With the arrival of spring, take the opportunity to let some new good habits bloom. Be sure to focus your team’s attention on tasking during downtime without sacrificing the front-facing customer service model you have created. With a little push in the right direction, we can continue toward achieving our goals. 

TRENDING VIDEO JOIN SHEENA ON SOCIAL.

 

The #EBOpticalChecklist is breaking out of each issue with a monthly digital episode to our social channels. Join optical pro Sheena Taff as she applies these checklist items to real-world scenarios. Watch on EB’s Instagram (@eyecarebusinessmagazine) and TikTok (@eb_mag).

 

 

RELATIONSHIP

Everyone’s relationship to the physical practice is important and influences overall morale and work ethic. Use the change of season to ensure the space is clean, bright, and welcoming to both patients and staff.

Add plants or flowers to the front desk. You would be surprised at how they brighten someone’s day and act as a conversation starter with patients.

Look at things from different angles. Check for burnt-out bulbs and clean dusty fixtures and forgotten corners.

Declutter desktops and drawers. Adding drawer dividers and labels keeps things tidy.

Sort through and organize vendor point-of-purchase materials and pamphlets. Throw away outdated materials and any damaged posters or counter cards.

CONNECTION

Having an easy way to connect with patients at your fingertips is why a mailing list is so valuable. Working to grow your business through face-to-face requests can also dispel your clients’ concerns of being “spammed.”

Post a visual reminder on practice computer screens or at the front desk to ensure your team is asking each client/patient to join your mailing list at appointment registration or at the time of purchase.

Add a pop-up message or put the mailing list sign-up front and center on your website.

Create a “Thank you for signing up” email that automatically goes to those who request the mailing list.

Add a link to your website on the welcome email to gain valuable business analytics.

DEVELOPMENT

Continually developing your product offerings keeps the optical dispensary fresh. Be open to seeing new collections when reps come by.

When any new product arrives, split duties with your team members to enter it into inventory, upload on your website, and post to social.

Before putting product on your board, have everyone touch it. Talk through the features. Give firsthand interaction with the frames before they’re put on people’s faces.

Partner new styles with frames that may not be getting the attention they deserve by grouping frames in a color, shape, or material collection.

Have staff share what they like or notice about new products. This feedback is especially important from the opticians and dispensary team.

REWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Get your clients into your optical shop by inviting them in for a complimentary spring cleaning of their glasses.

Perk up your social posts with a cohesive spring color theme. If social isn’t your strength, consider buying a premade collection from Etsy or having one made from Fiverr.

Recognize the person who’s always first to arrive in the office by buying them coffee and incentivizing others to change tardy behavior.

As the temperature rises, review seasonally appropriate outfits.

Set up a fun mini competition with the team. Choose a light task (garbage, dishes, or changing the ultrasonic) and have the last person to arrive complete it. Keep it light and fun.