TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCASTS | AMAZON MUSIC
How did our host, Nicole Clausen, come to be a thought leader for veterinary practices nationwide? On this episode of The Inventory Nation Podcast she shares with us her origin story and lessons learned on her professional journey from logistical overwhelm to veterinary clinic management mastery.
We are learning about the “aha” moments and highly successful systems Nicole developed through trial and error, along with roadblocks we can all expect to encounter along the way. You’ll hear about Nicole’s Top 5 Inventory Gamechangers – practices that she initiated after hard-won lightbulb moments as an inventory management newbie.
Don’t miss out on predictable speed bumps and things to remember as you take on this highly challenging – but equally rewarding – role. And remember: Your inventory management systems won’t be perfect right out of the gate. But you WILL reduce chaos and improve quality of life for everyone across your veterinary practice. So be kind to yourself, keep the faith and take notes from Nicole – someone who has been there and is ready to show you the way!
Also: Big news! Our Inventory System Deep Dive now offers six hours of RACE-approved continuing education (plus earn a Certificate of Veterinary Inventory Fundamentals) and our Certified Veterinary Inventory Professional Program includes 34 hours of RACE-CE.
KEY QUOTES:
- “In those first days and weeks (in inventory management) I really struggled because I was brand new to the practice and … was truly coming into a blank slate where I had no idea what was going on.” (Nicole)
- “My brain works best when I have a full picture and I know all the information. I don’t really do well when I have to guess and hope for the best.” (Nicole)
- “Setting up re-order points was the first project that I tackled and it was the thing that moved the needle the most for me … even if I did have to make some iterations.” (Nicole)
- “The biggest benefit of setting up your inventory systems is just the level of clarity, confidence and predictability where we often have this low-level hum of chaos and uncertainty.” (Nicole)
- “As inventory managers we’re never going to be 100% perfect because there’s so many things out of our control. Supply issues. Back orders. We can try to anticipate, but we can’t predict everything.” (Nicole)
- “Remember that the reason we put all this time into setting up inventory systems is so that it’s easier, so that we spend less time and save money!” (Nicole)
MEET NICOLE CLAUSEN
Hi, I’m Nicole Clausen, and I started Veterinary Care Logistics with the dream of changing the way we manage inventory together.
With 15+ years of experience in the veterinary industry, I have worked in several positions from receptionist to operations manager for several different hospitals.
While no two practices are ever alike, I noticed one common problem: a lack of inventory management and control. If you are tasked with managing inventory, I understand first-hand the challenges you face.
When I first started managing inventory, I struggled with the same things that many of my clients experience: a to-do list up my chin and a pretty persistent case of imposter syndrome. But jolting awake in the middle of the night, wondering if you remembered to order rabies vaccines is no way to live.
I knew something had to change.
Veterinary Care Logistics was born out of the demand by several industry leaders to utilize my inventory system as a model throughout the country. Whenever I tell people what I do, I usually get a puzzled reaction: Why would you want to do that? I hate inventory!
Truthfully, I love the puzzles, the numbers, and the strategies of inventory. But what really sets my soul on fire is creating lightbulb moments.
New clients who often come to me tell me that they feel like they are drowning or that they think they are just not cut out for this. Then once we start working together, putting systems in place, theres always, always an ah-ha moment.
And at that moment, a shift occurs. You know exactly what you need to do. Your confidence rises. And the confusion, overwhelm, and worry all begin to melt away like a bad, backordered-rabies-vaccine dream.
These are the moments I live for.
LINKS + RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Veterinary Care Logistics: @Instagram
Veterinary Care Logistics: Certified Veterinary Inventory Professional Program
Veterinary Care Logistics: Consulting Services
ABOUT VCL:
Veterinary Care Logistics serves veterinarians and their teams who are frustrated that their current inventory system is not functioning correctly and are facing out of control inventory costs and improperly stocked hospitals. VCL helps veterinarians through inventory analysis, comprehensive step-by-step action plans, and thorough team member training. My clients experience great success and rave about my work because I roll up my sleeves and get dirty working with your hospital to improve your inventory as if it was my own hospital.
