I help vet practices grow by training or hiring leaders who get the job done. Dr Dave Nicol is a veterinary surgeon, practice management ninja & investor.
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He has owned & managed highly successful vet hospitals in the UK & Australia. Click the send mail button below the header image on this page to get in touch.
đ Disaster this weekendâI almost missed the start lineâŚ
But after regaining some composure, I put on a good show.
Getting 3rd place in the menâs 750m sprint swim.
Another medal for the collectionânumber 9 in the last two seasons!
Letâs keep this momentum rolling, bring on the next one! đĽ
đ¨ Poor performance hurting your clinicâs growth? Itâs time to stop the rot.
Join me on October 9th for a webinar on tackling underperformance and building a stronger, more aligned team.
đ
Taking Out the Trash: How to deal with poor performance
Oct 9th - 11:00 PT | 14:00 ET | 19:00 BST
â
Register now: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/83/67nkpt7n
đĽ Thinking of opening a second vet hospital? Hold up! Letâs talk about what youâre really getting intoâŚ
Your second location will be your biggest challenge yet. New team, new culture, and you wonât be there to oversee every detail. Trust me, itâs a whole different ball game.
Before you dive in, ask yourself:
* Why do you really want a second practice?
* Is your business strategy rock solid?
* Are your systems ready to run without you?
If you canât answer these questions clearly, maybe itâs time to pause and rethink. A second practice isnât just âpractice number oneâ all over againâitâs a whole new beast. Prepare for the wobbles and get ready to up your leadership game.
Need some guidance? Read my latest blog now: https://www.drdavenicol.com/single-post/should-i-open-a-second-vet-hospital-location-take-a-beat-to-think
â If your new hire doesnât feel like they belong, itâs game over.
Skills are important, sure. But if someone doesnât feel like part of the team, even the most talented people will struggle. Itâs not just about what they can do, itâs about how they feel about where they work.
Hereâs the deal: building a sense of belonging is just as critical as technical training.
Nobody wants to walk into a job blind, especially in a busy clinic where mistakes can be costly.
A good onboarding process gives clear answers to two key questions right from the start:
âĄď¸ Whatâs expected of me? âĄď¸ Are these people cool?
Nail those, and team tissue-graft rejection will become an ugly thing of the past.
Want to know more? Read my latest blog post: https://www.drdavenicol.com/single-post/let-s-talk-about-onboarding-what-s-expected-of-me-and-are-these-people-cool
đł We had a great time yesterday at our Paws in the Park charity dog walk.
Sunshine (yes, really!), smiles, and plenty of selfiesâcouldn't have asked for better. It was brilliant catching up with old friends and meeting some new faces along the way.
Huge thanks to everyone who turned up. Every step, every pound raised is making a real difference. So far, weâve raised ÂŁ367 for Woodgreen Animal Shelter, helping them continue their vital work.
Woodgreenâs mission is simple but so importantâkeeping pets from ever becoming homeless. With pet abandonments at a three-year high, theyâre providing hope and brighter futures for so many animals.
So if youâve not had a chance yet, hit the link in my bio and letâs help Woodgreen keep doing what they do best.
Donations close Friday at 19:00 BST, so thereâs still time to get involved.
Big shout-out to for their amazing support, and of course, massive thanks to for their incredible work!
đĽ Crushed the bike leg last weekend with a 439 max powerâpure DAD power in action đŞ
đŹ Ever had a new hire who didnât quite fit in? And things just... unravel?
It all comes down to answering two key questions from the start:
â
Whatâs expected of me?
â
Are these people cool?
Get the onboarding right, nail these two, and youâll be on the path to a stronger, happier team.
Read the full blog now: https://www.drdavenicol.com/single-post/let-s-talk-about-onboarding-what-s-expected-of-me-and-are-these-people-cool
đ¨ Last chance to step up! Registration for my leadership webinar closes soon!
Hereâs the deal: If youâre not carving out time for leadership, youâre falling behind. Leadership isnât just about staying busyâitâs about making sure youâre focused on what really matters. If you donât make it a priority, trust me, someone else will.
