10 minute read
Professional development
Taking the lead
All businesses should have a planned process of learning and personal growth, writes Nick Walsh
When it comes to the day-to-day running of the business, do you as the business owner have time to carry out all the tasks you need to? It’s likely that the answer is no. This is just one reason to expand your practice leadership team to include a manager, and/ or to improve and extend the skills of the current manager. Whilst many management and leadership skills are acquired by 'doing the job', it is highly important that practice managers have a planned process of learning and personal growth.
Formal training and qualifications prepare the individual to perform their current role better and readies them for more responsibility in the future. Learning programmes, such as the Association of British Dispensing Opticians' (ABDO) Management and Leadership Training (MLT) courses, provide new tools and theories that can be applied on the job to improve performance levels across the board. This enables changes in knowledge and in the learner’s behaviour in the workplace; they will want to try new ideas and do things differently if they can see opportunities for improvements.
BROADENING OUTLOOKS The aim of formal learning and self-development is to help broaden the outlook of the individual, make them more resilient, more able to develop others and see the differences they are making. As someone who has a line of sight on all areas of the business, a manager will be able to act to improve morale, knowledge, cross-team working and business productivity.
Essentially, the manager will guide the growth and success of the business through their new skills and behaviours – helping the business to achieve its objectives. By enabling your manager to develop and grow, they will feel more valued and, in turn, add more value to your business. Being an employer who facilitates formal development and qualifications will help you to attract and retain skilled individuals to your team.
ABDO offers Level 5 courses in Management and Leadership accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), which also asseses and awards the qualification. The courses turn informal learning into a recognised qualification through online study and assessment, with a highly-recognised CMI qualification. Whilst studying, students benefit from CMI membership and access to support and materials including online portal, ManagementDirect. The training is 100 per cent online, removing the need for time away from the business to complete study. Online learning is backed up with support from tutors who are available for queries and guidance, and qualifications can be completed at either a diploma or certificate level.
ONLINE STUDY OPTIONS The diploma offers learning carried out over 10 months (approximately 12-15 hours per week) and consists of seven ABDO MLT training is 100 per cent online units that must be completed: 1) Developing, managing and leading individuals and teams to achieve success; 2) Managing performance; 3) Managing the customer experience; 4) Principles of developing a skilled and talented workforce; 5) Managing quality and continuous improvement; 6) Principles of delivering coaching and mentoring; and 7) Managing finance.
For the certificate, students may choose one of three options, each requiring the completion of three units. Learning is carried out over three months (again, approximately 12-15 hours per week). The courses and units are: 1) Management essentials (developing, managing and leading individuals and teams to achieve success; managing performance; managing the customer experience); 2) Continuing improvement (principles of developing a skilled and talented workforce; managing quality and continuous improvement; principles of delivering coaching and mentoring); and 3) Growing leader (managing conflict; managing finance; managing change).
In summary, businesses that are serious about sustainable growth should invest in management training, just as they would invest in any other vital role or part of their business. Whether your employees are existing managers or aspiring to a role in management, make sure that they have a specific skill set, a good range of knowledge, understand and demonstrate appropriate behaviours, and can inspire others to achieve their goals.
To find out more about ABDO's MLT courses and to apply, go to www.abdo.org.uk/mlt. There are discounted prices for ABDO members and payments can be made in instalments.
Nick Walsh FBDO is head of corporate development at ABDO.
Discover Menicon Bloom
Why we developed Menicon BloomTM The prevalence of myopia has increased in recent decades to affect approximately 30% of the world’s population and it is estimated to significantly increase to affect about 50% of the world’s population by 2050.1 Concerned with the growing incidence of myopia and its health consequences worldwide, Menicon Co., Ltd. has dedicated significant resources to develop Menicon Bloom™ Myopia Control Management System, a holistic approach for myopia control management.
What is Menicon BloomTM Menicon Bloom offers a range of approved products that help reduce the progression of myopia while correcting vision either during the day or during the night. To ensure that only the products meeting the highest standards of safety and efficacy are used in these young patients, Menicon has decided that only lens products specifically approved for Myopia Control beyond only myopia correction would be included in the Menicon Bloom portfolio.
