In contrast to the wider US economy, which has seen productivity dip in recent years, independent ECPs are getting more done with less. From the exam lane to the optical, a combination of technology, changed mindset, and — crucially — a shortage of skilled workers is driving productivity gains as fewer hands do more work. In this year’s Big Survey, we dig deep into staffing and productivity, as well as a range of other issues, from best-performing business segments, to crime, to national pay averages and the patient interactions that left them “speechless.” Jump on in… THE LAB In-house finishing is still not S.O.P, but 8% of respondents said it was the single thing that helped them stand out from their local competition… Asked to characterize that competition, 55% of ECPs said it was reflective of a typically competitive local eyecare market in North America, while 19% described it as a shark tank! THE EXAM ROOM 87% of you report moderate to extreme increases in exam lane productivity over the last few years. Rising patient awareness of dry eye and computer vision syndrome may be contributing to this with 60% of respondents reporting patients/customers regularly asking about them. THE OPTICAL The dispensary has been a major contributor to an eyecare business’s overall productivity in recent years (47% of businesses report being modestly or dramatically more productive overall) thanks to 96% of respondents saying their dispensaries have been moderately to extremely more productive in that same time period. THE BOSS’S DESK Only 35% of owners who responded earn $100k or more, while 50% of managers reported making less than that. Nearly universally, finding and retaining staff is your biggest challenge. To make up for the shortcoming, 38% of you are just doing more work yourselves. WHAT’S INSIDE Productivity Performance Buying & Selling You, The ECP Management The Basics Texas was adjudged the most business-friendly state by respondents, California the least. 33% of businesses have websites set up to offer e-commerce of some type, but just 5% describe its contribution as substantial or primary. Among eyecare businesses in the Southeast, a huge 80% reported having been victims of shoplifting. Those in the Southwest were the most likely to report experiencing burglaries (35%), internal theft (35%) and credit card fraud (25%). Some 61% of male respondents said they felt fairly compensated for the work they do, versus just 48% of females. Asked which aspect of their lives was the hardest to balance with work — friends, family, hobbies or health — nearly half of women (46%) chose family. The breakdown was more even among men, with hobbies the most common choice (33%). PRODUCTIVITY: 85% 85% of respondents identified ‘office culture’ as the most important factor in their business’s output. PERFORMANCE: 52% 52% of businesses expect revenue to be “up” or “way up” this year over 2022. BUYING & SELLING: 25% 25% of businesses said their independent eyewear selection was their primary point of differentiation. YOU, THE ECP: 25% 25% of owners and managers reported working 50 or more hours a week. MANAGEMENT 52% 52% of businesses have raised salaries in the past two years to retain or attract staff. THE BASICS: 62% 62% of businesses responding to our survey rent their location.
