Change is something that takes effort. Being confident in your decision to bring on new tools or technologies by asking these questions is a solid start.

Invision June 2025 Issue

“WHY WOULD I use Kayak to compare hundreds of travel sites at once? I like doing things myself!” the flustered woman mutters as she stuffs her clothing with straw. Stomping out to the field she climbs up the scarecrow stand mumbling, “I can’t trust anything else to do the job right!” and begins yelling to scare away the birds.

I love this Kayak commercial. It beautifully illustrates the daily tasks we’ve entrusted to tools or technologies and have accepted as a way of life. While, in contrast, leading the viewer to reflect on the ridiculousness of being so stubbornly set in our ways we won’t allow new tools to make our lives more efficient.

Working with Spexy members has allowed me the unique vantage point of seeing just how many independent opticals get in their own way because they “can’t trust anything else to do the job right!” ECPs begrudgingly hand their patients their prescriptions perched on the scarecrow stand, mystified as to why patients are leaving. But an ability to see opportunity is all you really need to remove yourself from the scarecrow stand.

ECPs are bombarded by vendors with the newest, flashiest technologies. Unfortunately, a lot of these are gimmicks. It’s a bummer seeing an optical trust a vendor only for it to totally flop. To embrace new technology while avoiding flops, reflect on these four questions:

1. Why was this tool or technology created in the first place? What is the story behind it? Many saw a need in their practice and created a solution that now helps their peers. In contrast, some jump on new tech simply because it comes from the largest vendor. Many big vendors are only great at marketing. Some take an original idea from an independent and create a poorer version. Before committing, understand why it was created and dive into the origin. A lack of origin or purpose is a red flag.

2. How will it influence patient experience? Many ECPs’ scarecrow stand is “this is the way we’ve always done it.” This makes it difficult for customers to do business with you. Understanding how new tech or products will influence your patient is important. Implementing technologies that make the patient experience easier, more convenient, or influence them to purchase from you are typically good moves. Is it something that patients will really notice? Will it influence them to buy because it’s convenient? Look at the technologies you’re considering and rank them in order of their influence on your patient or consumer.

3. How do I value the ROI for this tool? What’s the actual value to your office? This question is often overlooked by leadership. When ranking technologies, understand its value to your practice. Maybe it creates convenience that allows patients to schedule or buy easier. What value is that to you? Maybe it streamlines daily tasks. Maybe it refines skills and maximizes employee retention. What’s the value of having those issues resolved? If the return value is not there, it goes to the bottom of the list.

4. What will change for my team? This is where many offices give up. Staff who stomp their feet and rattle the scarecrow stand often convince leadership it’s too hard right now. But timing will never be perfect. You all must learn how to implement new tools. Understand the training time or onboarding commitment. Set proper expectations while outlining benefits.

Change is something that takes effort. Being confident in your decision to bring on new technologies by filtering through these questions is a solid start. If you’re considering new technologies, scan the QR code for examples on how to do it.