Fundamentals Overview

The Optometric Success Center is a division of Williams Group, of course. As such, we have found that there are certain fundamentals to the practice of optometry that hold true no matter where you practice, how long you’ve practiced, or what your practice niche is. Please enjoy the following OSC course, in which we lay out those fundamentals in which every other program, course, material, reference is going to be built upon. And, we stand by if you have questions or need additional support, you know where to find us!

1. When it comes to creating a patient-first mentality amongst your team Williams Group believes that it’s important to start by ensuring your entire team is on the same page. A mission statement can serve as a starting point for aligning the core values of the practice.
2. Change is constant and needs to be embraced by every team member. If it’s good for patients, good for the business, and good for the team, then proceed with change. While not everyone will welcome change in the beginning, adaptability to change is a skill that can be developed when influenced by leadership.
3. While assessing changes, you must implement the change within your practice with a hundred percent commitment for a time frame that allows you to obtain an accurate reflection of how the change is actually impacting the organization. Once the test period is complete, take time to review and adjust as needed.
4. When it comes to a successful practice Williams Group will always speak to the importance of working as a team. Together everyone achieves more. A team matrix or hierarchy can help to provide clarity, while job descriptions and tasks outlined can help to ensure everything that needs to be accomplished within the practice is completed.
5. Promoting a positive culture is a necessity in maintaining a successful practice. Working together as a team, as discussed previously, can help with creating a positive culture but other factors such as leadership, benefits, one-on-ones, and performance evaluations all must be reviewed annually.
6. Effective communication is fundamental to the success of the practice, both internally and externally. Active listening, understanding, and interpretation are as integral to communication as words. Communication comes in all shapes and sizes from the shortest daily huddle to a multi-day team retreat. You must ensure the method of your communication is productive.
7. Understanding the patient production cycle highlights every touch point a patient has when they interact with your practice. You must consider each interaction and make strategic decisions from the patient’s perception to elevate their experience.
8. Optimize your patient schedule to allow your practice to prosper. Scheduling to a production goal is key to a profitable and controlled practice. The use of a schedule template that has specific times for specific appointment types creates predictability and production.
9. From clinical care standards and specialty services, you can expand the scope of your practice. Medical Optometry helps to differentiate you from others and ensures you are providing excellent patient care. Educate your team. Invest in the latest technology. Increase your value to your patients.
10. A leader’s intuition is not enough when it comes to financial management of your practice. Pay attention to the numbers to properly run your business. Truly understand what they mean and how you and your team can affect them.

– Your Williams Group team!