publisher's letter

A Positive Attitude

A look at the short- and long-term future of the spectacle lens market

Mark Durrick

As I write this, stocks buckled under the strain of the global economic slowdown and the failure of policy makers to stabilize financial markets.

What do you do with that kind of news as an ECP? Do a positive attitude, aggressive outreach, and smart marketing help? You bet! Sometimes, as Voltaire put it, life can be “a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboat.”

As I recently traveled around and spoke with eyecare professionals, I saw two sets of attitudes. Half cited the “bad economy” for lack of sales, lack of traffic, and business that overall is a “tough market these days.”

The other half showed passion and vigor, and they embraced the current state of business as a challenge that needed to be hit head-on with smart practices.

The negative camp seemed stuck in the slowdown and felt all they have to do is “ride it out.” The positive folks' attitudes echoed the thinking that even in the economic downturn, consumers still make the practical purchases they need—like eyewear. Some may buy a lower cost frame, but add features like AR, polarized, or photochromic.

Luxury is selling, but the need to educate the consumer—if price is a barrier—is a must. The need to be nimble in offering smart packages seems to be a theme with the positive group. So is training the team, especially about lens options. As one ECP put it, business is what it is and we have to embrace the now.

Eyewear is a diversified business driven by health, demographics, lifestyle, and fashion. The need to stay informed and to capitalize on your market potential will be key to growing in this challenging world. And, having the right attitude is no clich�. As the late writer Herm Albright said, “A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.”

At Eyecare Business, our mission is to give you what you need to succeed. Let us know your thoughts.

And, here's to 25 more years of successful dispensing!

Mark Durrick
Publisher