Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:55:46 GMT

Whatever you do, make sure you know the average weekly number of consults, and also average weekly turnover. In the case of turnover, increase in line with price increases, and regard those targets as minimums.

Wynne

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 21:05:24 GMT

Drug ordering is easy. Consumables so much harder as a computer can't count syringes. If you have the space keep a box or two in front.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 19:08:29 GMT

Well we have a stock list which is generalised for all branches, which we can adapt and have wiggle room for each branch. Then a book with all the expiry dates that is checked monthly. Short dated stock goes to the main branch as it is more likely to be used.

Ordering is just something that comes with time; something that comes once you know what you use and how quickly you use it. Once you start ordering things you will be able to keep the lists and so you know what you use.

Breaking it down into syringes/needles/catheters... dressing materials... drugs etc also allows easy categorisation so stock checking is easier.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

emma_j — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:22:27 GMT

I think getting the ordering sorted out is going to be a Thing. I feel the need for some kind of actual system in place, rather than just have a look on the shelf every now and then and guess what we might need which is what seems to happen now.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 15:27:15 GMT

Just an oversight on my part. Was doing a consumables order, and misjudged the rate of use of 1ml syringes so thought they would last longer. Generally drugs etc are fine. Luckily I needed a few other things, and IMS do next day delivery!

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Anthony Todd — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 15:13:17 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]The big change is remembering to check stock! I almost ran out of 1ml syringes today... oops.[/quote]

Do you have a "want sheet"? on the wall!! I tried, and tried.

We never did!

The closest we got was "We're nearly out of 1ml syringes" shouted by someone and forgotten by everyone!

Ordering was done on Monday. religiously and immovably so if you ran out of 1ml syringes on Tuesday, tuff!

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

emma_j — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 14:35:11 GMT

Very well established. There are current figures for all these things, just no specific goals set.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 13:09:42 GMT

[quote user="emma_j"]I have not been set specific targets - yet. I think I might have to ask for something there.[/quote]

Is it an established branch or completely new? If the former, they will have values like numer of consults per day, average price of consult, daily takings etc that will be your target to beat.

If the latter, there will be a set time point where you will more than likely be expected to break even.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

emma_j — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:48:59 GMT

Overuse of the word obviously there!

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

emma_j — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:33:50 GMT

Yes, obviously there is set company protocol for lots of things, which I've worked in/with for years so know very well, hence being happy to become a permanent feature. Clinical stuff is obviously all me, but the areas of freedom in terms of things like stocking/purchasing, daily duty protocols etc are what I'm trying to think through at the moment, and an overall strategy for how I should be approaching bringing the branch 'up' to my way of doing things, both in training/managing the assistants, and the clients, in my approach without upsetting or confusing anyone - they've had the same vet for many years.

Thanks for those points Braden. I think I feel comfortable with my limits of authority, and how those situations should be handled from the management's point of view - most of those would be my decision, refer to my manager if unsure otherwise inform them this is how I've handled the situation. Overall goal - I know where I want the branch to be, and I think management are happy with my vision!

I have not been set specific targets - yet. I think I might have to ask for something there.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 12:24:57 GMT

This is how my independent practice works, currently on 17 branches!

I am based at one larger branch with operating facilities and have now also been given a smaller consulting only branch to oversee as well. Generally the day to day running is done by me, ordering in stock, booking ops etc. I will deal with client complaints to a certain extent, but also have the practice management team at our head office to fall back on if I can't soothe them - discounts and credit's on accounts are usually sorted by them, with input from myself.

The big change is remembering to check stock! I almost ran out of 1ml syringes today... oops.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 09:22:41 GMT

We need to know just how much autonomy you have. I suspect that you will be confined very much by practice protocol and will have little control over anything other than clinical decisions. It is how I started in the practice I now own and I loved the environment where I could work without interference but limited responsibility however, although I could give input and feedback I had no authority in any of the practice management. Notwithstanding this the knowledge I gained (not all good) from seeing how the practice was managed from a a bit more of an insider point of view formed a template for when I bought it.

So I would just sit tight and maintain the status quo for now then you will have a better perspective of how you wish to fine tune things if you do indeed have the authority to do so.

Re: Running my own branch - what do you wish people had told you?

Braden Collins — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 04:28:13 GMT

Things I would want to know from the owners:

limits on authority - sacking clients, staff management, discount/refunds if there is a balls up by a staff member
what do the owners want the clinic to "look like" when it is "finished". That is, do they want a reputation for high quality medicine, low cost, etc. If you don't know where you're taking the branch, you don't know how to get there
targets the owners expect you to meet - turnover, profit, average spend per client