⥠Need help prioritizing your leadership? Join my webinar on Wednesday,
September 11, 16:00 PT / 19:00 ET, and Iâll show you how to lead with purpose.
âł Hurry, spots are almost gone. Register NOW! https://event.webinarjam.com/register/82/m1n2oaqy
đĽ Team DADs Army took Silver place last weekend in a mighty effort. Missed out on first place by 69 seconds.
Shoutout to Charlie and David for bringing the DAD energy.
đ¸ A bad hire can be a costly mistakeâup to $182,000 according to recent research.
Itâs easy to say no to the wrong candidates, but finding the right fit can be a challenge.
The perfect leader has the power to transform your practice, freeing you up to focus on what truly matters. Take the time to identify those "heck yes" candidates, because the right person can make all the difference in your practiceâs success.
đŚ Building your brand is $100,000/hour work.
When done right, this is the magic that strengthens your trust and reputation.
Just as a peacock turns heads, building a solid brand and applying this consistently will help you stand out in a sea of sameness. With the right brand foundations, you can attract the type of clients your practice needs, the teammates who can execute your vision, and draw in the right partners to support you on your journey.
Wondering what veterinary practices are doing it right when it comes to branding?
â Comment "BRAND" and I'll send you the link to my favourite examples of branding done right in vet med.
𪨠Values are the bedrock of your vet practice's success.
Theyâre not just there to motivate your teamâtheyâre the guiding force behind every decision you make. From who you hire, what you reward, the equipment you invest in, to the clients you work withâyour values should be at the core of it all. When your team is fully aligned with your mission and values, it makes all the difference in your journey to veterinary success.
Want to know how you can bring your values to life in practice?
Read my latest blog now: https://www.drdavenicol.com/single-post/5-ways-to-bring-values-to-life-in-your-veterinary-practice
Need to find the right person for your organisation? Don't hire on skills alone!
More: Episode 100 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show podcast!
How on earth do you find an extra half an hour every week to do a one-on-one meeting with your team members and not go mad? I've got the deets in episode 99 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show podcast! Tune in wherever you get your podcasts đ§ and learn how to start seeing the positive ripple effects on your team's morale and productivity.
https://buff.ly/3LsYIL5
Sourdough starter: the new way of thinking about building a veterinary team from legend in our Blunt Dissection Podcast Episode!
Check out episode 77 wherever you get your podcasts!
https://buff.ly/3Ywc6G0
For me, a good interview will always have a practical component. In my hospitals, we have a new graduate come in with us for half a day to do some in-practice interviews, but we will toss them in with the nurses and technicians and then rotate them into an operating theatre with one of our vets and have them do a little bit of surgery too.
What about you guysâDo you ask potential employees for a working interview? And if you're looking for a new position, do you ask to come hang out before accepting an offer?
The veterinary field is evolving, and the impact is being felt across the board. Dr. Cody Creelmanâs vision to innovate and improve the veterinary experience is more relevant than ever. Catch more from Dr. Creelman as he shares his perspective on the changing landscape and his journey to reimagine veterinary care in the latest episode of Blunt Dissection.
đ§ Listen to Episode 77: Disrupting the Veterinary Industry: The Genesis of FenVet on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. https://buff.ly/3Ywc6G0
đ Episode 77: Disrupting the Veterinary Industry: The Genesis of FenVet
On the latest episode of Blunt Dissection, I sit down with the one-and-only Dr. Cody Creelman, a veterinarian, digital storyteller, and the visionary behind FenVet. We dive deep into Cody's fascinating journeyâfrom his early days in large animal practice to his bold leap into creating an ultramodern clinic that's shaking up the industry. Whether you're in the vet field or just love a good entrepreneurial story, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
đ§ Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://buff.ly/3Ywc6G0
www.fenvet.com
Have you set a goal for yourself or your practice? đŻ A mission isn't just a checklist; it's a commitment to achieve something extraordinary. Donât get stuck on the 'eat, sleep, vet, repeat' treadmill.
Define your mission. What drives you? What are you hell-bent on accomplishing?
