It's not often a non-Australian wins top honours from the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), so Onswitch's Alison Lambert was surprised and delighted to be awarded the inaugural Veterinary Business Thought Leader for 2019. Keen to ensure that the next generation benefit from her experience, Alison donated the prize money and CE hours to the AVA to fund a scholarship, working with the Veterinary Business Group to recognise emerging business leaders.

Onswitch has worked closely with the AVA and its Veterinary Business Group (VBG) for many years now, regularly delivering interactive workshops and speaker sessions at the annual congress and working with member practices throughout the year to help improve the customer experience they provide. Alison was once again a key member of the popular industry panel sessions this year's summit 'Making it Happen', held on the 16-18th October in Sydney.

Alison explains why the award means so much to her and the Onswitch team, both in the UK and Australia. "I was really chuffed to be given the Veterinary Business Thought Leader award, which I didn't know was coming - unusually I was a bit lost for words! Not only did the VBG see fit to bestow this honour on a non-Aussie, they've given it to Pommie! I spend a couple of months a year working with my extended veterinary family in Australia and see it very much as my second home."

"Of course it helps being able to leave summer behind in the UK and arrive down under just in time for another one, but the real reason I love spending time in Australia is the opportunity to work with such wonderful people and practices. On this visit I've spent time with veterinary teams across the country, helping them focus on optimising the customer experience they provide. I also delivered the keynote address at the Green Cross conference, with the same core message of embrace, engage and educate when it comes to building enduring and profitable client relationships.
Receiving this award has made me very happy, and appreciative of the close ties I have with the wonderful Australian veterinary community."

For more information on the wide range of reporting, training and business consultancy services offered by Onswitch, please visit www.onswitch.co.uk, contact info@onswitch.co.uk or call 01476 565343.