Veterinary Associations

A bumper agenda at VPMA regional meeting

vetreportSeptember 26, 2014

When VPMA Regional Organiser Melvyn Wilkins took on the task of co-ordinating a meeting to cover Wales, Shropshire and the West Midlands, he decided to go-large, and deliver an agenda featuring not one, but three different speakers and topics. The afternoon meeting, which takes place on Wednesday 22nd October at the RSPCA centre in Swansea is an excellent opportunity to brush up on Front-of-House skills, employment law and managing practice websites.

Kicking off the meeting is VPMA favourite Kristie Faulkner, Business Manager at Onswitch, who will be delivering her talk on touch-points, ‘Your customer journey….how easy do you make it for people to recommend you?’ Kristie looks at what you can do to help your customers first of all find you, then stay with you and finally refer family and friends to your practice.

Law expert James Cronin, Director at Eight Legal Ltd, follows with advice on avoiding employment pitfalls and developing high performing teams in his talk ‘Employment Law and the veterinary profession, why it doesn’t work’. James cites that employment law sometimes seems to be designed to punish people who create jobs, which has a knock-on effect on team development. However he hopes to prove in his talk that this doesn’t always have to be the case, and there are ways in which the two can marry.

The final topic of the afternoon is ‘Managing your practice website’, delivered by Senior Marketing Executive at Petplan, Jessica Mullan. Attendees will be able to avail themselves of some great marketing advice and learn how to create an effective and engaging website that adds value to the practice and provides support for clients.

There will be the usual opportunity for networking and for attendees to share their experiences with each other over tea and a slice of home-made cake! Those wishing to can also take part in a short tour of the RSPCA site. The meeting takes place from 1.30pm to 5.00pm and is generously sponsored by Petplan.

Registration forms can be obtained at www.vpma.co.uk/education/cpd.html or by phoning the secretariat on 07000 782324. Everyone is welcome – the meetings are open to non-members. The sessions cost £12 inc. VAT for VPMA members and £18 inc. VAT for non-members.

Photo: Melvyn Wilkins, VPMA Regional Organiser for Wales, Shropshire and the West Midlands