Ain't that the truth!!
Whether you are talking about tests, dates, or businesses, it isn't what you feel; it isn't what you think; it isn't what seems obvious; it is the results...
A "C" on a test
No kiss goodnight
Declining profits
There are results. They are measurable. They are real. They are tangible.
If the numbers that are being published are real results. They don't lie.
The veterinary profession is financially in a no growth phase and that is what the results are saying.
That doesn't mean your practice isn't growing. It just means that if yours is someone else isn't.
We can sugar coat what we want.
We can feces coat what we want.
The reality is, WHAT ARE YOUR RESULTS?
Are you seeing more clients than you would like to? Yes or No... No, well, we aren't but.... Either you are or you aren't or you have no clue.
Are you taking home as much money as you would like to? Yes or No... No,but.... Either you are or you aren't or you have no clue.
Are you doing as many lab profiles as you would like to? Yes or No... Kinda.... Either you are or you aren't or you have no clue.
Oh, you don't know your results?
Oh, you don't have any goals?
Oh, your version of a thermometer is a damp finger in the air that says, "it feels cooler today".
Come on, get with the program.
Stop with the gut feeling and get some real results to look at.
Stop sniffing the air and measure real results
Stop pretending you have goals and create real goals.
How was last month? It felt busy...well was it? how do you know?
Last year really sucked....Really? How sucky was it? What were your numbers?
If RESULTS DON'T LIE and your results are great...KEEP UP THE OUTSTANDING WORK and continue to work harder.
IF RESULTS DON'T LIE and your results are bad...how bad are they? What are you doing to improve them? Are you marketing or laying off staff? Are you upselling or closing early? Are you working smarter or suicidal.
IF RESULTS DON'T LIE and you don't have any measurable results...then you are lying!!
Take a look at 2009--real numbers
Take a look at 2010-- how do they compare
Identify the differences in the results. Identify solutions and implement. Don't just stand there...DO SOMETHING!!
If RESULTS DON'T LIE and you are have no results, you have no clue where you are; you have no clue where you are going; and you will have no clue when you get there.
Take a serious look at your practice. You are either in good shape and moving forward or you are not.
RESULTS DON'T LIE!!
But people do....
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Veterinary School
I thought long and hard before I decided what to write on. It is almost 25 years since I graduated from veterinary school. During that time the amount of clinical information and technical skills needed to be a world class practitioner has accelerated to 'warp' speed.
I don't know how the veterinary schools can complete in four years the same amount of "stuff' we learned a quarter century ago in four years. Maybe the fact that they can't is reflected in the over 40% of veterinary students that go on to Internships and Residencies. Maybe the fact that they can't is reflected in the fact that most new graduates have never performed a dog neuter on a living dog. Maybe that fact that they can't is reflected in the need for sometimes excessive diagnostic testing done by new graduates versus a great hands on physical exam.
Whatever it is, I have a nagging question that needs an answer.
Do veterinary schools choose their incoming class to be good veterinary students or good veterinarians?
That being asked, here is my opinion:
With veterinary medicine becoming more and more of an industry based upon communication and relationships as well as great clinical skills, the current admissions process does NOT take into consideration the well rounded individual who can both spay a cat and listen to a client's discussion of their pet's needs. Veterinary students are great. They have all of the best intentions. They have all of the best professors. They can identify a case of Dengue Fever and Leishmaniasis from a mile away. But can they manage a staff. Create a budget. Understand what marketing is. I do NOT blame the veterinary students for coming out of school with an "A" in trivial pursuit and a "C" in common sense. They aren't taught common sense or how to prevent 'foot in mouth' disease.
If the veterinary schools could start to select their students from a more rounded profile--work experience, letters of recommendation, outside interests, prospects to be a great veterinarian, not what is necessary to pass the curriculum.
Once in veterinary school, eliminate grades. Work on team testing. Teach how to work collaboratively. Group projects. Phone a friend stuff.
Help the students leave school eager to work with others rather than going from one competitive frying pan into another.
Create a future veterinary profession that works together solving our professions issues.
What do you think? Do the veterinary schools help the future of veterinary medicine or hinder it? What suggestions to you have to strengthen our profession going forward? If it works, then let's not worry about it...on the other hand....
Looking forward to your thoughts!!
I don't know how the veterinary schools can complete in four years the same amount of "stuff' we learned a quarter century ago in four years. Maybe the fact that they can't is reflected in the over 40% of veterinary students that go on to Internships and Residencies. Maybe the fact that they can't is reflected in the fact that most new graduates have never performed a dog neuter on a living dog. Maybe that fact that they can't is reflected in the need for sometimes excessive diagnostic testing done by new graduates versus a great hands on physical exam.
Whatever it is, I have a nagging question that needs an answer.
Do veterinary schools choose their incoming class to be good veterinary students or good veterinarians?
That being asked, here is my opinion:
With veterinary medicine becoming more and more of an industry based upon communication and relationships as well as great clinical skills, the current admissions process does NOT take into consideration the well rounded individual who can both spay a cat and listen to a client's discussion of their pet's needs. Veterinary students are great. They have all of the best intentions. They have all of the best professors. They can identify a case of Dengue Fever and Leishmaniasis from a mile away. But can they manage a staff. Create a budget. Understand what marketing is. I do NOT blame the veterinary students for coming out of school with an "A" in trivial pursuit and a "C" in common sense. They aren't taught common sense or how to prevent 'foot in mouth' disease.
If the veterinary schools could start to select their students from a more rounded profile--work experience, letters of recommendation, outside interests, prospects to be a great veterinarian, not what is necessary to pass the curriculum.
Once in veterinary school, eliminate grades. Work on team testing. Teach how to work collaboratively. Group projects. Phone a friend stuff.
Help the students leave school eager to work with others rather than going from one competitive frying pan into another.
Create a future veterinary profession that works together solving our professions issues.
What do you think? Do the veterinary schools help the future of veterinary medicine or hinder it? What suggestions to you have to strengthen our profession going forward? If it works, then let's not worry about it...on the other hand....
Looking forward to your thoughts!!
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