April 2012
Protecting your livelihood
The consequences of losing your income due to injury or illness is something that all vets should be aware of. Here, Veterinary Ireland Financial Services Ltd offers some advice in relation to the importance of Income Protection.
March 2012
Employment Law in Ireland
Niamh Muldoon of Holohan’s Solicitor explores the issue of employment law in Ireland when compared to the UK
February 2012
Your financial questions answered
A new company recently established by Veterinary Ireland offers access to expert financial advice, adding value to your membership in these difficult economic times
November 2011
Be Business SMART
Health and safety legislation applies to all businesses regardless of size, but the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) recognises that small business owners/managers face quite a different set of issues compared to their larger counterparts. Martina O’Kearney Flynn, Inspector at the Health and Safety Authority, discusses some of the key points
October 2011
Bringing in the Sheaves
Pat Kirwan, Veterinary Ireland President, discusses the importance of maintaining a steady cashflow
September 2011
Business in veterinary practice - finance for beginners
Everyone in the practice team needs to have a basic understanding of financial management to help him or her understand why certain business decisions have to be made. Vets and nurses are well aware of their need to keep up-to-date with clinical matters and front line staff know they need to learn about new technology and processes needed to do their job but financial imperatives are rarely explained. Here, Susan McKay, of Hill’s Veterinary Matters Newsletter, has grasped the nettle and gives her best shot at finance for veterinary professionals
July 2011
Alternative dispute resolution
Whether taking or defending a legal action businesses can leave themselves open to high costs and lengthy cases. Mediation and arbitration are alternative routes for dispute resolution that are gaining ground. Oonagh O’Mahony speaks with Pat Brady, Chairman of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Irish Branch), about the benefits of alternative dispute resolutions
June 2011
UP IN THE CLOUD - The future of IT in veterinary practice?
The boom in Cloud Computing over the past few years has led to a situation that is common to many innovations and new technologies: many have heard of it, but far fewer actually understand what it is and, more importantly, how it can benefit them. Here, Veterinary Ireland’s Peter Bishton and Declan Hussey of DNA IT Solutions provide an introduction to Cloud Computing and how it may be suited to use in Veterinary Practices in Ireland.
May 2011
VETAP – An everyday support system
The Veterinary Assistance Programme (VetAP) is a free and confidential counselling and support service, run by the Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund (IVBF) that was officially launched by Minister John Maloney on July 1, 2010. Here, Peter Bishton of Veterinary Ireland and Joe Doddy of VHI CS explain just how the service can be used by all veterinary professionals, not just for times of crisis, but also for matters such as daily financial management, childcare and retirement
April 2011
Taking care of business 2011 - Health and safety in small business
Having highlighted the event in the February issue of the Veterinary Ireland Journal, Peter Bishton, Veterinary Ireland’s Deputy Chief Executive, attended the recent Health and Safety Authority’s ‘Taking Care of Business Conference’ at the Conference Centre Dublin. Here, he reports on the day, and the new BeSMART online risk assessment tool, launched at the event
March 2011
Parental leave: Rights and responsibilities
Following on from last month’s article on Maternity Leave: Rights and Responsibilities, Peter Bishton, Deputy Chief Executive with Veterinary Ireland, covers an additional leave that can be utilised by those with young children, and the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees
February 2011
Maternity leave: Rights and responsibities
Niamh Muldoon of Holohan’s Solicitor and a speaker at the Veterinary Ireland AGM last November, outlines some of the risks involved in not having a Partnership Agreement in place
January 2011
Veterinary Partnerships
Niamh Muldoon of Holohan’s Solicitor and a speaker at the Veterinary Ireland AGM last November, outlines some of the risks involved in not having a Partnership Agreement in place
December 2010
Performance Management and Appraisal
In the second part of his article on Performance Management and Appraisal, Peter Bishton, Deputy Chief Executive with Veterinary Ireland, looks at how a veterinary practice can institute a performance appraisal system
November 2010
Performance Management and Appraisal - Part 1
In the first part of his article on Performance Management and Appraisal in veterinary practice, Peter Bishton, Deputy Chief Executive with Veterinary Ireland, looks at what these two terms mean and how they can improve the business of veterinary practice
October 2010
Tax tips for deadline dayow to become a European Specialist in veterinary medicine
The October 31 income tax pay and file deadline is fast approaching and for many self-employed people this deadline can be a stressful time. To assist you in minimiSing your tax liability and preparing your income tax return correctly, Ruth-Ellen O’Donovan of Deloitte sets out some tax saving ideas and general points which you may wish to focus on as you prepare your 2009 income tax return
September 2010
How to become a European Specialist in veterinary medicine
Neil Forbes, Head of Exotics and Great Western Referrals and part-time senior lecturer at Bristol University, was recently elected president of the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation. Here, he answers some questions on how to become a European Specialist in veterinary medicine
July 2010
It's good to communicate - Or is it?
