Partner up with other companies

Partnerships are a great tool to help your hospital become more engaged in your community. They can be very helpful in driving new business, but partnerships need to be considered with some care. Though you cannot be held responsible for all of the actions of your partners, you need them to share your same standard of excellence. Also think about how a partnership with one business may cut you off from referrals from similar businesses.

How do you form a good relationship with an outside partner? The first is to create added value for your clients. Does the partner offer something that you believe is important that you do not provide (high quality pet food, or pet boarding?). Second, find a way to incorporate the other company's existing clients (remember you are trying to broaden your reach) in any activity that you may be having. Lastly, always remember who you are.

Check out this unique solution by an Arizona veterinary hospital where snake bites are common. They provided a service through someone else that they themselves recommended (snake aversion training). This event made the hospital no money (in fact they lost a bit because of staffing costs - we did fix that later), but it was a huge success. They gained several new clients and have since held four more snake aversion training events.

This event was brought about through relationships developed at several less successful events. There is a level of trial and error to these things, but ultimately, like this hospital, you will find a winning solution and a great partnership with another company or organization.

Events do not need to be extravagant. They could be as small as a hiking club for pet owners (with matching leashes and t-shirts?), hosting educational seminars, helping local charities, or hosting an adoption event.

Think of all the things that you recommend, and all of the things that you do not, yourself, provide. Don't have a trainer, but believe in puppy classes? Simple, invite a trainer to use your facility. If there is another company in town that you have an already existing relationship with brainstorm with them about ideas. Be creative, be engaged in your community, and be seen!