Audiyoda

Interesting.......very interesting.


So, now what?

I'm terribly sorry for your situation! I can only imagine the frustration and the anger at the betrayal.

I hope that this does not blacken your outlook on the industry as a whole. There are horrible bosses in every sector of the employment pool and OD's don't have the market on egocentric, cheating bosses.

You have so much talent and business acumen, as well as a passion for dispensing. It would be a sad day for the industry to see you leave.

Wow.. what a jack@$$!!!

I am sorry that you were treated in such a horrible manner. I myself have been terminated and it is a huge shock. You give of yourself, put your mind and body into making things right, and they use you till they are done.

While I would like to say they aren't the only ones who will do such a thing, there are unfortunately others. Some companies make that their business!

I hope that your friends can give you a glowing recommendation so that you can take this time and polish those skills to get back out there.

I know a while back you complained that not too many offices were hiring and the ones that were seemed backward. Let me tell ya though, there are some great opportunities there.

Somedays I want to strangle the people I work for. On others I think how could I ever leave. They are a little backwards, unadvanced, old school if you will.. then again, they also believe in God and family first, send you flowers when your ill, and would be the first people to drive a thousand miles if you needed them to. While I miss some of my perks and my "toys" I really do cherish the compassion and respect they give to me on a daily basis.

Good Luck!

Hi, Audioda
I read your post three times. I admire you for expressing yourself so well. After all you said there remains a decision to make . . . where now? Obviously, you're not lacking the acumen to make business happen. As for your "ex-boss" . . . well . . . graduating as a doctor does not a leader or a manager make! Although they might think so. Sooner or later they "see" the light or become a legend in their own minds. The real question is . . . with what you've proven you can do . . are you in the right place? Separating the skill sets of an optician from the skill sets of a business person may mean you have transferrable skills that can easily take you to a different place. You're language is of "key performance indicators", not opticianry. I hope you are aware that if one more element, that of leading others to do as you have, was added to your repertoire, it could place you in a totally different career position, inside or outside of opticianry. It would be nice if your passion for opticianry was the pathway. But, there is soooooo much more out there. And, while there would be those who might say I have no right to "promote career changes", it would be the poorly informed individual who hasn't read that career changes occur about three times or even more for a good person in today's society. It's not betrayal. It's growing. I did. Still love opticianry, the art and practice, but enjoy the "perks" of a career change. In my instance, if not for Lenscrafters and the boss I had, I'd still be saying: "Yes, Doctor. Whatever you say, sir!" as an employed technician. But, the leadership experience I gained has changed that . . . slightly (don't ask!)! When is right? Can't say. I'm 63 as of 10/28 and the change is awesome . . . .totally awesome!

Thanks for listening!

Alan W

I think you should let it go. One door close, 10 open. Personally, I would go knock on the door of their biggest competitor and show them, who's the best. Obviously you know how to build a team, boost up a practice, and you should keep going. Stop crying on what happen and make yourself right by making them wrong, or the opposite. This is not the point. SHOW them how scary good you can be. Go for it. On your next interview, just tell blank (without gossiping) why you got fired. Otherwise, with court and everything + gossip about what happen, you are just burning down some bridges, and you will have to move to an another state in a far far away land to find an another job... think about it. Good Luck

Dear Audiyoda
About 12 years ago there was a very sophisticated opportunity for optoms and ophthals to get involved in a 3rd party network. It was called Physicians Resource Group. At that same time another one came along called Physicians Eyecare Network. The latter had only one condition and that was management of the dispnsaries including merchandising them. In return, thousands of new patients would be delivered. PRG had a different idea and it appealed to the "superior intelligence" and ego of doctors. It called for them to "invest" their practices as a whole and give up management in return for pages and pages of semantic manipulation under the guise of accounting and big time finance. Various buzz words from the corporate world were used to make these people feel real smart and sophisticated. The bottom line 2 years later was that almost all these geniuses had to come up with upwards of $4M to get their practices back. Everything you said points to the same level of mentality these people have had for years. Some cannot separate business from personal ego. Many are just plain....damaged merchandise businesswise that will cost good intentioned and loyal techs their futures. They succeed dispite themselves because society has placed them socially and legally at the top of the food chain. Going forward, you would do well to look at the individuals background and interview them for their ability to delegate, trust and have confidence in their people before you work for them. You have done nothing wrong. You are just too advanced and are a perceived risk/threat to these people who would rather accept castration than deligate authority, much less reward it. Unfortunately, opticians by and large don't think they should interview their potential employer for philosophical and manegement skills. Specially, if they have an OD or MD after their names. Because the integrity of our craft has been compromised by too many mass retailers, we need to ramp up and be a lot more discerning and demanding. So, we won't have to face what you have. Carry on. The best is yet to come . . . .maybe.

Dear Audiyoda,

I have sorry to hear about what happened to you and how from reading your comments it has hurt you. I cant change anything that has happen in the past but when (and I am sure you will very soon) get a chance to go on interview here are some tips for you that I hope will get you back on track.

Job interview body language

Body Language
It begins even before you say your first word. They’ll be sizing you up as you walk across the room to shake hands. Be conscious of how you look and what you’re doing, and try not to overlook the verbal and non-verbal signals you’re sending out in the rush to parade your carefully prepared answers before them.

Pace yourself
Speak deliberately more slowly than you would normally. There’s a trick here. You’ll be revved up as you go in, so you will naturally speak more quickly than normal. If you concentrate on pronouncing your words individually, you’ll actually be speaking at a normal speed.

Think of good speakers you’ve experienced throughout your education. You’ll remember the ones who were more focused and engaging. That’s not to say they were the funniest or loudest or most entertaining. But they were almost certainly the most animated. Focus. You’re not here to entertain – so leave the jokes at the door – but you are here to look like you want the job. Concentrate on that and let your commitment and energy shine through.

Non-verbal signals
A firm but not crushing handshake is the one to go for. The wet fish technique is a guaranteed turn off. Also, try to ensure your hands are dry and warm – as natural as possible. If you tend to perspire under stress, try to run your hands under cold water before going in and if stress makes your skin cold, do the opposite.

Don’t slouch in your chair, whether in reception or the interview room. Slouching says “I don’t care” and should be reserved for lazy Sundays on the sofa. Walk and sit up straight. If you’re worried about your posture, sit naturally in front of a mirror at home and see how you look. Practice sitting in a more vertical position and make a mental note of how it feels, so you can replicate it in the interview.

Always look the questioner in the eye, but not in a way that could have you sectioned. Be confident, and don’t stare past your questioner or at the floor. Avoid glancing nervously around the room as this is the classic sign of someone with something to hide. If there is more than one interviewer, make sure you look at each of them when answering questions, and keep your eyes on their face, not straying to other parts of their body (if you know what I mean!).

To find out what to do with your hands, watch yourself in a mirror of the office window when you’re on the phone. You’ll use some of the same gestures when you’re talking. It’s fine to gesture with your hands, but don’t overdo it so you look like you’re directing traffic.

Don’t fidget and don’t play around with your hair, pen, nails, chair, jiggle your knees, tap your leg or anything else. It drives people crazy and will distract them from what you’re saying.

Be aware of how you are sitting, moving and the general impression you’re giving out. So smile occasionally; it will make you all feel better.

I hope this helps - If you need any more tips please just ask