Fri, 13 December 2019
You can't build it, then forget it. Websites require content updates and maintenance. This week, Gary examines 9 ways to help your practice website look more professional. On this episode, find out how to add website tweaks to your holiday break to-do list. |
Thu, 5 December 2019
Is it time to rebrand your practice? How do you know if it is? This week, Gary outlines 4 ways to know when it's time. |
Sun, 24 November 2019
If a restaurant consistently delivers food and customer experience the same way every time, why is it so hard for staff to consistently answer the phones? Don Fox, CEO of Firehouse Subs, grew from 65 restaurants to over 1180 since becoming CEO in 2009—and franchises value consistency. Find out how to apply this advice to your practice on this episode of the Power Hour. |
Thu, 14 November 2019
Get into the holiday spirit! It's the time of year for staff wanting time off around the holidays, considering an office holiday party, and deciding on bonus distribution. We discuss it all this week! |
Thu, 7 November 2019
Gary outlines 9 practice management habits you have to break—things you’re doing that you think are OK but really aren’t. Here's a hint: One is spending too much time with patients. Tune into to hear the rest! |
Fri, 1 November 2019
Make a big end of year push! It's that time again....year end is staring us in the face. It's time to make the BIG PUSH to make the numbers for 2019. |
Mon, 21 October 2019
Student advocacy leads to running for Congress. Meet Bimal Patel, OD, and learn how he will offer his constituents a new lens and a new vision in 2020. |
Mon, 14 October 2019
Art Epstein, OD, FAAO, joins Power Hour once again for a wide-ranging, no-holds barred conversation on:
Be sure to join us because chances are we will talk about more! |
Thu, 26 September 2019
It might seem elementary, but being able to communicate effectively to your patients may be the most important factor in building a practice. Communication skills can have a major influence on the success of a practice.
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Sun, 15 September 2019
Ripped from the headlines! David Friedfeld from ClearVision Optical discusses how tariffs are affecting optometry. Will your practice feel it? What can you do? Tune in to find out! |
Sat, 7 September 2019
Gary digs into the details about bringing on an associate. You need to think about it BEFORE you're ready! |
Thu, 29 August 2019
6 things you’re doing you should stop right away – and the last one is likely to shock you! Tune in to find out more. |
Fri, 23 August 2019
Dr. Richard Shuldiner is the Founder and President of The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists. The IALVS consists of 39 low vision optometrists throughout the USA and Canada personally trained by Dr. Shuldiner. Dr. Shuldiner is Clinical Director of Low Vision Optometry of Southern California and has seen over 10,000 low vision patients in his 45-year career. His impressive patient list includes the late actress Jane Russell, automaker Carroll Shelby, as well as Margie Durante and Frances Cagney. He received his OD degree in 1970 from Pennsylvania College of Optometry and has been recognized as a Low Vision Diplomate by the American Academy of Optometry since 1988. |
Fri, 16 August 2019
After staff salaries, the optical may be one of the most expensive parts of your practice. Many ODs are looking for ways to maximize their ROI, especially with frames.This week, Gary outlines the best frame board strategies you're likely not using. |
Tue, 6 August 2019
Listen to the replay of this widely listened to episode from August 15, 2018. It’s that time of year again…back to school. If you haven’t already ramped up your marketing, this week’s show will offer tips on making eye exams part of the back-to-school routine. Don’t forget contact lenses, sports goggles, and more! Kick-start the back-to-school season with the Power Hour! |
Mon, 5 August 2019
The person who answers the phone at your practice is more important than you think. The voice on the other end of the line is a patient's first introduction to your practice. Don't you want to make that first impression a good one? |
Thu, 25 July 2019
Gary and his consultants have talked with many private-practice ODs and visited many practices. Although all are different, there are trends in the challenges these doctors face. Tune in to Power Hour this week to learn the Top 5 challenges Gary and his consultants have seen. Chances are YOUR practice is experiencing them, too. |
Thu, 18 July 2019
Jim Thomas, editor of Optometric Management, joins Gary this week to discuss his favorite articles, topics, and trends.Did you know that Jim is also a stand-up comedian? He shares how to use humor in the office and in life. |
Sat, 13 July 2019
Dr. Gary Gerber and Dr. Dwight Akerman discuss Myopia Management. Topics to be discussed will include: |
Thu, 27 June 2019
This week, Gary discusses taking advantage of failing and why ODs shouldn’t be afraid to fail. |
Thu, 13 June 2019
