Eyewear Promotions Aims to Strengthen Your Practice

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Webmaster

Today’s entry comes from Kirk Poole, Practice Management Specialist for Eyefinity/OfficeMate:

Looking for ways to increase your web presence?  Is your practice not showing up in online searches, or could it use a boost to get into the top listings?  Eyefinity/Officemate has the tool to help you: EyewearPromotions.com!

EyewearPromotions.com is a new consumer-facing web site that gives private practice the tools to compete with retail.  It starts with a heavy advertising campaign utilizing Google and Yahoo sponsored search that drives consumers to the web site, which offers them great deals on designer frames, sunwear, premium lenses, contacts, and more. To take advantage of these offers, consumers can locate a local participating provider through a zip code search tool on EyewearPromotions.com. It even links out to your eWeb Extra site, and the consumer sees that same appealing promotions, which are automatically updated and added to your practice’s site.

You can also download the signage and display it in your practice to increase sales to your existing patients.  This will help ensure consistency and continuity of the promotion both online and in your practice.

Because your eWeb Extra site is connected with EyewearPromotions.com, your site’s status raises with search engine optimization.  Your web site traffic will increase, and more patients will discover the value that your practice can offer them.  Did you know that 42% of consumers looking for an optometrist last year found them on the internet? With statistics like that, doesn’t it make sense to make your presence on the web the best it can be? With eWeb Extra and EyewearPromotions.com, you can’t miss.

For more information, please email or call us at: Eyefinity-InsideSales@eyefinityofficemate.com or 877-448-0707.

Filed under: Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Eyewear Promotions, Optometry, Tips, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

We’re Stepping Out to Stop Diabetes!

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Carrie D.

ADA Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes

In partnership with VSP Global, Eyefinity/OfficeMate is taking part in Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes to support the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. It is a disease that has deadly serious consequences, and there is no cure. VSP is committed to supporting the ADA and to raising awareness about the importance of annual eye exams to detect the signs of diabetes and allow for early treatment and management of the disease. Did you know that 90 percent of diabetes-related blindness can be avoided with annual eye exams? For more information about diabetes, please visit our Diabetes Discovery Center.

The Eyefinity/OfficeMate Irvine, CA, team members have join together to walk 3.1 miles at the Step Out Walk in Buena Park, CA, at 8:30am on Saturday, October 9, 2010. The walk is taking place at Knott’s Berry Farm, so there’s a good chance that we’ll see Snoopy on our walk! If you live in Orange County and want to walk with us, we would love to have your company. If you live outside of Orange County, or you cannot participate in the walk, you can support our team with a financial donation on our Eyefinity/OfficeMate – Irvine Team Web page. We are raising funds to help the American Diabetes Association provide community-based education programs, protect the rights of people with diabetes, and fund critical research for a cure.

If you would like more information about the Eyefinity/OfficeMate Irvine Team and how you can participate in this important event and fundraiser, leave a comment at the end of this blog post.

Please forward this blog post to your friends and family – participation is welcome by all! Together we can stop diabetes. One step at a time.

Filed under: Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Fundraising, Volunteering | Leave a Comment »

Nike Sun Rx – Now Available on eBuy!

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Webmaster

Eyefinity/OfficeMate now offers prescription-sunwear ordering directly from NIKE!  Your practice can deliver the best choices in Nike Rx sunwear for your patients, and thanks to our prescription validation technology,  you can be sure the prescription will fit the frame and lens. It takes the guess work out of ordering, letting you focus on your patients.

Users can browse the Nike sun collection through the catalog available on eBuy, and can track their completed orders which will be sent directly to a Nike proprietary lab. It’s simple, integrated, and fast – so start ordering today!

Visit www.eyefinity.com and click eBuy to view the catalogs on the left side column. Look for the orange Nike swoosh, and browse away! Don’t have an Eyefinity account? No problem. Go to www.eyefinity.com and click ‘contact us’ and select ‘new member and partner forms’, or call: 877.448.0707 and provide the code “NIKE” to sign up for a free account.

Be sure to check the video below with Team Body Concepts. The cycling team shares their take on the Nike sunwear they sport in every race!

Team Body Concepts & Nike sunwear

Team Body Concepts & Nike sunwear

This movie requires Adobe Flash for playback.

Filed under: Education, Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Nike, Personal Stories, Tips, cycling, technology | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Our very own Rebecca Johnson makes the list of Vision Monday’s 2010 Most Influential Women in Optical

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Webmaster

Rebecca Johnson is Eyefinity/OfficeMate's Director of Education

Congratulations to Rebecca Johnson, Director of Education for Eyefinity/OfficeMate who has been named in Vision Monday’s 2010 Most Influential Women in Optical list! Read Vision Monday’s feature on Rebecca below:

Chosen Because…“She is an amazing instructor to so many, and always has a positive attitude.”

