8th January, 2010
Free Facebook for Small Biz Webinar
Interested in using Facebook to connect with your customers and community to help drive your business? John Jantch of Duct Tape Marketing is hosting a free live webinar on Jan 21, 2010 to help you do just that.
Everyone knows Facebook has become a powerful business tool, right? Well, maybe, but what I find now is that most small businesses want to know how to tap the power of this new platform with practical methods that get results. I’ve rounded up three Facebook and social media experts and put together a free live Facebook training session just to help small businesses that are new to Facebook or those that want to find ways to make Facebook pay for business and take it to the next level.
Visit the Duct Tape Marketing Blog for more information and to reserve your spot.
Popularity: 31% [?]
Posted at 1:08 pm | Comment (0)
8th January, 2010
LKO is on Facebook!
Join in on the conversation. Visit us on Facebook and leave a comment!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laramy-K-Optical/233198038511
Popularity: 31% [?]
Posted at 12:56 pm | Comment (0)
24th November, 2009
No-Shows
How do you handle no-shows? Dr. Neil Gailmard, editor of Optometric Management’s Tip of the Week points out this seemingly innocuous policy decision is a window to the core of your customer service philosophy. Do you let them slide? Do you give them stern warnings? Threaten or even charge them penalty fees? Or do you use it as an opportunity to demonstrate your extraordinary customer service?
I love Dr. Gailmard’s take on the subject.
The vast majority of ECPs don’t get it. They think they are good at customer service, but once staff members begin to protect the practice from unfair treatment by the public, you go down a slippery slope. The office culture changes and the focus is no longer on showing patients how much you care. You end up perilously close to the same behavior we see in most healthcare offices: horrible customer service!
Fits right in with my philosophy on customer vs. patient.
Popularity: 45% [?]
Posted at 4:32 pm | Comment (0)
9th November, 2009
Spreading the Word
Nothing is more powerful in growing your business than word of mouth. So, after you’ve knocked your customers’ socks off with your unforgettable brand of customer service, give them a couple of gift certificates (for your store, of course) to be shared only with friends. You’ll be giving them the opportunity to give their friends a gift and a good recommendation.
Popularity: 49% [?]
Posted at 1:53 pm | Comment (0)
3rd November, 2009
Cash for Clunkers
I stopped in at a local OD’s office today. Last month she ran a “cash for clunkers” promotion. She offered $100.00 off a new pair of glasses for patients that brought in an old pair to be donated to the Lion’s Club. Today she reported her promotion resulted in a 41% increase in revenue for the month. All she did to promote it was send this email to her patient list. Not bad for this time of year given the current state of the economy.
Popularity: 50% [?]
Posted at 4:10 pm | Comment (1)
30th October, 2009
Supporting Nouveau
If you have an interest in supporting Nouveau Vision in their complaint against Essilor and VSP, feel free to use the form letter below to voice your support to Washington State, Federal, or your own State officials.
RE: Potential Anti-Trust Violations in the Vision Care Industry
Dear [public official(s)],
As an eye care professional concerned for patients’ needs, I have observed a worrisome trend of consolidation and possible collaboration among dominant corporate entities in the vision care industry. The largest manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses in the world, French-owned Essilor, is acquiring independent U.S. laboratories at an alarming rate and now owns interest in more than 50% of the lens processing capacity in the U.S. A significant percentage of the remaining independent laboratories are distributors of Essilor products and controlled by overly restrictive contracts as a requirement for distributorship. These contracts explicitly prohibit Essilor “partner” laboratories from promoting or even comparing competitors’ products to Essilor’s unless stating Essilor products are superior, regardless of patient need. Since vision care providers rely on laboratories for recommendations in selecting the most appropriate products for their patients, these contracts significantly inhibit consumer choice. Moreover, contract restrictions place undue dependence of otherwise independent businesses, across an entire industry, on a single corporation, reducing competition.
VSP, the nation’s largest managed vision care company also owns laboratories across the U.S. This year VSP decided to cancel a number of contracts with independent laboratories to the apparent benefit of Essilor. The loss of revenue from VSP may put some independent laboratories out of business and reduce competition for Essilor. Nouveau Vision in Redmond, Washington, has filed complaints with the FTC and State of Washington authorities, against Essilor and VSP, for unfair trade practices and possible collusion.
I am deeply concerned about the direction being taken by dominant entities in the vision care industry. When two or three companies move in the direction of taking over an entire industry and dictate their products be recommended above all others regardless of patient need, not only will independent businesses suffer as choices erode, but so will vision care consumers.
I support the action of Nouveau Vision taken against Essilor and VSP in the State of Washington and strongly urge investigation into unfair trade practices within the vision care industry in the State of ____________ (and/or nationwide).
