Business

Is it reasonable to charge a holiday surcharge for boarding pets? Hotels charge more during holidays. I want to be fair to my clients, but I also want my clients to be fair to us!

Long before my father was born, the world must have marveled at the steam engine.

IIf my mental calculator is not askew, Caryn and I have just completed Veterinary Productivity's 350th in-house, on-site, out-of-town, hotel food AGAIN, practice productivity consultation. Each one of these veterinary entrepreneurs asked us to help improve their bottom lines. Oh, they said they wanted to streamline their services, make sure that they weren't missing any client service opportunities, yada yada yada. What they all really wanted was more money to play with at the end of each month just in case, however unlikely, they ever decided to retire.

The toughest professional decisions are made with compromise for practice owner Dr. Abby Snyder. She generally reduces the pile of medical charts on her desk by half before going home to her husband and daughter.

Surgical stapling equipment allows the small-animal surgeon to perform a variety of challenging abdominal surgical procedures more quickly and consistently than with conventional, hand-suturing techniques. This article will summarize the use of these devices.

Combining history with innovation is a hallmark of New England. And Gardner Animal Care Center pays homage to that tradition by building its modern, high-tech veterinary hospital adjacent to a 233-year-old restored Massachusetts farmhouse.

Ever wonder if there is just one customer satisfaction survey question that could accurately predict company growth? Consultant and author Frederick Reichheld spent two years researching that question, and published his findings in the Harvard Business Review.

On average, veterinarians say they would prefer to devote more time to personal activities than work.

What do I do with a relief veterinarian who doesn't stick to my fee schedule?

How much am I expected to contribute to my associates' retirement plans? Does this count as part of the compensation my associate earned based on production?

Your white coat holds timeless symbolism that reinforces your medical authority and recommendations to your clients.

The last client and patient left, the phone stopped ringing, and the day's receipts are tallied. It may seem like time to go home, but first you need to make sure your practice is protected.

Set a date for your associate's buy-in, then use this timetable for a smooth transition.

Of course, companies of every size are striving to attract and retain great people. Could you adapt any strategies from these giants in the realm of great employers?

Don't forget Web resources when advertising for a new veterinarian, says Lynette Ott, practice manager at Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital in Stroudsburg, Pa. Classified ads are expensive, so you want to limit the space you use-but you still want to provide potential associates with lots of information before they apply.

A three-ring binder in your lobby can be a valuable client-education tool, suggests Dr. Melisa Hicks of Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital in Long Beach, Calif.

I don't want to leave staff members jobless when I sell my practice. Can I include a clause in the contract requiring the buyer to retain my employees?

Looking to reduce your tax burden? Well, in 2004, you can expense up to $102,000 of new or used equipment purchases. A 50 percent bonus depreciation expense also is available in 2004, but it will expire at the end of this year unless congress extends the provision. Bonus depreciation applies to new equipment purchases and to leasehold improvements for those who own a practice but not the real estate.

When you are attending a conference paid for by your hospital, your goal should be to learn as much as you can to share with the rest of the team.

In recent articles I have talked about better recordkeeping and how to write a job description. Both of these topics have one thing in common: They require involvement from the entire hospital team.

Successful veterinary practices challenge themselves to grow and identify new ways to improve the quality of the veterinary healthcare they provide.

Most part-time employees don't qualify for health insurance, retirement, or other employee benefits. And you must offer fair and equivalent benefits to all team members, regardless of whether they're a new hire or a 15-year veteran at your reception desk. If you don't, you're asking for a discrimination case.

My treatment area is on the small side, and I wish I could give myself more space to work. Is there a better way to arrange my equipment and supplies so I'm not tripping over everything?

Recently, a veterinarian in the process of hiring a new practice manager asked me "What are the 10 things a practice manager needs to know to be effective?" What a great question! It took a little thinking to narrow the "must-know" list to just 10 items. But whether you're an owner-veterinarian, a practice manager, or the owner's managing spouse, I think you need to apply these strategies to manage the practice effectively.

You're a dedicated doctor. You spent eight years preparing for and enduring veterinary medical school. For the past six years as an associate, you've lived your dream.

How many hours should I schedule for my receptionists in relation to the number of veterinarians on staff?

Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital saves time and money by using a simple design for informational letters on such topics as flea and tick products or Pet Dental Health Month. The practice team uses a copy center to reproduce and tri-fold the letters on colored paper, says practice manager Lynette Ott. The single, tri-folded sheets don't need envelopes and can be mailed without taping or stapling, saving the practice time, labor, and money, she says. She offers these other simple tips.

Thinking of getting outside help to address your current challenge? A consultant can improve efficiency, organization, and practice profits. But to get the most for your money, you must find the right match by asking these four important questions.

Women now buy half of all practices sold in some parts of the country, and prospective women buyers are on the rapid rise nationwide. The Northeast, mid-Atlantic and the Southeast contain the largest concentration of female buyers, according to brokerage statistics, and national trends have begun to mirror the general doctor population, too.

What should I say when clients answer their cell phones during their pets' exams? I think they'd be irritated if I stopped exams to take personal calls.