Johnson started at the front desk of an ophthalmology practice, 27 years ago, a young mom without a college degree, but two young kids to support. She started to learn everything she could, eventually developing a formal training program for the large staff, creating manuals, books and study guides. She went to college when her daughter did, starting with one business course part time and achieving a full scholarship as well as gaining certification as a paraoptometric and as a certified ophthalmic executive.

After working in the systems arena, she started her own firm, the Foundation for Ophthalmic Training & Development, where she began to consult for several ophthalmic and optometric practices throughout Florida. She was persuaded by OfficeMate president Ed Buffington to join the company three years ago. Today, she directs 19 training specialists and implementation trainers who work on-site as well as teach online through OfficeMate University—teaching some 140 classes a week via WebX.

Last year, she initiated a virtual users’ group meeting, subsequently recording classes and distributing links afterwards to reach some 3,000 practices. Her focus this year is to get some 7,000 O/M clients ready to move on to version 9.0 “The work we’re doing is pouring the concrete and building the foundation, so everything a practice puts on top of it is stable. We’re motivating people to move forward in their practices.”

SHE SAYS…“Take advantage of every opportunity to learn. And thank the people who give you that chance.”

Filed under: Education, Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Eyefinity/OfficeMate blog news, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Virtual Users’ Group Meeting: Don’t Wait, Sign Up Now!

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Webmaster

We have been getting a lot of practices registering for our annual Virtual Users’ Group Meeting (vUGM), which is just a couple of weeks away. The vUGM runs from July 26–30 and boasts 37 different course topics, making this a venue that has something for everyone in the office.

Our first two user group meetings were held in person in Newport Beach, California. Both meetings were wildly successful, and the attendance exceeded all expectations.

Meeting in person was great, but we know that, in this economy, practices are looking for cost-effective ways to train their staff. Since there is no travel involved to attend a virtual users’ group meeting, it’s no surprise that many practices are jumping on this economically sound opportunity to refresh their knowledge and learn a new trick or two. Not only are practices saving on airfare, but they don’t need to register each person; the whole practice can attend on one low ticket price of $150.

Additionally, there is no limit to the number of classes a person or practice can take, and attendees can view recordings of each session starting a few weeks after the vUGM to catch the sessions they missed. Last year, many offices paid the ticket price just to get access to the recordings, which had over 5,000 viewings.

Because there are no travel arrangements to be made, we expected many practices to wait until the last minute to register, but so many practices have registered early that this vUGM looks to be most successful yet.

The deadline to register is July 19, but don’t wait. Sign up now if you haven’t already. Details and registration information can be found at http://www.officemate.net/usersgroup.aspx.

“See” you there!

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VSP Global Spark webisode shows how a fresh coat of paint can help liven up your practice!

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Webmaster

Are you keeping up with the latest webisodes of VSP Global Spark? Check out the second webisode and see how choosing a new color of paint for the inside of your practice can have a big impact and deliver a fresh look to your business. Eyefinity/OfficeMate President Steve Baker hosts the webisode series, and you can watch him and the entire makeover crew as they give a practice’s waiting room an update in the latest installment.

Be sure to visit www.vspglobal.com/spark over the coming weeks to see how this makeover was achieved in just 72 hours!

Filed under: Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Optometry, Personal Stories, Tips, VSP Global Spark | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Body Concepts Cycling Team Wins Pescadero Road Race Classic!

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Webmaster

Guest blog: Rob Kopitzke, of the Body Concepts cycling team provides a recap of their latest race, in which they took first place! Congrats to the entire team! Happy to hear the Nike sunwear is helping your team on those long rides!

Rob Kopitzke of the Body Concepts Cycling Team

Pescadero RR - June 19, 2010

Category: 45+ 4/5 (50 riders) and 55+ open (25 riders) field of 75 riders

Route: 50 miles total, 2-laps of 25 miles; 2×1-mile climbs, 1×2-mile climb to finish line

Plan: Randy V., Randy F., Rob, Carlos, and Matt attack the field and wear out the competition…

Todd, Steve, and Rick to sit in and clean every ones clock on the final climb, 3 in top 10

Weather: High fog/low clouds 55 degrees, light breeze

Race: Never having raced this event before, I was a bit nervous getting started…what were the climbs going to be like?

