makase, as I’m sure you’ve gathered already, is a Japanese term used in an American context most frequently at sushi restaurants. The word itself roughly means “I’ll leave it up to [ the chef ]”, essentially giving the chef permission to decide what you are going to eat. Instead of selecting what you are going to eat, you entrust the chef to make that decision for you. This … [Read more...]
Verification and Dispensing Quality Eyewear
hen you order coffee, you are concerned about just that one cup - you don't care about any of the others that are being made and sold. You also don't care how busy that barista is - you want your order correct, or else. It can be in those final steps before dispensing the final product that obvious errors slip through. They were in a rush, so forgot the shot of caramel you … [Read more...]
Un-BEAR-able Doctors
I recently found out that my daughter (who was six at the time) needed glasses. While there’s nothing wrong with that, in and of itself, the way that it came about was certainly odd, to say the least. I want to go through what happened, and see if you can spot where things could have gone better. It certainly seemed like some education from a local optometrist would have gone a … [Read more...]
Patient Loyalty
As I’ve mentioned before, my daughter has recently joined the ‘glasses club’, as she calls it. As we’re out and about, this can sometimes start conversations with other people. Usually, they’ll say that she looks cute in her glasses, and the conversation about eyewear moves on from there. As a side note - people never tell me that I look cute in my glasses - what’s with that? … [Read more...]
Winter is Coming
For those of you unfamiliar with Game of Thrones, allow me to give a very brief summary of the plot-line, as I feel it is startlingly similar to what's going on in the optical industry at present. Picture it: you have one extremely wealthy and powerful family (or company) that is seeking to rule everyone else. In their quest for that, any competing families are either bought … [Read more...]
Twas the Sight Before Nuance
“You really expect to get all this packed by yourself?” Martha asked, glancing briefly at the pile of presents in the hallway before looking back at the jolly old man in front of her. “Don’t worry about me, this isn’t the first time that I’ve done this, you know?” Chris smiled at her, adjusting the wire-rimmed glasses that sat upon his nose. His wife simply shook her head, “No, … [Read more...]
How Many Shoes are in Your Closet?
It’s the age old dilemma: so many things in the closet, but nothing to wear! Why is this the case? Why are we not satisfied with that single pair of jeans? Instead, we have a closet full of jeans in different washes, distresses, lengths, and fits. One particular day you may want to wear skinny jeans, or on a moody day you may want to wear a frayed pair. Whatever the case … [Read more...]
The Haunted Practice
How the Internet Brought Down a Private ECP An optometrist’s office sits empty in the Midwest despite the early afternoon hour. If one listens closely voices can be heard whispering though no one has entered. A stack of brochures scatters along the counter as if a breeze had passed through, though there are no open windows or doors. What was once a thriving business has … [Read more...]
Value Eyewear: A Smart and Profitable Niche.
— and just a great idea for a second pair Value eyewear plays an essential role in any ECP’s business plan, even in an upscale dispensary. As consumers increasingly turn to the Internet in search of transparency and value, ECPs must offer their patients an assortment of quality eyewear at affordable prices. Now more than ever, the savvy office manager will provide a broad … [Read more...]
Breaking Bad… Habits
I'M NOT IN THE LENS BUSINESS, I'M IN THE EMPIRE BUSINESS You’re not the only game in town. People can get what you’re selling from any one of a number of dealers. They could head over to the guy on the corner just up the street. Heck, they could just order it online - direct from Mexico, or maybe somewhere in Asia, and have it in a few days for a fraction of the price of … [Read more...]