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Insight with Dr. Virginia Donati

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Practicing optometry in Peel since her residency in 2005. She was born and raised in Brampton.

Founding Vice President of COVT&R, now know as Vision Therapy Canada (VTC), now President of VTC.

Lead instructor for Practical Vision Therapist Accreditation Program (PVTAP).

Dr. Virginia Donati

Optometrist, FCOVD

University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Science

Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry

President of Vision Therapy Canada

 

Why did you choose your field?

I actually decided that I was going to be an optometrist when I was 10 years old. I remember the day very clearly. My mother took me to the optometrist (my first visit since pre-school) and I was in awe of all of the machines and lenses and knobs. When he was done, he put a trial frame on my face and I almost cried. To me, he was a hero! That afternoon, I asked my mother to take me to the library so that I could research what I needed to do to become an optometrist like him. Many years later, he also gave me a summer job at his front desk, an extern position for high-school co-op, and wrote a reference letter for me for optometry school. A special thank you to Dr. R. Lapienis!

What is currently the most exciting thing in your field to help patients?

The most exciting thing for me is the Vision Therapy scope. When you see patients who are incredibly symptomatic, or those whose struggles they didn’t even know were due to a vision problem, and intervene with treatment that provides relief, it is an incredibly rewarding experience. In our profession, Vision Therapy remains underutilized and under-prescribed. My wish and hope for our profession is that more optometrists learn about what it is that Vision Therapy can provide for patients and that more optometrists start to provide Vision Therapy in their practice. We need many more providers across the country!

What advice would you give a new grad today?

I would say that new grads shouldn’t be satisfied to sit around and refract all day. Find a niche, a “specialty” area of our profession which you are passionate about and educate yourself. Whether that’s Vision Therapy, low vision, contact lenses, dry eye, etc. Find something that you find mentally stimulating, fun and that brings you joy. When you do that, every day is different and every patient a new adventure. You will never work a day in your life!

What is something you believed to be true for a long time only to find out you were wrong?

I believed that “the” prescription was what you measured in the phoropter. In reality, it’s really a negotiation between what you measure and what you know the patient is truly asking for. It’s a mix between the patient’s vision system and your expertise. There’s a certain amount of artistry and individuality to it. To ignore this fact is to become a living auto-refractor and to become obsolete.

What is one thing you own that you probably should throw away but never will?

I still have my first pair of glasses from 1989. They’re small, weak, dated and scratched beyond belief, but I can’t bring myself to throw them out. For me, they are a reminder of the awe I experienced that day at my optometrist’s office and a reminder of why I decided optometry was the profession for me. After all, who doesn’t want to feel like somebody’s hero? They are also pretty darned cute!

Tell me something few people know about you.

I actually had a very difficult time in my first year of optometry school. A binocular vision problem caused me to struggle to keep up with all the reading and studying that was required. I sought treatment at my school’s pediatrics department. It was my first experience with Vision Therapy. That intervention allowed me to not only improve, but thrive! It gave me the passion for Vision Therapy that I carry with me today. Looking back, I actually feel very lucky to have had that struggle!

What is your favourite past-time/hobby?

I find it incredibly relaxing and therapeutic to crochet. It’s something I taught myself to do when I was expecting my first child and something I continue to do. Some of my earliest work, with all of it’s dropped stitches and uneven tension, is work that I am the most proud of. When I look at it, I see someone who was not distracted by failure. At this point, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert at it, but good enough that I won first prize at my town’s fall fair two years in a row!

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Staying Connected in Uncertain Times

Human Resources, Managing Others

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The past couple of weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought more unfortunate “firsts” than most of us care to think about. With so much uncertainty, everyday decisions become harder to make.

Most ODs have now officially laid off their staff, save for the one or two members needed to answer calls and emails, reschedule appointments and other administrative tasks.

Now at home, with little work to do, the challenge is to figure out a way to maintain a sense of purpose and hope.

There are actually a number of ways that you can stay connected and support those around you.

One way I am doing this is by continuing to support local businesses. For instance, I have ordered eggs, sausage, and canned goods from a local family owned store. They are offering delivery twice a week during this time. Not only am I looking forward to that delivery of food today, I feel good about the fact that I am helping another family keep their business going.

