Investing in your workforce through comprehensive training, mentorship programs, and empowerment initiatives encourages pride in performance above the status quo. Fostering an environment that prioritizes employee growth and engagement unlocks potential within the business, leading to heightened
productivity and sparking innovation.
This month we will focus on strategies and actionable steps to cultivate a culture that not only supports but also champions the development of every team member.
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The #EBOpticalChecklist is breaking out of each issue with a digital episode to our social channels. Join optical pro Sheena Taff as she applies these checklist items to real-world scenarios. Watch on EB’s Instagram and TikTok.
1. Have each member of your team train to become “expert” level in a specific area of the business, such as dry eye products, safety, or sports eyewear. Focusing on a specific area allows learners to refine their skills, leading to higher levels of proficiency and mastery.
2. Tap into a 360-learning initiative by using team “experts” to teach and share what they know with others. Whether one-on-one or in a presentation style, integrating peer-to-peer learning fosters a culture of continuous learning.
3. Evaluate business tasks that could benefit from outsourcing, such as graphic design or digital ad setup and placement. This may provide greater efficiency with more expertise, leading to better return on investment from an outside source.
4. Social media connects us to industry peers and potential mentors around the world. Create a list of inspirational and educational people in your industry and beyond for the team to follow and learn from.
5. Ensure policies, promotions, and discount rules are clearly defined and articulated. Giving staff the freedom to make judgment calls on when a little extra can close the sale or appease a patient ensures they feel empowered.
6. Take a field trip to somewhere that offers a superior patron experience. This can be a designer boutique, high-end hotel, or restaurant. Treat it as an immersive learning experience in hospitality and customer service; take note of what elements can be brought into your business.
7. Develop an action plan for summer sunwear. Calculate the current prescription sunwear penetration in your business. Set a targeted increase in percentage to reach. Create a tracking chart to mark progress day by day. Keeping goals visible holds everyone accountable and engaged.
8. Effectively put sunwear styles in front of patients by pairing and mixing them in with clear optical frames on the board. This can also showcase how similar-styled frames look with photochromic lenses and how having clear glasses and separate sunglasses is essential—making sales easier for the team.
9. Have a continuing education watch party. Serve snacks and tap into e-learning platforms that have a plethora of videos and modules. Watching together is more engaging and leads to a deeper understanding of the content through discussion with the team.
10. Ask each employee to come up with three pain points in their role within the business. Discuss solutions, set guidelines, and encourage autonomy by allowing employees to make decisions within their areas of responsibility.