Peter Bishton, Deputy Chief Executive, Veterinary Ireland HQ, explores the personal use of business communications and describes the importance of Acceptable Use Policies and how you can implement them in your practice
June 2010
I’m from headquarters – I’m here to help!
ASSISTANCE ON EMPLOYMENT LAW BASICS
Peter Bishton, Deputy Chief Executive with Veterinary Ireland HQ, really does mean it when he says he is here to help, especially when it comes to providing help and assistance for all members on various aspects of employment law
May 2010
Veterinary Ireland’s submission to the 2020 Strategy Committee
In February this year, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, launched a consultation process to draw up a long-term strategy for the agri-food, forestry and fisheries sectors. The Minister felt that this process was timely as the sector was entering a period of profound change and it was critical that the correct strategies are identified. He invited views from stakeholders on what policies and structures they believed will best enhance the future development of the agriculture, forestry, fishing and food industries. The following submission was prepared by the Cattle Association of Veterinary Ireland (CAVI) on behalf of the Food Animal Group of Veterinary Ireland
April 2010
Building the Ark
Despite the gloomy economic conditions of the past year, one story that did have a happy ending involved Ark Vetcare in Dublin, as the practice underwent extensive renovations and extentions to their branch in Kill Lane, Foxrock. Robert Hogan meets Jim Walsh MVB MRCVS to hear all about it
March 2010
Taking a Chance
Previously, the Irish Veterinary Journal covered three of the main bodies who work to enforce employment rights in Ireland to clarify which body is responsible for each piece of legislation, how complaints are made and what decisions these bodies can make.
In part two, Derek McKay of Adare HRM speaks to Peter Bishton of Veterinary Ireland, looking at six pieces of common legislation, the relevant bodies for complaints and the redress available
February 2010
Employment rights enforcement bodies, which act?
Previously, the Irish Veterinary Journal covered three of the main bodies who work to enforce employment rights in Ireland to clarify which body is responsible for each piece of legislation, how complaints are made and what decisions these bodies can make.
In part two, Derek McKay of Adare HRM speaks to Peter Bishton of Veterinary Ireland, looking at six pieces of common legislation, the relevant bodies for complaints and the redress available
January 2010
Employment rights enforcement bodies: which one?
Over the past number of years, there has been a significant increase in complaints to the main bodies who work to enforce employment rights in Ireland. There is often some confusion on the part of claimants and employers as to which body deals with which piece of legislation, how complaints are made and what decisions these bodies can make.
Here, in the first of two articles, Derek McKay, Managing Director of ADARE HRM, speaks to Peter Bishton of Veterinary Ireland, looking at three of the bodies, how complaints are made and decided upon in relation to relevant pieces of legislation
October 2009
Working hand in hand
John Hogan, from Leman Solicitors, offers vets a guide to the key legal aspects of partnership agreements and discusses how to manage a partnership
August 2009
Peter Bishton, Operations Executive at Veterinary Ireland, has been advising members on human resource matters for over eight years. Here, he gives a run-down on the most essential topics which vets should be aware of, both as employers and employees
June 2009
Knowledge is Power
James Barnes, European General Manager of RxWorks, offers advice on how to improve your practice through continuing staff education
April 2009
Rearing up against the recession
Jenny Moffett reports from the Royal Canin Vet Business Forum held at La Grande-Motte, France, where the recession, and how vets can no longer bury their heads in the sand, was high on the agenda
March 2009
Behind the Headlines
With rising redundancies, pay cuts and lengthy dole queues; employee morale is at an all time low. Sinead Keane offers employers some tips on motivating their staff
November 2008
Webwise
Feel like you are left in the dark when it comes to the vast world that is the internet? Jenny Moffett looks at the basic steps of getting online and examines how to stay safe on the web in the first of a two-part online special.
October 2008
The absence bug
The contentious and often controversial issue of employee absence can lead small businesses into financial ruin. Sinead Keane examines what employers can do to tackle this prevailing problem.
September 2008
60 – it’s a magic number!
Senior Manager in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Pension Solutions Group, Emmet Gibson offers IVJ readers advice on the ever-evolving area of pensions.
August 2008
NERA: Nearer to employment law compliance?
The Irish Veterinary Journal reports
July 2008
Past to present
Melanie O’Donoghue, VN, VetAssist explores the design and redevelopment of the historic practice at Athenry Pet Clinic.
