Friday, May 29, 2009

Wish I had learned this years ago...

"When I took a first look at the study skills for life, I thought I would breeze through it because it was written in such a simplistic way! I now understand that even though I have a good vocabulary I misunderstand very basic words and this has affected how I communicate. I look forward to getting back to the clinic and putting this new information into practice with the employees. Wish I had learned this years ago.”

Hollie Seymour, Senior Tech
James River Animal Hospital
Study Skills for Life

Turn the Plan and Vision into Reality....


"The Planning and Policy Addendum was an incredible course. This course enabled me to visualize the ideal scene for my practice. With that vision in mind, I was able to write a strategic plan to see the vision more clearly. Then I was able to write a program to help turn the plan and vision into reality. Wow!"

Dr. Robert Burgess, DVM and Practice Owner

God's Creatures Animal Clinic

Planning and Policy Addendum

Saturday, May 16, 2009

This program quickly got my staff knowing where the clinic was going...

“This program quickly got my staff knowing where the clinic was going. They all got to see a little better how the hierarchy is laid out. It helped to differentiate some of the jobs specialties as well as where things overlap. It was a good opportunity to talk about our purpose as well as what they contribute day to day to help us to have happy clients with healthy pets.

“It has helped to organize our training manuals (a work still in progress). Going through this gives us a little better ground of what to train new staff first.

“This program also let me see how many things I do and gave me a nudge to try to turn some of these things over to other people. Not having a Director of Admin while doing this was difficult, but I can see how important it is to get the right person in that position. I look forward to filling the open positions on my organizing board and getting more off my plate.”
Dr. Laura Pampreen, Basic Organization

It is the backbone needed to maintain a team...

“This is an excellent course and I plan to have all my employees take it as soon as possible. It is the backbone needed to maintain a team, with everyone understanding what their jobs and responsibilities are.”
Dr. Robin Woodley, Basic Hat for Employees

Practice Tip 21: Positive Attitude

A positive attitude beats a recession every time...

This may seem odd to some of you but there are practices which are actually expanding by 20% - 40% during the current recession. On close examination you’ll find that common amongst these practices is not luck or “being in the right location” but something much more basic. You’ll find that it’s the owners and their positive attitudes. Success does not always come easy for anyone and in actual fact requires some elbow grease, determination and tenacity towards a goal. Let’s compare this to a couple of other accomplished public figures. Abraham Lincoln was not without his challenges, but he left a legacy that survives today. To quote, “… The difference between history’s boldest accomplishments and it’s most staggering failures is often, simply, the diligent will to persevere.”
Thomas Edison, the grandfather of the iPod (Edison invented the first portable music on demand system for the common people - the gramophone), after 2000 attempts and numerous attempts on his life (suspected of by the gas companies) created the lighting system still in use today. So what do great people that run great countries or great companies or great practices have in common? Their focused tenacity towards survival and winning the game of business ownership.
So next time when the recession gets you down:
1. Shut off the news. It does not reflect what is going on. There’s still lots of pet-owning clients out there that need your help and are willing to pay…
2. Scan your attitude for any non-productive negativity and ditch it! Fast...
3. Set a goal for the week. No matter how bad things look, a good goal acts like a beacon to set your sights on. Align your staff around it.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

It was such a relief to see that someone really understood the concerns of a practice owner...

"It was such a relief to see that someone really understood the concerns of a practice owner. As a brand new practice owner the first webinar gave a lot of hope that we could actually learn how to properly manage our practice and not have to grovel for years trying to figure out a system on our own."
Dr. Bob Jackowiak, Webinar Success Story

“Study Skills for Life” is great at reinforcing how important it is to fully understand each and every part of the material you are studying...

“'Study Skills for Life' is great at reinforcing how important it is to fully understand each and every part of the material you are studying. It is very easy to overlook one part that you do not fully understand and continue, but this causes great problems further down the line, problems that could be easily avoided if you had taken the time to understand the tricky part straight away. I can definitely think of times when I have fallen into this trap. This was the perfect course to start on.”
Alex McKenzie, Study Skills for Life

Saturday, May 2, 2009

This program has helped me realize what activities will work and how to better use those activities to grow business at my practice...

"The program has helped me realize what activities will work and how to better use those activities to grow business at my practice. For example, the use of surveys to help identify client buttons for use in clinic advertising. That advertising needs to not be educational, but get the client to call for an appointment to further address the needs triggered by the button. It has also helped me understand that advertising methods need to concentrate on what works and to keep doing what works.
Initially the quantity of the advertising will be most important with very little to no formal training in business management and promotion prior to this. I have a better understanding of some of the concepts I can take home and make use of. I also see there is a wealth of information on these topics that I need to learn and incorporate to make my business successful and thrive.
I really think the promotional ideas I am taking back to my practice will help me grow rapidly."
Dr. David Lindquist, Power Team Builder

"I feel better with clever and smoother ways...."

“This course will help me as I am discussing things with clients in exam rooms. I feel better with clever and smoother ways of ending conversation, politely, and therefore allowing more efficiency and continued work flow in the practice.”
Dr. Karen Spikes, Improving Business through Communication