đ§ Full episode:https://buff.ly/3WcN7oi
Promote from within or hire outwith? Episode 100 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show covers all the pros and cons-- but here's a quick clip of my take.
https://buff.ly/4fyS18e
Training buddies are more than teammates; they're the heart of every leadership journey. Together, we laugh, cry, and sometimes, even share a drink or two. Each wild and wonderful story we create is a testament to the shared human experience that shapes us as leaders.
More in episode 87 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show.
đ§ Full episode:https://buff.ly/3WcN7oi
Promoting from within not only retains valuable talent but also strengthens your practice's culture and efficiency. More on our 100th episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show podcast: Promote Within or Buy It In?
https://buff.ly/4fyS18e
đ Celebrating Our 100th Episode! đ
I am thrilled to announce the 100th episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show!! đ In this milestone episode, we're tackling a vital question for veterinary leaders: Should you promote from within or hire externally for new roles? đ¤
đ Episode 100: Promote Within or Buy It In?
Discover how to evaluate your practice's current state, understand team dynamics, and navigate the complexities of hiring decisions. Whether you're filling a vacancy or planning for growth, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to build a thriving and supportive team. đž
Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that can shape the future of your practice! Tune in now! đ§
đ [Listen to Episode 100](https://buff.ly/4fyS18e)
Available wherever you get your podcasts! đď¸â¨
The difference between having a happy client or a mad-as-heck one at times involves a delicate balancing act. Managing expectations is essential to get the right outcome.
đDon't let fear of the unknown hold you back. Dive into new experiences and shatter those self-imposed limits.
đ§ Full episode:https://buff.ly/3WcN7oi
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đ¨ Tired of pulling double duty â managing everything and still feeling like you're stuck rowing without a break? This is for you. I want to personally invite you to my upcoming webinar, Time Bandits - what every leader needs to understand about time. Now, before you think this is just another run-of-the-mill time management talk, let me stop you. This is different. This is not a webinar about tools or tactics for time management, letâs be honest â most of those are easy to understand. Whatâs hard is knowing what really deserves your attention. Too many practice managers are stuck in the same cycle, taking on tasks caused by other people's mistakes or failing to delegate. And itâs killing their practices and their teams. This webinar will: âĄď¸ Completely shift how you view the value of your time. âĄď¸ Get you out of the grind of doing work youâre paying others to handle. âĄď¸ Put you back at the helm, focusing on the critical work that only you can do as a leader. â In just 1 hour, Iâll show you how to escape the hamster wheel and start working on what truly matters. Sound like a good use of your time? Join me before registrations close. Register now, with the link in my bio
đ¸ You don't pay yourself every salary in your practice, so why do every job? When you lose track of time, and let things slip away, soon you end up doing every job in your practice. The hours you end up working grow and grow and grow, until it's an overwhelming burden. Iâve been there, and I can tell you it is not sustainable. âĄď¸ This all has one common enemy: time management. Fix this, master this, and the rest will fall into place. â Control your time, donât let time control you, focus on what matters and lead your practice with impact. đ Join my free webinar to get the tools you need to manage your time and your team more effectively, on Wednesday, September 11th, 16:00 PT, 19:00 ET âĄď¸ Use the link in my bio or comment TIME and I'll send you a link to register #veterinary #veterinarymedicine #vetmed #vetlife #freewebinar #timemanagement
â° 73.9% of practice leaders struggle with time management. If youâre one of them, this webinar is for you. âĄď¸ Learn how to regain control of your time and lead with impact. đ Time Bandits - What All Good Leaders Need To Understand About Time. September 11th, 16:00 PT, 19:00 ET â Register now via the link in my bio or comment TIME and I'll send you a personal registration link #veterinary #veterinarymedicine #vetmed #vetlife #timemanagement
Triathlon Season is upon us⌠The mission? âĄď¸ Get leaner âĄď¸ Get faster With every single race, and every single training session, I learn something new. The never-ending quest for improvement will never be complete, you have to learn to love the journey and the wonderful thing about performance sports is you are building an engine. My cycling leg used to suck. I researched what improvements had been made, upgraded my 15 year old bike, and got to training. Now cycling is my joint-best leg with swimming. Take stock of your weaknesses, commit to getting better, stay consistent and see the results fly in. Enough talking, now Iâve got to get back on the bike. #norestforthewicked
Need to find the right person for your organisation? Don't hire on skills alone! More: Episode 100 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show podcast!
