Zoetis Brings PeopleFirst™ Leadership Training Close to Customers

For managers in agriculture and veterinary medicine who want to overcome organizational challenges and grow their business, Zoetis is providing training that transforms how businesses operate. PeopleFirst^™ training is available to producers and veterinarians throughout the country to develop leadership skills, which managers say are often a neglected but worthwhile part of career development.¹

In addition to offering customized, on-site services, Zoetis is hosting two PeopleFirst courses — around 40 opportunities — at a variety of locations and dates across the country this year.

• PeopleFirst Leadership Certificate Program: Business owners, managers and supervisors need people management, leadership and decision-making skills, just as employees need training in animal husbandry, health, production and veterinary medicine. This four-session course, available in English or Spanish, provides 55 hours of foundational leadership training. It is designed to build confidence and skills in areas such as communication, team building, problem-solving and delegating. This program also provides 47 hours of nonclinical continuing education (CE) credit to veterinarians and technicians.
• PeopleFirst Focused Leadership Principles: This advanced course, also available in English or Spanish, is for those who have participated in a foundational leadership program, have on-the-job management experience or have completed the PeopleFirst Leadership Certificate Program. Over two sessions, professional instructors help participants learn and practice critical leadership skills including conflict resolution, leading with influence, performance coaching and effective meeting facilitation. This course also provides 25 hours of nonclinical CE credit to veterinarians and technicians.

“The PeopleFirst program is different than just a leadership class,” said Debra Van Cleve, one of the program’s professional leadership coaches. “The curriculum is highly interactive. Since the sessions are spread out over time, this allows participants time to practice and apply knowledge and skills from the curriculum. We work with you in between sessions. We understand your livelihood and are passionate about the work you do.”

More than 1,000 owners, managers, supervisors and veterinarians have found success by participating in a PeopleFirst leadership class since the program’s inception. Participants in the Leadership Certificate Program have reported decreased turnover, reduced employee conflict, fewer unexcused/unannounced absences, and improved performance and productivity, which directly benefit the bottom line for businesses.¹

• Some 90% of participants said the training was worth the investment.¹ In fact, participants reported a 14% improvement in job performance because of PeopleFirst training.* This includes participants who completed the program up to two years ago.¹
• Training also was reported to be highly relevant. For 90% of past participants, they said they applied new knowledge and skills within the first month; 64% said they applied it within the first week.¹

“PeopleFirst helped me help my employees,” said Shane Guest, general manager of Wheeler Land & Livestock in Wheeler, Texas. “It helped me see problems I didn’t think were problems and solve those problems more efficiently.Once we figured out how to break it all down, communicate problems and issues, it really opened us to have everyone help each other out and make a better team.”

June 9, 2015 - Zoetis