“Smart Eyeglasses”-The Next New Thing In Eyewear?

Yes, if you’re smart!

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Ok, here I go again. What could Netflix possibly have to do with your customers, or their eyes?

Netflix recently released its 3rd quarter earnings, which were much higher than analysts anticipated. Ok, great for Netflix, right? Well, yes, but see the possibilities here. Netflix ended September with 31.1 million U.S. subscribers, eclipsing the estimated 29 million subscribers that HBO’s 41-year-old pay-TV channel is believed to have in the country.

In addition, the debut of two exclusive series occurred during this quarter. They were the critically acclaimed “Orange Is The New Black,” and “Derek,” which also got largely positive reviews. In a letter reviewing the third quarter, Netflix predicted “Orange Is The New Black” — a drama/comedy set in a women’s prison — will end this year as its most-watched piece of original programming yet, outstripping “House of Cards,” a hit released earlier this year that won three Emmy awards.

Alright, Nik…again, great for Netflix, but what does that have to do with me?

Eye strain. Lots and lots of eye strain. While there are no definitive numbers yet, the majority of news outlets believe that at least 65% of those utilizing Netflix are doing so from a computer/tablet/ipad. With the way Netflix launches entire seasons of shows at one time, subscribers will sit and have ‘marathons’, watching an entire season in 1-2 days. That’s somewhere between 10-20 hours of staring at a near point fixation spot.

And Netflix has no plans to curtail its programming. If anything, they will produce more and […]

By Nikki|2017-05-22T11:11:15-07:00December 13th, 2013|Practice Managment|Comments Off

The Blogconomy
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The Blogconomy

Practice Managment, Social Media

The Blogconomy

We hear it all the time from clients and prospective clients. Why should they blog? Blogs work. That’s why ECP’s that blog regularly have more inbound links and generate more leads than practices who do not. This infographic from Ignite Spot shows us how important and powerful blogging is. If you don’t have the time to blog, hire someone to do it for you…maybe someone from The Visionaries Group. What is your excuse for not blogging now?

By Eyes4U|2017-05-22T11:11:15-07:00December 4th, 2013|Practice Managment, Social Media|Comments Off

The Digital Future Of Global Retail Marketing
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The Digital Future Of Global Retail Marketing

Practice Managment, Social Media

The Digital Future Of Global Retail Marketing

We’ve said it before and probably will a few hundred more times as we write and share with this blog and others, The only thing constant in this world, is change. Just as we get used to whatever we get used to, something changes. Sometimes that change is wonderful, sometimes not, but the world is always changing around us, mo matter how much we might like things just the way they are. Retail is changing just as fast. The mom and pop store gave way to the big box chains and now that trend is starting to reverse itself as the family owned business starts to better specialize in whatever it is they do as the big box stores try to homogenize at the same time. Retail is no longer just who has the best location or the best prices or even the best trained sales staff. Retail is an impulse as much as it is a need, and the combination of selection, convenience, pricing, atmosphere and enjoyment are what drives sales these days.The mobile web is a big part of that. How you present your business online will have a huge impact in how customers see you and want to interact with you. The folks at ExactTarget have put together this infographic on how the future of retail will look in the coming years. What are you doing to prepare your business?

By Eyes4U|2017-05-22T11:11:15-07:00November 14th, 2013|Practice Managment, Social Media|Comments Off

Social Media Mastery For Small Businesses
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Social Media Mastery For Small Businesses

Practice Managment, Social Media

Social Media Mastery For Small Businesses

The bigger a business gets, the easier it is to afford someone dedicated to full time tasks. For most of us however, we all wear a dozen different hats a day, from optometrist to accountant, from marketeer to sales manager, from lens fitter to contact fitter. Did you know the over 25% of small business marketers spend at least an hour a day on social media marketing? With so many people interacting with various social media platforms all day long it only makes sense. Here is an infographic from the folks at MarketMeSuite and Placester showing how we interact with various social media sites and when are the right times in which to achieve maximum effectiveness doing so. What has worked for your small business?

By Eyes4U|2017-05-22T11:11:15-07:00October 23rd, 2013|Practice Managment, Social Media|Comments Off

25 Skills For Excellent Customer Service
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25 Skills For Excellent Customer Service

Practice Managment, Sales Training, Social Media

25 Skills For Excellent Customer Service

In this day and age customer service makes or breaks a business. We have choice like no other time in our history as to where we conduct business. We can order shoes nails, nylon, and nectarines from every corner of the globe and have them delivered as soon as tomorrow. So why do we choose one business over another? For some it is all about price. Who is the cheapest? For some it is all about convenience. Which store is closest to my home or office. For most of us however, it is all about the level of service we receive at wherever we chose to patronize. Most of us have no problem spending a few dollars more or driving a few extra miles when the place we like best treats us well. Why do people choose to do business with us? Are you the cheapest? The closest? Or do you provide the level of customer service and expertise that make your practice worth the money or the drive?

The folks at Customer Service Heroes put together this infographic on the 25 Customer Service Skills you (and us) need to get ahead and stay ahead. Which of these do you practice and which will you institute?

