5 Ways to Keep Your Dream Team Intact

Congratulations! You’ve accomplished what so many other veterinary practitioners consistently fail at doing. You’ve assembled a dream team of great employees. Everyone knows their stuff. They all get along and work cohesively together. Clients and patients alike love them. Now it’s time for the even harder part: getting them all to stay.

Given the growing number of opportunities in today’s veterinary job market, keeping your dream team intact is not only essential, but it’s becoming increasingly challenging. Here are a few tips to get you pointed in the right direction.

Exceed their needs.

These days, top players desire more from their employers. It’s not about giving them what every other vet clinic in town offers, like health insurance and a 401(k). Keeping your best employees happy, engaged and most importantly, committed for the long term, requires going above and beyond to not only meet their needs, but exceed them at every turn. For instance, we recently shared an insightful piece on the 3 most surprising things that today’s top talent is looking for. That’s a good place to start.

Dust off your coaching skills.

One of the biggest keys to veterinary staff retention, particularly as it relates to employees from the millennial generation, is avoiding frustration. The best way to do that? Make communication and coaching a top priority. To accomplish this, always make your expectations crystal clear and invite questions. Check in frequently with your employees to let them know how they’re doing and help guide each of them on their own path toward growth and improvement.

Pay them fairly.

Compensation may not be at the top of the list of things today’s best employees look for, but it’s still important. If your team’s salaries are not in line with what your competitors are paying, don’t expect them to stay on for the long haul. At the very least, make sure what you’re paying is comparable to the current market. If possible, offering a little more – especially for those seasoned employees that you truly value – can be a great way to increase their loyalty and prevent turnover.

Make them feel like family.

When an employee feels like more than just a number, he or she will be far less likely to keep feelers out for other opportunities. Take the time to get to know your team. Learn about what matters to them and show them that you genuinely care about their wellbeing, both inside and outside the workplace. This will help you develop a valuable connection with them that will make it much harder for them to think about leaving if and when an opportunity elsewhere presents itself.

Encourage 360-degree feedback.

Managing employees isn’t just about providing them with feedback (though that is important). If you want your team to want to stay for many years to come, you have to make them a part of the practice by inviting and encouraging their feedback as well. Ask them to share their thoughts and ideas and, whenever possible, implement their suggestions. Oh, and when it comes time for you to comment on their performance, be generous with praise and rewards. When employees feel heard and valued, it will foster their devotion.

With record-low unemployment rates, veterinary practice owners and managers are finding it incredibly challenging to attract and hire top talent. As such, when you do manage to successfully land quality employees, keeping them onboard becomes even more critical. The five strategies above should help you maintain the team you’ve worked so hard to build and keep your practice running like a well-oiled machine.

Struggling to find those A-players for your practice? That’s what we’re here for! Get in touch today and let us help you build the team you’ve always dreamed of!