Carlos covered the first break of the day that was going after a sprint prime before the first climb. Randy F. and I were covering the front on the first two climbs which ended up being hard efforts but manageable. Steve was bombing the downhills “having fun.” Once over the first two climbs we did several attacks…I think at least six prior to the third climb…I know I did three. Morgan Stanley’s 55+ team kept chasing us back down but it stretched the group out and made a few people hurt. I got a bottle from Linda, my wife, in the feed zone with a perfect hand off and got rid of my vest. Going up the third climb things started  s t r e t c h i n g  out with Todd, Rick, and Steve doing well in the lead group, Randy V. and I, followed by Randy F., and Matt and Carlos strung out behind.

Randy V. and I went over the top together and had a great time bombing the downhill getting back on the lead group after about ten minutes of hard work with four other guys. We immediately went up to the front, rested about five minutes and then decided to take another stab at going off the front. We got a good gap this time with a chase group of about ten riders catching us after a while but not willing to work to stay off the front…we were all back together before town and settled into a tempo effort.

Starting the second lap, I thought about going for the second prime but decided to save the energy for later (good thing I did). Getting over the first two climbs was harder this time with the accumulated fatigue building in the legs but the team was present on the front all the way through. In the ten miles of rolling terrain before the feedzone/final climb I worked with 3–4 other guys on the front setting a good tempo…there were two 55+ guys supposedly off the front but I wasn’t sure they were not 45+, so I put in the remaining energy that I had left chasing them down.

At the feed zone, I pretty much sat up and was done for the day, watching the lead group, which was down to 30–35 riders, go up the road into the final turn heading up the last climb…Todd, Rick, Steve, Randy F., Randy V. and Matt were still in the lead group…not bad for a days work. I kept rolling up the last climb at about 85% effort just to keep in front of anyone coming up from behind and enjoying some of the scenery of the amazing redwoods. As I came across the finish line I got to wave at Linda and Todd’s wife Janine who were video taping the finish…they were not sure who won. I had a more relaxed descent back down and caught up with both Randy and Matt, who didn’t know who had won either. We got back to the school (start line) and met up with Todd, Steve, and Rick. Todd thought he had won and Steve/Rick thought they had placed in the top 5, but were not sure since the 55+ guys were in the group as well. 2½ hours later we finally got the official results:

Todd 1st, Steve 3rd, Rick 4th, Matt 18th, Randy V. 19th, Randy F. 20th, Rob 23rd, Carlos 34th

Note: I used my Nike Vision Glasses with Max Speed lenses which were awesome in their ability to adapt to changing light of open rolling hills to dense redwood forest shade…I was a little concerned going into the race with these lenses and almost switched to my Max Visibility lenses but they were great!

Lessons:

  • I love it when a plan comes together!
  • We can all contribute to a successful team result!

Until next time,

-Rob

Filed under: Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Personal Stories, cycling | 1 Comment »

VSP Global Spark – Practice Makeover Webisodes Hosted by Eyefinity/OfficeMate’s Steve Baker!

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Webmaster

Looking for cost-effective ways to update your eyecare practice without breaking the bank? VSP Global can help! Designed to help ignite the success of private practices, VSP Global Spark shows how making a few small updates to your practice can deliver big results.

Visit www.vspglobal.com/spark to watch the first makeover webisode!

Hosted by Eyefinity/OfficeMate’s President, Steve Baker, VSP Global Spark features a series of webisodes which explore a low-cost makeover completed in just 72 hours to increase profitability and success.

Visit www.vspglobal.com/spark to view the first webisode now and check back often to see new webisodes, makeover tips and tutorials.  Check out the trailer for VSP Global Spark below:

Filed under: Education, Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Eyefinity/OfficeMate blog news, Optometry, Tips, VSP Global Spark, technology | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Summer Cycling with the Body Concepts Team!

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Steve B.

We live in active times. Words such as “organic” and “all-natural” dominate the consumer marketing landscape.  Why?  I would like to think that people are taking an active interest in their personal health. With obesity on the rise in the U.S. and 24 million Americans living with diabetes, it’s no wonder that people want to take better care of themselves.

You’re probably aware that the bicycle remains one of the most efficient forms of transportation. It’s also one of the most accessible forms of exercise, probably second to walking and running.  And it’s a natural marriage with a society that values its freedom and mobility with a generation that desires to take better care of themselves.

Enter Body Concepts, a firm specializing in physical therapy and sports training/nutrition.  They also have a superb amateur cycling road race team, led by Rob Kopitzke.  Eyefinity/OfficeMate sponsored their team, offering an integrated package of eye exams by Michael Johnson, OD, a noted VSP provider in Sacramento.  The team was also outfitted with Nike sports performance eyewear, many of which received custom Rx sunwear thanks to the great work done by our friends at Perfect Optics.