By Eyes4U|2017-05-22T11:11:15-07:00October 22nd, 2013|Practice Managment, Sales Training, Social Media|Comments Off

The Landscape Of Social Login & Sharing
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The Landscape Of Social Login & Sharing

Practice Managment, Social Media

The Landscape Of Social Login & Sharing

Not a day doesn’t go by when someone makes some sort of prediction that Facebook’s best days are behind the giant social media site and that this group or that is deserting the site in droves. As Mark Twain has been (inaccurately) quoted, “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated”. Facebook continues to grow around the world and continues to add features that keep us all coming back. While there are new and exciting social media sites for us all to explore, we continue to spend a majority of our time on Facebook in comparison to any other social media site. For that very reason, Facebook works for marketers and will continue to see growth for the foreseeable future. Here is an infographic from the folks at Gigya showing how different business segments interact with various social media networks. What works best for your practice?

By Eyes4U|2017-05-22T11:11:15-07:00October 17th, 2013|Practice Managment, Social Media|Comments Off

5-Star Online Reputation
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5-Star Online Reputation

Practice Managment, Social Media

5-Star Online Reputation

Whether you think your online reviews are fair or unfair is pretty irrelevant anymore. The one thing we have learned is that everything posted online will be there forever, whether the information is correct or not. Since 97% of consumers will research a product or business before buying, our online reputation is so very important. As the old saying goes, a happy customer will tell their inner circle of friends…an unhappy customer will tell everyone. Here is an infographic from the folks at ReachLocal showing how important your online reputation is. How does your practice handle reviews?

By Eyes4U|2017-05-22T11:11:16-07:00August 1st, 2013|Practice Managment, Social Media|Comments Off

First Impressions

I saw this photo on a social media blog recently and it really struck a chord with me. Not because I am a casual dresser or even have a sizable tattoo. It really hit home by the visual effect of the gentleman dressed as both a doctor and what might be perceived as a biker in the second photo. The point is driven home that first impressions are so very important in how we think of people and of places.
On the online forums, a week doesn’t go by when someone isn’t asking about the cheapest place or method in building a website, doing advertising work or even remodeling their practice. I love to save money as much or more than the next guy or gal. However, I also realize most times you get what you pay for. Want to buy a new computer? Think that $300 lost leader will be as fast, as powerful or last as long as the $1200 model near the top of the line? Hardly. Think that $13,000 Smart Fortwo has the passenger comfort, acceleration, and handling of Lexus LS for $60,000 more? I think not. You may not be able to afford the best in everything, but that is no reason to buy the cheapest in everything either.

Take your website for example. Practice after practice is online asking peers how and where to build the cheapest website, while forgetting that their website is their most ardent ambassador to their practice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an era where 8 out of 10 people will look at your website before ever walking through your […]

By Daniel Feldman|2017-05-22T11:11:31-07:00May 8th, 2013|Practice Managment, Sales Training, Social Media|Comments Off

What is the Internet Telling Your Patients About Contacts?

Recently, I was doing some online research related to a project for a client, and stumbled across a website from the UK. The information this website posted was absolutely terrifying, and made me wonder what else is out there, for public viewing, and how little most of us know about this ‘mis’ information.

The site I found is www.contactswithoutaprescription.com. It lists links to other sites that sell contact lenses without an Rx as well. On their front page, in plain black and white, was the following: Is it perfectly legal to order contacts on-line without a prescription if you live in the United States? It is not legal for a US based company to sell and ship contacts to a US address without a prescription. That means a possible alternative source to buy contacts, like many prescription drugs, could be outside of the United States…..The UK (United Kingdom) for example has different trust levels with consumers and different governmental laws. They evidently trust that people have been to the eye doctor at some point in the past and know their base curve and left and right eye powers and wouldn’t spend good money on contact lenses that don’t fit or don’t correct their vision properly.

Umm…WHAT???? So, not only will these sites allow you to order your contact lenses without a prescription, I suppose guessing at the base curves and powers, they also insinuate that we as ECP’s don’t trust our patients as much in the United States. Nothing about health care issues, about the possible adverse effects and ramifications of wearing lenses you haven’t been fit […]

By Nikki|2017-05-22T11:11:31-07:00December 18th, 2012|Practice Managment, Sales Training|Comments Off

‘Tis The Season To Be (Jolly) GRUMPY

The holidays are here, again. One thing you will discover, no matter if it is in your own office, driving around town, or out running errands of your own and making purchases at other stores…people are GRUMPY. And it is very easy to fall into this same bah humbug mindset when you are surrounded by bad attitudes. So, while taking care of your own customers, some of whom might be a bit…testy….keep a few things in mind about WHY they might not be feeling so Christmas-cheery.

The pressures of gift buying, both on the wallet as well as the psychological ones (will Aunt Edna like her purse? Will little Johnny tear the head of the stuffed animal I bought him?).
The emotional issues that come up when families get together (rivalries, old slights, etc)
Maybe a bad experience or loss of loved one has affected them.
Feelings of loneliness are more prevalent during the holidays.
They don’t celebrate the holidays and are tired of having it shoved down their throats.

Think of your own situation. We all have some of the above to contend with during the holiday season. So, how do you take this negative attitude and turn it into a positive, both for your customer and your bottom line?

Make them feel special

One of the best ideas I’ve ever seen is the one some retailers and restaurant chains are now using to sell gift cards. If the consumer spends a certain amount on a card, they get a bonus card for free, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-20% of the purchase. Use this same concept in your office. Offer something for ‘free’ to everyone, […]

By Nikki|2017-05-22T11:11:31-07:00December 11th, 2012|Practice Managment, Sales Training|Comments Off