Making evidence-based management decisions in practice

Abstract

This paper focuses on two key issues of veterinary practice that are all too often overlooked: team engagement and client relations. In terms of team engagement, a case is made for the commercial benefits of engaged employees, and the knowledge that veterinary managers can utilise to develop an engaged workforce. Such knowledge includes recognising the power of the employee voice, and managers having the integrity to align behaviours with that of the shared practice vision for success. Client relations are discussed with respect to the power of using an evidence base to make decisions about investments, pricing and marketing strategies. Success stories from the food retailing industries are reflected upon as a case for support. The paper concludes with an example of combining strategies for improving team engagement and client relations for the benefit of the practice, staff and clients.