Because of vertical integration..................
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mr_Mitchell
May
................................ That might be fine, I'm not saying it's not, but I am saying that it is absolutely wrong to think that hiring only "properly qualified" opticians (and thus paying them more than a "stylist") will make more money for the business. If that were true, why are the same people bashing LC for making so much money also deriding the "unqualified" opticians LC hires for theoretically preventing LC from making any money?
Actually they do not make more money, but they can give a professional service, which brings customers back because of the quality service received.
These people are bashing LC because it is basically practising unfair competition and that is because the largest frame manufacturer owns LC and practises vertical integration which means that Lux and LC takes all the profit from the factory to the delivery, while the retail end stage is conducted by stylist's that are paid less than a qualified optical professional.
LC is not theoreticall making less money...........they are actually a higher percenatge of mgross profits tha an independent ever can. http://www.optiboard.com/forums/images/icons/icon13.gif
Not needed.......................
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rdcoach5
We are a service health care profession that cannot be outsouced unless they import opticians from China or somewhere. ?
No outsourcing needed.........the facilities already exist. There are some optical labs in Thailand producing Rx work that has been ordered from and is delivered to European countries.
There are also some labs in China getting ready to do the same for export into the USA. Just watch and it won't be long you will see the promotions.
The lab work can be outsourced
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Chris Ryser
No outsourcing needed.........the facilities already exist. There are some optical labs in Thailand producing Rx work that has been ordered from and is delivered to European countries.
There are also some labs in China getting ready to do the same for export into the USA. Just watch and it won't be long you will see the promotions.
But the dispensing optician can not be outsourced. Not totally , although I know there are on-line websites to order complete glasses. They even offer the patient tips on how to take his own P.D. and seg height. I' m not real worried by this.
The marketplace will decide
Clearly both unions and companies have behaved poorly to the excess. But, in the current era of consolidation there is a place for a union to stand up for the little guy when it comes to pensions and health benefits. Some may carry on about the excesses of a union contract, but I seem to remember that a contact requires 2 signatures, the management and the union. To me the real issue is with the management that signed an agreement that the shareholders could not afford.
I firmly believe employees should be able to negotiate with management for the highest possible wages and benefits. If management is foolish enough to sign an agreement they can not afford then the fault belongs to them and not the guy who asked for the moon. Good management need to learn how to say No. Good management accepts responsibilty for there actions.
By the way, I have never been a union member. I am a risk taking entrepreneur and I've said no in a union negotiation in the past.
How long have you been in practice?
Just wondered about how your experience colors your perspective.How long in business? Family business? George Bush idiot follower ?
The goal of unions is to make money for their brass ..........................
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Uilleann
While the idea of an international union sounds good on paper, the practicality of bringing it to fruition globally, particularly in today's world, seems unlikely in the extreme - regardless of model. I wish it weren't so, but that's our world.
The goal of unions is to make money for their brass ..........................
They have no interest in professional qualifications, they just play politics to push employees salaries up.
I have had the experience of unions infiltrating my own business some 40 years ago and it is one of the most negative factors one can experience in business, for the owners as well as the employees at the same time.