• Hero 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
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
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
Buying or Selling a Practice
Hospital Design
Leadership & Personal Growth
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Technology
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Live Conferences
Conference News
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
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.

The VHMA Files: Be a fly on the wall

May 31, 2014
Christine Shupe

Veterinary managers speak frankly about what they would like to say to practice owners.

Candid conversations between practice managers and owners are hard—and rare. The VHMA designed and administered the No Baloney Survey to get to the heart of the unspoken issues that may affect working relationships.

(GETTY IMAGES/OWEN LLOYD)

The VHMA analyzed 513 responses from anonymous respondents—425 practice managers and 88 practice owners—and posed one key question: What would you like to say to your practice owner or manager but don't know how to? Respondents could select from 14 options or write in responses.

Advertisement

Owners: chew on this

Managers' No. 1 unspoken concern is equal treatment. Managers wanted practice owners to understand that when they fail to follow and enforce practice policies and procedures among all employees, they undermine their managers' effectiveness. About 40 percent of the manager respondents shared this concern.

Many managers also expressed worries that their practice owners don't value their contributions to the practice. Comments such as, "I feel unappreciated" and "You don't pay me enough" underscore the importance of positive reinforcement and active listening to maintain good owner and manager relationships.

Food for thought

Another key point: 28 percent of managers reported that they failed to share positive comments with owners,

saying, "I don't think I thank you, the practice owner, enough for all your support." Thirty-seven percent would like to say, "Thank you for creating an environment where I enjoy working."

Twenty-three percent of managers were concerned that the owner's commitment to the practice was weak. They expressed their frustration with comments like, "I feel this clinic is not that important to you," "You need to run the business as a business" and "Sometimes you are so uninvolved in the business it makes it difficult."

Despite some grumblings, overall the responses paint a favorable picture of the working relationship between managers and owners. Managers appreciate owners' efforts to create a positive work setting but would like owners to treat all team members in a consistent manner. Managers take their responsibilities seriously and believe that owners should exhibit the same commitment.

Next month, we'll share what practice owners would like to share with their managers.

Christine Shupe, CAE, is the executive director of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. The association is dedicated to serving professionals in veterinary management through education, certification and networking.

Related Content:

Practice Manager
VHMA announces new toolkit for practice operation issues
VHMA announces new toolkit for practice operation issues
5 pearls for recruiting veterinary employees
5 pearls for recruiting veterinary employees
Cardinal rules for building effective communication
Cardinal rules for building effective communication

Advertisement

Latest News

Second annual 'Dog Days of Summer' adoption event to take place in Michigan

The Vets expands to Columbus, Ohio

The ElleVet Project to launch summer veterinary mobile relief tour

Morris Animal Foundation announces fellowships

View More Latest News
Advertisement