Socially, I am starting to feel disconnected, so my friends and I have embraced the concept of remote “gatherings”. Once a week, we are setting ourselves up with a computer, remote access and our favourite beverage. This week, everyone has been challenged to dig up some old pictures from high school to share.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have also been part of remote meetings with some of my clients and their teams. I am struck by how much they enjoyed this face-to-face interaction. These are people who normally spend a large portion of their week together, but suddenly they aren’t seeing each other at all!

There was genuine joy to see each other and share how their experience has been so far. I encourage you to consider doing something like this with your team. Keep it social, share how everyone is staying active and busy – and give your teams a chance to stay connected.

Another way to create purpose right now is to look for ways to give during this time. I have seen lots of opportunities to foster animals. What a great time to do this! You will have time to give that animal lots of attention.

On a professional front, I had a client reach out yesterday to ask how he could help me with my business – he has time on his hands and believes in what I do. Incredible! Who can you reach out to and offer a helping hand? Letting someone know that they are not alone could be all the help they need.

It will take some time to settle into a new normal on the other side of this, but we will get there and we will be better for it.

KELLY HRYCUSKO

is the co-founder and managing partner of Simple Innovative Management Ideas (SIMI) Inc. and expert Practice Management contributor for Optik magazine. She can be reached at info@simiinc.com.

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Managing a Productive Remote Workforce

Human Resources, Managing Others

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With growing measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), a large number companies across the globe have had to suddenly tell their employees to work from home.

For many employees, this is something they’re happy to embrace – once they’re setup with the right tools, they will stay productive and continue with business as usual from a home office environment.

However, for some, the directive to work from home can spell disaster if management doesn’t fully recognize what’s required to help those individuals continue to thrive in a changing, more isolated environment.

Easing the Transition:

So, with no choice in the matter, how do we make this prompt transition to a home office as smooth as possible for everyone, regardless of their workplace preferences or personality?

First, ensure you’ve addressed any technical roadblocks by outlining a clear list of what is needed for each individual to get setup at home. Help fill in any hardware gaps, such as:

  • Loan of a laptop or desktop screens
  • A comfortable office chair
  • Desk phone and headset
  • Some extra printer cartridges

As well, make sure everyone is comfortable with remote file sharing on such platforms as:

  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • MS OneDrive
  • OneHub

Next, help employees understand working hours and scheduling requirements whilst away from the daily office structure. Assist them with creating a sharable task schedule or tracking system, using such tools as:

  • Trello
  • Monday
  • SmartSheet
  • Jira
  • Toggl

Also, suggest that they build their own ‘Family Schedule’ with the other family members who are stuck in the house. This will minimize distractions and anxiety as everyone in the household has established guidelines and boundaries during work hours.

Stay Connected:

Once everyone is set up remotely, keep in mind that there is only so much you can communicate through text and group emails. Overtime, not working with people face to face can sometimes make it difficult to guide them or fully gauge their emotions, intentions and well-being – especially at this time when we are all dealing with a lot of change and unknowns in our daily lives.

When in a standard office environment, studies show that many employees rely on the morning team meeting to gain positive energy and feedback from the others in order to get their day started. And, during breaktime, workers often look forward to the social aspect of pouring a cup of coffee and engaging in spontaneous chatter about news, sports, or movies.

So, if you haven’t already, start by implementing an efficient messaging app (such as Slack) to make back and forth online discussion much faster and easier. But don’t stop there. Get your remote team in the habit of replacing some of those messages and emails with phone calls instead, even doing some of your calls via FaceTime. And for your team discussions, maintain a cohesive group feel by doing video meetings using Skype or Zoom on a regular basis – seeing faces and sharing screens can go a long way towards morale and productivity.

Extra Tools to Help You Manage:

With the long-term outcome of this pandemic still very much unknown, people may have to continue working remotely for quite some time. As this plays out, business owners and managers need to feel confident that they can maintain a motivated, engaged workforce from afar.

Consider tools such as the PXT Select suite of behavioural, engagement or leadership assessments to help you continue the alignment and understanding of your team’s strengths, weaknesses, and abilities – giving you more power to coach and develop your people to their full potential during this unprecedented time in the workplace.

