If anyone doubted the global nature of business, the activities of this week have certainly left them in no doubt that the global village is a reality.
With stock markets falling in Asia and Europe on rumours of a recession in the US you clearly don't have to have a hole in your own roof to feel it raining.
On a smaller scale, optics can also no longer preface any statements of fact with the age-old get-out clause of 'Ah yes, but in this country things aren't like that'. Things are 'like that' everywhere as local becomes global.
The poignancy of optical globalisation is conjured up in a most graphic fashion with the departure of Leightons' managing director Neale Pugh to Specsavers' operation in Australia (see News). The elements and the contexts surrounding this move transcend so many long-held norms it is worth standing back, without prejudice, to fully appreciate all of the elements involved.
Optics often likes to think of itself as a backwater, a quiet oasis of business which watches the consumer markets ride the rapids as it shelters behind a handy rock.
But no longer. Optics is well and truly in mid-stream with the rest of retailing. Hang on tight, it could be a bumpy ride.