Patient testimonials can work for your practice…but only if you use them to your advantage. |
Fri, 7 June 2019
Scleral expert, Dr. Elise Kramer, shares her tips on how to bring this specialty into your practice. |
Fri, 31 May 2019
In what may be the shortest Power Hour episode ever, in only about 5 minutes Gary will discuss a 5-minute technique that will have a profound and lasting impact on your practice. Many practices have reported this simple 5-minute technique is one of the best things they’ve ever done in their practices! |
Sat, 25 May 2019
Looking to kick your marketing into high gear? Learn what DOESN'T work. Find out the top marketing blunders seen in most practices. This week on Power Hour, Gary outlines the most common marketing tactics that don’t work. |
Thu, 9 May 2019
Both options have pros and cons. This week, Gary outlines the pluses and minuses of buying a practice and opening cold. |
Thu, 2 May 2019
Find out how fear of failure and resistance to change can take a toll your practice. This week, Gary talks about the top 7 "should haves" and how they can lead to regret. |
Wed, 24 April 2019
Guest Stephen Hamilton from Walman Instruments in a previously recorded episode gets you up to speed on: |
Thu, 18 April 2019
Asking staff answer the phone with a script is a mistake. No matter how skilled, they will sound like they’re reading from a document instead of delivering personal information. Instead, staff who take phone calls should know the practice intimately enough to respond to any calls. Find out how to train your staff to answer the phone like a human, not a robot. |
Thu, 4 April 2019
It might seem elementary, but being able to communicate effectively to your patients may be the most important factor in building a practice. Communication skills can have a major influence on the success of a practice. |
Wed, 27 March 2019
What 3-minute free technique can increase eyeglass sales by 32% and contact lens patients by 20%? A contact lens trial! Find out how and why this works on this week's show. |
Wed, 13 March 2019
You bought a practice. Now what? Tune into this week's Power Hour to find out what changes to make (and not make) and how to transition doctors. |
Thu, 7 March 2019
Considering buying a practice? |
Mon, 4 March 2019
If you have considered implementing discounts or incentives for your patients, think twice. |
Fri, 15 February 2019
Looking to attract a different kind of patient? Wanting to expand into boutique-or budget-services? Or even need to change patients' perception of your practice? Listen to this week's show to learn 8 ways to change your patient base. |
Fri, 8 February 2019
Having a hard time saying no to employees? Should you maintain a proper distance or be ‘one of the guys?’ Effective management skills often impacts on the bottom line. |
Thu, 31 January 2019
If a staffer is out, do other staffers pitch in? Or do they say, "That's not my job?" Every person in the office needs to do whatever it takes to keep all the balls in the air--and that means understanding the job BEFORE they have to do it. This week, learn 5 reasons to cross-train your staff.
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Thu, 24 January 2019
Do you ever think about the person accompanying your patient to the office? Make a good impression, and you might get a new patient! Patient escort are spending time in your reception area. You should be working to wow them just like you wow your patients. This week, learn 9 ways to make your patient's escort happy.
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Thu, 17 January 2019
If you're planning advertising for the year, be sure you answer these 8 questions first. As with most things in life, much lies in the details and the preparation. Advertising is no different. Tune in to this episode of the Power Hour to find out more.
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Thu, 10 January 2019
Why did your practice miss the mark in 2018? This week, look back on what didn't work and why, then figure out how to fix it for 2019. Remember, hope is not a strategy. As consultants, we've seen many goals that haven't been reached. Gary discusses the top 5 reasons goals aren't attained, so when you plan for 2019, you may a better shot at attaining your new goals. Tune in to this episode of the Power Hour to learn from 2018's failed goals.
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Fri, 21 December 2018
On the last Power Hour of the year, Dr. Art Epstein weighs in on the challenging future of optometry. |
Thu, 13 December 2018
With the end of the year approaching, many of doctors buy that opto-toy they've always wanted. Unfortunately, this time next year - many of them regret their purchase. Learn ways to avoid buyers remorse as well as a unique way to nearly ensure new equipment is right for your practice and will be profitable. |
Wed, 5 December 2018
Ever consider holding a staff meeting off-site? There are good reasons why should. Learn why and tips for executing a good meeting on this week's Power Hour.
