The Power Hour

C. Randall Harrell, MD, is founder, chairman, and CEO of Regenerative Processing Plant, the manufacturer of Regener-Eyes, a first-in-class biologic eye drop to treat dry eye.  Dr. Harrell joins Gary to discuss how biologics are used in dry eye and why ODs should get involved with them. Listen to this episode to learn more about a new treatment option to help your dry eye patients.

Direct download: 12182019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 3:56pm EDT

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.

Direct download: 12112019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 12:06pm EDT

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.

Direct download: 1242019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 9:22am EDT

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.

Direct download: Firehouse_Subs.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 6:59am EDT

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!

Direct download: 4CH003I.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 12:33pm EDT

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!

Direct download: 9habits.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 11:12am EDT

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.

Direct download: 103019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 2:09pm EDT

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.

Direct download: OD_Running_for_Congress.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 5:48pm EDT

Art Epstein, OD, FAAO, joins Power Hour once again for a wide-ranging, no-holds barred conversation on:

  • Hubble
  • Private equity
  • Online refraction
  • Too many meeting/schools/students
  • Cost of technology
  • Healthcare politics
  • VSP’s end game
  • Refractive optometry’s future

Be sure to join us because chances are we will talk about more!

Direct download: Epstein.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 2:48pm EDT

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. 

 

Direct download: repeatcommunication.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

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!

Direct download: clearvision_show.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 10:49am EDT

Gary digs into the details about bringing on an associate. You need to think about it BEFORE you're ready!

Direct download: copy942019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 8:20am EDT

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.

Direct download: 8282019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 1:05pm EDT

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.

Direct download: Updated_8212019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 11:32am EDT

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.

Direct download: 081419.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 5:28pm EDT

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!

Direct download: Replay_BTS.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 6:17am EDT

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?

Direct download: 7312019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 4:47pm EDT

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.

Direct download: 072419.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 8:13am EDT

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.

Direct download: 7172019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 4:56am EDT

Dr. Gary Gerber and Dr. Dwight Akerman discuss Myopia Management.

Topics to be discussed will include:
• Axial length – is it really necessary? Why not watch for changes in Rx?
• Is myopia management a specialty service or part of “core” optometry?
• What’s so bad about being a low myope? What about the optical advantages?
People will be calling in on both sides of these and other questions so make sure to listen in or call in with your own thoughts!

Direct download: 7102019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 1:07pm EDT

This week, Gary discusses taking advantage of failing and why ODs shouldn’t be afraid to fail.
Fostering a culture of creativity means that sometimes plan will fall apart and things don’t work out.

Direct download: 6262019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 5:55am EDT

Patient testimonials can work for your practice…but only if you use them to your advantage.
Gary gives you the scoop on how to get better patient testimonials and what to do with them.

Direct download: 6122019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 1:47pm EDT

Scleral expert, Dr. Elise Kramer, shares her tips on how to bring this specialty into your practice.

Direct download: 652019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 3:58pm EDT

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!

Direct download: 5292019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 5:23am EDT

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.

Direct download: 5222019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 8:53am EDT

Both options have pros and cons. This week, Gary outlines the pluses and minuses of buying a practice and opening cold.

Direct download: 5082019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 9:04pm EDT

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.

Direct download: may12019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 6:46pm EDT

Guest Stephen Hamilton from Walman Instruments in a previously recorded episode gets you up to speed on:
• New vs. used
• Extended warranties: good or bad idea?
• Workflow considerations
• ADA compliance
• Effect of recent company mergers
• Best time to buy

Direct download: Walman.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 11:15am EDT

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.

Direct download: Scripts.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 3:49pm EDT

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.

Direct download: patient_communication.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 5:07am EDT

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.

Direct download: 32719.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 9:35pm EDT

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.

Direct download: 3132019_Radio.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 11:31pm EDT

Considering buying a practice?
Tune in to this week's Power Hour to know how to avoid buying the wrong practice.
Do you know what in the negotiations process should immediately raise a red flag? Get the insight you need to avoid making a mistake.

Direct download: 362019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 6:57am EDT

If you have considered implementing discounts or incentives for your patients, think twice.
They usually aren't successful due to the impact they have on the bottom line and the question of whether a professional service benefits from such incentives in the first place.

Direct download: 2272019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 8:35am EDT

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.

Direct download: 21319.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 7:38am EDT

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.
Find out how to be a better boss on this episode of the Power Hour.

Direct download: FEB62019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 11:05am EDT

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.
Direct download: 1302018.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 5:24am EDT

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.
Direct download: 12319.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 11:36am EDT

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.
Direct download: 1162019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 3:54pm EDT

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.
Direct download: 192019.mp3
Category:Optometry -- posted at: 9:06am EDT

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