Power Hour Optometry's Only Live Radio Show

Jim Thomas, editor of Optometric Management, joins Gary this week to discuss his favorite articles, topics, and trends.Did you know that Jim is also a stand-up comedian? He shares how to use humor in the office and in life.

Dr. Gary Gerber and Dr. Dwight Akerman discuss Myopia Management. Topics to be discussed will include: • Axial length – is it really necessary? Why not watch for changes in Rx? • Is myopia management a specialty service or part of “core” optometry? • What’s so bad about being a low myope? What about the optical advantages? People will be calling in on both sides of these and other questions so make sure to listen in or call in with your own thoughts!

This week, Gary discusses taking advantage of failing and why ODs shouldn’t be afraid to fail. Fostering a culture of creativity means that sometimes plan will fall apart and things don’t work out.

Patient testimonials can work for your practice…but only if you use them to your advantage. Gary gives you the scoop on how to get better patient testimonials and what to do with them.

Scleral expert, Dr. Elise Kramer, shares her tips on how to bring this specialty into your practice.

In what may be the shortest Power Hour episode ever, in only about 5 minutes Gary will discuss a 5-minute technique that will have a profound and lasting impact on your practice. Many practices have reported this simple 5-minute technique is one of the best things they’ve ever done in their practices!

Looking to kick your marketing into high gear? Learn what DOESN'T work. Find out the top marketing blunders seen in most practices. This week on Power Hour, Gary outlines the most common marketing tactics that don’t work.

Both options have pros and cons. This week, Gary outlines the pluses and minuses of buying a practice and opening cold.

Find out how fear of failure and resistance to change can take a toll your practice. This week, Gary talks about the top 7 "should haves" and how they can lead to regret.

Guest Stephen Hamilton from Walman Instruments in a previously recorded episode gets you up to speed on: • New vs. used • Extended warranties: good or bad idea? • Workflow considerations • ADA compliance • Effect of recent company mergers • Best time to buy

Asking staff answer the phone with a script is a mistake. No matter how skilled, they will sound like they’re reading from a document instead of delivering personal information. Instead, staff who take phone calls should know the practice intimately enough to respond to any calls. Find out how to train your staff to answer the phone like a human, not a robot.

It might seem elementary, but being able to communicate effectively to your patients may be the most important factor in building a practice. Communication skills can have a major influence on the success of a practice.

What 3-minute free technique can increase eyeglass sales by 32% and contact lens patients by 20%? A contact lens trial! Find out how and why this works on this week's show.

You bought a practice. Now what? Tune into this week's Power Hour to find out what changes to make (and not make) and how to transition doctors.

Considering buying a practice? Tune in to this week's Power Hour to know how to avoid buying the wrong practice. Do you know what in the negotiations process should immediately raise a red flag? Get the insight you need to avoid making a mistake.

If you have considered implementing discounts or incentives for your patients, think twice. They usually aren't successful due to the impact they have on the bottom line and the question of whether a professional service benefits from such incentives in the first place.

Looking to attract a different kind of patient? Wanting to expand into boutique-or budget-services? Or even need to change patients' perception of your practice? Listen to this week's show to learn 8 ways to change your patient base.

Having a hard time saying no to employees? Should you maintain a proper distance or be ‘one of the guys?’ Effective management skills often impacts on the bottom line. Find out how to be a better boss on this episode of the Power Hour.

If a staffer is out, do other staffers pitch in? Or do they say, "That's not my job?" Every person in the office needs to do whatever it takes to keep all the balls in the air--and that means understanding the job BEFORE they have to do it. This week, learn 5 reasons to cross-train your staff.

Do you ever think about the person accompanying your patient to the office? Make a good impression, and you might get a new patient! Patient escort are spending time in your reception area. You should be working to wow them just like you wow your patients. This week, learn 9 ways to make your patient's escort happy.