Keep Your Team in Sync With a Morning Huddle

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributor
Friday, February 5, 2016 9:10 AM Lack of communication is a problem for single locations that multiplies with each additional location. How do you keep a busy team in sync? I suggest a brief "morning huddle." You say, "Wait! Yearly meetings, quarterly meetings, monthly meetings, weekly meetings...now you're telling me to have a daily meeting! Isn't that meeting overload?"

Tracking Results at Multiple Locations:
Setting Up a ‘Standards of Excellence’ Checklist

By Jay Binkowitz and Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributors
Monday, January 11, 2016 10:10 AM The critical piece to your success operating multiple locations is the ability to implement and track results. This doesn't happen on its own. You need someone accountable to "trust but verify" what is really occurring at each location. You need to "Train the Trainer." In other words you need someone who will visit and track what is occurring at each location.

Did You Know? A Selfie Booth Can Modernize Your Marketing Efforts

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributor
Monday, November 30, 2015 11:12 AM

Consider installing a selfie booth in your optical dispensary to generate more interest in your practice than might otherwise be possible using traditional forms of advertising.

Five Vital Topics to Consider When Adding Another Location

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributor; David Komar and Robert Krivit, CFP, of Wells Fargo
Wednesday, September 9, 2015 12:10 PM NEW YORK—Now may be as good of a time as ever to consider expanding your optical operation by purchasing an established practice or adding a new location. Interest rates remain favorable for both short- and long-term lending amid speculation that the Fed may raise interest rates later this year.

Dressing Associates for Success

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA and Jolan Yow, dba Contributors
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 10:00 AM The age-old adage "dress for the job you want, not the one you have" could be just as appropriate for the associates throughout your multiple-location practice as it is for anyone.

Lens Bundling Drives Profits While Reducing Patient and Staff Confusion

By Jay Binkowitz and Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributors
Wednesday, July 8, 2015 10:06 AM The explanation of ophthalmic lenses along with fees has been and continues to be one of the greatest challenges we face, especially as it relates to vision care plans. We tend to go with complex explanations of features and benefits along with "billing language" to explain each "add-on," (a term we dislike), in a way that results in severe patient pushback and lost sales.

A Selfie Booth Can Boost Your Marketing Efforts

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributor
Wednesday, June 24, 2015 12:11 AM

Consider installing a selfie booth in your optical dispensary to generate more interest in your practice than might otherwise be possible using traditional forms of advertising.

The 'WOW' Warranty Gives Your Patients Peace of Mind While Also Generating Revenue

By Jay Binkowitz and Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributors
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 4:10 PM What does great customer service really mean to you and how does the culture of your business support it? Consumers want warm fuzzies when they make a decision to spend money, but a nice smile, a nice selection and great quality are simply not enough.

Step Up and Stand Out By Giving Back to the Community

By Jay Binkowitz and Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributors
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 9:15 AM With all the juggling we do every day it is very easy to forget about our responsibility to participate and contribute to our community. Altruism not only provides you with a sense of enrichment knowing that you have positively impacted the lives of those around you, but it can also help to support your business goals as well.

Keep Your Team in Sync With a Morning Huddle

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributor
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 3:40 PM Lack of communication is a problem for single locations that multiplies with each additional location. How do you keep a busy team in sync? I suggest a brief "morning huddle." You say, "Wait! Yearly meetings, quarterly meetings, monthly meetings, weekly meetings...now you're telling me to have a daily meeting! Isn't that meeting overload?"

Train the Trainer:
Teaching Leaders to Manage Multiple Locations

By Jay Binkowitz and Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributors
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 1:05 PM The critical piece to your success operating multiple locations is the ability to implement and track results. This doesn't happen on its own. You need someone accountable to "trust but verify" what is really occurring at each location. You need to "Train the Trainer."

Leverage Scripting for Staff Consistency

By Jay Binkowitz and Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, dba Contributors
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 2:06 AM What do Marriott, Disney, Starbucks, McDonald's and many other successful businesses have in common?

Taking on Roles and Responsibilities: Make Them Clear, Measurable and Accountable for Staff

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, and Rebecca L. Johnson, CPOT, COT, COE
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 9:30 AM In today’s fast-paced optical environment, employees are often expected to be cross trained to perform more than one role in the office.

Keeping Schedules Full in Practices with Multiple Doctors and Locations

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA
Thursday, December 11, 2014 1:30 PM When it comes to keeping established patients coming back to the practice, most optometric offices employ a variety of recall and appointment reminder systems.

Train Your Staff that Blue Light Lenses Are a New Product Category

By Evan Kestenbaum, MBA, and Valerie Manso, dba contributors
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 12:48 PM As digital device usage soars, the resulting digital eyestrain and exposure to damaging blue light has created a new product category for regional optical retailing groups—blue light lenses. As of January 2014, 90 percent of American adults had a cell phone, 58 percent had a smartphone, 32 percent owned an e-reader, and 42 percent owned a tablet computer, according to the Pew Internet Projects mobile technology research.