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Mon, 3 December 2018
Posed with common problems, like patients wait too long to see the doctor or patients complain about our fees, we usually come up with common solutions. If we still have the same problems year after year, then those solutions didn’t work! How can you and your staff devise genuinely novel solutions to chronic management problems? Listen to the next episode of the Power Hour to learn how to use this special two word thought starter approach. |
Sun, 25 November 2018
It's that time of year again! Do you have a plan for employee bonuses? Do you give them? Should you give them? What about Christmas/holiday gifts? And let's throw sales spiffs in the mix, too.
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Wed, 14 November 2018
What to do NOW to make sure you close out a strong year |
Mon, 5 November 2018
Interested in integrating scleral contact lenses into your practice? Find out how to jump start your scleral lens fitting on this episode. |
Fri, 26 October 2018
What happens when two ODs marry? And what if they work together? Or what about an OD and an office manager or optician? Being part of a double OD couple presents its own set of opportunities and challenges. Find out how to navigate them on this week's Power Hour.
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Thu, 18 October 2018
If you're thinking about opening your own practice, this next episode is one you don't want to miss. Pulled from the files of clients who have successfully opened cold and those who were rescued after a less successful opening, learn the hits, misses wins, losses, mistakes, and regrets-and steps to avoid them. The errors seemed insignificant and inconsequential at the time but gave them years of heartache afterward.
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Sun, 14 October 2018
Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, president and CEO of New England College of Optometry, joins the show to talk optometric education. |
Mon, 8 October 2018
Ever consider corporate optometry? Dr. Maria Sampalis, founder of Corporate Optometry Facebook group and website , joins the show this week to provide an insider's view.
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Sat, 22 September 2018
If you had to do it all over again...would you choose optometry? While you can't turn the clock back, you do have control over your practice's destiny. Tune in to this week's show to find out how to redo those things you'd do over. |
Thu, 13 September 2018
The cash-paying model in optometry is alive and well. Is it in your office? Andy Corley joins the show to explain why. Andy is a 40-year veteran of the eye care industry from a start at Allergan to a move to AMO, then co-founding Chiron Vision and eyeonics. He is currently chairman of the board of RX Sight, Equinox, and eyeBrain Medical.
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Fri, 7 September 2018
Looking for an associate or partner for your practice? On this episode, Gary offers tips on how to hire an associate and what to look for in a potential partner. |
Fri, 31 August 2018
This week, Gary offers up the 5 best hiring and firing tips. |
Thu, 23 August 2018
Want to learn how to trim costs? Listen to this episode of the Power Hour. |
Thu, 16 August 2018
It's that time of year again...back to school. |
Fri, 10 August 2018
Although ODs have different practices, their concerns are similar. This week, find out the top 5 questions ODs have for practice management consultants.
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Thu, 2 August 2018
Considering buying a practice? Do you know where the pitfalls lie? Caveat emptor or buyer beware. Learn what to watch for when buying a new practice. Find out now what you need to know before making an offer. |
Thu, 26 July 2018
Do you know what 4 things every practice owner must do to sell a practice? All practice owners need this information...regardless of when you plan to sell. Find out now what you need to know to sell your practice. |
Fri, 20 July 2018
Want new ways to market your practice? Of course you do! |
Thu, 12 July 2018
Want to look into optometry's future? Bart Foster, managing director at Sanitas Advisors, outlines what is inevitable in eyecare in the next five years.
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Thu, 28 June 2018
Ever wonder if Staffer A might be better at Job B? You might be right. This week, Dr. Laurie Sorrenson gives the scoop on profiling staff personalities and putting them in the best roles.
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Thu, 14 June 2018
Travis Rush, founder and CEO of Sightbox , talks about entrepreneurship, online contact lens retailing, and how things have changed (or not) now that Sightbox is part of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. |
Thu, 7 June 2018
We're close to the midway point of the year. It's a great time to refresh your thinking. Gary outlines his favorite business books for your practice on this episode of the Power Hour.
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Mon, 4 June 2018
How do long patient wait times affect your practice? |
Thu, 24 May 2018
Building on the previous show about staff meetings, this week Gary motivates you to figure out what motivates your staff--and what doesn't. |
Thu, 3 May 2018
Your staff feeling blah? Your staff meetings not generating excitement? This week, Gary helps you learn strategies to energize your staff meetings and engage your staff. |
Thu, 26 April 2018
Learn all about trunk shows! Find out why "trunk show" is a bad name, and discover how to have a great one in your own office. |
Tue, 24 April 2018
Step right up this week for an update on myopia from Dr. Thomas Aller. |
Fri, 6 April 2018
It's April...time to close the books on Q1. Look back at your Q1 data to better forecast 2018 and plan your year. Tune in to Power Hour this week to hear Gary's suggestions for a Q2 reboot.
