We’re always busy, like I am sure most private practice optometrist offices are, in the summer months,” says Dr. Kenneth D. Boltz of Dublin, OH, when asked about his summer plans. “It’s back to school time, so we’re doing all the things for kids. We certainly see a lot of teachers but our primary focus is kids’ exams over the summer.”
June 4-10
OPERATIONS If your office slows down over summer, why not shake things up? Take every other Saturday off in June and July but work additional Mondays (or whatever your usual day off is) in August.
SECURITY Do a mid-year review of threats, and areas of vulnerability, including a test of your store’s motion-detection system.
SALES If you keep getting the same sad results every sunglass selling season, it’s time for one of our favorite methodologies for change: Continue Stop Start. Yes, continue what’s going well, stop the things that aren’t and start on some new things that may work well.
June 11-17
COMMUNITY Parade season is begining. Time to procure a frog suit, like Miss Frog at Clarity Advanced Eyecare in Birmingham, MI, or another memorable character, to prepare for the upcoming July 4th revelry.
FINANCES Stay on top of tax obligations by signing up for the IRS’s tax calendar at tax.gov/calendar. Unlike the agency, it’s user friendly.
MAINTENANCE Check your air-conditioning. Temperatures are climbing and you want to make sure your store is a cool sanctuary in the dog days ahead.
June 18-24
MARKETING The fish are biting but you need the right bait. Promote special offers on fishing-specific eyewear from Maui Jim, Costa, Oakley or the other water sport brands.
SAFETY Stage an advanced fire drill. Simulate a blocked exit and unconscious staff member. Critique staff performance.
MANAGEMENT Invite 10 customers to form an advisory panel for your business, recommends store trainer Kate Peterson. Schedule meetings and ask them to discuss what they’ve seen, what they like, and what you can improve and grow. “Pay” them with lunch, gift cards or discounts — but most importantly, use what they tell you.
June 25-July 1
MANAGEMENT Join Toastmasters. (Find a local club at toastmasters.org). Soon, you’ll be welcoming offers to talk publicly.
TECHNOLOGY Dump your bacn, the e-mail newsletters you’ve subscribed to. A study by MessageGate estimates up to 30 percent of e-mails are bacn. A huge inbox slows searches.
OPERATIONS It’s estimated less than half of independent eyecare businesses list store hours on their website or voice mail. Post those times today.