June 2008
Smooth flow of information in the veterinary practice
James Barnes examines the importance of workflow in daily operations and provides tips to ensure the smooth flow of people, pets and information through your practice.
May 2008
Practice makes perfect
Melanie O’Donoghue VN, VetAssist, looks at the development of a new companion animal practice premises in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15.
April 2008
Marketing in veterinary practice II: Getting started
In the second of our articles on marketing in the veterinary industry, Susan McKay BVMS, MRCVS, MBA looks at how to put marketing theory into practice.
March 2008
Marketing in veterinary practice I: ‘Talking dirty’?
Susan McKay BVMS MRCVS MBA, in the first article of a two-part series on marketing in the veterinary industry, looks at why this element of business should not be a taboo subject for veterinary practitioners.
February 2008
Finding and keeping a job in Ireland
Whether applying for your first job as a new graduate or changing your job later in your career, looking for a new position can be a daunting experience. Martin Downes, Dublin Veterinary Locums, looks at some of the issues that arise when looking for a job and tips to keep the perfect job when you find it.
January 2008
Taking your practice management system with you
James de Wesselow looks at the unique technological needs of the large animal practitioner.
December 2007
Building positive workplace relationships and teams
Consultant workplace mediator and conflict management coach Mary Rafferty looks at ways to build positive relationships in the workplace.
November 2007
Bullying and harassment in the workplace
Consultant workplace mediator and conflict management coach Mary Rafferty looks at how to deal with bullying and harassment at work.
October 2007
Is a house the best home for your pension?
Emmet Gibson, PricewaterhouseCoopers, discusses pension planning and, specifically, the Veterinary Ireland Pension Scheme.
September 2007
Managers and leaders – the twin pillars of success
Professor Adrian Furnham of University College London is speaking on the topic of ‘Successful and unsuccessful managers: the psychology of leadership’ at the VPMA Congress taking place in Bristol in January 2008. As a taster, Brian Wright, VPMA Hon. Sec., explores the relationship between managers and leaders.
July 2007
Merchandising in your clinic: Why and how?
In the final part of our series by Philippe Moreau, the Veterinary Practice Management Consultant looks at merchandising in the practice environment.
June 2007
Communication tools of today and tomorrow
Veterinary Practice Management Consultant Philippe Moreau looks at the importance of valuing your clients using simple communication techniques.
May 2007
Clients’ needs and expectations
Veterinary practice management consultant Philippe Moreau looks at what today’s client is looking for from his or her veterinary practice
April 2007
Stock control - pitfalls and practical solutions
Mind the millilitres and the litres will look after themselves. Phil Scanlan looks at how to keep track of what’s on your shelves.
March 2007
NCE - a NiCE way to study?
Peter Bishton, Operations Executive at Veterinary Ireland, reports on the launch by the Small Firms Association of a National Centre of Excellence for owner-managers.
December 2006
News in brief
November 2006
Why do vets need a practice manager?
Clare Wright
October 2006
Launch of the FDI in Ireland
In the second of a two part series on the Fort Dodge Index in Ireland, we look at how your practice can get involved.
September 2006
Benchmarking for business success
In the first of a two-part series looking the launch of the Fort Dodge Index in Ireland we look at the basics of the scheme and its success in the UK
August 2006
Funding the longest holiday of your life
Emmet Gibson, a Manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers Pension Solutions Group, looks at using your SSIA to provide for your retirement.
July 2006
Choosing health insurance cover for veterinary surgeons
Gary Ellison, of Ellison Financial Consultants, provides free independent health insurance advice to Veterinary Ireland members.
June 2006
Not getting paid on time? Then toughen up!
Avine McNally, Small Firms Association, examines the effects of debtors on small businesses in general and what steps businesses might take to minimise bad debt.
May 2006
Health and safety matters ... it certainly does
Peter Bishton examines health and safety within a veterinary context.
April 2006
Employee Handbooks
David Nunan, senior HR consultant at Graphite HRM, looks at the value of employee handbooks
in the workplace
March 2006
An easy birth...legislatively speaking
Peter Bishton, Operations Executive with Veterinary Ireland, takes a look at the employment legislation covering maternity.
February 2006
The 2005 Vets Now annual Congress
Martin Downes, from Dublin Veterinary Locums, reports from the second Vets Now Annual Congress.
January 2006
It’s good to talk – But am I allowed?
Peter Bishton, Operations Executive at Veterinary Ireland, explores the personal use of business telecommunications and describes the importance of acceptable use policies.