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Thu, 29 March 2018
Contact lenses, the FTC, and optometry...what do you need to know? |
Mon, 26 March 2018
Vision Expo was last week. As always, it was a great meeting with lots of classes & a lot going on. |
Thu, 8 March 2018
Filmmaker Jane Weiner has turned to myopia for inspiration. She talks with Gary this week about her latest film. Losing Sight, her documentary on myopia, looks at how technology advances are put into practice. The story explores visual development throughout life and what factors trigger myopia. Losing Sight is planned for a theatrical and TV release. Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/jpweiner/myopia7mnsample. |
Fri, 2 March 2018
Vision by Design, THE country’s premier myopia meeting of the year is coming up fast. Joining the show from VBD will be Drs. Cary Herzberg and Tom Weshefsky to talk about what’s new at this years’ meeting and why you should attend! |
Sat, 24 February 2018
Join Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO on this week's show as he gets us up to the second on what's new in ARMD diagnosis, management and treatment. Also joining the show will be Greg Jackson, PhD from Maculogix to discuss research around the link of dark adaptation and ARMD.
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Thu, 22 February 2018
It's Valentine's Day! Let's talk about what you love...to hate about optometry! Gary discusses the top 5 things you love to hate about the profession and how to turn your thinking around to opportunity. Find out more on this episode of the Power Hour.
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Thu, 8 February 2018
With industry trends leading more doctors to provide specialty care (dry eyes, glaucoma, vision therapy, low vision, TBI care, specialty contact lenses etc), communicating with other professionals is a significant opportunity for practice growth. Unfortunately, optometry has long been the "outcast" in the medical community making it difficult to break through to this group of doctors. On this episode of The Power Hour, Gary discusses how to configure your specialty practice from the ground up to ensure this large source of prospective patients is accessible to your practice.
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Sun, 4 February 2018
Why did you become an OD? Are you achieving your “why?” Gary discusses his own personal journey on the road to his “why” and talks about how you can use the same technique to have your practice work for you instead of you becoming a slave to your practice. |
Sun, 28 January 2018
Yes, at one time or another, uncollected fees, or accounts receivables that languish over time, are the same as working for free. On this episode we discuss ways to avoid this from happening and talk about how to “mop up” any existing receivables. You did the work, so how about getting paid for it? |
Fri, 19 January 2018
Time? Money? |
Fri, 12 January 2018
Can you succeed by seeing patients only 3 days a week? Dr. Nicholas Despotidis not only says yes, he discusses how he cut patient days from 6 to 3 days a week...25 years ago! If you want to earn more money and have time to enjoy it, working harder or longer hours is not the answer, says Dr. Nicholas Despotidis. Working smarter, begins with working with a good coach.
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Fri, 5 January 2018
This time of the year, we all have the best intentions of improving our practices and personal lives. Yet somehow, no matter how hard we try, our best intentions get side tracked and derailed. Listen to this first episode of 2018 where Gary shares his consulting teams' strategies for setting goals and actually getting them done. Remember - SAYING you want to increase your practice revenues, cut expenses, see more (or less!) patients or for that matter lose weight is one thing. DOING any of those things is another! This episode will get your year jump started and show you how to keep the momentum you establish going throughout the course of the year! |
Thu, 21 December 2017
On this last show of 2017, and as the Power Hour closes in on half a million downloads, Gary recaps 2017’s most listened to shows along with his own top five favorites! |
Thu, 14 December 2017
With all the rapid changes going on in optometry, is a residency still necessary? 2015 graduate Dr. Kevin Cornwell joins the show talking about his experiences and viewpoints on the benefits of a residency as well as his thoughts about OD’s practicing in the prison system. Tune in for this very interesting perspective on this episode of the Power Hour! |
Thu, 7 December 2017
Try as we may, things still occasionally go awry in a practice. What you do after that happens can be the difference between losing a patient, their family and all their friends – or making them lifetime practice cheerleaders. Learn Gary’s view on service recovery in your practice and what you should do when things don’t quite go as planned. |
Wed, 29 November 2017
What is often talked about, easy to calculate and rarely used? That would be "chair costs." This week, Gary discusses exactly what the terminology means, how to calculate yours and what to do with the numbers you get. If you want to learn what GOPPAR and RevPAR mean, and how they affect your practice, and what they've got to do with chair costs - you'll want to tune in to this episode! |
Fri, 17 November 2017
Enchroma’s web site says their glasses, “ . . . open up a world of color for people with color blindness. Our products provide vibrant, accurate color . . .” Seems straightforward enough, until you discuss the lenses with doctors. On one side are doctors who say, “Patients report they see better, and that’s what matters” and on the other, “If they can’t see any extra Ishihara plates, what’s the point?” Listen to this episode of the Power Hour when Enchroma supporters, optician Barry Santini and Dr. Justin Bazan explain why they prescribe the lenses – and listen to callers and others who explain why they don’t. Then, you decide if Enchroma is right for your practice!
