Your Optical Employee's Marketing Messages

In an article by Rebecca Johnson in Optometric Management's website the author did a great job of stating what each employee's marketing message is and how that message needs to come to life to increase customer retention.  Well worth the quick read here, Turning Staff into Marketers.

Eyeglasses.com Opens It's First Store

Would like to hear what people think about this Vision Monday article about Eyeglasses.com opening it's first optical store in Connecticut.  Is this a growing trend?

Following Up Pays

Saw this in the NFIB newsletter and thought it a good reminder with some insight to things I hadn't thought to try before. Click here to read the article.

Using a Optical Trade-in Policy

Just read a Vision Care Venture article that talked about using a trade-in policy, like that of a car dealership, for optical clients.  Has any one tried this and if so, what kind of response have you had?

My first impression is that people like to keep their old pair as the "back up" in case they break or lose the new one.  I've linked the article above so you can see what the writer, Kevin O'Driscoll's,  perspective on this is.  

High End Opticals

This is the model we use in our testing-grounds optical in Grand Rapids, MI (Sight Optical Boutique) and it has been working very well.  The look and feel of your office does have a part to play in this equation but it doesn't have to break the bank to hit the mark.

Recently we worked with a doctor that is adding an amazing looking higher-end optical to his practice without spending more than $12,000.  He also hired a very experienced optician which will make all the difference as well.  A cool looking office with the right staff who knows how to sell high-end frames is a winning combination from what we've seen.

http://72.3.251.78/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=A3E575D8549F4330A7527D46F07EB451&nm=Cover+Story&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=6885CE1E5B9D4FE89D6AB336E4378B13&tier=4&id=2F70037C830442C787FBE011BF95856C

VSP Selling Prescriptions Online

Would like to hear comments from our independent ECP's on this article from Vision Monday's site.  Is this just a nice way for Vision Monday to say market share is being transitioned from ECP's to VSP?  

IOD's Optical Displays Stand Up to the Test

How would your optical displays hold up under 4 inches of standing water?  We've heard of similar outcomes with other clients that had smaller water issues but I just had to talk about this one.  The following pictures are from an office that was vacant due to the passing of the principal.  While the estate was being settled someone didn’t pay the gas bill and the pipes froze and broke.  The problem wasn’t noticed till the water was running out of the front door so we have no way of knowing just how long the displays were in the water but we do know one thing, our displays held up great! 

Even being 15 years old and having 4 inches of standing water surround them you can hardly tell they even got wet.  This is the reason we use all hardwood plywood in our construction. 

Some other companies use different forms of particleboard that, under these circumstances, would bloat and swell up pretty quickly requiring a total replacement of the displays.  These, on the other hand, can be used again without a problem.