Being a manager is tricky, and being a good manager is even more so. The talent of managing others in a way that promotes leadership and a productive working environment takes trained finesse.

On Thursday, September 28 APPA will be hosting a webcast for our members, “How to Manage People… and Actually Enjoy It!”

The webcast will cover some classic elements of leadership. We will discuss how to clearly communicate your expectations to employees, how to reward high performers and deal with poor performance without feeling guilty. There will also be a lesson in coaching team members, so “hand holding” is no longer an issue.

This seminar is great for anyone how has fallen into the habit of micromanaging. These lessons will help give you confidence in your employees, as well as how to reward who is getting the job done and how to hold people accountable they are not meeting expectations. 

 

Across America, you’ll find thousands of families with two pet households. The reason? Well, there isn’t just one. Some pet owners will tell you it’s so their dog or cat can have a companion while others say that by adopting a second pet, they’re helping decrease the percentage of pets without homes. No matter the exact reason, one thing is certain, bringing home a second pet can be extremely beneficial and rewarding, but it’s important to consider a few things first.

Take, for example, this scenario. You have a wonderful pup at home but you’re concerned that, during your workday, he or she is lonely or inactive. A second dog could help this situation immensely. Dogs are social animals, and chances are good that the two will play together while you’re out and about.

To help ensure the dogs get along, you’ll want to consider the following:

* Adding a second female pup is usually ill advised

* Most dog breeds get along best with their own breed

* With two males, it’s a good idea to have at least one of them neutered to minimize dominance issues

Additionally, when adding a second animal, no matter the species, it’s always a good idea to ask these questions:

1. Is your existing pet good with other pets?
2. Have you budgeted for a second pet?
3. Do you want to travel with both pets? In the case of dogs, some pet friendly locations are reluctant to take two pups, and boarding two dogs will cost more.
4. If necessary, are you prepared to train two pets?
5. What is your main motivation for wanting another pet?

Adding a second pet is a special time, particularly if you adopt. Not only are you making a world of difference and changing the life of a new animal for the better, but you’re also contributing to the well being of your first pet.  Not to mention, studies show that pets add to your life, so a double dose can’t be a bad thing!

Information provided by:

http://www.lucythewonderdog.com/two-dogs.htm

 

We frequently get questions from people that have a great product idea and want to start manufacturing. Unfortunately we cannot help you decide whether your product is going to be the “next big thing”, and APPA membership is not available until you have begun to sell your product, but we can give you some help in determining whether your product will be subject to regulatory requirements.

Many of our members are small start-up companies that got started with one good idea. There are many considerations before going into the pet product industry- some of which are general business considerations, and some of which are unique to the pet product industry. While we suggest that you obtain legal advice from an attorney before entering the business, without providing legal advice, here is some general regulatory information and other resources to point you in the right direction.

Regulatory Requirements for Pet Products

1. Pet Food - http://americanpetproducts.org/law/lawlibrary_article.asp?topic=62
2. Pesticide Products - http://americanpetproducts.org/law/lawlibrary_article.asp?topic=62
3. Other Products

• Although less regulated than food or pesticide products there are other regulatory considerations for each product. In general, you will have to comply with labeling requirements. For information on general labeling considerations, such as placement of required information on labels like weight or volume see the NIST Handbook of Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulations  which have been adopted by many States. 

• Claims--Claims made for pet products, like other products must be able to be substantiated as truthful. Advertising claims are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission. In the case of remedies, depending on the claim and the particulars of the product, the remedy formulation may be considered a drug which will need approval from the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine before being marketed.

• Specific other products

Toys-there is no specific regulatory requirements for pet toys other than general safety requirements  for consumer products which would be overseen by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Clothing-Be aware that you may be required to comply with fabric labeling requirements which is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

 

Social media and pets are a perfect match. Why? Because people are passionate about their pets and social media gives them a platform to share it with others. Marketers have caught onto this and the vast majority is using it to connect with their target on a much more meaningful and relevant level than traditional advertising can provide.

The pet industry is growing everyday, and accordingly, so to is the use of social media within it, as this article explains http://www.dmnews.com/social-media-rises-in-pet-pushes/article/136931/