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Thu, 9 November 2017
“My staff just doesn’t get it! It’s hopeless and training doesn’t work!” Sound familiar? It certainly does to us! On this episode of the Power Hour, Gary digs into why so many practice owners say that so often – and what you should do about it! There is hope – but you’ll only get the advice you need if you tune in!
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Thu, 2 November 2017
In what will probably be the shortest episode ever, Gary reveals the atomic powered tool the every entrepreneur has, and never uses. It’s one of those “I can’t believe it was this obvious and staring me in the face all the time” things that you WILL be able to use right after the show. Short, to the point and powerful – on this episode of the Power Hour! |
Thu, 26 October 2017
How are frames designed? Get the inside scoop behind the design process of the John Varvatos Eyewear Collection. The company's creative director Nico Roseillier joins the show to discuss how this cool process takes place.
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Thu, 19 October 2017
Listen to this episode for an entertaining discussion with Gary and Brian as they talk about the difference between UK and US optometry. Opticians scope of care, OD education, UK practitioners emphasis on glasses and being ahead of the curve in contact lenses are discussed along with differences health insurance systems and the state of the industry. Brian also talks about his important work with the BCLA, his fun presentation style and . . . shoes (listen for details!) |
Thu, 12 October 2017
Managed vision care, telemedicine, online shopping for eyeglasses or contact lenses... are these things that will hurt or help your practice? The answers and discussion may surprise you when you listen to this episode of the Power Hour! |
Thu, 5 October 2017
Private Equity is getting more and more involved in optometry. What is private equity, why are they so interested in eyecare, and is private equity something you should look at for your own practice? Jeff Fronterhouse and Bret Davis, two experts in private equity, join Gary on this episode of the Power Hour! |
Fri, 29 September 2017
During a staff training session you tell your optician, “When you sell AR lenses, say X.” |
Fri, 22 September 2017
You practice in an area that is very conservative. Your long time trusted, well known receptionist who had brown hair yesterday, shows up with purple hair today. What should you do? What can you do? |
Thu, 7 September 2017
We have all watched kids scroll through life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span. Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw that with her own kids and learned that the average kid spends 6.5 hours a day looking at screens. She wondered about the impact of all this time and about the friction occurring in homes and schools around negotiating screen time—friction she knew all too well. |
Fri, 1 September 2017
Years of scientific research and intensive study of real-world applications have led to incredible breakthroughs in the way businesses large and small identify and hire top talent in their fields. Optimize Hire, a leading Internet-based pre-employment testing company focused on helping organizations hire better, joins Local Eye Site on this episode of the Power Hour to discuss this important topic. |
Thu, 24 August 2017
The CDC, in close collaboration with industry partners, has organized Contact Lens Health Week as a strategy to increase public awareness and promote healthy contact lens wear and care. Jennifer Cope, MD, MPH from the CDC and Joseph P. Shovlin, O.D., F.A.A.O., the President, American Academy of Optometry, join the Power Hour to discuss the fourth annual Contact Lens Health Week. This year’s campaign theme is “healthy habits mean healthy eyes” with a focus on encouraging youth to start healthy habits early, for healthy eyes later. Increased awareness about the importance of proper contact lens hygiene can encourage contact lens wearers to adopt healthy habits that can reduce their chances of getting an eye infection. |
Thu, 17 August 2017
Five years ago the first Power Hour episode discussed the future of optometry. What's has and hasn't come true since that show? The dialogue will probably surprise you! |
Thu, 10 August 2017
It’s as constant and inescapable as gravity. Yet, most of us only focus on the downside of the 80-20 rule and don’t look at how it can actually help our practices. That changes on this episode of the Power Hour when Gary discusses how this powerful principle can help you build your practice. Marketing, staffing, accounts receivable, and scheduling are but a few of the areas that can be improved once you understand how to leverage this natural law. |