Reassurance:

No matter what, make sure your team knows that you’ve got their back. ‘Social distancing’ does not mean anyone will be sent home and forgotten about – everyone should feel trusted, valued and looked after for as long as they’re working remotely and beyond.

Want to discuss more about this topic?

Get in touch to share your thoughts and discuss more options to help keep your staff engaged:
info@fitfirsttech.com
1-800-513-7277

Sharing is caring!

 

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Is This Really The Best Time To Buy A Practice?

Buying-Selling A Practice, Practice

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ABSOLUTELY!!! And here is why. If your ultimate goal is to own your own practice, then do not pass on a good office because of the times we are currently in. An economic crisis can be the best possible time to invest in yourself! As an associate, this could be the moment you buy yourself a job because no one knows what life will be like once the doors re-open.

Every recession creates opportunities. And inaction does not mean safety in uncertain times. Rather than simply hoping things will get better, you should act to improve your situation and position yourself for growth when the things recover.

If you are an associate, your income has and will be controlled by the principal you work for. If you work in an office with the principal, there is a very high chance your schedule is going to be impacted particuarly because the principal will be in the negative due to the clinic being closed. Therefore, a principal may choose to work longer hours to make up for this. You cannot blame someone for choosing to work more or take the better quality patients when they have owned the practice during this financially critical period. Is it not better to be the owner of a closed office when the doors finally open rather than an associate waiting for the return of consistent hours?

Buyers are reluctant to spend money to make acquisitions during an economic downturn. However, downturns can be an ideal time to invest in your own practice.

1) As an associate, how long will it take for you to personally return to work? How long will it take you to return to your same level of billings prior to COVID-19?
2) The country’s key lending rate has now fallen from 1.75% at the start of the month to its current rate of 0.25%. The last time the overnight rate fell so much in the span of a month was in 1992. Therefore, prime rate as of today (March 31, 2020) is 2.45% and will most likely decrease by end of year. There has never been a better time to borrow.
3) The sale will not close until the doors re-open. Again, with the closures, revenue is not lost but deferred. By default, there will be a demand for visits.
4) During this time as you prepare to take over the practice, you can engage the team to brainstorm and generate new ideas that could help you when the doors re-open. After all, the employees of an established practice are on the frontline and have a lot of insight into patient and practice needs.
5) Yes, there will be stricter protocols required for infection control. That will not change regardless if you are an owner or currently an associate.

While our situation today is different from the Market Crash of 2008, it is worth noting that Warren Buffett in a 2008 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting said that the market might go up, the market might go down, the economy might fluctuate, but there will always be intelligent things to do. What an empowering message!! He went on to further say, “In the 20th Century alone, we dealt with two great wars (one of which we initially appeared to be losing); a dozen or so panics and recessions; virulent inflation that led to a 21½% prime rate in 1980; and a Great Depression of the 1930s, when unemployment ranged between 15% and 25% for many years. While COVID-19 is something we have never seen, the fact is that globally, we will overcome it just as we did these other significant crises.

Buying an office now gives you the opportunity of time. Usually, when people are purchasing an office, they do not have enough hours in the day to plan a successful transition. A personal marketing plan rarely is made, staff training to ensure the smooth transition does not happen and you as a new owner do not have the time to develop critical business skills such as financial management, effective communication. If you buy an office that does not close until the doors are to open for business again, you have the benefit of this time to make serious and achievable plans.

History has proven that during challenging times that all the great fortunes were made. The most successful self-made people did not sit home in fear because of a financial crisis.

Ultimately, during tough times, it’s important to keep a positive outlook rather than focus on a bleak picture. It takes courage to invest in times of uncertainty, but if you do it wisely, you’ll see positive results down the road. The reality is that people will still need to see their Optometrist. Healthcare has proven its ability to manage during and post financial crises.

Jackie Joachim, COO ROI Corp

JACKIE JOACHIM

Jackie has 30 years of experience in the industry as a former banker and now the Chief Operating Officer of ROI Corporation. Please contact her at Jackie.joachim@roicorp.com or 1-844-764-2020.

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Insight with Robert Allaway

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Dr. Robert Allaway is the Chief Optometry Officer of Vision Alliance, a new exit strategy option founded by Ken Barbet, former Eye Recommend CEO.

Robert is in private practice in Salmon Arm, BC where his practice has expanded over the years from a single location to three locations with four partners and two associates.

