[funkyfish]

Hi, I'm a vet nurse and have just stared working for a friend (worked with her in my prev. practice for 6 years).


She set up her own pet and poultry practice in an awesome location- lots of large villages/towns within easy range, not much competition, she really did her research before opening.


We are really quiet (to be expected I guess), but she is really really reluctant to advertise... We have a ton of leaflets/flyers (nice quality ones). I have offered to deliver them in my free time, drop them off to pet shops etc, but she says she will do it tomorrow, and then doesn't. She did a fab article for the local papers, phoned them to sort it, the guy was out but he phoned back, she was out buying a stapler (wtf!?!), I gave her the message that he called back wanting the ad, she has taken all week to get back to him!


I've tried to speak to her, offer to set up a Facebook page (she is dead against it!) and do a ton of other promo stuff like organise an open day, a microchipping event etc but she says maybe next month.


Could it be that the thinks she has bitten off more than she can chew and is scared that the practice will get busy and she won't cope?


I'm now worried for my job! I was so sure the practice would do well as she is an awesome vet and had many followers at the last place (20 of which have found us and changed practice!).


Any ideas how to handle her with out pissing her off??

[Torrin37]

Being a great vet doesn't necessarily make her a great business woman.  She might just need time to sort everything out - I'm sure she's got an awful lot on her plate at the moment!

I would just keep on offering to help, without being too pushy, and give her a bit of time.  If the basics are there - good location, good vet, lots of potential customers, I'm sure things will get busier.  She may just want to take it steady rather than rushing into a lot of promotions etc

I'm sure once she's found her feet it will get easier

[funkyfish]

We are a bit off the main road so get next to no passing traffic, I think we are quiet because no one knows where we are.....


She has two other businesses which are successful, which is why I was happy to work for her.


I guess she is feeling stressed, she must have a ton of paper work to sort etc.. although she spends all day on ebay....


Guess I need to give her space, just getting frustrated as not used to sitting around! The place is spotless as I dust everyday... Just need that level of enthusiasm for cleaning at home... lol

[Fanackapan]

If she has other business's up and running then its obviously not beginners nerves at being snowed under. She sounds as if she is your boss and a friend as well, how about getting her away from the practice for an hour for a coffee and a cake  or a sandwich and a glass of wine, whichever is more your style and try talking to her about some of your concerns, maybe she will open up and discuss her reluctance to push the business more.

[jaykay]

You need to find out what she's concerned about. When I keep saying I'll do something tomorrow, it's because for some reason, I don't really want to do it.

It might not be about drumming up too much business. It could be to do with being seen to be too commercial and money-grasping. Most vets are quite moral and altruistic, not mercenary. She might need a bit of help seeing that advertising means letting the people who need you, know where you are.  And if you keep too quiet, those folk in need won't know you're there to help.

[shygirl]

our vets changed hands and they introduced a care plan for dogs and horses where they get an annual check, year round worming/worm counts and jabs etc for £** a month. i think its a really good idea.
there is also a call out discount for horse jab only visits.
definitely need a facebook page, that way you can keep in contact for routine treatments etc. puppy playgroups etc will get new customers through the door.

Could it be that the thinks she has bitten off more than she can chew and is scared that the practice will get busy and she won't cope?

- thats what locums are for...

what does she specialise in? that may be a bonus to advert...ie rabbits/goats.

is there a website? i was using my vets website the other day to research castrating but they didnt have any info on it - -but plenty of other vets had alot of info so i think mine missed a trick there. websites are easy to set up.

[happygolucky]

Not sure what the other businesses are but it sounds like she may have burnt herself out and so  lost her umph.....maybe just some encouragement and as its been said, a break away from the practice to have coffee/wine/ chat etc may clarify things, she could be worried about something, our brains can only cope with so much so maybe the new venture is just an excuse for her to not push herself...she could be subconsciously wanting it to fail.......
Anyway, sounds like she has her head screwed on business wise, all you can do is try to find out whats wrong and also re  build her enthusiasm.......wonder if negative re  enorcement would help.....er say something like "this is not going, do you think we should pack up? although it would be a shame as you are so good at what you do and could help a lot of people around here" or should I look for another job as it looks like this is not making enough money to maintain the practice" well something on those lines.....
 

[smallholder in the city]

The being on ebay all the time sounds like distraction being used as a coping mechanism so maybe she is struggling with something.
Try to avoid pushing her you will only cause her to entrench her position. Motivational interviewing techniques can be helpful inthis kind of situation. Google will have more details but generally try reflecting her actions responses back at her , acknowledging and rolling with her reasons for not doing it whilst suggesting solutions.

I would also make it about you not herthis avoids her getting defensive & entrenched e.g. Ithink it would be really good for me to develop my relationship with our custoners by doing xy or I'd like to  improve my confidence in doing abc . You can use personal or professional development reasons.

[ferretkeeper]

You lot are such good listeners, always got good advice! 

I'm the same JayKay, if there's something I haven't done it's because I'm not sure about something. It gets out of proportion in my head and I subsequently let things drag on and on.

I get mentally overloaded then by having so much on my mind to do and I'll spend a day watching TV or on the internet to distract myself - classic, thanks SitC!

I have been successful in lots of things before but it doesn't stop me getting bogged down now and then. It's a vicious circle, the more you have to do the less you want to do and things do pile up.

Could your boss be experiencing similar problems? I get really stressed at times, and usually cake, tea, wine and chatting helps!

The suggestions above are great, maybe do the leaflet drops anyway, what's the worst that can happen? Or say someone asked you for some info so you took a few more leaflet?
 
She knows you and must trust your abilities. Perhaps show her a successful business advertising itself on FB and offer again. What if you break your ideas into smaller more manageable bits for her to take on board and let the pieces of the puzzle fit together gradually, you sound like you have a good grasp on things. Maybe having a big event to organise will snap her out of whatever rut she seems to be stuck in.

Good Luck  let us know how you get on

[happygolucky]

I went into meltdown when I was going through a divorce, I was at uni, moving house, working and in a new relationship...my head was like cotton wool and even reading the sun was too much for me...I had to cut out things that I could as otherwise I would have well and truely crassed so I left uni after my first year, the place was left open to me but I neve went back.
The common thread here, when we have too much on our mind we shuv things away as we cannot deal with anything more.....ummmmmm thats why I am on here, putting off doing my jobs!!

[funkyfish]

Thanks guys!!!     


have had a chat. Think she needs time away. All seems to be doing better.


Everyone here is always ready to lend an ear!! 

[doganjo]

Great News.  Keep at it.

[ellied]

Good you have discussed the matter and I hope it resolves. 

My suggestion is that you clearly know and want to do these things and she for whatever reason is not the right person/time to be doing them.  Get agreement that this is because she is the vet and you are the one that does the office stuff which includes responsibility for communication of information between the practice and its clients. 

Also, suggest you focus primarily on things that customers will sign up for like opt-in reminders for routine vaccinations due, whether text, email or letter most welcome the choice and value the saving of not letting them lapse and having to start over.  Website full of useful information eg advice for new owners, castration, common vaccines, opening hours, the kind of stuff that can't be seen as pushy, and get that established as a baseline she can feel comfortable about.  It should also reduce repetitive enquiries on the same topics and again free her to be a vet rather than a PR person.  And you're not doing PR/marketing, you're providing free customer information and useful opt in services, which is what any good service provider needs to do.. 

What I'm saying is make it not about her not doing things, but about your needs (a clear role she trusts you with that is discrete from hers and brings you job satisfaction) and your customers' needs - information, services etc and animal needs ie the closest possible treatment in an emergency..