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October 13, 2021October 13, 2021

My Vision Show Announces Rewind, Opens Doors to All Exhibitors

My Vision Show has announced the first My Vision Show Rewind, a three-day virtual event November 19 – 21, 2021.

“My Vision Show Rewind” will highlight the independent brands, and a select few content creators, who participated in the show throughout the year.

A new interactive optical and eye care trade show, “Global Vision Fair 3D”, the first 3D will also announce its dates during My Vision Show Rewind and will provide a sneak preview to all visitors.

My Vision Show has been gaining national attention from the eyewear community, optometric communities, and the trade show industry at large for hosting an unparalleled virtual, and hybrid, experience.

While, in the past, My Vision Show was only open to the independent segment of the industry, the show’s founder, Charlene Nichols, agreed that it is time to be more inclusive by inviting everyone to participate.

The decision comes after many requests from past attendees to include various beloved brands that do not fall into the independent category.

“Although our attendees are primarily from the independent segment, their voices have been clear that a diverse mix of brands is required to run a functional business and we recognize the need for all brands to be present so these business owners can make informed decisions based on their practice needs,” says Nichols. This will, for the first time, allow brands from all sectors of the industry to participate in the show starting 2022.

While the show is committed to being inclusive of all brands, My Vision Show will remain steadfast in its mission to focus on solutions geared towards independent eyecare businesses.

Independent brands who currently partner with My Vision Show have also voiced their support for the change citing a larger potential audience and the ability to showcase alongside larger brands as a bonus to their participation.

The Rewind will be free for attendees and will include raffles, scavenger hunts, and prizes to celebrate another year of My Vision Show.

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 13, 2021October 7, 2021

Recruiting and Team Building in 2021 and Beyond. Get Ready Now.

Way back in 2019 we were feeling the challenges of recruiting and the last two years have added a whole new wrinkle.

Since March of 2020, we have seen significant workplace trends develop in the workplace from an acceptance of remote working, online meetings, flexible work hours to support home schooling and, overall, a new set of rules and worries – for both employers and employees.

For the past 10 years or longer we have been told to prepare for the great resignation/retirement wave that was going to hit the workforce with the baby boomers coming up to 60+ years.

The Pandemic Has Empowered Employees
We were starting to feel this back in 2019 but now the pandemic dynamic has been added to what was already happening – people removing themselves from the workplace

Yes, workers are quitting their jobs at unprecedented rates. But here’s the thing; what we’re seeing right now isn’t a generation of workers stepping into retirement. It’s bigger.

People who are leaving their jobs aren’t passively surrendering or checking out. People are actively shifting the narrative about what is acceptable (and not acceptable) in jobs and workplaces.

If your star employees have not left yet, they might be “hunkering down” – biding their time, ready to pounce on new opportunities.

People are owning their power and helping to reframe mindsets about how work can and should look and feel.

Time. Space. Growth. Autonomy. Leadership. Wellness.
Work-life integration. Money. Safety. Engagement. Equity.
All of these things are essential to our mutual success. The problem is that employers and employees are not always on the same page about what these things are or ought to be, in policy or practice.

So, what does that mean for the Optometry Clinic and Optical? Here is a quick checklist of things you can do to make everything work better.

Programmable Recruiting. Consider who you want to attract and then target them. Social media tools allow you to set the demographics you want to reach and target your spend on the best potential candidates not volume of candidates. Seek Quality – Not Quantity

It’s Not About You. Shift the narrative in your communications with candidates and your team about what it is they can expect to get from you not what you are wanting to get from them.

Know Your People. Understand what your current people want from work. Are you over-extending them with more hours than they want but they are not speaking up? Do you have the opportunity to support up skilling or professional development?

Measure What Matters. Are the roles in your practice where you can provide training and upskilling? If so, put the focus on who they are, then look at what they know and what they have done.

Always be looking. Be an organization that is always on the look-out for great talent to bring to the team. Don’t wait until you need to fill a position. If someone great comes along see how you can make room for them. If not immediately, keep the contact warm.

