The veterinary industry is wrought with unpredictable evolutions and developments!  No one could have predicted COVID or how it would have affected the vet space, nor could anyone predict the ever-changing landscape in which we now find ourselves.  The pandemic (pre, during, and post) challenged the veterinary space from every angle.

The ever-changing silver bullet in veterinary practices.  What is the “quick fix” or “silver bullet?”  There’s a delicate strategic balance between handling immediate problems with quick solutions and applying long-term strategic relief.  “Easy button” solutions often come at a huge cost to veterinary practices.

Change can be frightening and uncomfortable in any capacity.  But, as vets, we are groomed from the first days of our education to be perfectionists and change works counter to that.  Paralysis and risk aversion are huge obstacles to change.  Accepting failure is absolutely critical to the growth process.

Pulled levers in veterinary!  Everyone practice or hospital has a set list of KPIs and monitoring points that need to be looked at regularly (or constantly) whether in the startup phase or well-established business phase.  When do you need to grow, solidify your defenses, and restructure?  HINT: Strategic planning plays a critical role!

VC (Venture Capital) and PE (Private Equity) are two of many new acronyms that have become part of the veterinary vocabulary. Unlike acronyms like TPR, ADR, VCPR, these initials are a direct reflection on the economic environment impacting companion animal veterinary practices. Never in the history of the veterinary profession has so much money been invested by NOT-veterinarians in the ownership of veterinary practices. Both US and International investors have identified the small animal clinical practice as a target for acquisition and consolidation. Starting about 35 years and peaking recently, this marketplace has taken off. For the sellers it has been a huge payday. For the PE and VC buyers, has it exceeded expectations? Or has it created challenges to meet reporting targets? What impact does selling a practice have on the seller, the team, the community? We are just starting to learn more and more about the intended AND UN-intended consequences of the influx of outside money. What does the Magic 8 Ball say about corporate buyers? CHECK BACK LATER

Uncertainty has become the new normal. We have gone from the uncertainty of the pandemic to a world of uncertainty from an economic standpoint, world wars standpoint, and even within the veterinary profession, there is a great level of discomfort. The economics of the veterinary profession which had been pretty dependable and predictable has been tested by elevated costs; more revenue; lower profitability; national corporations; employee expectations; and the list goes on. Listen to learn what is causing the discomfort of the group of guests and their thoughts on where we are and where we might be headed. Falling apart is a matter of opinion as it is all about how you deal with adversity and change that determines the ultimate outcome.

Take the time to look in the mirror. The only one you see is YOU.  That is where you need to focus. It is your choice to let others cloud the view you have of yourself. Others may use anger and guilt to manipulate you but it is up to you to be the victim or the victor. The control is within YOU.  

If your life is a car, you are the driver. Focusing on the windshield and the future is much more effective than focusing on the rearview mirror and looking back. We can learn from our past while we can set our direction for the future. You control the future based upon your vision, hopes, dreams, directions.

Perspective defines your narratives. What is influencing your decision making? Use your experiences and your perspective to allow YOU to define your future.

The phrase has been used so often it might be considered overused.  What is work life balance?  Is it a real term or a farce? Can you really get a scale and weigh out the minutes you dedicate to each and try to equilibrate it?  It is suggested that work life integration might be a better term.

Our panelists discuss their personal thoughts on what is really important in life and what is really important in work.  And how can we make sure to schedule time for ourselves in the face of 24/7/365 expectations from clients, friends, work, etc.?

Can you set boundaries and maintain them? Can you go off the grid and not feel guilty?  Can you go off the grid and not worry about what you are missing?  The challenge is to determine how to put yourself first.  And think about answering the question, ‘how do I want to live?’ 

Our first Unfiltered Discussion: There was a study done, that shows the part of the brain that is activated during extreme torture is the same part of the brain activated during change. What will veterinary medicine look like as we embrace change moving forward?

Listen in on a casual discussion about the importance of change management for the world of veterinary medicine. The work of veterinary medicine is often more gratifying than the experience of change: how do we embrace change in the veterinary industry to accelerate the profession, methods and strategies for continuing to grow the veterinary industry in the new post-pandemic reality.