360 Degree Reviews & Merit Based Compensation

Many colleagues have expressed an interest in conducting 360 degree reviews (a process in which all employees are randomly reviewed by a member of each department), but the amount of time and organization required make it easy to push to the back burner.  That is where we come in.  At BCI we have created an online review system that not only makes the process faster and guarantees confidentiality, but will provide a complete report including the metrics and details on each employee.  These reports provide invaluable information and  remove any perception of  bias.  360 degree reviews are also the best place to start when instituting a merit based compensation program.

Merit based compensation is just that - a wage system based on the skills and dedication of an individual employee, regardless of factors such as longevity and position.  Although there is no perfect system, paying employees solely on their job title and length of time at your practice creates a reward system that often disregards the true worth of an individual.

At Brakke we work with you to determine the areas of merit deemed appropriate in your practice (i.e. initiative, pro-activity, commitment, CE) and will create a compensation system based on these standards.  We will put together a spreadsheet comparing current employee pay with their pay as determined through the merit based system.  Discrepancies will be apparent and create an excellent starting point for reevaluating your current pay scale.

Merit based compensation is not a new idea, but along with open-book management, it is not often used in veterinary medicine.  We are firm believers in the advantages of such a system, and are committed to assisting practices willing to take the lead by leveling the playing field and encouraging team members to go above and beyond the typical expectations.  Once implemented pay will no longer be solely dictated by the usual criteria, because the onus falls on the employee to determine his or her own compensation.

Practice Culture/Management Evaluations

We also offer a computerized Practice Culture/Management Evaluation, which is highly recommended as you begin to determine the issues and needs within your practice.  It is also a great tool to use if you are considering bringing on another veterinarian and want to ensure that they will be impressed with your environment.  Together we will create a customized questionnaire, which each employee will complete online.  We will then provide you with a summary of the results including the numerical value and percentage of each response.  This confidential format encourages honesty, and often results in some eye-opening insights for the practice owner and manager.

Taking the Paperless Plunge

Many colleagues have told me, "I want to go paperless, but I don't even know where to begin."  Without a doubt becoming a fully integrated paperless practice can be one of the most daunting tasks for you and your team, but ultimately it is an absolute necessity for practice growth and efficiency.  The quality of medical records, client service, and patient care increases dramatically, bringing a whole new dimension to the practice of veterinary medicine.  Secondly, as a direct result, customer service and staff knowledge improve, which then directly impacts patient care.  As an efficiency model, there is no question that for both staff and doctors the amount of time saved is astronomical.

Close your eyes and imagine the following scenario:  you receive a call from a concerned client with many questions about her cat.  You had not seen her cat in several months and vaguely recollect what she looks like.  Within seconds you are accessing the chart and reviewing the information before she has even finished talking.  The lab results, radiographs and exam findings are all at your fingertips.  You are then able to counsel her with assurance, while at the same time documenting the current conversation.  Not once do you have to put the client on hold or keep her talking until the receptionist has run all over the hospital trying to find the chart.

If that sounds great, consider being able to have all of your discharge instructions and examination notes completed and printed out at the front desk while you are still finishing up in the room.  And what about not having to rely on handwritten travel sheets where you then cross your fingers and hope that no charges were missed?

If you have not taken the paperless plunge, the practice management division of BCI can get you there with as little pain as possible.  While it is important to recognize that this is not an "overnight" project, we will provide you with the infrastructure and training, based on our years of experience in making this transition.  All that is required of you and your team is an eager and positive attitude, and a willingness to accept change.

Successful Open Book Management

There has been much controversy over the topic of open-book management in the veterinary industry, and a majority of hospitals are strongly opposed to sharing any financial information with their staff.  Business models outside of veterinary medicine have proven time and again that making the choice to practice some form of open-book policy leads to stronger and more goal oriented teams, thus achieving staff longevity and greater financial success than previously realized.

This does not mean that everyone should have access to a practice's financial software.  Our job is to work with you to decide the extent to which you want to provide financial data to staff and associates, as well as the format in which you wish to present it.  We recognize that for many owners this type of management feels uncomfortable.  It is important to recognize, though, that guarding financial information from your team can be detrimental to the health of your practice.