Sincerely,
Name
Position
Business
City, State-or-
Anonymous for fear of reprisal
City, State
Here is a list of officials you may wish to contact:
Honorable Christine Gregoire
Governor of the State of Wasington
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
Tina E. Kondo
Antitrust Division Chief
Washington State Attorney General’s Office
800 5th Avenue, Suite 2000
Seattle, WA 98104-3188
Honorable Mike Kreidler
Insurance Commissioner
Office of the Insurance Commissioner
P.O. Box 40257
Olympia, WA 98504-0257
Stuart W. Hirschfeld
Northwest Region
Federal Trade Commission
915 Second Ave., Room 2896
Seattle, WA 98174
Senator Tom Coburn
172 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-5754
Fax: 202-224-6008
Senator Max Baucus
280 E Front Street, Ste 100
Missoula, MT 59802
406-329-3123; fax 406-728-7610
Christine Varney
Main Justice Building
950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
email antitrust@usdoj.com
ph 202-514-2401; fax 202-616-2645
Mr. Donald S. Clark
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20580
Government officials from your own State
Popularity: 51% [?]
Posted at 11:05 am | Comment (0)
26th October, 2009
LKO Going Digital
Excitement is growing as we are finally installing the latest digital surfacing technology from Schnieder, allowing us to produce the newest “freeform” progressives and individualized single vision lenses. In-house production of “freeform” progressives will initially include Shamir Autograph, Autograph II, Element, and Seiko Succeed.
In-house digital surfacing will also allow us the flexibility to offer any coating combination currently available from LKO on all digitally surfaced lenses, including Zeiss Carat Advantage and ICE clear AR. Incremental digital production will begin in November with full production ready by the end of the month.
Popularity: 50% [?]
Posted at 8:27 pm | Comment (0)
26th October, 2009
Another Independent Gone
Vision Monday is reporting Madison, WI independent labortatory, Orion Progressive Lens Lab has been aquired by Essilor. The September 1st deal marks the 17th acquisition for Essilor in 2009. Orion reported $5 mil in revenue last year.
Popularity: 50% [?]
Posted at 1:26 pm | Comment (0)
22nd October, 2009
Scary Patients
I came across Judy Canty’s article in this months ECP magazine. As soon as I started reading it, my stomach began to turn. My head started to shake. I am thinking, “Oh please, no more patient bashing. These are the people we make our living off of and this is what is wrong with retail optical…”
I took a deep breath, clinched my jaw, and kept reading.
My churning stomach soon gave way to a tinge of excitement. My jaw loosened and the corners of my mouth turned upward as one by one, Judy turned the stereotypes into people opticians love. It seems these stereotypes represent real people with real problems. While they can present a challenge at times, treating them like customers and helping them to leave your store happy can make it all worth while.
My cynicism was unwarranted.
Bravo Judy. Bravo.
Popularity: 50% [?]
Posted at 12:37 pm | Comment (0)
21st October, 2009
Taking On the Big Guys
So, it’s now been reported by Vision Monday and picked up by our friends over at Eye Overheard (edit: and now a thread on Optiboard), an example of the seemingly quixotic behavior I mentioned in my last post; our fellow OSI laboratory, Nouveau Vision a small lab in Redmond Washington – for all intents and purposes the last independent laboratory in the state of Washington – having been recently dropped by VSP, is filing suit against VSP and Essilor of unfair trade practices.
In their letter to the Governor, Nouveau cites unreasonable contracts as an example of unfair trade practices, specifically the clause of the Varilux distributor contract which states:
“Any activities of Distributor to advertise, promote, or sell to ECPs any PAL other than Varilux Products as Distributor’s preferred treatment for presbyopia…shall constitute a breach of this agreement.”
In case you were wondering, this statement (and others like it) is precisely why Laramy-K Optical has never distributed or processed Varilux lenses in the nearly twenty years we’ve been in business.
We applaud the fact that someone (Tim Sutich) has the courage to make this kind of stand against Essilor and VSP, particularly in these difficult economic times.
If you own a lab that has been terminated by VSP or subjected to unfair trade practices by either Essilor or VSP, Tim is willing to share what he has learned and help in any way he can. He is actively trying to get other states involved in legal action. Tim has also established a legal defense fund. He can be contacted at 800.365.3611.
Popularity: 52% [?]
Posted at 10:16 am | Comments (3)
13th October, 2009
Giants of Industry
According to Seth Godin…
In the 260 weeks from 1966 to 1970, there were only thirteen musical acts responsible for every #1 album on the Billboard charts.
He goes on to write…
Sometimes, we define a golden age in a market as a time of stability, when one or a few giants capture all of our attention. AT&T telephones, Superman comics, Beatles records, IBM computers, The New York Times, [Essilor, Luxottica]… and now Google. Choices are easy… Ironically, the success of these winners attracts quixotic entrepreneurs, people who set out to challenge the few who are winning. While we might root for these underdogs, it turns out that they’re not the ones who usually change everything. The powerful are still too powerful.
