Well, Thanksgiving is behind us and though for a short period of time its meaning is hidden by mounds of mashed potatoes, turkey and pumpkin pie - the truth is that it is a great time to sit back and take a life evaluation moment. In my personal life am so very thankful for my 5 amazing children and the love of my life; my husband. On the professional side I think of the term professional growth as I evaluate where I am in my professional life. I think that professional growth can be as simple as increasing your professional skills over a period of time. I can certainly maneuver Quickbooks more efficiently now then I could several years ago. Now, a P&L means something to me and so on and so forth. I have a better skill set now then I did 17 years ago when I entered this profession.
This Thanksgiving though I am looking at my professional growth from a much different stand point - one that might not be so easy to evaluate for growth and may be much more difficult to deal with. For example, it would be much easier to find out that I need to learn out to create a budget then it would be to find out that my job is negatively affecting my mental health. So what is the more difficult professional growth evaluation? That would be my mental professional growth. I meet many different people in my career and so often I find that they don't know why they are doing what they are doing and if it fulfills them in an emotional manner. So this Thanksgiving I looked at my professional life and how it fulfills me emotionally and I encourage you to do the same. Are you proud of what you do? Why? Is there a sense of accomplishment when you close your laptop for the day? Are you respected by those around you in your practice? Are you able to do things that align with your personal beliefs and values? I think that we often get buried with that P&L we now learn to evaluate so efficiently that we forget that evaluating how our "job" makes us feel is as if not more important then that P&L.
I discovered a lot when I did this Thanksgiving evening. It is making me sit back and maybe make some choices in where I go next in my career and making me face some things that maybe I need to leave behind and others I should celebrate.
So remember, when you look at and evaluate your professional growth; don't forget the emotional part of that growth to ensure it is not stunted in an unhealthy professional environment.
Donna Bauman, CVPM
PS: I am also thankful for my brand new niece who turned 1 week on Thanksgiving Day.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Ah Mondays....
Well the day started with a sick child. I had the H1N1 a few weeks back so I am hoping that is not what my daughter has. My oldest daughter got a new puppy this weekend. We visited some shelters and breeders to find the right one. I was amazed at how many of these folks told me "the puppy doesn't need to see a veterinarian unless something is wrong." They have wormers and all kinds of things to send home and all are under the misguided belief that the veterinarian is the bad guy, out to take your money for "fake medical reasons." Ah the surprised looks I got when I told them of my career. We, as the veterinary professionals, must be ready with proper and clear protocols and narratives for our clients. We have to learn to speak in one voice. A new puppy owner is coming to us AFTER they have been "educated" by the breeder. They are coming to us armed with the thought that we are going to take them to the cleaners. If they call us and get a poorly handled call; we are playing right in to that hand. As a consultant who specializes in mystery calls I hear what the practice teams are telling potential clients. Some is good, some is great and some...well let's just say it leaves some room for improvement. Evaluate your team. Be ready to tell the new puppy owner WHY what you do is important!
I will do a free mystery call to any practice that asks! (PS this is my daughter and her sister's new puppy)
Donna
Friday, November 13, 2009
Home from the CVC
Well I am back to Michigan which somehow seems much less appealing to me after spending a week at the CVC in beautiful San Diego. As usual I learned a lot and was re-energized or left with a "conference woody" as Shawn McVey put it. I am still fascinated to see the attire at conferences. I sure would love to be comfortable in jeans and flip flops but I feel that I am representing my profession and as such should wear business attire. No, not a suit, but dress pants, heels and a blouse. A professional look. As I sat there and saw doctors in shorts and t-shirts I wondered if I put too much weight on attire. A DVM is an obvious professional. I was certain they didn't wear that outfit when they entered an exam room. I didn't think less of them for wearing it and I was certain they were more comfortable then I was in my heels and dress pants. Hmmmm....I guess this ties in to the post on tattoos and piercings. Appearance. We are judged by it..good or bad I suppose. So why would the DVM who wears shorts and a t-shirt to a conference judge or not hire a receptionist with a piercing? Ok maybe that is a stretch and certainly the receptionist comes in contact with clients and the DVM at a conference does not. So, next conference.....jeans and some flip flops for comfort while I sit for hours and hours or dress pants and heels so in case I meet someone that I might network with I look professional?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Who is coming to the meeting?
Who’s coming to the meeting? By: Donna Bauman, CVPM – Visions Consulting
So the staff meeting is about to start and you wait as your staff files in 1 by 1 and gets settled in their seats with their $5 pizza. You know all these team members so well. There is John, Kristy, and Michelle….and so on right? Sort of. Those are their legal names but then we have their given names. You know. When you gather as a team for a meeting all the little characters, affectionately known as your staff, attend and each and every one of them has a role in the way the meeting is about to go. Just are there are different types of meetings held within the practice there are also be different types of personalities attending those meetings. Since it is the responsibility of the leader of the meeting to keep the meeting moving in a positive direction, ensuring that all staff has the opportunity to share thoughts, let’s identify who’s coming to the meeting and how you can deal with them when they arrive.
