Dr. Hayes Blog

Jerry Hayes, OD presents a variety of tips and tactics designed to
bring more dollars to your bottom line. You are invited to
comment on the topics we cover.

Sponsored by Red Tray Purchasing Alliance and HMI Buying Group.


Article Archives


 Advanced search


Delegating Patient Care; How Much Is Too Much?

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/30/2010 - 11:00 am

I've noticed an interesting paradox among private practice OD's regarding delegating patient care to assistants and technicians.

The median (half above, half below) annual production for an individual OD in a traditional dispensing practice is a little over $500,000 per year.

Doctors with annual production of $400,000-$600,000 tend to place a high value on personally performing much of the examination process and eyewear fitting.

These OD’s often tell me they don’t delegate as much as they could because




It’s hard to overcome crummy customer service

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/25/2010 - 11:00 am

Here’s a novel idea to differentiate your practice.  Make a small shift in how you and your staff define and deliver service to your patients.

Don’t define your Mission as the delivery of quality eyecare.  Instead, make the total patient experience the focus of your practice.   Here’s why:




What equipment is essential for a new practice?

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/23/2010 - 11:00 am

Dear Dr. Hayes,

I would value your opinion on what pieces of examination equipment are essential for a new practice, how to determine if I can afford it, and the best way to pay for it.

It seems like the standard of care has been elevated to the point where starting out with the bare bones just isn’t good enough. You know it’s tough to compete when even the chains like Wal-Mart have great equipment.   

What is the minimum equipment and inventory you should start with to give the perception of a modern office?
Thanks, 

Dr. Anderson

 

Dear Dr. Anderson,

My advice is to visit 




Overhead Expense Formulas For New Practices

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/18/2010 - 11:00 am

Dear Dr. Hayes,

I am working on a business plan for opening a new practice (cold) and need some advice. As you suggested, I am trying to work backwards and start with my projected gross and desired net so I can come up with a workable budget.

The tricky part is figuring out the minimum equipment and inventory I will need to have a modern and appealing practice.  

Do you have any additional formulas/recommendations for brand new practices?

Thanks,

Dr. Jill

 

Dear Dr. Jill,

I often get asked if there is a different set of expense ratios for new practices. The answer is




Three staff management mistakes to avoid

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/16/2010 - 1:00 am

One of your most important jobs as a practice owner is managing your staff. Here are three classic, but easy to make blunders. Avoid these unless you want to alienate even the most loyal employees.

1- Timid feedback on poor performance

Best selling author and management guru Tom Peters says "The number one motivator of people is 




Patient blasts his eye doctor on Facebook

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/11/2010 - 11:12 am

Dear readers,

Pasted below is a word for word copy of a Facebook post I stumbled on while reading another site over this weekend.

Note; this was posted on June 12, 2009.  It was still there on March 8, 2010.

Michael’s Facebook Page

"I was at an eye doctor's office yesterday with my two children. When we walked in I noticed the window to the desk was shut. But they at least had a couple posters up telling us what to do. The room was packed...

This is THE most PATHETIC customer service I've ever experienced...




Facebook – A huge marketing tool you may be overlooking

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/10/2010 - 1:00 am

I’ve always considered myself pretty tech savvy.

I started one of the very first Internet ordering sites for ECP’s (e-dr.com) and have written a weekly blog for over a year.

But, I must admit, I arrived a little late to the party when it comes to using social media like Facebook in both my personal and business life.

I am actually a little surprised to see how many OD’s, and your patients, are active users of social media, especially Facebook.




Logo Design: Is The Caduceus Antiquated?

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/4/2010 - 10:39 am

Dear Jerry,

Your January 19th blog on 'The Importance Of A Good-Looking Stationery and Logo' got me thinking as I have used the "optometric caduceus" since I began practice in the mid 90's.

I purchased a practice that did not have a strong medical optometry background and chose the caduceus as a way to promote the medical approach to my patients.

But now I am wondering, has the caduceus become antiquated? I do not see it displayed much in medical marketing anymore.

What are the thoughts of you and my fellow optometrists?

Conway Cox, OD

Dear Conway,

Like you, I had to think about this one a little bit.

While the caduceus does in fact have a medical connotation, there is a problem if you choose to use it as your primary logo.




What Do You Do When Patients Request Their Files?

By Jerry Hayes OD | 3/2/2010 - 10:34 am

Dear Dr. Hayes,

About eight months ago, an associate left my practice on less than good terms to open an office about 25 miles away.

I just found out that he called many of the patients he was seeing in my office to let them know he was leaving and a number have decided to follow him.

I would say we are getting about 10 requests per month to transfer records to his practice.

Should I try to do anything to keep those patients? It’s starting to take a bite out of my revenue as they were spending about $500 per visit.

I was thinking about contacting the patients to ask if I did something wrong. Or, maybe send them a postcard offering $100 - $200 if they return to our office for materials.

What do you think about either one of those ideas?