Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The VetPractice Playbook
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The VetPractice Playbook
The VetPractice Playbook episodes
- EP27 - Building an Org Chart That Actually Works for Your Veterinary Practice
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
If everyone on your team reports to you (or worse, no one knows who to report to) your practice has an organizational structure problem. In this episode, we're breaking down one of the most overlooked tools in veterinary practice management: the organizational chart.
We cover what an org chart actually is (and isn't), how communication flow and pecking orders can make or break your team culture, and the common pitfalls practice owners fall into when they skip this step entirely. We also dig into how org charts intersect with staffing, hiring, and managing gaps... so you're not constantly putting out fires when someone leaves.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:37 Organizational Charts & Pitfalls
03:33 What is an Organizational Chart?
05:04 Communication Flow and Pecking Orders
08:26 Staffing, Hiring, and Managing Gaps
12:34 Career Paths, Leadership, and Small Clinic Scaling
19:43 Where to Start in Putting Your Own Org Chart Together
25:58 Outro27 min - EP26 - How Unplanned Absences Are Quietly Destroying Your Vet Practice (And What to Do About It)
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
Every veterinary practice owner knows the feeling... it's a packed Thursday, and Tommy just called in. Again. Absenteeism is one of the most frustrating, financially draining, and culturally corrosive challenges in veterinary medicine, and yet most clinics are trying to manage it without a real policy in place.
In this episode of The VetPractice Playbook, we dig into the full absenteeism conversation; from understanding the difference between planned and unplanned absences, to why veterinary medicine's high-pressure environment makes this problem uniquely complicated, to what it actually looks like to build and enforce a policy that sticks.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:38 Absenteeism in the Clinic
03:50 Planned vs Unplanned Absences
05:28 Defining "Excessive" Absenteeism
07:29 What are the driving forces of Absenteeism?
12:07 HR Perspective
14:00 Skills vs Reliability
17:54 Step-by-Step Attendance Policy
20:33 Managing Single Offenders & Launching a Policy Reset
25:32 Summary/Outro27 min - EP25 - 5 Crucial Conversations Every Veterinary Leader Needs to Have
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
In this episode of The VetPractice Playbook, we dive into one of the most uncomfortable — yet essential — parts of veterinary leadership: having difficult conversations. Whether it’s addressing compensation concerns, managing poor performance, confronting negativity, protecting clinic culture, or setting boundaries to prevent burnout, avoiding these conversations often creates bigger problems for teams and practices alike.
We break down why so many veterinary leaders hesitate to have these discussions, the hidden costs of avoidance, and how unresolved tension can slowly impact morale, accountability, and workplace culture. Most importantly, we share practical ways to approach tough conversations with clarity, confidence, and empathy so leaders can create healthier teams and stronger clinics.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:44 The Cost of Avoiding Crucial Conversations
05:01 Conversation #1: Pay and Compensation
11:38 Conversation #2: Performance Management
14:40 Conversation #3: Attitude and Negativity
19:41 Conversation #4: Clinic Culture
22:49 Conversation #5: Boundaries and Burnout
24:41 Outro26 min - EP24 - Why Veterinary Managers Should Stop Doing Tech Work
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
In this episode of The VetPractice Playbook, we tackle a challenge that quietly impacts countless veterinary clinics: managers and practice owners getting pulled into technician work. While stepping in may feel helpful in the moment, it often comes at the expense of leadership, strategy, and long-term clinic growth.
We discuss why so many veterinary leaders fall into this pattern, the hidden operational and financial costs it creates, and how role confusion can keep practices stuck in reactive mode. Most importantly, we walk through a practical solution: conducting a simple time audit to uncover where your energy is really going and how to start reclaiming time for true leadership responsibilities.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:13 Stop Doing Tech Work
05:51 Impact on the Team
07:41 The Hidden and Financial Cost
10:10 What If The Work Doesn't Get Done?
12:10 Importance of Role Clarity
14:40 Fixing the Problem with Time Audits
18:51 Outro20 min - EP23 - 4 Content Ideas Any Clinic Can Use For Social Media
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
Struggling to figure out what to post on your clinic’s social media? You’re not alone and the good news is, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to show up consistently and effectively.
In this episode, we break down 4 simple, proven content ideas that any veterinary clinic can start using right away... no complicated strategy or big production required. Whether you’re a solo doctor, a growing multi-doctor practice, or somewhere in between, these ideas are designed to help you connect with pet owners, build trust, and stay top-of-mind in your community.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:07 Avoiding the "Post and Ghost"
05:32 Negative Reviews and Comments
08:31 Content Idea #1: Asking Staff Unhinged Questions
13:17 Content Idea #2: The Pet's Perspective
14:45 Content Idea #3: Exam Room Improv
15:59 Content Idea #4: Filming Real Appointments
18:25 Cameras vs Smartphones
21:00 Outro22 min - EP22 - What Pet Owners Actually Want To See On Your Social Media
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
Are your veterinary clinic’s social media posts falling flat? You’re not alone. In this episode of The VetPractice Playbook, we break down what pet owners actually want to see on your social media and why most veterinary practices are missing the mark.