In the coming weeks, you will hear first-hand from Rob as the Body Concepts team races across northern California. It’s exciting reading, and the timing is perfect with many popular races such as Tour of California as well as Tour de France.  I hope you enjoy the race summaries, as well as hearing direct from consumers such as Rob.  In many respects, he’s no different than many of your patients that lead an active lifestyle, be it on or off the bike.

Rob Kopitzke of the Body Concepts cycling team.

Rob’s race summary:

Dunlap TT  6-6-2010

Category: 35+ 4/5’s

Length: 30-k, Dead flat course with ~6-turns

Weather: Light wind from the SW, 94-degrees…first over 85-degree day of the season, roasting. 30-second intervals between riders, interestingly they had a start ramp set up, never used one before…I liked it.

Used my wife’s pair of Nike Vision “Lunge” glasses for the first time…they were awesome for TT! With no frame going across the top of the lenses, I had a great clear field of vision allowing me to go through all the corners in the aerobars gaining valuable time. The max speed tint really allowed me to relax my face and avoid the “squint” which puts tension throughout your body.

Nike Vision "Lunge" sunglasses

Goal was to finish around 45-min

Caught 8-riders in front of me

Finished in: 46’03”, 10th place out of 40 registered…in the points! But out of the T-shirts. :)

Winning time: a little over 42 minutes (would have placed top 10 in the pros) next fastest rider was over 43 min and was the rider off just in front of me…no catching him.

Thanks for loaning me your TT helmet Brad…it helped! Really like the ear coverage keeping the wind noise to a minimum and it breathes well enough.

Lessons:

1. Practice longer TT efforts for at least 6-weeks leading into an event like this…those 1-min power intervals Matt and I have been doing are not enough :o

2. You can dig deeper than you think…

3. Ice in a camel back bladder stuffed down your skin suit lasts about 15k on a day this hot….hot water is better than no water on your first 90+ ride of the year :o

4. They had a TTT this year that we definitely need to do as a team next year!!

See you all next Saturday

-Rob

Filed under: Eyefinity/OfficeMate, Personal Stories, cycling | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Q and A with Dr. James Kirchner, Eyefinity/OfficeMate’s New Chief Professional Officer

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Webmaster

Dr. Kirchner was recently named Eyefinity/OfficeMate's Chief Professional Officer.

Eyefinity/OfficeMate recently announced James Kirchner, O.D. as Chief Professional Officer. Read our Q and A with Dr. Kirchner below to get to know more about him:

Can you tell us a little bit about your career as an optometrist?

I’ve been in private practice since graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1977.  I founded a multi-doctor, multi-site practice in Lincoln, NE, called EyeCare Specialties.  It has grown to 5 locations, with 11 optometrists.  I was primarily involved in family practice with an emphasis in disease treatment and contact lenses.  I’ve been involved in optometry association work, having served as President of the Nebraska Optometric Association, the North Central States Optometric Council and active in the AOA volunteer structure, serving the last five years as Chair of the AOA Communications Center.

What attracted you to Eyefinity/OfficeMate?

I saw this as an opportunity to make a difference for my profession by helping to bring innovative and efficient tools and solutions to my colleagues, including outstanding practice management and EMR software like OfficeMate and ExamWRITER. As the Chief Professional Officer, I can be a strong advocate for private practice optometry inside and outside of the company.

What will you be doing in your new role as Chief Professional Officer?

I’ll be overseeing the continued development of the business and software solutions that Eyefinity/OfficeMate offers from the viewpoint of a private practice optometrist, including the next generation of OfficeMate and ExamWRITER. Additionally, I’ll be acting as Eyefinity/OfficeMate’s professional liaison to the optometric community.

You have long been a pioneer in the field of electronic medical records. How do you view optometry benefiting from the adoption of EMR technology?

There is no question in my mind that the future success of optometry will depend largely on EMR technology. As a part of the healthcare continuum, optometry is being affected by rapid growth in technologies like EMRs. As eye doctors, we must be willing and ready to advance technologically, so that we can run our practices at peak efficiency.

New clinical technology allows us to examine a patient’s vision like never before; therefore, we must have the right EMR technology in place to effectively manage the vast amount of data that we gather. There is no better time to start using EMRs than right now. This is especially true given the federal stimulus money that is available through the HITECH Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for eyecare providers who use EMRs.

What are you doing when you’re not working?

I love to be with my wife and spend time with the family, including our two-year-old granddaughter.  I have a passion for riding motorcycles, owning two Harleys, and of course golf is always an additional favorite pastime.  I’m highly involved with my church, and I’m President of an International Christian ministry called Kingdom’s Harvest International.

Filed under: EMRs, Eyefinity/OfficeMate blog news, Optometry, Personal Stories, technology | 1 Comment »

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