Being selective on what you upgrade is the key to running a successful business. Which upgrades are worth the investment?
Upgrade these 5 things:
- Online management vendor – whether you manage your business’ online presence or hire it out, this is the most important area to invest money and resources in. Not only does your office need a user-friendly place for returning patients to interact with you, but they need a comfortable place to schedule appointments, update personal health information, and interact with staff. Wichita Optometry averages four or five new patients per week through our website. iMatrix, a partner of OptometryCEO, drives that growth.
- Online appointment scheduling – By 2019, 80 percent of appointment volume will be self-scheduled, according to the most recent publication of SolutionReach. Optometry offices that are easy to do business with will be the most successful. Patients want to interact with you when it is convenient for them, and that may be 10 p.m. Be available.
- Staff Education – When was the last time your office had formal staff education? I’m not talking about emailing them a 20/20 article about better patient care. I’m talking about you, the owner, preparing a motivational and educational presentation. Educate your staff about exam room procedures, teach them to professionally interact with patients, and inform them how they can increase their compensation when the offices grows.
- Cleaning Team – A clean office is more important than having the latest decor. Many patients will stick with their optometrist even though the office might be a little dated. However, if they catch the optometrist blowing dust bunnies off the auto-refractor, they may decide to go elsewhere. Having a cleaning team is actually an easy upgrade and doesn’t require capital investment, only better organization of staff responsibilities.
- Employment Manual – The employment manual is one of the most important documents that you create for your team. When you hire staff members and do not give them direction, they are beginning the journey to failure. This is your fault. As a coach has a game plan with a play book, so must the owner optometrist have a guide manual for success. A well-written policy manual and job descriptions are also a part of setting your staff up for success. Click here to begin the process of upgrading your employment manual.
If you are wondering why your practice is not growing or you are concerned about selling your practice in the future, then continue to invest in the practice. Investing in the practice by upgrading can be difficult because you don’t always see a direct return on your investment. However, if you look at the successful optometry practices across the nation you will see that they have many things in common. One of those is knowing what to invest in and when to upgrade those investments.