The real growth and development and the foundations for the next era are laid during the chaotic times, the times that come after the leaders have stumbled.
While it may be true that the smothering presence of large entities can make it nearly impossible for smaller ones to gain a foothold, the quixotic challenger helps to disrupt the surface and create an environment in which the giants may stumble. At a minimum, the trend-bucking entrepreneur holds an ideal position - if he can hold on long enough - to take advantage when the giant eventually falls asleep.
Popularity: 25% [?]
Posted at 12:44 pm | Comments (4)
7th October, 2009
Two Pairs with One Umbrella
Second pair promotions are always a topic of industry mags and optical self-help literature. So, what could possibly be done that hasn’t already been covered a thousand times? How about a different way of thinking about your second pair promotions? Here’s a simple idea that not only encourages second pair sales, but also promotes future sales and makes your customers feel good about their purchase. Ready?
Give them a nice polo or umbrella with your name or logo on it when they purchase a second pair.
[uncomfortable silence…]
Doesn’t sound terribly earth-shattering or original, does it? But wait, there are three things that make this promotion more than just another cheap come-on. First, the name or logo on the item speaks of your company to others (okay, pretty basic). Second, the quality of the item speaks about your company to others (now, we’re getting a little better). And third, the fact that the item is something your customers will likely use outside the home gives them opportunity to speak about your business with friends and associates (ah, word of mouth; the Holy Grail of marketing!).
Always be thinking of ways to make it easier for your customers to talk about you.
Related:
Popularity: 25% [?]
Posted at 1:00 pm | Comment (0)
8th September, 2009
OpenOptix Works!
I wanted to share some feedback with you to not only let you know OpenOptix educational material works but also to let you know your efforts are having a positive impact and are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your contribution to optical education. I am in the process to develop a training manual for Optical Laboratory technicians in South Africa. We do not have any formal training in this field. Everything the guys learn is from in-house training. Your free information has been super to help me to put together the first part of the training manual. I am very excited about the Lab Finishing Manual.
-E.W.It had been 18 years since I passed the A.B.O.C. at that time I got an 87. I used the material that your site has, in May I passed it with a 92. Thanks for letting an old dog learn some new tricks.
-E.S.An office near me that had several people (none opticians) pass the ABO in May just by using the [OpenOptix ABO] study guide.
-B.F.I passed the ABO in May! It was my first attempt and I know that I passed because of the help and materials that OpenOptix provided me. I took the test with 2 other coworkers. Both of them had taken the test several times and had yet to pass. I gave them your website and told them to study the material and take the sample test. Well, they took my advice and they also passed! So, thank you again and please relay my thanks to all the members and contributors who helped write the material. It is because of your easy to read and memorize text that I was able to pass the test on the first try! I look forward to taking the NCLE in November and guess who’s material I will be using? OpenOptix of course!
-L.P.I passed with an 88% and this was my first time taking the test. Your material was fantastic! My other two co-workers and used other materials. One scored a 71% and the other a 75%. We all studied about the same amount of time.
-A.T.Thank you very much for sharing ABO material to us. As matter of fact, those were so helpful for me to be able to pass my examination.
-S.M.I’m using this because it’s far easier than dragging out my text books. I haven’t worked as an Optician in over 10 years and am trying to get back in the field. I think this is going to be very helpful in helping to refresh my knowledge. I remember some of this but not all. I’m thankful that a site like this is around for someone like me.
-B.P.Thank you for putting the OpenOptix study guide together, your hard work is greatly appreciated. I will be taking the ABO in the spring here in Missouri and have been using your study guide. My eyeglass manager thinks the material is very good and was impressed.
-P.S.
We still need you help. There is much left to do. We need to continue work on the NCLE guide and get the lab manual rolling. As you can see, there is a definitely a demand out there for quality optical education material and providing it for free helps people all over the world in immeasurable ways.
Thanks for your help and keep spreading the word!
Popularity: 23% [?]
Posted at 12:11 pm | Comment (0)
14th July, 2009
Rodenstock Continues U.S. Distribution
Optical Distribution Corp (ODC), distributor of Rodenstock lenses, recently closed its doors, also closing the door on the supply of Rodenstock lenses to the U.S. We are happy to announce however, Rodenstock has signed a deal with Pro Fit Optix to continue U.S. distribution and Laramy-K Optical has made arrangements with Pro Fit Optix so we may continue to process and supply lenses to our customers from one of the few manufactures of quality lenses remaining that can truly be embraced by the independent.
Popularity: 47% [?]
