Want to know how our current economic crisis came about, follow this link to a very interesting video that explains it all. http://lifehacker.com/5157548/remains-of-the-day
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I was contemplating our country's current financial situation and our government's attempt to figure out a solution. It reminded me of some poetry that I wrote a decade ago. Perhaps you'll…
Hand-written sign spotted on employee bulletin board at a Home Depot: THE RIGHT ANSWER IS "YES." "NO" REQUIRES MANAGEMENT APPROVAL. Whomever posted this sign wins the Al Cleinman customer service…
According to an industry release, a new managed vision care company, ExcelVision, is opening its doors and will be soon recruiting providers. The firm’s claim to fame is that they…
It's easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom promulgated by the press. While certainly we are operating in unprecidented times, it's important to place things in perspective. I came…
I came across this interview of VSP’s CFO. It’s interesting reading and provides some insight into the thinking of your largest customer (for those readers who are private practice optometrists). …
The numbers are in. While the U.S. eyecare market contracted a bit in 2008, down a "mere" $500 million, the market share of the independent actually increased. Congratulations! But the key…
I pulled the following from a consumer's blog, apparantly written by someone in a major city. I think you'll find this guy's observations interesting. When you begin to think that the key…
You've listened to me rant about how discounting is killing our industry's value in the minds of consumers. Indeed, the vast majority of optical and eyecare advertising is, in a word…BORING!…
In his latest book, Tribes, author Seth Godin offers a unique perspective on leadership. His view is that leadership is an art…something to be practiced. Indeed, he says (and I…
By now, you’re aware that the Supreme Court turned down VSP’s request to hear their appeal about the revocation of their non-profit status by the IRS. What follows is a…
Alcon, the world's largest eyecare company, was recently honored by Fortune Magazine as one of the Top 100 Companies to Work For; indeed they finished 74th and have been on…
I came across this blog entry by a consumer. While it's just one person's opinion, it does make one wonder what VSP is doing with all the money that providers…
I'm writing from San Jose, Costa Rica. I've been on a bit of a "walk-about" for the past week, recharging the battaries and enjoying the wilds of this wonderful country. …
The following post on another blog is typical of the PR effort that VSP appears to be making. I suggest that it's a PR effort because, of the dozen or…
As we begin the New Year, I encourage my team to invest some time to
While some prognosticators are suggesting that folks are less likely to travel because of high costs, we're actually seeing the reverse. Indeed, with well planned travel, we're seeing some of the lowest rates…
Like most Americans, I own a car. I pay for insurance to protect myself from the economic risk associated with an accident, theft, fire, etc. Were I to have the…
Imagine this. It’s probably happened to you scores of times, as it just recently happened to me. You’re driving on the expressway, tooling along with your cruise control set at 74mph (the…
OK, so your portfolio has shrunk by 40%, unemployment is jumping and you’re concerned about the future. Its times like this that keep me grounded. And for my Thanksgiving message, I…