If you’ve ever wondered why your engagement is low, why new clients aren’t finding you, or why posting feels like a waste of time, this conversation will change how you approach content entirely. The truth is, successful veterinary social media isn’t about posting more. It’s about posting with purpose and building trust before clients ever walk through your doors.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:38 Social Media Struggles
03:18 The Biggest Misconception in Vet Clinic Social Media
06:03 Showcasing Core Values and Clinic Identity
08:45 Getting Started on Social Media
11:51 Coming Up With Ideas for Content
15:52 Don't Bash the Pet Owners
19:00 Closing Points
20:25 Outro21 min - EP21 - The Veterinary KPIs Every Practice Needs to Track for Growth and Profitability
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
In this episode, we break down the numbers that truly drive success in veterinary practice and why relying on financial guesswork can quietly hold your clinic back.
From average transaction charge to compliance rates, we walk through five essential key performance indicators (KPIs) every veterinary team should be tracking consistently. These metrics aren’t just numbers on a report. They’re powerful tools that shape better decisions, improve patient care, and create a more efficient, profitable practice.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about your numbers or wondered what you should be paying attention to, this episode is your starting point.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:00 Dangers of Financial Guesswork
05:47 Why Do KPI's Matter?
08:53 KPI #1: Average Transaction Charge
11:27 KPI #2: Transaction Count (Visits Per Day)
14:36 KPI #3: Revenue Per Doctor
17:26 KPI #4: Compliance Rates
18:26 KPI #5: Labor Costs Percentage
20:13 Common Mistakes to Avoid
23:27 Outro25 min - EP20 - The 4 Moments That Define Every Veterinary Client Experience
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
In this episode, we break down the four key moments that define the veterinary client experience and how each one can make or break client trust, compliance, and long-term loyalty.
From the first impression at check-in to the exam room experience, checkout and financial conversations, and post-visit follow-up, every touchpoint matters more than you think. Small gaps in communication or workflow can lead to lost clients, decreased revenue, and lower satisfaction scores.
Whether you’re a veterinarian, practice owner, or veterinary team member, this episode will help you identify opportunities to improve your client journey and create a more consistent, high-quality experience.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:30 Why Client Experiences Matter
08:12 Key Moment 1 - First Impressions
13:03 Key Moment 2 - Exam Room Experience
16:07 Key Moment 3 - Checkout and Finances
18:49 Key Moment 4 - After the Visit
26:05 Summary and Outro30 min - EP19 - Fixing Team Issues vs System Failures (The Gapology Framework)
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
If your veterinary practice feels stuck, whether it’s missed charges, team tension, or constant frustration, it might not be the people… it might be the system.
In this episode, we break down one of the most common (and costly) mistakes practice owners make: misdiagnosing problems. Are you dealing with a “difficult” team member, or is your system setting them up to fail? Using the powerful Gapology Framework, we walk through how to identify where breakdowns are actually happening and what to do about them.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
03:10 Identifying the Problem: People or Systems?
03:57 Pitfalls of Misdiagnosis
04:24 The "Gapology" Framework
05:29 Practical Example of Missing Charges
07:25 When Leadership is the Problem
09:23 Five Questions Before Labeling Someone "Difficult"
11:11 How Can You Tell If the System is the Problem?
16:33 Outro18 min - EP18 - How to Give Better Feedback in Veterinary Teams
Send us a question to be featured on the podcast!
In this episode, we break down why feedback often feels awkward, how to set clear expectations with your staff, and what separates ineffective criticism from truly impactful communication.
You’ll learn practical strategies to improve your leadership skills, including the power of the 10-to-1 feedback ratio, common mistakes to avoid, and how modeling the right behavior can transform your clinic culture. Whether you're a practice owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this episode will help you build trust, improve team performance, and create a healthier workplace.
Free Resources On Our Website: https://vetpracticepro.com/
Join Our Free Circle Community: https://tinyurl.com/2rh95fv5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetpracticepro/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vetpracticepro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VetPracticePro
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
02:30 Why Feedback is Uncomfortable
03:46 Setting Feedback Expectations
08:46 10-to-1 Ratio & What to Avoid
10:15 Modeling Good Leadership Behavior
12:45 Best Practices for Better Feedback
16:03 Outro17 min
About The VetPractice Playbook
From the publisher's feed
The VetPractice Playbook is your weekly game plan for building, leading, and scaling a successful veterinary practice. Designed specifically for practice owners, managers, and aspiring leaders,…
this podcast from VetPracticePro dives into the real-world challenges of ownership—from team leadership and operations to growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability—so you can run a more efficient, profitable, and purpose-driven clinic.
Join host Dr. Emily King alongside Jon and Cayla Bittles and Richie King every Wednesday at 9:00 AM EST as they break down the realities of practice ownership, share practical, actionable strategies, and equip you with the tools to lead your team effectively, enhance the client experience, protect your time and wellbeing, and build a practice—and a career—you’re proud to own.