He was on the Board of Directors of Eye Recommend for 12 years.

Dr. Robert Allaway

Optometrist

Optometry, University of Waterloo

Chief Optometry Officer of Vision Alliance

 

Where do you see your practice / eye care in 10 years?

I graduated in 1996 from U Waterloo and there really aren’t many things that have stayed the same in our field since then.  Technology has changed our role from GATHERERS of data to INTERPRETERS of data.  I expect that this trend will continue which will lead to better patient care and, hopefully, an increase in our scope of practice.  On the business side of things, we will be facing increased pressure from outside forces so we will be need to evolve our business model or risk becoming obsolete.

What changes do you see in eye care coming down the pipe?

The recent move towards specialization within optometry will continue I think.  Vision Therapy clinics, Dry Eye clinics, Low Vision clinics, etc. will become even more prominent – either as a stand-alone model or as a ‘clinic within a clinic’ model.  There will always be a market for traditional optometry but alternative models will become more common.

What is something you have done in your practice to set you apart?

It sounds somewhat cliché by now but we really focus on creating a great experience for our patients.  Great service is the new norm so it’s critical that you go beyond that if you want to stand out and earn the trust of the patient.  We have found that the best way to create a world class experience is to establish an excellent culture within the practice.  Take care of your team and they will take care of your patients.

What advice would you give a new grad today?

I speak with optometry students every year as part of my Eye Recommend and Vision Alliance duties and their biggest concerns seem to be related to the business side of optometry.  All of the OD schools do a great job training the clinical side of our profession but most of them fall short in the business education area.  I HIGHLY recommend that new grads (or OD students) find a good mentor who is willing to help educate them.  Join a group and take advantage of the networking opportunities or reach out to an expert who can guide them through the difficult patches.  There are literally thousands of us who have owned a practice – no need to make all of the same mistakes that we did.

Last time you laughed?

Laughter is a huge part of my day.  I laugh with family, with my team, and with my patients.  Laughter makes everything better.

If you had a time machine what year would you travel to and why?

Well, at this point I would have to say that I would travel back to early 2019, go to Wuhan, China, and persuade them to test everyone for a new Coronavirus.

Describe your perfect day.

Sunny spring day (warm but not hot, no bugs yet); drive my restored 1983 Land Cruiser into the bush with my wife and dog; long walk in the mountains; ride my bike home; cook a great meal for my family and enjoy it with a great craft beer on the deck overlooking the lake.  Actually, that was yesterday.

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Insight with Daryan Angle

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Graduated from UW in 2001 and toiled a for a very short period for others before succumbing to his entrepreneurial bent by joining the IRIS team as a franchise partner in Waterloo.

Dr Angle rose to the corporate echelon of the IRIS Group and now serves as VP business development for the group.

Keep reading to find out how Dr. Angle envisions his perfect day and which business leader he most respects.

Dr. Daryan Angle

Optometrist

Optometry, University of Waterloo, 1996-2001

Physics, University of Alberta, 1994-1996

 

Why did you choose your field?

I always had a love and natural inclination for science and could never decide which area was more interesting physics, chemistry or biology. Optometry required all 3 subjects as prerequisites. I also wanted to work with people and own some kind of business. Optometry just fit. On top of all that, when I was a teenager it seemed that my childhood Optometrist was the most relaxed and happy adult ever.

Where do you see your practice / eye care in 10 years?

The confluence of digital commerce, and bricks and mortar will blend the online with the in-person  (omnichannel). That seamless transition between these spaces back and forth will be a key part of my practice in 10 years. Artificial intelligence will also be present, facilitating disease management, and eyewear dispensing thus allowing  for more quality human interaction with patients.

What changes do you see in eye care coming down the pipe?

Telemedicine will play an increasingly important role in servicing remote communities.

What is currently the most exciting thing in your field to help patients?

OCTs have been a game changer for early diagnosis and more precise understanding of retinal health.

What is something you plan on implementing in your practice this year?

Facial scanning technology for frame selection and bespoke custom frames.

What is something you have done in your practice to set you apart?

We have always provided a patient-centred, fully integrated eyecare and retail eyewear experience. The experience has been an evolution over 30 years and continues as technology can be leveraged to address a patient’s needs better and with high perceived value.

