BUSINESS PERSONINTHE SPOTLIGHT
CHN BUSINESSPERSON IN THESPOTLIGHT
This issue CHN catchesupwith Andrew Hillier,Ballinger Equine
DO YOU COME FROM A HORSEY BACKGROUND?
Not
really.Apparently both my grandfathersand agreat grandfather served with cavalry regimentsand I’m told somebody in my stepmother’s family competed at Badminton. Horsesand poniesdidn’tfeature much in my childhood and Ilearned to ride properly as an adult. Ienjoy riding and have been luckyenough to exploresome wonderfully challenging and wild country on horseback in Australia, NewZealand, Botswana and throughout North America.
YOU DON’T HAVE APARTICULARLY HORSEY BACKGROUND –WHY DID YOU START WORKING IN THE EQUINE INDUSTRY?
My girlfriend Susanna is an equine veterinary surgeon. Iwas providing marketing and business development consultancyfor awell-known equine practiceand whenshe left her role as managing partner at an ambulatory practicewedecided to set up our ownbusiness together. Our skillsetsare complementary and we’reboth motivated to achieve.
WHATORWHO INSPIRES YOU?
My father,who passed away this summer,was asuccessful and highly respectedbusinessman and Isuppose I’mdriven to create something lasting and special that he’dhavebeen proud of.
HOW DO YOU JUGGLE YOUR HORSES WITH RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
Until recently Ihad two handsome TB/
AQHgreys.Susanna still has her Thoroughbreds and whilstit’s trickymakingtime to spend with them, it it is very worthwhile -they allhavesuch lovely and distinct personalitiesand Ifind being with them rewarding and enriching.
WHATHAS REALLY WORKED FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
Forme, it has to be our corporateidentity, branding and marketing. It is acrowded sectorand Iwanted astrong brand to visibly distinguish our offering and to projectour excellence-based-valuesinto aregion already well served by good equine vets.Whilstour brand is widely recognised, youneedgreat veterinary skills upon which to build and that’s down to Susanna and her clinical team.
HOWDOYOU RELAX AWAY FROM THE BUSINESS?
Neither Susanna nor Ihavemuch time away from work. The practiceisgrowing steadily and that brings an avalanche of admin. Ienjoy riding my motorbike as often as possible,listening to the bluesand Ireadalot of non-fiction. Having spent much of my career in London, it canbecomparatively relaxing working in the countryside.
WHATARE THE TOP PRODUCTS THAT YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Our fleet of 4x4 trucks ensures our vets cansafely get anywhere whatever the weatherand theycarry alot of equipment which, foran ambulatory practice, is crucial.
WHATARE YOUR AMBITIONS? To build alasting, well-regarded and
T el:
01462414008
www.ballinger
equine.com
successful independent practiceby focusing on clinical excellenceand thelevel of personal
serviceweprovide.Too often it seems, customer care is by the numbers, resulting in very little,ifany,actual
care.That’snot the Ballinger Equine way. We’d liketoremain independent and believe there’saniche forthat.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT THE BUSINESS?
Ihavea concern about the veterinary profession undervaluing itself –orat leastappearing to. No self-respecting tradesman or consultant would travel acrossthe countytovisit aclient and not charge fortheir
time.Sowhy do veterinary practices undermine their ownvalue and status by offering so- called free visits? It sets unreasonable client expectations and let’s be honest, there’snosuch thing as ‘free’ –the client alwayspaysfor it somewhere.
WHATADVICEWOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE COMING INTO YOUR LINE OF BUSINESS?
ballingerequine. com
01462414008
Ithink it is important to be bold and different. Knowwhat your particular strengths areand play to them, after all, where’sthe funinmerely offering the same as everybody
else.Also remember that this is apeoplebusiness –yes we care forour equine patients, but our clientsare individuals from different backgrounds and all with unique storiesto tell. We areprivileged to work with them and with lotsofhighly skilled professional colleagues, so good communication skills and fostering effectiveworking relationships is essential.
PleasementionCentralHorseNewswhenrespondingtoAdvertisementsNOVEMBER/DECEMBER2018 65
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