VBJ articles

January 2018

Setting up a practice: laying firm foundations for success

Owning a practice is the dream of many working in the profession, but can remain a frustratingly elusive goal. Here, Whilmari Swift from Vet Dynamics explains the steps she takes with prospective practice owners to ensure they get it right.

22 mins
How watertight are your procedures in case of fire?

Fire safety in practices is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which covers general fire precautions and other safety duties designed to protect people in the case of a fire. Adam Bernstein explains.

14 mins

December 2017

CT, or not CT: just one part of the question…

Choosing which modalities to offer – and how much and when to invest – can be business-critical choices, as VBJ discovered when we spoke to Julien Labruyère at VetCT ...

30 mins

November 2017

Tips on small animal practice management and profitability

Peter Edmondson, in the second of a six-part article series, summarises an Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference session on how to increase practice profit.

12 mins
Planes, trains and automobiles – a journey through complementary medicine

When it comes to complementary therapy, many options are available to get to the final destination. Here, Stephen Barabas identifies the correct multimodal therapies for your practice.

32 mins
Recruiting for veterinary teams – part 1: sorting the wheat from...

Recruiting new members to join your team is one of the most crucial processes in any veterinary practice. Here, in the first of a three-part series, Ed Newbould explains the process he undertakes when choosing new staff.

22 mins

October 2017

Pet care shaming: are we discouraging owners from seeking veterinary care?

Do we judge clients or roll our eyes at their never-ending excuses? Are we our clients’ worst enemy? Ernie Ward shares his experiences on “pet care shaming” and explains how your team can avoid inadvertently becoming a participant.

37 mins
Greater than sum of its parts: whole practice approach to CPD

CPD can be a significant investment for a practice, but if it is well planned with good follow up it can be motivational and help deliver key practice objectives, as Nick Stuart explains.

23 mins

September 2017

Needles and nodes: making light work of OA in older pets

Libby Kemkaran-Thompson looks at how to make the most of two very different treatments for one of the most common age-related disorders.

22 mins
Brand designs: building an identity on firm foundations

Alex Darvill looks at what comes first when planning a building project – the brand or the build.

23 mins
Big 6: future tech

Technology in all its forms has already proved to be a huge disruptor for veterinary practices across the UK. Staying up to date with the latest developments can be a challenge, but upsides exist for those willing to embrace these advances. We asked our panel to share their vision of this brave new world.

48 mins

August 2017

Leave nothing to chance: give a pre-Brexit health check to your...

As the countdown begins towards the UK’s exit from the EU, Adam Bernstein asks a selection of professional business advisors what areas practices need to address in advance of that day.

16 mins

July 2017

Practice planning part 3: should I stay or should I go now?

Vicky Robinson discusses the corporate buying bubble, when it might burst and what the other options are for anyone planning their exit.

27 mins
Talk the talk: 10 steps to achieve that perfect telephone call

Stephanie Vaughan-Jones explains why the old 'dog and bone' may be one of the most important pieces of kit you possess.

23 mins

June 2017

Big 6: work-life balance

VBJ's Big 6 project saw a carefully selected panel discuss and debate the six biggest issues most likely to shape the veterinary landscape. In its first report, panellists discuss work-life balance and how this is changing practice.

50 mins
Client comms: pump up the volume on your social media channels

Most practices have emerged from the dark ages, when postcards and the odd phone call were the only ways of communicating with clients. Dr Ernie Ward explains how modern methods are driving revenue growth, enhancing patient care and boosting client satisfaction.

25 mins
Driving successful dental initiatives: getting the bit between your teeth

Mark Colton discusses how practice teams can work together to drive dental initiatives, the form they should take and the impact they can have on the bottom line.

16 mins

May 2017

Out with the old, in with the new: how to plan...

Susan McKay spoke to ACD Projects founder Alex Darvill about upgrading practices – and why now could be the perfect time to get started.

15 mins
Prevention is better than cure: promoting pet health plans

Gudrun Ravetz looks at how you should recommend your plan, what needs to be in it and the broader benefits in terms of practice finances in providing them.

14 mins
Practice profitability: getting your financial ducks in a row

If early results from the SPVS Practice Profitability Survey are truly representative, many practices are not being run as efficiently or profitably as they could be. John Sheridan discusses.

14 mins