Menicon Bloom includes new monitoring tools to help ensure patients are compliant with their treatment and to help you track the treatment progress. This is done through our new, unique Menicon Bloom App and Menicon Bloom Easyfit software that empower you to successfully offer Menicon Bloom in your practice.
The Menicon Bloom system includes recommended treatment plans and protocols to help guide you on how to care for your myopia control patients. These include recommended follow up schedules with lists of recommended tests to conduct, informed consent documents and e-learning modules to ensure a complete understanding of how to effectively use all the tools within the Menicon Bloom system.
1. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal Menicon BloomTM Night and Menicon BloomTM Day The Menicon Bloom treatment includes two types of contact lenses to offer to your patients: Menicon BloomTM Night and Menicon BloomTM Day
Our Menicon Bloom NightTM is the first orthokeratology lens in the world granted CE approval specifically for a Myopia Control indication. This approval is essential: it allows you to offer a product that is proven safe and effective in controlling myopia progression.
Our soft contact lens Menicon BloomTM Day is another key option within the Menicon Bloom Myopia Control Management System. It is a daily disposable hydrogel lens that utilizes a unique extended depth of focus optical design to achieve its myopia controlling effects.
Contact Menicon If you are interested in offering our comprehensive treatment plan for myopia control in your practice please contact your Menicon sales representative to find out how to become a certified Menicon BloomTM specialist today.
Menicon Limited 1 Gatelodge Close, Round Spinney Industrial Estate, Northampton NN3 8RJ
Introducing the Visionary Alliance.
Every day, independent Eye Care Professionals around the world work to give people the gift of sight and build successful businesses. HOYA sees the world through your eyes. As your business partner and ally, we are dedicated to your success and supporting your business growth.
We listen. Our latest research has highlighted a number of opportunities…
- Opticians want a business relationship with
suppliers, more than that of just lenses supplied
on time, and both communication and trust are critical to building and maintaining this.
A relationship means they want to share their views, needs and expectations, not only their problems or to be contacted for new products alone. Opticians desire a close business
partnership, to help inform product ranges and optimisations as well as offering business
support for accelerated growth.
- In summary of our research, the key is talking to our partners and understanding their specific
requirements, making a plan tailored to their
needs.
At HOYA we are dedicated to being the business partner of choice for independent ECPs.
I am convinced that our Visionary Alliance program will provide an unparalleled level of support for independent ECPs to grow their business.
Our partnership program is built around the qualities that make you a visionary:
- Visionaries care deeply about the people and world around them and use their expertise to make things better. - Visionaries are incredibly knowledgeable. They are trusted experts and their wisdom is invaluable. - Visionaries think about the future. They plan for the long-term and seek out new innovations and technologies.
The Visionary Alliance is…
Business Business support for accelerated growth support, training & education Innovative products Innovative you can tr produst ucts you can trust
XTogether. Stronger.
Services & tools for business Toolsfor simplicity & efficiencygrowth Rewards & incentives
Loyalty offers, rewards & incentives A partner can rely o A partner you can rely on you n
World-class serv can World class servicesyou can believe in ices you believe in
- A ‘visionary community’ for HOYA customers around the world. - A place for independent Eye Care Professionals to feel connected, be part of a network of knowledge and access tools, advice and support. - A program to strengthen your independence and to support you to run your business your way. - A platform to access industry leading suppliers to help grow your business.
Here are a selection of suppliers that we have teamed up with to help your business grow...
For digital marketing For audiology services For patient communication systems
For practice growth For locum resourcing For exclusive equipment deals
The Visionary Alliance is constantly evolving and there are many more partners to help support you.
Your patients. Your brand. HOYA’s support.
Let’s grow together.
Visit our practice and ask a member of the team for more information, or register your interest here.For more information scan the QR code or visit www.hoyavision.com/uk/visionary-alliance or contact your Business Development Manager.
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