I love the subtitle of this article in Entrepreneur: “When an employee is performing poorly, your first question isn’t so much why the problem has occurred as what you’re going to do about it.” There are many reasons why an employee may miss their targets and ‘perform poorly’, and many of them will be outside your […]

My article last week touched on how giving back – which does good and feels good too – can also empower the next generation. The great news here is that contributing to people, organizations and communities doesn’t have to break the bank. There should be no barrier to showing appreciation and giving back. I also believe […]

Think about the following statement: “I always keep in mind that I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the experiences and opportunities along the way. The people I came across fostered my enjoyment of the pursuit of my potential, and I want to do the same for others […]

I’ve written before about the power of inbound marketing. Not being overly promotional can win you clients and patients. In fact, a subtle, value-focused marketing campaign is often more persuasive than flashy ads or in-your-face adverts, and more affordable too. The concept of inbound marketing – drawing customers to you, rather than pushing information out to […]

We are never too old, nor too established in our careers, to benefit from having a strong, giving, reliable network. Many people associate networking with the quick exchange of business cards at structured corporate events, where it’s nearly impossible to connect with the people you want to meet – an ideal customer, a mentor, a […]

Impulse buying. Guilty pleasures. Indecision. Buyer’s remorse. Emotions play a big role in our purchasing decisions, big and small. It’s why marketers and retailers conveniently line check-out aisles with brightly packaged candy bars, and it’s why we sometimes buy them, despite better intentions. Emotions also affect some of the biggest purchases we’ll ever make: sometimes […]

What comes to mind when you read the word ‘mindfulness’? At its core, mindfulness is about being fully present and open to the moment without judgment, and with acceptance, according to the The Mindfulness Institute.ca. Psychology Today adds to that definition the following: observing your thoughts and feelings from a distance. How is mindfulness relevant to business? In […]

When it comes to providing patients with quality eye care, optometrists are experts, and quality, attentive care will factor in greatly to the experience a patient has at any practice. Customer service however extends far beyond the examination room. Every interaction with an existing or potential patient is an opportunity to create a great customer […]

This Sunday, I hope readers are enjoying some quality R&R. It doesn’t hurt to create a restful and relaxing atmosphere for optometry patients who enter your practice. The better the experience – from patient eye care to customer service – the more your patients will want to come back. There are another three R’s that […]

For full-time optometry staff, close to 30 per cent of their typical work week will be spent serving your practice. Those 35 hours with you is a significant amount of time – time that should be focused, and used productively. That means it is paramount that optometrists ensure that their practice is a workplace environment […]