A good decision (Sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health)

Index cards

We use a packet of multi-colored, neon bright 3" x 5" index cards in our practice to organize and direct workflow with our client folders. A chosen card is paper-clipped to the outside of the file on top of the opened chart. Needed action is identified at a glance and set into motion immediately. No file sits around unidentified or lost in its action cycle. It is immediately directed to the appropriate person to speed up its processing. Incredible time is saved by not having to locate files, figure out what is next, or determine who needs to have the file to complete their related job. The cards simply demand action and cannot be missed. It is visual task simplicity in the easiest form we have ever experienced!

David Hayes, DVM

Equine Hospital and Lameness Center

Meridian, Idaho

Lit sign

For my busy mixed animal practice, a well-placed lit sign with a reader board was my best investment. The reader board is changed regularly, announcing seasonal specials and new services. It is our most inexpensive, well-used advertising tool.

Connie Schmidt, DVM

Lebanon Animal Hospital

Lebanon, Ore.

Quality time

My best business investment has been time communicating with clients: listening to them, hearing them, talking to them, remembering them. Most of all, answering their calls!

Yes, I do consider this an investment because I am not a true "people" person, and I hope my clients never learn that. I want each client to think I care about his or her horses more than anyone else's. The payoff has been in the trust clients have that I choose the best programs and treatments for their horse and their situation.

Ruth V. Sobeck, DVM

Palos Verdes, Calif.

Acupuncture

The best investment I have made for my practice is integrating acupuncture and herbal formulas with traditional western veterinary medicine. If the client agrees, I plan the usage of eastern and western medicine. The results have been amazing. Briefly stated, traditional western veterinary medicine treats the excess patterns, such as fever and tumors, and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine treats the underlying root deficiency, such as colic, laminitis, hives, or insulin resistance. If the underlying root deficiency is not treated, often the problem reoccurs or worsens. My patients typically recover better, my clients are happier, and the check is in the mail! ?

Joan Winter, DVM

Simi Valley, Calif.

Partners In Practice is brought to you by Intervet and offers equine practitioners tools for financial success. The editors welcome submissions, suggestions, and questions. To reach us, write Partners In Practice, Editorial Office, 8033 Flint, Lenexa, KS 66214; e-mail partnersinpractice@intervet.comor call (800) 255-6864, ext. 3852. Copyright 2008 by Intervet Inc., 29160 Intervet Lane, Millsboro, DE 19966. Reproduction without prior permission from Intervet is prohibited.