The Future: How Will You Communicate With Clients?
Think ahead to 5-10 years from now
How will you be communicating with your clients? Will it be via a new messaging platform? Will you be using ChatGPT? Will you still have your clinic website?
Nobody has the exacts answers (or a crystal ball). But there are a few fundamental trends emerging that vet clinics are likely to follow. In the future, we predict most veterinary clinics will do the following 3 things.
1. Automate routine tasks & queries
Even just a few years ago, most veterinary clinics wouldn’t have imagined using a chat-bot or digital assistant.
That’s all changed. The rise in pet ownership, coupled with global labour shortages, has seen clinics around the world embrace this technology.
As we noted in an earlier blog, automating routine queries and tasks makes sound business sense.
Having an intelligent ‘digital concierge’ – one that can assist clients 24/7 – will lighten the burden on your veterinary teams, so they can focus on the more important work that only a human can do.
Digital assistant provider Virtual Vet Nurse has identified the top 10 ‘repeatable tasks’ that clinics are looking to automate. This includes bookings, refill/repeat meds, pre-visit histories, post-op checks, client reviews, bill payments, client feedback, marketing & promotions, and more.
2. Adapt to new communication platforms
What digital platforms will you use to connect with your clients in the future?
In China, for example, veterinary clinics have always run their businesses without a website. Instead, they use the WeChat platform to communicate with their clients.
In the coming decade, vet clinics (like all businesses) will be adopting new methods of communication. As always, it’s about delivering a user experience that’s more convenient, enjoyable and personalised.
Technology will keep evolving at pace. As a business owner, there’s just one important question you need to ask: ‘If I invest in this today, will it still be relevant tomorrow?’
Technologies such as Virtual Vet Nurse are designed to adapt to various platforms – website, messenger, Instagram, What’s App…and whatever’s next!
3. Use generative AI to converse with clients
Conversational AI chat-bots have been delivering efficiencies in customer service for many years. Now, with the launch of generative AI (the likes of ChatGPT), they’re becoming even more sought-after.
Generative AI provides an even richer conversation with customers. It’s like a ‘thinking FAQ’ that can intelligently deliver answers to customer queries, by drawing from a much wider pool of existing knowledge.
Virtual Vet Nurse has been quick to adopt generative AI, and will make it available to individual vet clinics. Their goal is to ensure generative chat can include your clinic-specific information, meets veterinary professional standards, and is the kind of information a vet clinic actually wants to provide (because Dr Google hasn’t always got it right!) The team at Virtual Vet Nurse call this ‘vet-curated ChatGPT’.
First launched in 2020, Virtual Vet Nurse has a growing number of digital assistants working in clinics around the world – in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, South Africa, South East Asia, Canada, and the US.
To find out more, or book a demo, at www.virtualvetnurse.com.
Conclusion
The ever-evolving landscape of veterinary clinics demands a forward-thinking approach to stay competitive and provide excellent service. Embracing technology is not just a trend; it’s a necessity.
Automating routine tasks and queries through intelligent digital assistants like those offered by Virtual Vet Nurse has proven to be a game-changer. This technology empowers veterinary teams by lightening their workload, allowing them to concentrate on the more intricate aspects of patient care that only humans can provide.
Furthermore, as communication methods continue to evolve, it’s crucial to adapt to new platforms that enhance client engagement and satisfaction. With various emerging channels worldwide, the focus remains on creating a convenient, enjoyable, and personalised user experience.
Generative AI, exemplified by solutions like ChatGPT, is taking customer service to new heights. It offers a more profound, knowledge-enriched conversation with clients. Virtual Vet Nurse’s commitment to making generative chat tailored to vet clinics’ needs ensures accurate and reliable information delivery.
As we move into the future, it’s clear that technology will play an increasingly vital role in veterinary practices worldwide. Those who embrace these advancements will not only stay relevant but also provide better care and service to their clients. Stay ahead of the curve and embrace the transformative power of technology in veterinary care.