What business books would you recommend other ECPs read?

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman

Onward by Howard Schultz

Never Split the Difference: Negotiate as if your life depends on it by Chris Voss

The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harrari

Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

What advice would you give a new grad today?

Know your values and find the best environment to practice that fits those values.

What is your definition of success or what habits make you a successful person?

When the work you do doesn’t feel like work and you can still provide for and spend quality time with your family.  My success is based on the understanding that time is more valuable than money and decisions in life, must be made to leverage time in the most effective manner.

Which ECP speakers/leaders do you admire?

Dr. Francis Jean the late founder of IRIS was the ECP leader I admired throughout my formative years as an Optometrist and a leader. Now I would have to say I look at leaders outside of our industry. Howard Schulz, the founder of Starbucks is someone I deeply admire as he has built a great brand that is human and refined and continues to innovate and deliver high perceived value to its customers.

What is your favorite TV show / Netflix series?

Peaky Blinders on Netflix. It combines the best elements of a flawed protagonist, period setting ( early 20th century), drama, action and a modern soundtrack that fits.

Last time you laughed?

Tickling my 2.5 year old son, Sullivan. There is nothing more joyous than a belly laugh of a toddler.

What was your latest indulgence?

Dark Chocolate Peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s

What’s your Favorite food?

Trini food – Curried goat, and Doubles especially

My mom is from Trinidad so I grew up with that food.

Favorite past-time/hobby?

Listening to Audio books.  Since I discovered Audible I became literate again, having read more books in the past 3 years than the previous 10. I love walking outdoors while listening, often on my way to the office and home.

What’s your favorite 80’s jam? (or decade you graduated high school in)

1980s

Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen. I recently watched the movie Blinded by the Light and was reminded of Springsteen’s genius.

Wake Me up Before you Go-Go – Wham!  This song makes you want to get up and dance no matter what.

1990s (High school)

Loser – by Beck. The combination of genres and quirky lyrics just blew my mind at the time.

Cannonball  – by The Breeders. I was a grunge kid for sure, a sucker for guitars with pop-py hooks.

What would you do if you won 10 million dollars? What would you do with your practice?

Spend more time with family and friends. I would continue to practice part time as there is no activity more satisfying than seeing patients.

What was the last gift you gave someone?

Gold earrings to my wife for Valentine’s day

How have you changed since high school?

I listen a lot more than I speak. Thanks to my wife Jill, I have become way more self-reflective and flexible in my thinking.

Tell me something few people know about you?

I used to perform Slam poetry in Vancouver in the early 2000s.

Describe your perfect day.

Wake up after 6.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep (between 6-6:30am).  Do yoga and meditation for 20 minutes.  Drink a cup of coffee from freshly roasted then ground espresso beans made in my aeropress. Make breakfast for my kids.  Go weightlifting at the gym followed by a sauna and cold shower.  Have breakfast as lunch with my wife at an all-day breakfast restaurant. Go for a long walk somewhere in nature. Play with my daughter and son outside. Go out for dinner with my wife followed by binge watching a tv program we both enjoy.

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It’s Time to Mend the Nets: Practice Advice for Turbulent Times

Human Resources, Managing Others, Webinar

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Practice Advice for Turbulent Times

“When fishermen can’t go to sea, they mend their nets.”

 There are plenty of tasks related, and even essential, to the success of your practice. This quote reminds us of the importance of forward momentum, which in turn can ensure you return stronger than ever, ready to meet the challenges ahead.

Eye Care Business Canada have teamed up with BMO Bank of Montreal and ROI Corporation, Canada’s largest health care business brokerage, to provide a live webinar series that will help you make the most of these challenging times and help prepare your future.

We are offering complimentary educational webinars on three topics of particular relevance to these trying times, delivered by industry experts. Audience is invited to put questions to the speakers.

The Webinars will be co-hosted by Jackie Joachim, COO of ROI Corporation and Dr. Glen Chiasson, Host of Eyes Wide Open, a Canadian podcast for eye care professionals published by Eye Care Business Canada.

