veterinary

Are You Scared Of Your Business Competitors?

22/01/21 16:51

Tips On How To React To New Competition

Your competition - does it worry you? Whatever business you're in, you will have some competitors. Big or small. Niche or more general. There will be some. Do you see your competitors as something to worry about?

Picture this. A equine hydrotherapy centre in a rural town. The owner set it up there as it was convenient to where she lived. But also there were no other similar businesses. The ideal solution to establishing a thriving horse care business. Veterinary surgeon's referred customers to her. And a variety of equestrian yards sent horses to her. All was going ok. Even despite the coronavirus pandemic, and the various restrictions that ensued.

But then a large equine vets in the area, one with a hospital decided to expand. And they expanded to include an equine swimming pool. Disaster? There would be convenience to the equine hospital patients at least. If they let their horses go to their vets new swimming pool. And of course the equine vets would be recommending their own clients use their own pool. So a large chunk of income would go to the equine hydrotherapist.

There are a few options this equine hydrotherapist could take.

Panic. Wonder what she can do, or was there anything she could do other than to accept her income would reduce.
Seek out alternative income streams. There are many opportunities. Such as network marketing, or becoming a retailer of different products.
See it as an opportunity. But can there be an opportunity in getting increased competition?

Let's look at these options one by one.

In times of adversity, we can "shrink" - or panic. This is natural to have moments like that. But it should pass. Worry doesn't help. And it can distract you from appreciating what you do have. And seeing how to get a clear path forward.
Second, looking at alternatives isn't a bad idea. Indeed, another income stream is often a good idea. But don't get distracted away from your core business. If it's what you love and you're good at it!
Third, increased competition often shows there's an increasing interest in your market. This is good news. So how can you make the most of it? Start by reviewing your marketing. Whether that's online or offline marketing it's always a good idea.

Do you agree that the third option looks good? So how can you make the most of your marketing?

Think how you can carve out your place in the market. Showcase what you do offer. So in this equine hydrotherapy example, the hydrotherapist should emphasise her unique qualities.

In this instance, she had 10 years experience of hydrotherapy. 25 years of keeping horses, and competing at Eventing. A proven track record of helping a variety of equines for many ailments. And she had other useful qualifications beyond equine hydrotherapy, including other equine therapies.

It can be human nature not to shout about our skills and experience. Are people that bothered? In a word, yes! But only if these skills and experience are applicable to them.

For instance if targeting horses competing in eventing as clients. You could point out that:

As an eventer, I understand how keeping your horses legs healthy is essential.
My 10 years experience of helping event horses with hydrotherapy. And special interest and knowledge of equine leg injuries.
I'm able to design rehabilitation programmes to help horses recover from leg injuries.
Use hydrotherapy to prevent equine leg injuries.
This all means I can help you to help your horse to be as healthy as possible".

Not complaining. Being present in the situation and visualising a positive future can help you avoid getting stressed.

Action Point

Get your notepad and write a list of all your qualifications.
Write down all the jobs you've had. For these jobs make a list of the skills you've gained in these.
Write down too your hobbies and interests.
Use a highlighter to mark out the keywords and key skills, qualifications and experience you have.
Look at your list with positivity. You are unique. All of what you've written down is your unique selling point.
Reflect your unique service offer in your marketing. So create some social media posts. Update your website. If you've fliers or posters or cards.

How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine Business

Click here for more information on consultancy. Or email me at info @ taranet.co.uk for info on coaching opportunities with me.

About The Author
Suzanne Harris is an equestrian and canine entrepreneurial coach and consultant to veterinarians who want to help prevent animals being affected by domestic abuse.

PS: You can find more equestrian and pet care themed business articles over at my Linkedin, see more here https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-harris-mcmi/detail/recent-activity/posts/

Tags: advice, equine business, veterinary, coaching, business, personal development, motivation, success, mindset

Be In Love With Your Equestrian Business

08/01/21 17:32

Are you happy with how your equestrian business is going?

Do you think you need to do more, or change your approach?

Now i'm all for setting goals, reviewing them, and being flexible to new opportunities. But sometimes, it's better to focus on one thing and get good at it. Very good at it.

I was catching up on one of my business influencers, Jeff Walker recently. And Jeff was talking about being "addicted to your success".

Here's an analogy. You want to compete in equestrian sports. You've got your horse. You decide you want to do dressage and go up through the levels as far as you can. Grand prix or Inter, or medium. Whatever your goal is. But you find it difficult. I'm a believer that any dressage movement is within all horse's capabilities. If you've ever spent time watching horses in the field, you'll have seen them capable of all sort of movements. It's us as riders who need to untap their potential!

You could find the dressage difficult and give up. And decide to do showjumping. As any elite show jumper will tell you, flatwork is everything. Guess what? Dressage is flat work! So to excel at showjumping you need to still practice your flatwork. If dressage is what you want to do, then why give up? It's rewarding to learn a movement, perfect it and then try another one. Dressage is addictive, if you put in the practice and see the rewards.

Changing disciplines because you're finding one too difficult isn't the solution. Your equestrian dream will only be half fulfilled. The same applies to your business!

Don't short-change yourself or your horse. If you find it challenging to learn the movements, to understand what to do. Then change your approach. Get a coach. Change your coach. Listen to the coach. Practice between coaching sessions. Do what you need to do to achieve your equestrian success.

Why Being Good At One Thing Is A Good Thing For Your Equestrian Business

Going back to Jeff Walker, he was talking about how it's possible to be successful by getting good at one thing. He's had one signature online programme for many years. And he's got good at it. Because he's allowed himself to not get distracted by other options. Becoming good or great in one field is rewarding. Doing a job that you love means you'll never have to work again! You may've heard of this saying and it is actually true!

Do you love what you're doing? Are you addicted to your equestrian or pet care entrepreneur business? Are you doing all that you can to make it successful? By concentrating on one goal?

Remember within one goal, there will be lots of mini-goals, or micro-actions. So don't feel constrained. Be inspired to be the best you can be. And become addicted to your own success.

As another inspirational man said, "you will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want." This of course is from the great Zig Ziglar.

Even as an equestrian or pet care entrepreneur this is true. Your customers want their animals to be fit and healthy. You can help them to get this.

Action Point

Review what you're doing. Are you mastering one business goal? Or are you trying to achieve multiple goals at the same time?
Decide what goal you're going to focus on for the next 3 - 6 months. Concentrate on this, dedicate yourself to this and become really good at it!

You can get more tips in my goal setting toolkit. Email me for your copy.

How to Get Confidence Running Your Equine or Canine Business

Tags: advice, equine business, veterinary, coaching, business, personal development, motivation, success

Holistic Care for Animals by Taranet