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Ten Ways to Grow an Optometry Practice

Optometry Growth

Number 5 in the Hanks Monograph series has proven suggestions for growing an optometry practice in any country.

Written by an experienced optometrist, the advice is practical for easy implementation with practice staff.

There are different areas to grow – for example . . .  New and Existing Patients;  Retail Pricing and Community Groups;  Auditing the Standard Procedures;  Local Doctors, Traditional Media and Social Media;  and improving the Ability to Handle Low Cost Competition.

TIP: Take the suggestions one at a time as a project and discuss them at a staff meeting. By involving your staff the tasks become more achievable and there will be a positive feeling of “ownership”.

Click here to go to the page.

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One Percent Improvements for Optometrists

Optometry Practice Management

Number 4 in the Hanks Monograph series by instant-download is a Project of 1 Percent Improvements for Optometrists.

For an established business it is very difficult to achieve one single big improvement, but making multiple 1% improvements is much more achievable.

These ideas can be used to engage your practice staff on this project. By engaging them the results will be easier and there will be a positive feeling of “ownership”.

TIP: Take the suggestions one at a time as a project – discuss it at a staff meeting; circulate a copy to each staff member for implementation; then follow up to monitor progress and reinforcement.

Click here to go to the page.

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Library of Forms for Optometrists

This resource is getting a great response from optometrists in many countries – it’s a library of forms that are ready for use in their practices.

There are over 200 pages in the collection and they are indexed into 14 areas:  For Use In-Practice;  Schools;  Staff Meetings;  Calculators;  For Clinical Use;  Dispensing;  Contact Lenses;  Practice Management;  For Use by Others (like referral sources);  Patient Education;  Employment;  Community Talks;  Press Releases;  Reference tables;  In Practice Signs.

TIP: Print your choice of forms and make photocopies for use in your practice, or copy them onto your letterhead where appropriate.  This is an outstanding resource.

Click here to go to the page.

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Click here to view the ‘Table of Contents’.

 

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Optometrist abbreviations

Every trade or profession has a popular list of standard abbreviations. If you use abbreviations it is important that you use them consistently. Of course, they must also be understood by other staff and colleagues.

The website linked here has a list of common abbreviations that you could use in your eye-care practice. The list is also useful for staff training.

TIP: Print this list for staff reference and use it as a topic for a staff meeting in your eye-care practice.

​Click here to go to the page: Then scroll to >Clinical Aids.

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How to track staff meeting items for follow up

While staff meetings are a good idea, the real value will not be achieved unless issues are followed up and results are implemented effectively. This form is used for making notes during staff meetings. As topics are discussed the issues that need to be followed up are identified and assigned to different staff members. In this way they are accountable and actions are encouraged.

TIP: Print a small supply of these forms for use at staff meetings. Then review each assigned issue at the commencement of the next staff meeting.

​Click here to go to the page: Then scroll to >Forms & Misc.

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Make improvements by small steps

Almost everyone strives to improve their business, but it is almost impossible to achieve a single improvement of 20%. However it is a lot more achievable if we try to obtain 20 different small improvements, each of 1%.

The website in this link contains examples of small improvements that could each achieve results of between 1% and 3%. These are therefore manageable to implement, as well as being encouraging to complete.

TIP: Print the suggestions in the download and discuss these with your staff so that there is support for the plans. Then implement them and reinforce each project at your regular staff meetings.

Click here to go to the page: Then scroll to >Staff Training.

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What are suitable topics for optometry staff meetings

Most optometrists tell us that staff meetings are a good idea, but many of them they have trouble finding suitable topics.

One of the best areas is Staff Training, so that the skills for better patient care are improved.  The website in the link below has several different handouts for topics related to optometry staff training. These include: Understanding Visual Acuity; Frequent Questions; Delivering New Spectacles; Types of Contact Lenses; Common Eye Diseases; Positive Communication; Using Demonstrations; etc.

TIP:  Print one of these handouts and ask a staff member to lead a discussion on the topic at your next staff meeting. This staff member will feel confident because the discussion material is already prepared.

​Click here to go to the page:  Then scroll down to  >Staff Training.

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What are the basics of service for an optometrist

We know that service standards are a useful way to achieve a consistent high standard with the delivery of any service. To help achieve this for optometry practices, the website linked below has a download for a list of ‘Basics’ to work towards. The author prepared these standards after seeing the training in a world-leading 5 star hotel.

TIP: Give a copy to each staff member in the practice and discuss the ‘Basics’ at staff meetings. You could also enlarge another copy on a photocopier to A3 size. Then display the A3 version on the wall of your staff room so that everyone is reminded. In other words, adopt the ‘Basics’ and make them important.

​Click here to go to the page:  Then scroll to >Staff Training.