New owners of independent veterinary practices face an overwhelming list of decisions and questions. Even if you’ve worked as an associate in your practice for a decade, the view from the owner’s seat is different. Suddenly you make all the final decisions: payroll, culture, equipment—everything.
Owning your own practice is undeniably exciting, but it can also be daunting. That’s why Veterinary Management Groups (VMG) exists: We help veterinary practice owners master the business side of veterinary medicine.
Making the diagnoses: Data and benchmarks
We’ve all heard the phrase “you can’t fix what you don’t measure.” It’s as true for the business side of veterinary medicine as it is for screening cats for kidney disease. As with those cats, there’s more to it than just measuring—you need to understand what the results mean. Like the normal values in a laboratory report, business benchmarks indicate your practice’s business performance compared to similar practices.
VMG provides those benchmarks for veterinary practices. Through VMG Datalink and our regular economic reports, VMG members see how their business is performing in relation to top-performing practices of similar size and goals across the country.
Rather than guess at what or how to improve, VMG members make informed decisions that benefit staff and clients. As Dr. Parva Bezrutczyk of Arizona Animal Wellness Center notes, her VMG membership “impacts the people walking through both the front and back doors of our hospital.”
Peerless peer groups
Business ownership doesn’t have to feel lonely. Every independent veterinary practice owner deserves a circle of trusted friends and colleagues who understand the daily grind. VMG Peer Groups provide that support.
Members are matched with 18–24 other members who own veterinary practices of similar size and with similar objectives. Peer Group colleagues are located far enough away geographically to remove any risk of competition, creating the space for total transparency. Whether trying out a new marketing idea, navigating a difficult HR situation, or celebrating a win, VMG members have a team behind them.
Dr. Ian Driben of Burl-Moor-Driben Animal Hospital says the connection in his VMG Peer Group is deeper than just business: “The amount of trust that we have between us is amazing.”
Corporate-level bargaining power
Corporate veterinary practices have become truly enormous, controlling approximately 25% of general practices and 75% of emergency and referral practices in the United States.1 That gives them a massive advantage over smaller, independent veterinary practices when negotiating with suppliers for discounts, deals, and special services.
VMG changes the math, giving independent veterinary practice owners the collective power to level the playing field. Our Preferred Partner Program offers members significant discounts on products and services, special programs, and exclusive training opportunities.
The savings can be game-changing. Dr. Seth Solomon of Swann Animal Clinic was “shocked [by] the amount of money we were able to save being part of VMG.” Many practice owners, like Dr. Bezrutczyk, invest those savings right back into the practice—improving wages and continuing education for the practice team. Happier staff create a better practice environment and improve the quality of care—truly a win for the practice and its patients!
Professional Development: Real training for real success
“You don’t know what you don’t know until it’s staring you in the face,” says Dr. Bryan Clarke of All Creatures Animal Hospital. Most of us didn’t get an MBA along with veterinary school, and the learning curve for building and maintaining a successful practice can be steep.
VMG Professional Development covers the essentials, including financial literacy, customer service, and advanced clinical skills. Many courses are supported by VMG Preferred Partners, drastically reducing the cost. But the biggest difference may be the access: Instead of sitting in the back of a hall with thousands of other attendees at a major conference, VMG members hear the same speakers in groups small enough for real conversations. They can talk with the speakers, ask specific questions about their clinic’s particular situation, and receive detailed answers.
Beyond membership: A supportive community for you and your practice
VMG isn’t just a list of discounts or a stack of business reports; it’s a living, breathing, interacting community. We provide the tools, expertise, and encouragement independent veterinary practice owners need to grow their clinic into the business they have always dreamed of owning.
Ready to build your veterinary practice into a stronger business? Apply for VMG membership today!
References
- Brakke Consulting 2022 Industry Overview. Presented 17 January 2022 at VMX, Orlando, Florida.
