Veterinary Practice Management Program (VPMP): Course Description

   
The Veterinary Practice Management Program consists of four integrated management modules, each comprising three days of instruction. To gain the most from class time and the instructors´ presentations, participants will receive pre-session reading materials and assignments to complete prior to their arrival on campus. Participants also should anticipate some evening group study and case preparation assignments.

One module (18 class hours) is devoted to each of four management disciplines:

Human Resource Management
Accounting & Financial Management
Marketing Management
Strategic Thinking

Human Resource Management

The primary focus is to understand the concepts that will help you develop strategies and policies that motivate and compensate staff, and to improve communications with peers and clients to enhance practice productivity and profitability. Topics such as motivation, decision-making, leadership/group dynamics, management techniques and negotiation will focus on the interpersonal aspects of the role of the Practice Owner/Manager. Information on personnel selection, retention, and compensation will provide guidance in developing effective human resource management systems. The module will make use of case analysis as well as experience-based exercises to illustrate the issues presented and to develop the human resources management skills of the participants

Accounting & Financial Management

Applying a basic understanding of key financial principles and techniques, participants will be able to evaluate, critique, and set appropriate financial direction for a practice. Beginning with a review of financial statements, the module will focus on how financial information is analyzed and used by management in decision-making. Key topics include understanding business ratios, cash flow, financial planning, working capital management, debt capacity, capital budgeting, and fixed vs variable costs. The seminar will make extensive use of case studies and illustrations.

Marketing Management

Consistent with your business mission, this module maximizes the impact of marketing strategies, and provides solutions to help you market your practice successfully to your clients. Topics include the study of client /buyer behavior, advertising and promotion, on-line marketing, market segmentation, competitive analysis, and pricing issues. Case analysis and related class discussions will provide participants with experience in developing appropriate marketing strategies and in choosing tactics to implement a marketing plan for their respective practices.

Strategic Thinking

The strategic thinking module integrates the three previous modules to provide the big picture and to develop a blueprint for success. Develop the skill to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace and a broad understanding of your goals, strengths and opportunities. Discover how the organization can best match its goals, strengths, limitations, and resources with the opportunities and challenges in the external business environment. Through a combination of lecture, case analysis, and hands-on-exercises, participants will examine the key components of an integrated business strategy and will apply the management knowledge and skills learned toward the development of a functional business plan. 

See a video of comments about this course from aprevious participant.