Keeping Employees Engaged and Motivated
The closure of offices has been a wake-up call for the importance of a strong culture. It is crucial that practice owners do not succumb to the panic. Employees look to their employers for leadership and model their behaviour, especially in times of crisis. The focus of this session is to help you keep your employees calm, engaged and informed. Practice owners will benefit from the tips and tools to keep their teams motivated while the office is closed.

Presenter:  Nava Sarooshi
Motivating teams to achieve results is Nava’s passion. She has run various workshops and consults with teams who are looking to achieve higher performance. Nava is also the President of MDP Corp, a temporary personnel placement agency.

Thursday April 2, 3PM (EDT)  

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW    

Managing the Practice’s Financial Health During Troubled Times
As a typical “black swan” event, COVID-19 took the world by surprise. Understanding the potential impact on the value of your practice and managing the financial risk associated with office closures is critical. This session will help you focus on the financial factors, especially as they pertain to the practice’s profitability and value.

Presenters:
Romal Bryce, Head of Healthcare Initiatives BMO
Romal oversees BMO Canadian Business Banking’s go to market strategy in the field of healthcare professional financing. He has been a financial services professional, primarily at Bank of Montreal, for 20 years He has held various sales, underwriting and risk-related roles in both retail and business banking.

Jackie Joachim, Chief Operating Officer for ROI Coporation
ROI specializes in assisting healthcare professionals in the Optometry, Dental and Veterinary spaces appraise and sell/transition their practices.

Monday April 6, 3PM (EDT) 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

Key Legal Issues Affecting Practice Owners
This is the time to look at all the legal factors that affect your clinic. This session will discuss the importance of key documents such as associate and employee agreements, partnerships, incorporating and leases.

Presenter:
Artem Kobzev,  LLP Tax Chambers
Artem’s practice focuses on providing individuals and closely-held corporations with a broad range of legal services, including personal tax planning, corporate tax planning, estate planning, business succession planning and asset protection. He frequently works with owner-managers to develop and implement the strategies and structures that will enable them to meet their specific needs.

Wednesday April 8, 3PM (EDT) 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

We look forward to e-meeting you at the webinars.

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12 Tips for Stressed out Practice Owners

Human Resources, Managing Others

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Being an independent practice owner is tremendously rewarding but also can be very stressful and requires a lot of hard work. Where many tend to struggle, however, is when it comes to working too much, putting their work before their health and not handling stress properly. The bad thing about stress is if you don’t take care of it, it will take care of itself usually in the form of sickness and even death. How can business owners better handle their stress?

Dr. Alok Trivedi is a human behavior and performance expert, author of the book ‘Chasing Success’ and founder of the Aligned Performance Institute.

Here are his 12 tips for entrepreneurs to better handle stress:

