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Creating a management team
For many owners their practice is their 'baby' and they are very protective of it.
Why trying to manage all on your own can be a mistake

Andy Green spoke to delegates in the BSAVA Management session about the way to approach the creation of a management team in the practice.

He explained why trying to manage all on your own is a mistake. It's lonely at the top and the manager can feel very isolated. He pointed out that far too many managers and owners left to manage on their own work too hard, something which can in the end be very counterproductive.

'But we have always done it this way' is a phrase often heard when new suggestions are being made and sadly this often stops innovation and closes any opportunities for change.

For many owners their practice is their 'baby' and they are very protective of it. This can however result in a too narrow view of how the practice is managed, an open mind to alternatives and new perspectives is vital.

So what is in it for a lone owner or manger to make the change to having a management team? Andy provided delegates with some of the answers such as:
  • Allowing owners to take on the roles that they really enjoy and do best
  • Reduction of stress
  • Much better time and energy allocation
  • Increased efficiency
  • Shared responsibility
  • Enhanced delegation
  • A happier life
Having decided to create a management team you first have to have the vision, know what you want from this new team and have SMART goals when it comes to achieving what you require. In other words you have to make the vision happen.

There must also be a clear vision when it comes to recruiting people for the management team. Profiling is an important part of recruitment and Andy suggested that a good place to start was to profile yourself as the owner or lone manager and then recruit staff in such a way as to select a broad spectrum of abilities.

'Do not clone' was one of Andy's messages, but he also advised not to over promote existing members of staff, not to place square pegs in round holes and to definitely spread the search for new management team members wider than just the veterinary industry.

Once you have your team in place it is important to establish very clear ground rules, make areas of responsibility very clear and have a robust framework for reporting. Measuring the success of the team should be an ongoing process as should appraisals for all team members.

Teams have to have meetings but only those that matter and those that are held need to be run professionally with a proper structure. Finally, said Andy, ensure that the new managers receive the right ongoing training to help them increase their management skills so that there is constant improvement within the management team that you have set up.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.