O.D. to O.D

WHAT’S YOUR PLAN?

THIS MONTH, WE CELEBRATE 50 YEARS…AND TAKE A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Scot Morris
O.D., F.A.A.O.
Chief Optometric Editor

THANK YOU for reading this month’s issue of OM, as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. In addition to a lineup that spans 50 years and beyond, be sure to check out the timeline of the last 50 years (p. 18). Personally, I was amazed at how far our profession has evolved throughout the past few decades. I also invite you to read my take on what the next 50 years might look like (p. 43).

IT’S NOT TOO EARLY

This month we also start the process of preparing for next year — 2016 is right around the corner. Have you started to prepare for it yet? Small, well-planned changes can reap your practice incredible rewards. Maybe that reward is to increase your revenue per encounter or to grow your annual contact lens sales or maybe even to find the perfect partner to buy in to your practice.

There are potentially hundreds of opportunities you could focus on to build your practice. However, to create that future, you need to do a little bit of planning. Our columnists share some ideas on how to prepare your optical, contact lens department and professional services, as well as the social media and generalized marketing plans. With all these opportunities available to your practice, where — and how — do you start planning? To help answer, consider the following 10-point list to a better 2016.

1. Write four big things you want to accomplish in 2016. Be as ambitious or as creative as you desire, but list four accomplishments only. Research tells us that a Big Four list of accomplishments is the most somebody can adequately focus on in a one-year period.

2. Prioritize which of these accomplishments is the most important to your practice.

3. Write the timeline of when you plan to achieve this goal.

4. Now, break down this goal into smaller, achievable pieces or tasks.

5. Set a timeline for each task so that each can be completed by the deadline you’ve set.

6. Document what resources will be needed, and identify those staff members who ultimately will be responsible for completing each of the tasks.

7. Share the goal, the tasks, the deadline and the timeline with your staff. Listen to their feedback, and ensure that you have their buy in before you proceed.

8. Assign tasks on a practice calendar for the whole year. Display the calendar in a location where staff will see it regularly, such as a break room or meeting room, so they will keep the tasks top of mind. By tracking the progress of each task on the calendar, you can also motivate your team.

9. Repeat steps 3 through 8 for the remaining three goals.

10. Now for the hardest step: START PLANNING!

WHICH TYPE ARE YOU?

In planning for next year, you can expect distractions, setbacks and other surprises. At these times, it’s helpful to remember that there are three kinds of people:

• Those who make things happen

• Those who watch things happen

• Those who wonder, how did that happen?

Which one are you?

You hold the keys to change. Before 2016 rolls around, set aside some time, take the first step and start to plan what your future is going to look like. Then go do it. Make 2016 your best year ever. OM