others say no.

You wish more of your clients had pet insurance, but do you know enough to help clients get the information they need?

In a perfect world, boarding and grooming would be a great source of revenue. However, we don't live in the perfect world.

Strap in and hold on for the ride. We've just launched dvm360.com-and you're on board!

Boarding and grooming can be a great opportunity.

Overhiring can reduce the cost of turnover.

Technicians help you care for patients, but they could do more-if you'd let them.

Even if you haven't started yet, you can still set your eyes on the prize.

Maintaining balance in your life can be challenging with today's frenetic pace, but it's a goal well worth pursuing. Here's a way to do it.

Be wary of quick-fix marketing strategies. Even the most creative gimmicks often produce few or no results.

Here are 15 marketing tips that will yield results for your veterinary practice.

Different ethnic groups may share similar preferences, and learning them helps bond clients to your practice.

Veterinary diagnostic testing is a growth industry, experts say. Find out how you can better put it to work at your practice.

Here's inspiration and advice for those highs and lows.

How to keep pet owners happy might seem like a mystery. But it's not. Learn the secrets to putting a smile on every client's face.

A surprising number of principals in veterinary practices depend on themselves for their financing needs. With conventional financing increasingly more difficult to obtain, it's now the No. 1 form of financing used by small business owners. It's quick, doesn't require a lot of paper work and often is less expensive than conventional financing.

How many veterinary clinics are fully staffed, how many are hiring, and what positions are they filling? Plus: Overhiring-is it for you?