  • Stress will kill you: So many entrepreneurs put in 16 or more hours each and every day to build their dream, and they’re literally killing themselves. Stress is a real serious problem that leads to mental and physical health problems. If you don’t learn to slowdown and recognize stress, your body will ultimately do it for you.
  • Take breaks: Everyone, even the hardest working entrepreneurs out there, need to take breaks throughout the day. Your body can’t perform at it’s best if you are constantly tired, overworked and running on fumes. Even small 10 to 15-minute breaks throughout the day can do wonders for your mind and body. Remember, lunch isn’t always about eating, and it needs to be a mandatory rest period you take advantage of each and every day.
  • Don’t become a multitasker: Our society thrives on being able to do more with less. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst things anyone can do and will increase your stress faster than anything else. Instead, focus on completing one task at a time. Not only will the quality of your work improve, you’ll make fewer mistakes and get more accomplished in the long run.
  • Become a master delegator: So many entrepreneurs live by the phrase, “I have so much to do.” But guess what? You don’t have to do it all. If you find too much on your plate and your stress building, it’s time to delegate some of your work to other people on your team. Remember, entrepreneurship is a team effort, and we are in the age of collaboration.
  • Know that you are not invincible: I was talking with a very successful entrepreneur recently, and honestly, I was concerned about him. He thought he was invincible. Two weeks later he was in the hospital recovering from exhaustion, dehydration and high blood pressure. If you don’t take steps to reduce your stress, it will sneak up on you and take you down no matter how great a business you run.
  • Make time for fun: Whatever your definition of fun is, make time for it. It can be playing golf, hanging out with friends, spending time with family or whatever. Everyone, especially the hardest workers among us, need time to have fun. If you’re constantly working and not enjoying your life, what’s the point?
  • Play the 80/20 rule of energy: Give everything you do your maximum effort. Envision a meter that slowly builds as your energy depletes. Once the meter hits 80%, it’s time to let the mind and body recover. Remember, focusing on your health and well-being is one of the most important things you can do as an entrepreneur. We all need to take time to disconnect and recharge in order to perform at our best.
  • Change your breathing: One of the best ways to relieve stress is to breathe properly. Most people take very quick and shallow breaths through their chest. Instead, the proper way is to breathe through the diaphragm (belly area). Inhale to the count of seven, hold for seven seconds, and slowly exhale to the count of seven. Do this a few times in a row and you will feel your stress diminish.
  • Diet and exercise are as important as ever: It should be common knowledge by now the importance of diet and exercise, but so many people, especially entrepreneurs, get this one wrong. They say they are too busy to eat right and hit the gym while downing fast food and sitting in front of the computer all day. Diet and exercise need to be a priority in order to alleviate stress and be your best in business and life.
  • Let your work fulfill you: Anyone can start a business, but not everyone can find true fulfillment in their work. When you find fulfilment in what you do, the state of your mental health will be much better off, and your stress will be much less. Not only that, but that fulfillment will rub off on everything else you do, and your overall level of happiness will be at an all-time high.
  • Get more sleep: Your brain can’ t process high levels of information without the rest it needs. Without quality sleep, your body and your work will fall apart. Your ability to manage stress decreases drastically when you don’t sleep properly.
  • Be realistic: If you think a project you are working on is going to become the next Facebook, Uber or other big thing, it’s more than likely a fantasy most novice businessowners try to believe. That doesn’t mean not to aim big, but it’s wiser to play your own game and take the right strides to make your business efficient and grow methodically. Doing so will keep your stress in check.
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10 Online Trends to Watch for 2020

Digital Marketing, Marketing, Resources

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At the February 2020 Transitions Academy in Orlando FL, social media expert, Davitha Ghiassi, Executive VP Social & Integration served up “10 Trends Through a 2020 Lens” and offered advice to the eye care professionals and business professionals assembled.

Here are the top ten trends to watch for in 2020.

  1. Short-lived rich media content is boomingBorn on SnapChat in 2011, limited view time content has been highjacked by all social platforms. Instagram Stories leads the way, with 64% indicating they became interested in a service or product after viewing it on Instagram Stories.
  2. Vanity metrics will vanishLow level engagement metrics e.g. “Likes” and  “viewers” will be replaced by more meaningful measures of content experience and conversion. Look for “Dwell Time” and other social experience metrics to matter more in the future.
  3. Social platforms are growing a social conscience Voluntarily or, more likely by government edicts, social platforms will need to appease the societal ills they enable.  Privacy protection, screen/life balance and cyber bullying and hate speech are among the areas that will be addressed through hiding likes, setting scrolling curfews, and banning political ads.
  4. Social commerce comes of age
    Social media has become a natural driver of brand awareness, discovery and conversion. Instagram is capturing teenagers eyes and B2B leads are dominated by LinkedIn.
  5. Multilogue messaging overtakes mainstream SM
    Brands leverage the ‘Social Learning’ feature in Groups to offer bespoke, branded educational content and courses to their community. Many to many group apps like Twitter Chats and Facebook Groups, spark more meaningful conversations versus eliciting engagement through comments on content.
  6. Pay to play is here to stay
    Digital media ad spending has now surpassed tradition media spending. In order to achieve relevant reach and real results, advertisers will have to open their wallets. Even if  you are not spending money on ad space, your competitors most likely are.
  7. Rethinking influencer marketing
    90% of business decision-makers research opinions from peers and industry experts. While there is a strong belief that online Ambassadorships are effective, proving the ROI has been a challenge.
  8. Artificial intelligence will rule the day
    AI, machine learning and cognitive computing are not just evolving but advancing the way in which people and marketers curate, create and communicate. Cognitive computing will affirm accuracy, increase efficiency and enhance experiences.
  9. The sands of search are shifting
    While SEO has always providing constantly moving goalposts, the 2020 focus will be towards on-page content that is trustworthy, authoritative of high in quality. Quality over quantity is the message.
  10. Distinction between consumers and businesses is blurred
    The lines between B2B and B2C are blurring. The strict delineation of personal and business is fading away. Marketers are adapting approaches focused on specific individuals’ needs. Think P2P (People 2 People) instead of separate domains of “consumers” and “businesses”.
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Episode 7: How IRIS Challenged Ontario OD Regs and Won

