I never thought I would look back 35 years later and think to myself I learned a valuable business lesson when I was five years old. It was the annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt… eggs were scattered and hidden everywhere but there was only one prized golden egg. Now typically the children would run and find as many eggs as possible and if they happen to come across the golden egg it was certainly a bonus. Not me, that is all I cared about that day, I was determined to find the prized golden egg. I bypassed the eggs hidden in the bushes and trees, behind the swing set and even behind the sprinkler. Unfortunately five minutes into the hunt I heard the dreaded words from the parents… WE ARE ALL DONE! To my dismay I looked over and saw that Lindsay Burke proudly held the prized golden egg among all of her other eggs. As the kids started to go through their baskets of goodies I looked down and realized I had nothing. Jump ahead to my career in veterinary management and I see similar mistakes. I see managers, owners and leaders become too narrowly focused in running the business. They get so caught up in trying to find that one BIG thing that is going to make them successful that they forget to pay attention to the little things that have gotten them to this point. I think hospitals should take a much broader view, continue to diversify and stay relevant. Pay attention to all of the details whether big or small, and continue to invest energy and hard work into all of your opportunities. If you are not searching for that single golden egg you won’t be left standing with an empty basket in the end.
Brian C. Conrad, CVPM
VHMA President