Build Your Community. We all have a community around us. The people we work with, the people we serve, the suppliers, friends, family and professional contacts. Keep connected. Share what you know and be a valued member of your community. Give first is always the best approach to building relationships.

Tim will be sharing his perspective at the upcoming “Changing Landscapes: Career Pathfinders – Making Informed Decisions” webinar on November 8^th. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for this event.

Tim Brennan is Chief Visionary Officer with Fit First Technologies Inc, the creators of Eyeployment, TalentSorter and Jobtimize.

EMP L OYMENT SURVEY

October 12, 2021September 28, 2021

AO Eyewear Introduces New Styles

The Tournament revives a heritage AO design. First introduced in the 1950s, this sun style manages to feel completely modern despite its vintage inspiration. It was originally described as “a bold, masculine frame for those who enjoy the challenge of competition,” and we couldn’t phrase it any better.

Featured model: Tournament col. 1 – Grey Demi Fade

Distributed by Europa: www.europaeyewear.ca

October 7, 2021October 8, 2021

2021 Canadian ECP Myopia Study results now available

The 2021 Myopia study final report of Canadian ECPs attitudes is now available

The purpose of the Canadian Myopia Management ECP study is to characterize the attitudes toward myopia management and use of the various therapies.

The initial study, conducted in 2019, revealed the extent to which Canadian ECPs were engaged in myopia control and the extent to which the various clinical treatment options were used.

The study also measured the perception of efficacy for each of the major therapeutic categories.

In the last 18 months, several new myopia treatment options have been made available in the Canadian market and there has been a significant increase in related marketing activity and practitioner education.

“This important study indicates how new treatment options are impacting perceptions of efficacy and overall attitudes toward the condition. Also interesting to note, is the significant impact that education has had within the practitioner community over the 18 months since our last report”, said Bill Scott, President, Optical Research, ECP & PAA of the Jobson Optical Group.

The 2021 study, which is now available, reveals notable changes in usages of the different treatments and changes in perception of efficacy.

The 2021 report also includes the onset age of treatment by therapeutic type, and the extent to which axial measurement equipment is utilized as a diagnostic tool.

The 2019 study revealed a significant proportion of ECPs were skeptical of the clinical significance of myopia as a serious eye disease. The current 2021 report updates these perceptions against the background of extensive practitioner education over the past 18 months and more specific treatment options available.

The 2021 report draws out salient attitudinal differences compared to 2019.

Final Report now available
The online study was jointly conducted by Jobson Research and VuePoint IDS.

Organizations wishing to purchase the study report may do so by contacting:
David Pietrobon (dpietrobon@vuepoint.ca) Phone: 226.780.6871 x 5111
Bill Scott (Bscott@jobson.com) Phone: 646.831.8873

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021

FYidoctors Doubles Retail Offering in Hometown Grande Prairie

FYidoctors announces the addition of its second location in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The newly constructed clinic, which is located on Westgate Drive, marks a significant milestone for the organization, whose entrepreneurial success story began 13 years ago in the growing community. The inaugural location remains its largest clinic in Canada.

“We’re incredibly proud to announce the opening of our second clinic in Grande Prairie, a region long regarded as a foundational part of our history,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Chairman of FYidoctors. “Our roots are here, and we couldn’t be more thankful to the community that contributed to the success of FYidoctors.”

The new location adds clinic leads Dr. Michael Litchfield and Dr. Joel Heath, both of whom are active members in the Grande Prairie community, having first worked at the FYidoctors location on 99th Street.

“We’re pleased to announce the new addition, which helps meet the growth and vision care needs of Grande Prairie and its surrounding communities,” said Dr. Heath. “As an organization who prides itself in taking a doctor-led, comprehensive approach to vision care, we’re thrilled to add a second location, and to provide new and existing patients with the most current eye care technology available, with the added care and benefits available through FYidoctors,” added Dr. Litchfield.

As part of the grand opening celebrations, on October 1^st, 2021, the FYidoctors Westgate clinic hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce.

Click HERE for the full press release.