Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Recruiting for culture and the cost of getting it wrong
Adrian Pratt spoke about business culture at London Vet Show.
Business leader Adrian Pratt speaks at London Vet Show

Business culture is defined as the values the business has - the way things are done and the consistent behaviours exhibited.

Adrian Pratt at the London Vet Show spoke about business culture and how every practice's goal should be to become the employer of choice - the one that people seek out because its culture resonates with them.

He emphasised that the cost of a bad hire is huge and the more senior the role, the more expensive it becomes. Money is lost through loss of productivity, cost of re-hiring, impact on other staff, lost revenues and much more. But perhaps more importantly, the practice loses credibility with its staff in its ability to choose the right people.

Live your culture - look at what your vision is, how well you share with your team and how well the whole practice actually 'lives' it, he said. Ask yourself if you are surrounded by people who share it.

Adrian talked about Simon Sinek's ‘Golden Circle’ theory. ‘Why’ is in the centre of the circle, surrounding the why is the ‘how’ and on the outside is the ‘what’. In other words, start with 'why' – why are you running this practice? Now move to 'how' - how will you share this vision with the whole team and with clients? Finally, 'what' – what do you have to do to achieve your vision?

When recruiting, write your advert based on the culture of the practice. I.e. answer the question why the reader should join your practice rather than just giving a list of what the practice does.

Interview your candidates for self-awareness, self-motivation, empathy and social skills, as well as asking the relevant competency based questions. It is always a good idea to let the shortlisted candidates spend time with the practice team and to seek feedback from them.

During anyone's probationary period it is wise to have a very short period of notice, said Adrian. This is usually only one week. If the hiring was a mistake it is far better to exit the person quickly and start again.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.