The best patient experiences and the worst patient experiences grow out of the same problem most businesses face: their systems are inconsistent. Johanna Loeffler, CPBA, Senior Director of Operational Development, shows you the one trick you need to always deliver your best to your clients.
Cleinman Performance Partners’ Senior Director of Client Solutions, Amanda VanVoris, talks with Alan French, OD, FAAO regarding the challenges he had running his practice and his consulting journey. See what Dr. French says was one aspect of the consulting process that really stood out for him.
Our consultants often get asked, “what do I look for in an employee?” This is an age-old question, and I’m quite certain that most optometrists don’t really think this one through. First, each position likely has a requirement for different attributes. As just one example, a bookkeeper doesn’t have to be very people-oriented while an optician simply must be. The attributes of your patient-care coordinator will likely be different than those of your contact lens tech. Different jobs require different skills.
I recently read an article that predicted that on-line optical is expected to reach a 21% share of market by 2023. Ouch, you say! Firm’s like Zenni Optical, Warby Parker and Essilor’s EyeBuy Direct and FramesDirect.com are out to eat your lunch. VSP is right there with them. Are these your enemies…or friends?
Some time ago, I had my office painted. As I reassembled my “stuff” after the project, I had occasion to reconnect with a number of mementos; items that remind me of various steps in my career. Memories.
It’s that time of year when we reflect upon the past and think about the future. This past year has certainly been one for the record books. But in spite of our respective challenges, and, short of the horror of actually suffering from Covid or worse, we’re all better as a result of 2020. Yes, we’re better for it!
This year has undoubtedly been one to remember. As 2020 comes to a close, our team at Cleinman Performance Partners has worked diligently to provide the support that you needed to both survive…and thrive… during what has been a very challenging year
Remember the scene from the movie Private Benjamin where basic trainee Goldie Hawn is being forced to march in a circle in the rain. Her memorable line was…”I want to go to lunch…I want to be normal again.” Perhaps that line is a timely summary of where we currently are?
My journey began over 15 years ago. For this analyst, the proverbial “handwriting on the wall” was indelible. The signals were clear. The voice in my ear increased in resonance. The time was right to speak out. Of what am I speaking, you ask? I’m referring to the point at which I clearly understood that vision plans and private-practice optometry were on a collision course.
It’s been quite a year. In spite of a world-wide pandemic, natural disasters, social unrest, economic challenges and a political system that seems to have gone haywire, we’ve much for which to be thankful. If you’re listening to this message, if you’re breathing, you’re ahead of the game.
Remember Blockbuster? That chain of video rental stores that started with one location in 1985, had over 9,000 locations at its peak by 2004, only to vanish from the planet by 2014. That’s right, from seed to dust in less than 20 years! In that short period, Blockbuster moved an entire industry from a purchase and own business model to a rental model. Their inventory intensive business was then usurped by the streaming subscription model of Netflix; a business driven by technology that wasn’t even possible a decade earlier.
A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you some interesting data about your performance during the 2nd quarter of this year compared with 2019. Overall, on a per patient basis, our clients fared well during the darkest days of the Covid19 period. While, on average, you saw 25% fewer patients, your per patient revenue increased by 13%, mitigating fully 50% of the potential downturn. That’s outstanding!
It’s early November and next year is right around the corner. By now, you’re likely well on your way to finishing your 2021 plans and budget. You and your team have thought through what you’d like your practice to accomplish; your goals; your personal development objectives. Your managers have turned in their individual budgets and you now know what you expect to gross; and net. You’ve got a good idea of what you’ll invest in team development and a clear understanding of what positions you’ll have to fill.
Clearly, the second quarter of this year seemed like Optometry’s Armageddon. 2020 was supposed to be Optometry’s year. But with most of you closed down for at least ½ the quarter, and our industry’s events wiped clean off the calendar, stress flowed like a mountain stream. Our data shows that, on average, you saw 25% fewer patients in the 2nd quarter of this year vs. 2019! For most businesses, that would be the kiss of death. But you and your teams stepped up to the plate and made lemonade out of the proverbial lemon.
“That which doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” Well, certainly, we wouldn’t wish the worst case on anyone. Our hearts go out to those families who have lost loved ones from this Pandemic and the myriad of other reasons that people leave our world.
But Nietzsche’s words from 150 years ago make sense. What he’s really speaking about is adaptability. Life continuously delivers challenges. Survival is not about the fittest, but the adaptable.
A man had two sons. One the consummate negaholic, the other an unwavering optimist. Come Christmas, he ordered everything in the LL Bean catalogue and placed the goods in his attic. He also ordered a truckload of horse manure and loaded that into his basement. Come Christmas morning, he goes to his attic and observes his one son picking up every item and cross referencing it to the LL Bean catalogue. “I know there’s something missing,” he said.
Last week I spoke about the importance of taking time to sharpen your saw. How time away from your practice is even more important than time spent in your practice. This week, I’m providing you with some guidance on reflection.
It’s the beginning of October and mother nature has begun to turn the thermostat down in upstate NY. The leaves are turning into their majestic colors and the smell of fall is in the air. It’s one of my favorite times of the year.
I believe that it was the author T.S. Elliott that coined the phrase, “data begets information begets knowledge, begets wisdom.” Certainly, in today’s data driven society, these words CAN ring true. But when is enough, enough? In this week’s message, I’d like to explore some myths about data as it relates to your practice.
Forty-two years ago I had occasion to participate in the very first national eyecare exposition, called Optifair. At the time, I was the marketing manager for a small eyewear importer. The concept of Optifair was intriguing and we chose to exhibit at this first-of-a-kind event.