Chatty Kathy – Chatty Kathy is your staff member who has a lot to say and loves to say it. When Chatty Kathy gets going there isn’t much that can stand in the way to stop her. Be careful not to let her take over the meeting with her endless chatter as it keeps other staff from getting a word in edgewise and participating in the meeting. When Chatty Kathy is allowed to run at the mouth for too long, other team members will begin to get that glazed look in their eyes as they mentally check out to avoid the seemingly endless story shared by Chatty Kathy. Solution: Kathy’s ideas are probably great but her social personality paired with her inability to get to the point, unfortunately, does a disservice to the ideas because nobody is listening when she finally arrives at it. Help her by grabbing the idea from the story and politely interrupting. Praise her idea and ask others to offer input in regards to that idea. This way Kathy has her acknowledgement for a great idea and everyone else doesn’t go in to Chatty Kathy Coma!
Evelyn Eye Roller & Stevie Sigher – Evelyn Eye Roller is the one who will roll her eyes at every idea or suggestion that is brought up during the meeting; whether it has anything to do with her or not. Her male counterpart, Stevie Sigher will sigh, loud enough for the entire room to hear, as a stand against the idea on the table. These staff members can kill staff morale in a minute and also tend to gather a following rather quickly. I mean, who doesn’t want to eye roll or sigh at some point when their boss speaks!? (Well, except for my staff who love to hear me talk! ) Solution: Keep control of these two. When they roll their eyes or sigh ask them if there is something they would like to contribute to the meeting. Often time the public displays of “affection” (said jokingly) are a way to gather attention so it is your job to turn that negative attention in to positive by making them contribute in a constructive manner.
The Big Kahuna – This team member is a leader. They may or may not be the owner or manager but they are known by the team as a positive role model and cheerleader for the team. Let them be an assistant in the meeting. The Big Kahuna will help get staff on board with new ideas and will help guide the team as the changes occur in the day to day operations. The Big Kahuna is a great team cheerleader. There is little negative about the Big Kahuna. Be careful that the Big Kahuna doesn’t try to take over too much though or be a manager without the title. You know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen? (I don’t either but it worked here!)
Sarah Shyness – This team member hides in the back of the room, crouched down in the chair and makes very little eye contact. She does her best to wear clothes that blend in with the chair in hopes you never call on her. She would rather look at a fecal then your eyes when you ask staff a question or for a volunteer. As a leader in the practice help encourage Sarah Shyness to share his/her ideas so that he/she can see that their ideas are valuable to the team and the practice. I guarantee that Sarah has amazing ideas but it may take a little hand holding to get her to share them. Don’t push her too hard or she will pull back. Baby steps with Sarah will work. When she sees positive feedback from her team as she begins to share ideas – she will take off and run with that!
Negative Nelly - Be careful of Negative Nelly. Unlike Evelyn Eye Roller and Stevie Sigher, Negative Nelly will verbalize the negative comments that he/she is feeling. Negative comments have no productive use in a meeting and can have a negative impact on the overall feel of the team. Don’t let Negative Nelly vent their frustrations or glass half-empty feelings at the meeting (that’s what diaries are for). Validate that they have a concern and ask them to give a positive idea that would work. You can turn a Negative Nelly in to a Charlie Cheerleader with a little work!
Peter Picker – Peter Picker has the ability to pick on and attack other staff members who share in a meeting. This behavior cannot be allowed in any form and must be stopped. If Peter Picker is allowed to continue his/her attack staff will stop contributing to meetings for fear of being Peter Picker’s next victim. Staff may also plan a behind the scenes mutiny to take Peter out and that is when you get to experience staff fighting, team separation and even team sabotage. Peter may also need a closed door talk with management to set some behavior expectations and to set clear guidelines on what things will and won’t be tolerated.
Devil’s Advocate Danny – Danny can be an important part of a meeting. He/she can share ideas and thoughts seeing the topic from a different perspective. Just like ice cream though, often the grass is always greener on the other side part of the story must be taken in small doses. If Danny ONLY sees the other side and the other side is ALWAYS the side that makes the plan not work, or difficult to get staff buy in then Danny might have to be limited as well. As with many of the other personalities attending the meeting, listen to Danny’s ideas and perspectives but keep them on topic and away from negativity.
So there you have it. With a little planning and a keen eye you can have the whole family at the staff meeting and you will never have to ask again, “Can’t we all just get along?”
So the staff meeting is about to start and you wait as your staff files in 1 by 1 and gets settled in their seats with their $5 pizza. You know all these team members so well. There is John, Kristy, and Michelle….and so on right? Sort of. Those are their legal names but then we have their given names. You know. When you gather as a team for a meeting all the little characters, affectionately known as your staff, attend and each and every one of them has a role in the way the meeting is about to go. Just are there are different types of meetings held within the practice there are also be different types of personalities attending those meetings. Since it is the responsibility of the leader of the meeting to keep the meeting moving in a positive direction, ensuring that all staff has the opportunity to share thoughts, let’s identify who’s coming to the meeting and how you can deal with them when they arrive.
