Your veterinary business may go forward but still lag behind.
“Management is more than just being smart and using your head,” says Danny Klinefelter, Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University. “Strategic management is about anticipating change, adapting, driving it forward and capitalizing on it.”
Evaluate yourself in the following areas (e.g. with A, B or C), suggests Klinefelter. Set specific goals for improvement in areas where you are deficient.
Are you strategic? How do you deal with change? _______
Do you offer effective leadership? Do you communicate a clear vision of where business should go? _______
Do you have a strong culture that attracts top talent? How high is your turnover? _______
Do you apply sound financial management practices? Do you understand your key financial metrics? _______
Do you have a marketing plan and are you sticking to it? _______
Do you control costs, including family life? Are assets being used effectively and efficiently? _______
How do you fare against the competition? _______
Do you set and pursue business priorities? _______
Do you have a succession plan? Do you also have development and transition plans? _______
Do you see and understand the big picture? Do you have a strategy for major economic or political change? _______
Are there policies and procedures? (Personnel and safety guidelines, standard operating procedures, etc.) _______
Do you hold regular meetings to discuss concerns, business results, and expectations? Will this information be shared with all eligible parties? _______
Are you a member of a peer advisory group? _______
Do you get better before you get bigger? _______
