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16 November

Introducing the 2018-19 WSVMA Power of Ten Leadership Academy participants

wsvma   |   WSVMA News

The WSVMA is pleased to welcome the fourth class of qualified and impressive veterinarians that have been accepted to participate in the WSVMA leadership program. What is Power of Ten? It’s an initiative designed to help recent graduates develop foundational skills in leadership, communication and business. The year-long program begins in November and culminates with graduation at the 2019 Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference. Dr. Lindsey Hornickel, a graduate of the first Power of Ten class and recognized for her leadership within...

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16 November

Three Essential Skills for Effective Communication

wsvma   |   Practice Management

Effective communication skills are critical in providing optimal outcomes for clients, patients and team interactions. Veterinary Colleges recognize the value of cultivating these skills in their graduates and many incorporate some form of communication training in their curriculum. Training resources1,2,3 for the practitioner and animal health care teams are readily available. These tools teach foundational skills necessary to effectively communicate with clients through techniques like open-ended questions, reflective listening, eliciting the client’s perspective and summarization.  When learned, the skills provide...

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16 November

Practice modernization: rewarding employees without breaking the bank

wsvma   |   Practice Management

Sure, everyone enjoys a little extra money. However, financial incentives are not always feasible. How can you make your employees feel appreciated other than financial incentives? Here are some suggestions: Appreciation days: Once a month, have an employee of the month. Encourage other staff members and clients to tell him/her why they think he or she is amazing. Positivity box: Keep a comment box ONLY for positive things. Write notes for specific instances where a team member stepped up and truly helped...

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16 November

This Week’s Helpful Links

wsvma   |   Uncategorized

Orcas thrive in a land to the north. Why are Puget Sound's dying? – Seattle Times New AAHA infection control guidelines now available - VeterinaryPracticeNews.com A vaccine for you, and your pooch, too - Spokesman Review Local greyhound rescuers brace for hundreds of dogs after Florida bans racing -KIRO 7 Donate to Help Provide Aid for Animals in Disasters - CVMA AVMF donates to help Calif. veterinarians, animals recover from wildfires – AVMA   Posted November 16, 2018...

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09 November

Practice modernization: Finding work-life balance

wsvma   |   Practice Management

With the advent of emergency clinics and the end of being on-call comes the rise of text messaging and emails. Email and texts are a quick, efficient way to communicate with clients, particularly the millennials and younger. However, these forms of communication can soon make you feel like you are back on call. How often does a client text or email on a Sunday afternoon? Many clients have high expectations and, unfortunately, with numerous other clinics within a small radius,...

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