How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Re: How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Alasdair Mathieson — Fri, 27 May 2011 22:53:59 GMT

[quote user="katrina"]

what about a power point presentation on something that WILL make them money so they cant deny how easy it would be-nurse clinics for instance-save the vets time for sick patients if you do the pocs & microchipping & Nailclips(and increased sales...) (unless you already are of course-and if so, what about something else youd like to change that Will make them money-present it well and they have to listen surely)

[/quote]

I totally agree. The partners may not see the need for changes, but if you can show them something is beneficial and easy to put in place, plus will either increase practice turnover or decrease practice expenditure, I can guarantee they will at least listen to your suggestions.

Re: How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Aimee Barber — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:44:34 GMT

HI leigh,

The big thing here is little steps and start with things that they see the benefit too. i know how frustrating this situation can be and found myself in a similar one. you could ask if you can have a nurse meeting and decide between you who is in charge of what. often having areas you are in charge of is a good idea. eg 'radiology' 'lab' 'nurse clinics' and then one person is incharge of items in there. start small and work your way up. good luck!

Re: How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Katherine Spear — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:49:31 GMT

Re: How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Susan Jackson — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:03:57 GMT

Start with what you can do, nurse meeting, and expand. Once they see the benefits they may be more willing to go along. I know it's busy but if all the nurses want it then just organise round them. Sometimes the owners of businesses are not good managers and don't know what to do themselves. It sounds like you've got the experience and know how to do a little organising. Go to them with some of your proposals and make sure you outline the benefits for the business.

Re: How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Fuzzyduck — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:15:47 GMT

Its very difficult to make any changes in a large practice that has been up and running for a long time with no real management. Many of the more old school vets dont feel that change is needed as the practice is still making money and running along as well as it always has, however the younger nurses want to progress and better the care given to patients.

Sadly often nurses are not really listened to like they should be, and i have worked in practices where the only time things change is when new vets come in and take what the nurses have been saying for years and push for the things to happen.

Like Sophie says i would start with the smaller, easy to change things and come up with a "pitch" to put to your boss so he can see the benefits and ask for a trial period, once it has proven to be successful you can progress on to the bigger things.

If your boss doesnt budge on anything, you may have to accept that whatever you try its not going to happen and either stay put accepting the practice as it is, or move on if you get too frustrated.

Good Luck.

Re: How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:44:15 GMT

Yes it is me! How are you Sophie? Well I hope? Hope you enjoyed the dance too - don't know if you heard but we raised £1600 that night - great stuff! Anyway, that does sound like an excellent plan. We have a nurse's meeting every quarter - no way near often enough but its better than nothing. The team's a bit too big for team meetings but that's something I want to try. I'm going to sit on it and make a case study like you said and gather evidence. I suppose without real evidence it just sounds like I'm winging! Thanks for the advice - hope to speak to you again soon! Take care! X x

Re: How do you improve things when you're at the bottom of the pyramid?

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:47:48 GMT

Hi Leigh,

Firstly, are you the same Leigh that organised the Moonbear dance, how did you get on out there earlier in the year?? I hope it was a great experience!

Secondly, and in response to your original post I complete sympathise with your situation, it is so hard when you can see a way to improve the practice but feel like you're just banging your head against a brick wall! ... Do you have regular team meetings where you might be able to raise any ideas for improvement? This would be a good structured way of doing things. Failing that maybe try and put a case book together of where you feel things could be improved to better save time/money or even create more money for the practice. Give specific examples of what has happened and try and 'prove' how it would have been improved with a different process.

It is so hard when you aren't heard but if you have been at the practice that long then they should value your opinion and hopefully look at how your ideas can help.

One idea for any plans is to look at things that they don't need to do a lot about, things that can be implemented easily with fast results before then looking at the big management structures.

Hope this helps and best of luck! x