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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 8th April 2017
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

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.

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

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.