Chatty Kathy – Chatty Kathy is your staff member who has a lot to say and loves to say it. When Chatty Kathy gets going there isn’t much that can stand in the way to stop her. Be careful not to let her take over the meeting with her endless chatter as it keeps other staff from getting a word in edgewise and participating in the meeting. When Chatty Kathy is allowed to run at the mouth for too long, other team members will begin to get that glazed look in their eyes as they mentally check out to avoid the seemingly endless story shared by Chatty Kathy. Solution: Kathy’s ideas are probably great but her social personality paired with her inability to get to the point, unfortunately, does a disservice to the ideas because nobody is listening when she finally arrives at it. Help her by grabbing the idea from the story and politely interrupting. Praise her idea and ask others to offer input in regards to that idea. This way Kathy has her acknowledgement for a great idea and everyone else doesn’t go in to Chatty Kathy Coma!
Evelyn Eye Roller & Stevie Sigher – Evelyn Eye Roller is the one who will roll her eyes at every idea or suggestion that is brought up during the meeting; whether it has anything to do with her or not. Her male counterpart, Stevie Sigher will sigh, loud enough for the entire room to hear, as a stand against the idea on the table. These staff members can kill staff morale in a minute and also tend to gather a following rather quickly. I mean, who doesn’t want to eye roll or sigh at some point when their boss speaks!? (Well, except for my staff who love to hear me talk! ) Solution: Keep control of these two. When they roll their eyes or sigh ask them if there is something they would like to contribute to the meeting. Often time the public displays of “affection” (said jokingly) are a way to gather attention so it is your job to turn that negative attention in to positive by making them contribute in a constructive manner.
The Big Kahuna – This team member is a leader. They may or may not be the owner or manager but they are known by the team as a positive role model and cheerleader for the team. Let them be an assistant in the meeting. The Big Kahuna will help get staff on board with new ideas and will help guide the team as the changes occur in the day to day operations. The Big Kahuna is a great team cheerleader. There is little negative about the Big Kahuna. Be careful that the Big Kahuna doesn’t try to take over too much though or be a manager without the title. You know what they say about too many cooks in the kitchen? (I don’t either but it worked here!)
Sarah Shyness – This team member hides in the back of the room, crouched down in the chair and makes very little eye contact. She does her best to wear clothes that blend in with the chair in hopes you never call on her. She would rather look at a fecal then your eyes when you ask staff a question or for a volunteer. As a leader in the practice help encourage Sarah Shyness to share his/her ideas so that he/she can see that their ideas are valuable to the team and the practice. I guarantee that Sarah has amazing ideas but it may take a little hand holding to get her to share them. Don’t push her too hard or she will pull back. Baby steps with Sarah will work. When she sees positive feedback from her team as she begins to share ideas – she will take off and run with that!
Negative Nelly - Be careful of Negative Nelly. Unlike Evelyn Eye Roller and Stevie Sigher, Negative Nelly will verbalize the negative comments that he/she is feeling. Negative comments have no productive use in a meeting and can have a negative impact on the overall feel of the team. Don’t let Negative Nelly vent their frustrations or glass half-empty feelings at the meeting (that’s what diaries are for). Validate that they have a concern and ask them to give a positive idea that would work. You can turn a Negative Nelly in to a Charlie Cheerleader with a little work!
Peter Picker – Peter Picker has the ability to pick on and attack other staff members who share in a meeting. This behavior cannot be allowed in any form and must be stopped. If Peter Picker is allowed to continue his/her attack staff will stop contributing to meetings for fear of being Peter Picker’s next victim. Staff may also plan a behind the scenes mutiny to take Peter out and that is when you get to experience staff fighting, team separation and even team sabotage. Peter may also need a closed door talk with management to set some behavior expectations and to set clear guidelines on what things will and won’t be tolerated.
Devil’s Advocate Danny – Danny can be an important part of a meeting. He/she can share ideas and thoughts seeing the topic from a different perspective. Just like ice cream though, often the grass is always greener on the other side part of the story must be taken in small doses. If Danny ONLY sees the other side and the other side is ALWAYS the side that makes the plan not work, or difficult to get staff buy in then Danny might have to be limited as well. As with many of the other personalities attending the meeting, listen to Danny’s ideas and perspectives but keep them on topic and away from negativity.
So there you have it. With a little planning and a keen eye you can have the whole family at the staff meeting and you will never have to ask again, “Can’t we all just get along?”
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday
Why is it that the weekend goes so much faster then the work week? I packed today for the CVC in San Diego. I am excited to learn new things and also to see some sun and warm weather. I am writing a case study for the VHMA. My first one so not sure if I am on the right track but since I love to write I enjoy that. I also have some mystery calls to type up.
I hope to see lots of posts on my blog and hear your opinions!
I hope to see lots of posts on my blog and hear your opinions!
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