How on earth do you find an extra half an hour every week to do a one-on-one meeting with your team members and not go mad? I've got the deets in episode 99 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show podcast! Tune in wherever you get your podcasts đ§ and learn how to start seeing the positive ripple effects on your team's morale and productivity. https://buff.ly/3LsYIL5
Sourdough starter: the new way of thinking about building a veterinary team from legend @codycreelman in our Blunt Dissection Podcast Episode! Check out episode 77 wherever you get your podcasts! https://buff.ly/3Ywc6G0
The veterinary field is evolving, and the impact is being felt across the board. Dr. Cody Creelmanâs vision to innovate and improve the veterinary experience is more relevant than ever. Catch more from Dr. Creelman as he shares his perspective on the changing landscape and his journey to reimagine veterinary care in the latest episode of Blunt Dissection. đ§ Listen to Episode 77: Disrupting the Veterinary Industry: The Genesis of FenVet on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. https://buff.ly/3Ywc6G0
đ Episode 77: Disrupting the Veterinary Industry: The Genesis of FenVet On the latest episode of Blunt Dissection, I sit down with the one-and-only Dr. Cody Creelman, a veterinarian, digital storyteller, and the visionary behind FenVet. We dive deep into Cody's fascinating journeyâfrom his early days in large animal practice to his bold leap into creating an ultramodern clinic that's shaking up the industry. Whether you're in the vet field or just love a good entrepreneurial story, this is an episode you won't want to miss. đ§ Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: https://buff.ly/3Ywc6G0 www.fenvet.com
Have you set a goal for yourself or your practice? đŻ A mission isn't just a checklist; it's a commitment to achieve something extraordinary. Donât get stuck on the 'eat, sleep, vet, repeat' treadmill. Define your mission. What drives you? What are you hell-bent on accomplishing? đ§ Full episode:https://buff.ly/3WcN7oi
Whether you're a triathlete or a leader, patience is key. đ°ď¸ Set audacious, yet achievable goals and break them into smaller, manageable leaps over time. Each step forward is progress, reminding us not to rush the journey. Practice makes progressâstay patient, stay persistent. More in episode 87 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show. đ§ Full episode:https://buff.ly/3WcN7oi #GoalSetting #LeadershipTips #PatiencePaysOff
Promote from within or hire outwith? Episode 100 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show covers all the pros and cons-- but here's a quick clip of my take. https://buff.ly/4fyS18e
Training buddies are more than teammates; they're the heart of every leadership journey. Together, we laugh, cry, and sometimes, even share a drink or two. Each wild and wonderful story we create is a testament to the shared human experience that shapes us as leaders. More in episode 87 of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show. đ§ Full episode:https://buff.ly/3WcN7oi #LeadershipLessons #Teamwork #LifeAtTheTop
Promoting from within not only retains valuable talent but also strengthens your practice's culture and efficiency. More on our 100th episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show podcast: Promote Within or Buy It In? https://buff.ly/4fyS18e
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Dr Dave Nicol helps pets and their people live happy, healthy lives. He does this by exploring challenges, creating solutions and inspiring others to reach their full potential. Dr Dave has owned & managed multiple highly successful vet hospitals in the UK & Australia. He has written and published three books including the best selling, So Youâre A Vet...Now What? And he produces the Blunt Dissection and Freewheelinâ podcasts which together receive more than 100,000 plays each year. He is a regular speaker at the major veterinary conferences around the world including VMX, FetchDVM360 and BSAVA. Finally, Dr Dave is the founder of VetX - a suite of tools to help people in practice be more successful. Click the send mail button below the header image on this page to get in touch about buying a book, booking Dr Dave to speak at your event, consulting opportunities or joining the VetX revolution.
