Time for Change

The world is changing, and we eyecare professionals in private practice need to change to remain competitive to survive.

I have been in practice for more than 35 years in San Diego, CA, and I am always looking at ways to stay competitive with the optical side of my practice to stay one step ahead of the competition, which is changing daily—from insurance reimbursements to online optical, big-box competitions, and increasingly finicky patients. I want to stay independent and have always loved being in private practice.

Recently, I have felt it is becoming more important to align with a lab with similar goals and chose Pacific Artisan Labs to partner with. It has been a positive change for our practice.

Here, we look at four ways that independent practitioners can successfully partner with a lab.

#1: FIND YOUR PHILOSOPHY.

I wanted to work with a lab interested in my practice, my philosophies, and my concerns for the future. I want a lab that I can work with to build both my practice and their lab. I want to be there for a lab that I can help by partnering with them to help grow their business.

Working with an independent lab means having a pulse on the lab for the highest customer service, best-quality products, and the highest technology.

#2: FOCUS ON SERVICE + QUALITY.

We need each other more than ever before. Personally, I need a lab squarely focused on quality. All ECPs need a lab interested in a “for-profit co-op” as a goal.

Also, find a lab where you can pick up the phone and get a question answered by someone who is interested in giving the best possible answer for your practice.

#3: EMBRACE INFO-SHARING.

I have been in a study group for years and I love the ability to share ideas with other private-practice doctors from around the country, too. Our lab also invites the top practices to a monthly brainstorming call to help each other grow their business.

#4: GOT SWOT?

One of my favorite things learned from working with my new lab is a philosophy called SWOT, which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Having your practice—and, more importantly, each part of the practice—thinking about these points will help independent ECPs become more efficient and successful.