Eyes Wide Open, Podcasts

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Dr. Daryan Angle shares the inside story behind IRIS’ struggle to modernize Ontario’s optometry regulations with host Dr. Glen Chiasson. Dr. Angle relives the 7-year battle with the College of Ontario Optometrists with a blow-by-blow account of how IRIS challenged the status quo and eventually overturned antiquated regulations.

About the Guest

Dr. Daryan Angle graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 2001. He joined IRIS in 2002 as a practicing optometrist in British Columbia, and shortly thereafter becoming a franchise partner in 2 IRIS practices. In 2006 Dr. Angle relocated to Kitchener, Ontario and led a legal challenge to the regulations governing the business practices of optometry in Ontario which ultimately led to modernization, allowing for open collaboration, marketing and retailing of eyewear in optometric practices. He currently holds the title of Vice President Business Development and in that role, primarily focuses on buying, partnering and integrating optical stores and optometry practices into the IRIS network.

 

Episode Notes

Changing the Game

For nearly a 30-year period, Ontario optometrists were prevented from having an association with opticians, either as employers or as business partners, and were restricted in pricing and marketing activities by College regulations.

Dr. Angle recounts the inspiring impact of the IRIS model of combining professional eye care with competitive retail-optical dispensing in a meeting with IRIS founder, Dr. Francis Jean, who passed away suddenly in 2014.

Dr Angle and his IRIS colleagues began to tackle the myriad of restrictive regulations for Ontario ODs by taking the argument to the Ontario Registrar and the Executive Committee, only to be resoundingly rebuffed, and even targeted for their efforts.

IRIS then adopted a legal challenge on the basis of the the “right to associate” embedded in the Canadian Charter of Rights.  They also brought the arguments to the Ministry of Health and the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council, which shared the perspective of leveraging various health care professions.

The Competition Bureau of Canada, which had a vested interest in ensuring there were multiple modes of practice in eye care to the benefit of consumers, were also an ally in the cause. These relationships, coupled with media interest, applied significant pressure on the College, which eventually capitulated on their long-standing positions.

Forces within Optometry began to join in the battle that IRIS initiated, and de facto changes to the regulations and enforcement began to take hold in 2008 and 2009 which lead ultimately to wholesale changes to the regulations in 2014.

Correction Note: The optical market in Canada is estimated @ $5 Billion CDN.

IRIS Franchise Partnership Model – Looking for Acquisition Opportunities

Dr Angle explains the IRIS franchise model is a partnership with either an optometrist or an optician or both. Each location leverages the IRIS brand name and power of a larger organization while providing the local practitioner the opportunity to practice in a sophisticated environment with advanced technology and pursue their professional passions.

The IRIS model provides younger doctors the opportunity to get into ownership without the stress and workload. For exit-ready older OD owners, the IRIS system guarantees that the practice will run smoothly and allows the owner to enjoy life when they go home. Many of the operational aspects such as HR, accounting and purchasing are taken away which helps the seller transition to a full exit.

IRIS is reaching out to acquire practices and/or optical stores and partner them. If you are somebody looking towards an exit, growing a career or taking your practice to the next level with a lot of support, IRIS may be an ideal partner.

Interested parties can reach Dr. Angle through the Web.

Click here to start the conversation

Resources

 

Dr. Glen Chiasson

Dr. Glen Chiasson

Dr. Glen Chiasson is a 1995 graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry. He owns and manages two practices in Toronto. In 2009, he co-hosted a podcast produced for colleagues in eye care, the “International Optometry Podcast”. He is a moderator of the Canadian Optometry Group, an email forum for Canadian optometrists. As  a host of  “Eyes Wide Open”, Glenn  looks forward to exploring new new technologies and services for eye care professionals.

Dr. Chiasson enjoys tennis, hockey, and reading. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two sons.

Dr. Chiasson splits EWO podcast hosting duties with Roxanne Arnal.

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