“I don’t want to have more. Just enough.”

In the veterinary world, efficiency often feels like a distant dream, overshadowed by the endless demands of daily practice. However, success doesn't necessarily mean expansion; sometimes, it's about finding contentment and balance. Here’s an inspiring story from one of our members who found her "just enough" through strategic guidance and practical steps.

A journey to efficiency and contentment

In the northeast of Germany, a dedicated clinic owner had been running her veterinary clinic for over two decades. Despite continuous investments and optimizations, she felt unsatisfied with the financial returns of her practice. Like many others, she was caught in the daily grind, struggling to balance her roles as both veterinarian and entrepreneur. The question loomed large: Where should she begin to make meaningful changes?

Health Check: A path to fulfillment

In a candid conversation, we introduced her to our “Clinic Health Check tool” – a comprehensive questionnaire covering leadership, marketing, communication, team dynamics, and quality management. This tool helps identify strengths and areas for improvement within a clinic.
The results were enlightening. The clinic excelled in marketing and quality management, celebrating significant milestones. Yet, it became clear that leadership was the area needing attention. Through targeted questions, we uncovered specific issues and crafted a structured plan to optimize her clinic. This process wasn't about pushing for more; it was about achieving happiness and contentment.

Collaborative goal setting

Through VetFamily’s business consulting, we employed the SMART method to set achievable annual goals. Together, we identified crucial key performance indicators and reassessed the clinic’s pricing strategy, leading to a more profitable model that also made sense for pet owners.
This analytical approach transformed the clinic’s financial perspective, enabling informed decisions about staff investments and eliminating reliance on gut feelings. In a team workshop, we involved all employees in understanding and contributing to the annual goal. Assigning specific responsibilities fostered a more cohesive and efficient team, taking significant steps toward breaking free from the hamster wheel.

Learning from global experience

Our approach and recommendations draw on the extensive experience of VetFamily colleagues and member clinics from all our 11 countries globally. Despite the geographical differences, the challenges faced by veterinary clinics are remarkably similar. In Germany, as elsewhere, the results of the Health Check empower clinic owners to choose their paths. Whether stopping at initial insights, delving deeper into specific topics, or seeking expert advice from VetFamily’s team, the options are numerous. Key focus areas include leadership and team development, business administration and economics, marketing and communications, and efficient ways of working.

The collective knowledge within the VetFamily network is invaluable. By leveraging shared experiences and insights, we aim to ensure our members achieve satisfaction and success. After all, the ultimate goal is clear: happy and thriving veterinary clinics that will lead to happy and healthy animals.

With structure, organization, and a little help from VetFamily, you can be both a passionate veterinarian and a successful entrepreneur. It’s not about having more, but finding that perfect balance—your "just enough."

Want to know more about the Clinic Health Check tool or how VetFamily can support your clinic's development? Reach out to your local VetFamily team, or send an email to contact@vetfamily.com and we’ll get back to you!