VMC, Inc. Newsletter - August 2007

mark Big News! I am very pleased to announce that Sheila Grosdidier is now a partner in VMC, Inc. Sheila has been a consultant with VMC, Inc. since January 2002. If you've ever had the opportunity to work with her, you know how amazing she is. Sheila has been conducting on-site consultations, technology consultations, writing, lecturing and forcing me and VMC into the 21^st century of technology.

If you have ever heard me lecture on the subject of exit strategy or succession planning, you know how seriously I take partnership buy-ins. I always recommend you spend at least 3 to 5 years working with a person before you would offer a buy-in and you should treat the buy-in as a professional marriage.

We have been working on this buy-in for almost a year and it has also given me a better understanding of what my clients have to go through. I am thrilled and excited that Sheila is now a partner in VMC and consider myself truly blessed! Welcome partner, I look forward to an awesome partnership.

Mark Opperman
President, VMC Inc.

Let us hear from you - tell us what you'd like to see in future issues. You can contact us at vmc@vmc-inc.com

August Exam Room Tip

by Mary Ann Vande Linde, DVM

Successful Exam Room Communication -
A Continuing Series - Step 2

Greet the pet and pet owner when you come in the door. This will help put clients at ease. As you enter the exam room, shake hands, make eye contact and give your name slowly enough so the pet parent can hear you. Wear a white lab jacket with your name shown on your right side so they can see it as you talk with them. Go to their side of the exam table.

Welcome everyone to the exam room - pet parent, kids and the pet, by name. Watch voice tone so as to not overpower the client and instruct the client how to help and how the exam will go.

Remember to use key pieces of information from the history or Technician review to engage the client. For example, "I see that Petey has gained 10 pounds since we last saw him. You have done an excellent job with his recovery."

Make sure the client gets to express their concerns and interest.

(Next issue - "3. Diagnosis")

Why be a C.V.P.M. ?

Veterinary Practice Management has been a passion of mine for more than 20 years.I enjoy working with managers to enhance their practice's personnel, financial and organizational management structures. Having the opportunity to work with managers day in and day out keeps me motivated and excited about management for the veterinary industry.

Read On...

Minimum Wage Changes

(information from SHRM HR Voice)

The deadline has arrived for most U.S. employers to post the new Federal minimum wage increases that were recently signed into law by President George W. Bush. All workplaces subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage provisions are required by law to display the new rates in a conspicuous location beginning July 24, 2007 - the date of the first of three incremental increases in the Federal wage standard.

The U.S. Department of Labor has created a poster that explains the new minimum wage law to employees. Copies of the poster are available HERE and can be downloaded directly from the Labor Department's website.

This is the first increase in the Federal minimum wage since 1997. The new rate of $7.25 per hour will be phased in over 26 months according to the following timetable:

First increase - $5.85/hr, effective 7/24/07
Second increase - $6.55/hr, effective 7/24/08
Third increase - $7.25/hr, effective 7/24/09

August QuickBooks Tip

by Melody Mann Fox, CPA - Burzenski & Company, P.C.

What Release Number Are You On?

If you are currently using QuickBooks 2007, release 8 is now currently available as an automatic update. This release addresses over 70 individual issues. You can go to QuickBooks Support and click on What's New in Release 8 (R8) for more detail.

For more detailed instructions on how to check the current release of your QuickBooks program, Click Here .

Level I VMC School of Veterinary Practice Management VMC School Class

If you have not yet attended our school, now may be the time. Enrollment is open for the October 2007 Level I school to be held from October 29-November 2. Seating is limited and you must act soon to be included in this session. The VMC School of Veterinary Practice Management is a one-week, highly intensive training program for veterinary practice managers. We strive to teach practical practice management. You won't learn about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs but you will learn how to motivate your team and effectively delegate. The school is taught by individuals who have been where you are. They have practiced what they teach. Your instructors are Sheila Grosdidier, BS, RVT; Monica Dixon Perry, CVPM; Gary Glassman, CPA and Mark Opperman, CVPM. Experience five days of intensive training in all aspects of practical veterinary practice management in a room filled with motivated managers like yourself. Invest in your career and your practice. Registration is limited to 20 students per class to accomodate individual instruction. We hope to see you in October.

For More Information:

Online: VMC School

Email: ksmith@vmc-inc.com

Phone: 303-674-8169 - Kristine