DVM, MBA
Dr. Mercader established himself as a practice management consultant to veterinary clinics in 2001 and since then has developed this role in Spain, Portugal and some Latin-American countries. His main accomplishments include authoring profitability and pricing research studies involving Spanish veterinary clinics, lecturing on practice management in more than 30 countries, and authoring the textbook “Management Solutions for Veterinary Practices” which is published in Spanish, English and Chinese and has sold worldwide. In 2008, he co-founded VMS (Veterinary Management Studies), a business intelligence firm that provides a benchmarking service for more than 800 Spanish veterinary practices. Dr. Mercader was also a co-founder of the Spanish Veterinary Practice Management Association (AGESVET) and served on its board for eight years.
Browse between the articles contributions from this author below.
This article, which is part of a series looking at the business side of practice (written in conjunction with Antje Blaettner and Philippe Baralon), looks at the perception of veterinary prices – how do clients really see our fees, compared to how we think they see them?
In the second of this two-part series, the authors look at how to motivate the team and successfully design and implement protocols in veterinary practice.
In the first of a two-part series, the authors look at protocols in veterinary practice, and why they can be a key component to running an effective clinic.
“If your only tool is a hammer, all problems resemble a nail”. This section will stress the different factors required to make you a “good clinician”
Finally, some tips to improve your follow-up strategy.
This chapter will give you practical tips (what to do, what not to do, main pitfalls, etc.) on blogs, websites and social media and how to encourage clients to leave positive reviews on the web.
Based on studies on a human hospital, this chapter will outline the different steps in the pet owner journey in your practice, including the consultation that should be a “golden moment” for your client.
Internet has changed the “pet owner journey”: before telephoning a vet to ask questions or actually taking an appointment, the client will search the Internet (sometimes just to find a telephone number) and will have first information about your practice through it.
Vet practitioners are often not aware of their environment. They never stay in the waiting room of their practice for long. They sometimes even enter the practice through a different door than the one used by their clients.
Most veterinarians are not comfortable when discussing fees, or when asked to "sell" something, but this is normal! This chapter offers a method which will allow you to prescribe or recommend products and services effectively.
It’s never too early to think about the future. For many young veterinary surgeons, their job is primarily the result of a passion for pets.
Understanding the various factors involved that contribute to the income and expenditure of a veterinary clinic is key for long-term success.
