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5 Pitfalls of Change in a Vet Clinic (And How to Avoid Them)

Written by Samantha Walker, RVT

With such a high workload and pressure coming from all angles, managing change in a veterinary clinic can be stressful. Let's look at five common pitfalls of veterinary change management and how to avoid them.

1. Ineffective Communication

Communication is the backbone of everything that happens in the clinic. Building strong communication channels keeps all staff (and clients) on the same page. With these channels in place, managing change is significantly less stressful. For example, relaying a message about a change in veterinary medicine between staff and clients will be a breeze. Better communication will also improve veterinary team morale. Your clients will recognize high morale at your clinic and have more confidence in your practice.

2. Delaying Change

It's within human nature to avoid change. But since change is necessary, you shouldn't delay it. The most successful veterinary clinics recognize when it's time for a change and get started.

Some common signs it's time for change include:

Falling profits
High staff turnover

Unsold inventory
Rising local competitors

Rather than waiting, strap in and prepare your clinic to adapt to change. Facing change head-on leads to success.

3. Ignoring Technology

Specific industry innovations are fueling all businesses, including veterinary practices. Ignoring these technological advances will make your clinic and clients suffer. For example, consider changing veterinary software. You need veterinary practice management software that's going to streamline your business processes and improve efficiency. It's beneficial for staff and clients. Neo is the perfect software to try, as it's backed by a dedicated team focused on making life easier for veterinary teams.

4. Falling Behind Competitors

Always be aware of what new services your competitors are offering clients. This will help your clinic stay on top of changing consumer expectations. If you notice many clients asking about a specific service or trend, make sure to research the topic and inform your staff. This also includes staying on top of innovation. Using the latest technology will give your clinic a competitive edge.

5. Managing Your Team's Concerns

For an already busy team, the idea of introducing any change can be intimidating. Let your team know you're there every step of the way to work through the new changes. If you support your staff, they will see the value of change and work hard to implement your vision. Starting with clear communication is key to implementing something new.