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Summer Time - Be Ready For New Opportunities

By Brian Conrad posted 05-30-2017 20:30

  

Summer is upon us and many veterinary hospitals will see a cyclical upswing in business for the “hot” months. In fact, it is not uncommon for the summer months to make or break the financial year with regard to growth and profitability. While increased business is always welcome, we have to balance that with our staff's increased requests for time off during these same months. Our staff can be left a little lean and if left unchecked, can leave missed opportunities and income on the exam room tables. 

Generally speaking we tend to react rather than anticipate the increased business. As we react, human nature takes us into survival mode as opposed to opportunity mode. Are you ready? Is your staff ready?  Here is a short summer survival checklist to help you prepare for the coming months:

  • Set and implement a time off system that allows flexibility for your staff while maintaining a healthy and realistic workforce.
  • Consider the use of seasonal help – college students are a prime opportunity
  • Hold a pre-summer staff meeting to set goals and expectations
  • Create contingency plans for the days the appointment book is bursting
  • Adjust inventory levels to avoid lost sales
  • Scoreboard specific metrics to communicate progress for goals and expectations
  • Remember to make sure everyone is having FUN!  Take the time to plan a few surprises throughout the summer as a way to say thank you to your staff.
  • Update and maintain client surveys to assure their summer experience is up their expected standards.

With proper planning and communicating, we can turn the summer months into a win for everyone and really help that bottom line glow throughout the cold months that will follow.

Brian C. Conrad, CVPM
President

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