{"id":76279,"date":"2024-06-01T00:00:50","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T04:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=76279"},"modified":"2024-05-28T18:18:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T22:18:40","slug":"pet-owners-take-charge-0624","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/pet-owners-take-charge-0624\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Business Down? You\u2019re Not Alone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Patient visits have dipped at many veterinary practices and perhaps at yours. According to a recent VetSource Industry Summary, revenue is steady or slightly higher, but visits are down about 2% compared with last year. Any decrease in volume is worrisome for practice managers. Knowing that it\u2019s happening industrywide might be of some consolation, but it doesn\u2019t ease the fear of missing payroll.<\/p>\n

Why Now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

No doubt, inflation has affected veterinary practices. Discretionary spending on pet care has fallen due to the increased cost of living, and more clients are forgoing veterinary wellness visits, which aren\u2019t a priority for them if a pet appears healthy. The result is more urgent cases and pet owners requesting treatment alternatives. Therefore, consider offering financing options and the spectrum of care.<\/p>\n

Another factor is the post-pandemic normalization of patient visits. Memories of the pet ownership boom and the sudden jump in visits and revenue in 2020 might make you think you\u2019re losing business today. The feeling is genuine because patient volume is down at many clinics over the past two years while payroll costs have risen. Therefore, now is the time to reflect on your practice\u2019s efficiency and customer service and prepare for what some experts predict will be a booming 2025.<\/p>\n

What You Can Do<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The last thing a practice manager wants is to terminate team members because of a downturn in business, especially if summer visits rebound, as they usually do. Cutting non-DVMs who generate revenue can be a long-term failure for a veterinary clinic. However, you might employ team members who have toxic attitudes or don\u2019t meet your expectations. They can poison the team, reducing revenue, dampening the client experience and driving away good employees.<\/p>\n

Too often, toxic employees aren\u2019t held accountable for their behavior. If that describes your practice, stop protecting and making excuses for these individuals. Their leaving for the competition is healthy for you, your team and your clients.<\/p>\n

Another move is to analyze expenses outside of payroll and reduce what you can. While cost-cutting might be a temporary fix, evaluating all yearly expenses is a good business practice.<\/p>\n

Here are a few other tips:<\/p>\n