VBJ articles

Many people are searching for places to make savings as the cost of living crisis bites deeper. For pet owners, one monthly expense under scrutiny could well be their pet insurance premiums…

26 mins

Finding a buying group is an important decision for anyone setting up on their own practice or thinking about doing so. In this article, Ross Kelly shares his views and explains how collective purchasing power can benefit your business…

23 mins

The reputation of the insurance industry is one of odds stacked against the insured through contract terms. It’s hardly surprising, then, that some might be tempted to cut corners when seeking cover…

24 mins

The veterinary sector continues to face numerous challenges, including vet shortages, price inflation and falling practitioner well-being, to name but a few. Against this backdrop, Ernie Ward asks how vets can continue to work effectively, and balance the necessary demands of making a profit and serving a purpose…

23 mins

Finance and regulation is the fourth part in our series exploring six core dynamics shaping the veterinary profession today and in the future.

86 mins

Capital equipment, by its very nature, is expensive and few have the spare cash to pay for it upfront. Even if cash were on hand, it may not make sense to use it to pay for large pieces of equipment when working capital is central to survival…

24 mins

Liza Minelli couldn’t have summed it up better when she sang that money makes the world go round in the 1972 film Cabaret. It’s true, despite what we all want to believe. In a commercial context, this means thinking about how a practice funds its setup or expansion, how it acquires equipment and how it funds its day-to-day expenses...

25 mins

It is always vital to prepare and track realistic cash flow forecasts – especially in the current climate. Concrete cash protection procedures are also key for your practice to thrive, rather than just survive…

22 mins

One of the best ways independent practices can compete with the big boys is to cut costs by joining a buying group. Adam Bernstein takes a look at how these groups have evolved and how your practice can make the most of membership…

27 mins

Bounce Back Loans (BBL) could be a relatively low-risk financial lifeline for practices hit by the coronavirus pandemic. With no fixed interest and no repayments for the first year, a BBL could make all the difference for some businesses, but think fast as they won't be about for long...

24 mins

Figures published by HMRC have shown vets are missing out on millions of pounds in research and development (R&D) tax credits. Cheryl Teoh – senior R&D technical consultant at innovation funding consultancy Leyton UK – looks at the scheme, what can be claimed for and why vets aren’t claiming for what they are owed.

20 mins

Kay Scarlett, practice manager at Westwood Veterinary Surgery, tells her Petplan story...

5 mins

With increased price pressure from the internet and growing competition from corporate practices, sometimes it can seem hard to see the wood for the trees. In this, a VBJ Buying Insight feature, help is at hand in the form of one of the largest, most trusted businesses in the sector.

16 mins

The bubble may have burst for some, but the consolidators will still pay big money for the right kind of practice. So, knowing what the likes of Independent Vetcare and CVS are looking for is key for owners looking to move their business into corporate hands...

21 mins

While we’re still in the EU, we still have to play by its rules – particularly where workplace legislation is concerned. Here, the author details a landmark EU ruling on paid annual leave.

10 mins

The vet landscape is changing rapidly, and we find the profession, and ourselves, in an economy we wouldn't have imagined 20 years ago. It's a time of great change and opportunity for those looking to sell a practice.

20 mins

James Westgate, VBJ editor, visits two practices using complementary therapies as a viable alternative revenue stream ...

21 mins

While running a practice is one part of the commercial equation, getting paid is the other, as Adam Bernstein explains.

24 mins