Optical Consultants

**OPTIDONN** · 03-08-2007, 02:34 PM

How do you guys feel about optical consultants? Have any of you ever used one?

**ADO** · 03-08-2007, 02:42 PM

Yes, I have used them in the past. Be very careful and very specific about what your needs are. Many times the plan they want to implement is the same plan they have for everyone. Make sure you find someone who is willing to be specific to your needs.

My 2 cents.

**HarryChiling** · 03-08-2007, 02:46 PM

Most suck. Make sure they get payed on performance and you set the goals.

**cocoisland58** · 03-08-2007, 02:46 PM

What are they if I may be so dumb?

**HarryChiling** · 03-08-2007, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by cocoisland58

What are they if I may be so dumb?

That's actually pretty smart not knowing what they are, because it shows you have never used them. They are supposed to come into your practice and tell you what you are doing wrong and what you are doing right and help you come up with a game plan for improvements. They usually end up telling you nothing more than raise yor fees and give you a model for running your business that could have been picked up from reading these boards.

**For-Life** · 03-08-2007, 03:15 PM

Most don't have the education and do not have the experience to do it.

But if you want to try them out, call your local university business department. A lot of them have small business consulting at a cheap price, and some even have students who are looking for ways to apply their knowledge.

**CME4SPECS** · 03-08-2007, 03:21 PM

There's a lot of free consulting right here!

**Fezz** · 03-08-2007, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by CME4SPECS

There's a lot of free consulting right here!

Its not free. Its just that all you cheap Bas*ards have not paid me yet.;)

**Robert Martellaro** · 03-08-2007, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by OPTIDONN

How do you guys feel about optical consultants? Have any of you ever used one?

I love optical consultants- if they're cooked properly.

**OPTIDONN** · 03-08-2007, 04:06 PM

How about if they tend to specialize in the training area? More of a training consultant.

**HarryChiling** · 03-08-2007, 04:11 PM

Drop the concultant part and you got something. Unfortunately consultants in many industries can be of help, however the negative conotation of consultant to our industry will hurt you more than help.

**Jacqui** · 03-08-2007, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by OPTIDONN

How about if they tend to specialize in the training area? More of a training consultant.

I could do that. $75.00 per hour, plus expenes.

**Johns** · 03-08-2007, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

I could do that. $75.00 per hour, plus expenes.

That would be cheap. (No, I've never used one, but I've been one.)

**CME4SPECS** · 03-08-2007, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by OPTIDONN

How about if they tend to specialize in the training area? More of a training consultant.

Train to do what?

**OPTIDONN** · 03-08-2007, 05:12 PM

Well this was my big idea, I have many doesn't mean I'll get around to them;) . I thought that as a way to bring in a little extra income I would be willing to train Opticians on lens technology; aspherics, atorics, a/r, progressive lens designs, polarization etc. etc. So opticians have a good understanding of the technology and its limitations including how to present this info. accratly to patients and recognize potential problems before they happen thus reducing remakes and increasing patient confidence and satisfaction. Also training new employees in basic opticianry skills. Even help develope training procedures and manuals.

**cocoisland58** · 03-08-2007, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by HarryChiling

That's actually pretty smart not knowing what they are, because it shows you have never used them. They are supposed to come into your practice and tell you what you are doing wrong and what you are doing right and help you come up with a game plan for improvements. They usually end up telling you nothing more than raise yor fees and give you a model for running your business that could have been picked up from reading these boards.

Is it a bit like paying a therapist to tell you what you already know or if not should have the common sense to figure out on your own?

**Jubilee** · 03-08-2007, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by OPTIDONN

Well this was my big idea, I have many doesn't mean I'll get around to them;) . I thought that as a way to bring in a little extra income I would be willing to train Opticians on lens technology; aspherics, atorics, a/r, progressive lens designs, polarization etc. etc. So opticians have a good understanding of the technology and its limitations including how to present this info. accratly to patients and recognize potential problems before they happen thus reducing remakes and increasing patient confidence and satisfaction. Also training new employees in basic opticianry skills. Even help develope training procedures and manuals.

Are you thinking "one on one" or "classroom" type settings? Are you going to break this out into "optical knowledge" and "optical sales?"

There are many courses that are offered through out the year (well in larger areas or at expos) that are designed around increasing basic knowledge and sales/business..

However there are a lot of us folks who aren't around in these areas, and don't always get to travel. I think it can be an excellent opportunity if it is played correctly. An optician maybe looking for an ABO tutor. You might have an office that wants to raise their game a bit. However you might get a person who wants to higher someone with absolutely no experience for cheap, and then use you as a tool to make them functional (in say 10 hours) and skim around hiring a truely experienced person. Not to say it would be a bad thing to train a newbie..but you get the picture..

Can an optician hire you to consult with the doctor on getting them the tools that will make both of their lives easier and business more successful? ;)

Cassandra

**Andrew Weiss** · 03-08-2007, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Jubilee

Can an optician hire you to consult with the doctor on getting them the tools that will make both of their lives easier and business more successful? ;)

Cassandra

If the doctor is willing, why not? :bbg:

**OPTIDONN** · 03-08-2007, 05:43 PM

This was an idea I had this morning but everything would be customized to meet the needs of that specific location i.e. basic training, trouble shooting, product knowledge and tutoring.

**Jacqui** · 03-08-2007, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Johns

That would be cheap. (No, I've never used one, but I've been one.)

O.K. So I charge $200 an hour, at that rate I'll be able to go fishing, paint the house, spoil the grandkids somemore,.........:D :D

**Chris Ryser** · 03-09-2007, 05:12 AM

While you are in business or emploed you are a consultant for free..................because where you can consult is in the domaine you know best.

The ones I know are all retired and specialists in their field and can give some worthwile advice..........but only in the narrow specialised field they know well.

So don't hire a retired lab technicians to bring in more customers and don't hire a commercial consultant to improve your lab.

:finger:

**dpearce** · 03-09-2007, 08:56 AM

I am one (an optical consultant). I provide marketing consultation, services and support to ECPs. I don't go out trying to convince ECPs they need my services. I just ask one question: Are you happy with the results of your marketing efforts?

I agree that finding a consultant to work on a performance-based fee structure is important. As a practitioner / business owner, if you do not have definitive goals you are trying to achieve it is difficult to measure progress / success.

**Jacqui** · 03-09-2007, 10:25 AM

I agree with Chris on this one. If you need help with refracting, hire a retired O.D. If you need help making the lenses hire ME !! If you need help marketing the whole thing to consumers hire dpearce.

**HarryChiling** · 03-09-2007, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by dpearce

....I just ask one question? Are you happy with the results of your marketing efforts?

I agree that finding a consultant to work on a performance-based fee structure is important. As a practitioner / business owner, if you do not have definitive goals you are trying to achieve it is difficult to measure progress / success.

That's the responsible way of doing things.

**OPTIDONN** · 03-09-2007, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

I agree with Chris on this one. If you need help with refracting, hire a retired O.D. If you need help making the lenses hire ME !! If you need help marketing the whole thing to consumers hire dpearce.

Are you any good at equipment repair and maintenance? Could have some work for you:idea: