Today we’re chatting about the manager role and the diverse pathways that lead individuals to this position. While practices are increasingly hiring managers from outside the organization, internal promotions are still frequent and possible and play a significant role in shaping leadership teams. Without debating the pros and cons of how we find managers, today we are discussing that transition from co-worker to manager. By gaining insight into the challenges and establishing a solid starting point, we can prepare new managers to succeed in their role. Joining today is Andrea Cruz. Andrea is a ..read more

Welcome back to another insightful episode as we continue our journey into detoxifying teams and fostering a more compassionate workplace culture. Today, we're delving into the vital topic of developing compassion within ourselves and our teams, or what today’s guest likes to call “Compassion Management.” Let's face it: compassion isn't always a natural trait, especially in fast-paced environments like veterinary hospitals. It's all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, directing orders without truly connecting with our team members. But our guest today, Rebecca Fox, a seasoned C ..read more

In today's episode, we're talking all about emotional intelligence, a term that often gets thrown around but is frequently misunderstood. It's not just about raw intellect; instead, it's intertwined with how we navigate relationships and environments. In the veterinary world, where patient care and client service are paramount, understanding the role of emotional intelligence is crucial. Joining us is Rob Best, a seasoned CVPM with a background in Business and Organizational Communication. Having worn every hat in the hospital except DVM, Rob now leverages his expertise to help leaders enhance ..read more

Today’s topic has been buzzing around the industry lately – spectrum of care. You've probably heard various opinions on this matter, but what exactly does it mean, and is it just another passing trend? Does it mean that there’s just one good way to do it or should plans be customized? Joining the podcast today is Beth Fritzler, a DVM and CVPM in Seattle. With years of experience under her belt and a passion for personalized pet care, Beth is here to shed light on why tailored treatment plans are the way to provide care to as many animals as we can. From understanding the importance of flexibil ..read more

Welcome back to the VHMA Manager to Manager Podcast. Today, we're delving into a topic that might seem a bit "fluffy" at first glance but holds immense importance for veterinary practices: interior and exterior design. It's time to explore how the aesthetics of your practice can actually impact your clients' perceptions as well as the surprising marketing tool it can become. Joining us is Mary Kim, a hospital administrator for a family practice in California, who brings a unique blend of business and interior design expertise to the table. Mary's journey from business school to managing a vete ..read more

Welcome to today's episode, where we learn the ins and outs of navigating financial reports. For practice managers, understanding the numbers that drive your practice is essential for making informed decisions and ensuring financial success. Most managers have a favorite report, budget, profit and loss statement, KPI, etc. while others just go by a checking balance that “looks good.” Whatever your favorite report is, they are all important and as our guest today says, “Every report has a story to tell.” Joining us today is Mira Johnson, a certified public accountant (CPA) and CVPM, who brings ..read more

Welcome to an insightful episode about the power of community involvement in veterinary practices! In today's society that searches for connections, traditional marketing models just don't cut it anymore. People want to engage with businesses that share their values and actively contribute to their communities. That's where participating in local events and community projects comes into play. From supporting local sports teams to getting involved in people-helping-people initiatives, the benefits of community engagement for veterinary practices are vast and tangible. Join us as we dive into th ..read more

In this episode, we tackle the critical topic of safety and security, emphasizing the manager’s responsibility in ensuring employee well-being. We can’t prevent every issue, but we can certainly be vigilant in order to minimize the risk. Violence can come from many sources both internally and externally and while crime in the veterinary world has been on the rise, our education and training about security measures hasn’t kept up.  Our guest, Kim Mackey, CVPM, shares her unique perspective as a parole supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and a part-time receptionist in ..read more

So many of our goals and policies are set to address some conflict or incident that boils down to a simple miscommunication issue. The diversity of a team means that individuals have different personal histories and trigger points for conflicts and problem solving. Managers are not always trained to work on that kind of communication fix, meaning that managers also get pulled right into the middle of it. So, today we’re talking to Yvette Carnot to work on skills to deal with this common problem. Yvette has been in the veterinary world for 20 years. Her passion started as a drive to help pets a ..read more

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked goal for reputation management, urging listeners to set specific goals for improving their practice's reputation in the upcoming year. While financial considerations usually dominate goal setting at the start of a new year, there are internal strategies that can maximize the strengths of a practice. Client care and efficiency go a long way in improving how the practice is seen externally. It can be easy for a team to spiral after a negative review which causes us to lose sight of the positive ones.  Today’s guest is Alex Brannon, a CVPM and ..read more