The Q-2100 Digital Lens System allows you to produce lenses in-house at a fraction of the cost when purchased from a traditional lab. Once integrated into your practice successfully, you will see an impressive reduction in outside lab costs. As a practice owner, manager or lab manager, it is important you take an active role in monitoring production and outside expenditures to ensure that you are utilizing the technology to its fullest potential.

• Check your lab bill to see what was produced in office and what was purchased from an outside lab. Are you capturing all progressive, photochromic and AR jobs possible? You should maximize production of jobs that fall in the range of the technology. Remember, you are producing digital designed lenses, some of the best in the industry. Promote the premium products you produce in-house first.

• Check your lab bills and compare the cost to producing in-house. While you are undoubtedly focusing on the most profitable products, verify what you are paying for custom processed single vision and FT lenses. You may find that it is more cost effective to produce these lenses in-house as well.

• Continue to check your outside lab bills for total dollars spent. As with all new technology, there is a certain level of excitement that is present when first purchased. Usage starts out high as the lens unit is new and fun. Over time, production levels may fall as it becomes part of every day operations. Make sure the enthusiasm for the technology remains strong through incentive plans and monthly goals that reinforce your commitment to in-house lens production and practice profitability

• Are you utilizing Vision Dynamics Lab for out of range and expanded product offerings? Vision Dynamics Lab carries a complete array of Optical Dynamics lens products, including clearLIGHT advantage, sunSMART II grey & brown, ultraSUN II, blueVIEW and amplifEYE. As a Q-2100 owner you receive discounted pricing on all Vision Dynamics Lab products and services. Check against current lab pricing to profit even more.

The key to ongoing success is system utilization. The more you make…the more you’ll make.  Your staff is key to maximizing your potential. Educate, reward, monitor, and reinforce your team’s commitment to this new lens technology and you will be successful.

Eyecare Business November by Erinn Morgan

Trend #1 The Big Picture – The store is a tool of communication. And, a successful retail environment must be holistically designed, from the front door to the sales floor to its on line presence. This includes the sign above your door, the welcome mat below, the surface treatments on the walls and floors the stationary that you use, and the nature of your sales associates.

Trend #2 The Product at Work – Across the board, stores are using a plethora of mannequins. Can they also work in optical? Even if employing mannequins in your eyewear displays is not for you, thought-out-lifestyle presentations can still show how the product is intended to be used.

Trend #3 Think Locally – Being locale-specific and connecting with the community is important, too. And who does it better than Anthropologie? One of my favorite presentations done by this retailer was in its San Francisco store on Market Street. The company replicated the Golden Gate Bridge, constructed of boxes of Rice-A-Roni. You can’t get more San Francisco than that.

Trend #4 Get Interactive – New digital and video shelf talkers, and other types of interactive displays, are finding their way into stores across the country. Pick up the merchandise and the shelf talker communicates what the product is – an how it should be used.