In this month’s Staff Hiring, Training + Retention column, EB contributor and editorial director emeritus Stephanie K. De Long outlines the importance of appreciation and recognition in the eyecare practice. Eye-opening overall statistics on employee engagement from the piece? According to Workday, a cloud-based business management platform, employees are up to three times more likely to stay at a position when they have a supportive manager. And, as revealed in MIT Sloan Management Review, people view company culture as over 10 times more important than pay.

No doubt, the ability to provide a supportive atmosphere in the workplace, especially amid uncertain times, can make or break a business. Dig into the column for tips on how to succeed at serving up tokens of appreciation—both big and small. 

And for a Las Vegas jackpot of appreciation, this month we recognize and celebrate one of the trade shows that steadfastly supports our industry, Vision Expo West. In preparation, the EB team presents its go-to guide for parties, presentations, education, and more for your time at the show.

Plus, our fashion feature outlines eyewear trends to take note of for the fall/winter season, which EB will highlight further during a Flaunt the Frame presentation on the main stage of Vision Expo West on Friday, Sept. 19, at 4:40 p.m. PT. Last year, we had a very supportive crowd cheering on colleagues as they flaunted frames across the stage, and we look forward to this uplifting energy once again.  

A third feature of this special September issue focuses on dominating the optical dispensary, which also (no surprise here) hints to the importance of supportive staff. As Dr. Tom Wilk shares, “The dispensary will only survive with the support of the optometrist.”

In the spirit of recognition, I’d like to sincerely thank the EB team for this insightful edition of the magazine, and we hope you share it with someone you appreciate. 

Kerri Ann DeCindis,

Editor-in-Chief