Posted at 1:37 pm | Comment (0)
7th July, 2009
…and another and…
Essilor officially announces it’s majority acquisition of McLeod Optical in partnership with VSP along with the acquisition of four other independent U.S. labs: Barnet & Ramel Optical ($10.8 million in revenue), Apex Optical ($2.7 million), ABBA Optical ($2.2 million) and Vision Pointe Optical ($1.1 million) located in Nebraska, Florida, Georgia and Idaho, respectively. Essilor also announced the acquisition of OptiSource International, manufacturer and distributor of optical supplies.
Popularity: 47% [?]
Posted at 12:54 pm | Comment (0)
29th June, 2009
Essilor Acquires Another Independent Lab
A reliable source reports to us that Essilor is acquiring McLeod Optical with locations in Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
Popularity: 50% [?]
Posted at 11:12 am | Comment (1)
20th March, 2009
New LifeRX Poly Trifocal and 1.74 Fin SV
The first poly photochromic trifocal is now available in the LifeRx 7×28 gray and brown.
Also Seiko 1.74 is now available in AR coated finished stock.
Popularity: 84% [?]
Posted at 1:11 pm | Comments (2)
2nd March, 2009
The Free OpenOptix ABO Study Guide: Update
The first official “complete” version of the OpenOptix ABO Study guide is now available.
Many thanks to everyone that has helped with this project so far!
While the guide is complete now, in the sense there is infomation under each section, I do not consider it finished. In addition to the immediate improvements and editing that still need to be completed, my hope is that those who have contributed, continue to help improve the document; those that use the document for training, provide feedback; and those that use the guide to study for their exam, let us know where we need to improve. In this way it will continue to improve over time and ultimately become the best training resource available for ABO certification and basic optical training.
In the mean time, please let us know what you think!
Popularity: 90% [?]
Posted at 2:01 am | Comments (5)
23rd February, 2009
The Free OpenOptix ABO Study Guide
A little over a year ago, I started the OpenOptix initiative. Taking some inspiration from projects such as MIT OpenCourseware, I wanted to see if we could take the concept of open source and apply it to optical knowledge projects. The intent was to encourage people in the optical community to work together in creative ways to improve the industry and ultimately optical care around the world.
More specifically, the initial goals I spelled out (meant only as a starting point) were as follows:
By providing free and open access to optical education [and information] the goals of the OpenOptix initiative are to:
• Improve optical care worldwide by providing free and open access to optical training materials, particularly for parts of the world where training materials and trained professionals may be limited.
• Provide opportunities for optical professionals of all skill levels to review and improve their knowledge, allowing them to better serve their customers and patients
• Provide staff training material for managers and practitioners
• Encourage ABO certification and advanced education for opticians in the U.S.
• Inspire innovation, creativity, and collaboration in the optical professions.
Pretty lofty, I know. But hey, shoot for stars, maybe you’ll hit the moon.
So, today, with your help, we’ve published the first version of the OpenOptix ABO Study Guide. While not 100% complete, hopefully it will still provide some value and, with your continued help, only improve over time. The guide is free for anyone to use, print, publish, modify, or whatever as you see fit. All we ask is that you maintain credit for the contributors of the document, share the document with your friends and colleagues, and consider making a knowledge contribution (additions, corrections, clarifications, images, diagrams, etc. as long as they are original non-copyrighted works) to help improve the guide.
In addition to the ABO Study Guide, we have launched two other OpenOptix related projects over the past year:
The Free Lens Availability Database
I sincerely hope that you will benefit from the OpenOptix project in some way, tell your friends about it, and together we nudge the optical world in a positive direction.
Popularity: 100% [?]
Posted at 2:22 pm | Comments (4)
22nd January, 2009
The Value of an Optician
Salaries, opportunities, and respect all seem to be trending downward. Thanks to a number of contributing factors, the value of an optician is on the decline.
So, what does the future of opticianry hold and what can opticians do about it?
There are obviously no easy answers and the state of the economy is not making it any easier. One thing is certain, all the complaining in the world about low salaries or dreaming about being viewed as scientists or medical professionals will not turn things around. Opticians as a group, as well as individually, need to look for ways to increase their value to both their employers and their customers.
John Seegers, optician, author, and college instructor has taken an active role in affecting change. John sees a stronger educational focus on practical knowledge and movement away from some of the more technical and outdated material studied today in opticianry programs, as an important first step. “They should be spending their time learning insurance, sales, repairs, technology, current trends, fitting, adjusting, customer service, business skills, and lab work.”, Seeger writes. I would also add a greater emphasis on soft skills as being critical. The ability to educate and relate to customers is grossly undervalued. John has spent considerable time and resources compiling an online library of practical opticianry knowledge. The breadth of knowledge he has put together on OpticianWorks.com is quite impressive and certainly worth some of your time.
What are your thoughts on the problems opticians face and how to address them?
Popularity: 85% [?]
Posted at 5:12 pm | Comment (0)
