• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Human resources mistakes and how to fix them (Proceedings)

October 1, 2008
Louise S. Dunn

Have you ever been asked, "Why re-create the wheel?" It's a valid question and one that you should always keep in mind when it comes to business.

Have you ever been asked, "Why re-create the wheel?" It's a valid question and one that you should always keep in mind when it comes to business. In today's session we will look at solutions to common challenges.

To help practitioners recognize and proactively address five common human resources mistakes and provide tools and strategies to address or even avoid them.

  • Effective human resources are necessary for a successful business, but it doesn't have to be a necessary evil.

  • A proactive approach to our team member's development will increase profitability and foster an energized, productive work environment.

  • Recognizing and avoiding common mistakes will set you up for success.

1. Approaching the subject of human resources and team building as a negative force.

Solution: Focus on what is working well and then compare to what isn't. The use of the AI Process is key. Management experts have long counseled business owners throughout a range of industries to utilize the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) process or theory in evaluating and implementing organizational change. It's a great tool that you can use to help you identifiy strengths among your hospital team members and build upon them.

Advertisement

What is AI? In a nutshell, it's an idea that encourages you to build upon your business around what works rather than tyring to fix what doesn't. Through the AI process, you'll empower your team members by recognizing each individual's strengths and unique skills. This helps you identify key areas in which they excel so that you can make personnel adjustments accordingly.

For example, let's say that your lead receptionist is great with details and is an organizaitonal whiz. However, she may lack in interpersonal skills — or not come across as a "people person." This really isn't the type of person you want meeting and greeting clients as they come through your door. So maybe you should consider moving this person into a practice manager role where she's still minding all the key business details but not interacting with the public so much.

During this session, you'll learn about the key components of the AI process, how you can utilize them, and what you can expect as far as positive change for your business.

2. Overlooking those moments to excite your team members about veterinary medicine.

Solution: Create a practice culture, much like a brand. Clue your team in on the big picture.

Use teachable moments to build your practice. Ken Blanchard who wrote the One Minute Manager says you need to catch people doing things right. In fact he recommends spending an hour a week on this mission.

3. Not realizing adults learn and handle conflict differently.

Solution: Learn how to identify and use different tools for better communication and effectiveness.

Once you can identify them they will improve not only internal communication but interaction with your clients.

4. Not only underutilizing team members' assets, but often not even recognizing those assets in the first place.

Solution: Encourage personal and professional growth. Examples: Pair an idea generator and a detail-oriented person on a project rather than two idea people who might overlook the details. Develop individual niches, such as encouraging a technician to become the go-to dental person, etc.

5. Don't have clear expectations, standards (SOPs), job descriptions and accountability.

Solution: Standard operating procedures tell your team exactly what their jobs entail, the performance level and professionalism you expect, and the reasons behind the business decisions you make. With everyone one the same page and working toward the same practice goals, you become a unified force for excellence. There are differences between a SOP and a job description. However you must understand both and have both for your business.

Definitions

1. Job Description

Answers "What am I supposed to do?"

  • List of tasks

  • Answers:

2. Standard

Answers: "How am I supposed to do this?"

  • Level of performance or quality

  • Can apply to tasks in the job description OR stand alone

  • Standards and descriptions may overlap

It is important for realize effective human resources is essential to practice success. We need to embrace and not run from, this responsibility. Recognizing common pitfalls and how to avoid them will enhance practice branding and team building.

Related Content:

Personnel Management
Veterinary-owned management companies: Why not?
Veterinary-owned management companies: Why not?
How to be the practice of choice
How to be the practice of choice
Why difficult conversations are the most important ones to have
Why difficult conversations are the most important ones to have

Advertisement

Latest News

3 Must-sees from the Fetch Charlotte conference

Morris Animal Foundation appoints new chief program officer

CDC issues warning over cat-transmitted sporotrichosis

An AI solution is speeding up insurance claims processing

View More Latest News
Advertisement