Note to All Practice Managers – You’ve Got to Know the Numbers

One of the most effective methods to successfully manage a practice is by utilizing industry benchmarks. What are industry benchmarks, you may ask? A benchmark by definition is a point of reference from which measurements may be made or something that serves as a standard by which others may be measured or judged. Luckily for us and especially for small animal practices, we have easily obtainable benchmarks and reference points to help us manage our practices...

We just finished the second HR Boot Camp, this is a new seminar developed by VMC, Inc. to help practice owners and managers with the ever-increasing complexity of personnel management. The seminars were a smashing success! The day and one-half program will be expanded to two full days by request of those attending and even more information will be covered. A highlight of the seminar is the networking sessions where managers can talk to other managers as well as to the speakers. We are planning to schedule more of these HR Boot Camps before the end of the year. Watch for the dates to be announced in upcoming newsletters and on our website.

One of the many things that attendees learned at the Boot Camp was the importance of updating your employee procedures manual. When was the last time you updated yours? Sheila Grosdidier just completed her HR certification and the information she has come back with is amazing. Do you have a drug free workplace policy established within your practice? How about a policy on internet usage or sexual harassment? When was the last time you updated your employee health care benefit or veterinary care benefit? There are many laws and regulations—do you know where to go to keep up with all of these? If you have not reviewed your employee procedures manual within the past year, I strongly suggest you do. If you don’t have a drug free workplace policy in place and you don’t require drug testing on all your new hires, where are people with a drug problem going to apply? That’s right, to your practice! Update your employee procedures manual and make sure you and your practice are providing appropriate benefits and protection to your practice and your health care team members.

The Importance of Team Meeting Agendas

To make your meeting successful, start with a useful agenda that will help you stay on point and ensure you cover the important topics. Include the date, time and location of your meeting in the heading.


Here are six agenda items that are useful in creating an effective agenda:

1. Announcements - General information and news. Does not require any discussion
2. Customer Service Report - Results of surveys, any metrics you are tracking. If discussion gets too off topic, ask a member to suggest a discussion topic for New Business Area
3. Old Business (tabled from last meeting) - This would include any reports from committees.
4. New Business - Ideally these topics have been suggested in advance. Make sure you get through agenda items first before taking new ones from the floor. If discussion is going too long, consider tabling or having a group of members to research and make a recommendation
5. Educational Topic - Suggest that there be some topic each meeting. It could be a procedure review, new product, even a team building exercise!
6. Date for next meeting