Nick Clegg's performance in the leaders' debates reminds us that we live in a world where style and communication is king. Like it or loath it the effectiveness of a message's delivery, its style and tone, often carries more weight than the meat of the message itself. Most people's reality is what they hear, see or read in a newspaper or magazine. In politics that means an acceptable 'face' delivering the spin doctors' line and staying on message.
Yesterday saw the official launch of the new confederated working arrangements and naming ceremony of a clutch of associations. Together they represent dispensing opticians, optometrists, the multiples and the manufacturers of frames, lenses and contact lenses.
Collaborative working has to be a good thing and many groups have been formed. If the interests of disparate groups of professionals can coalesce into a single party line then great. But let's hear the debates. What cannot be allowed to happen is for diversity of opinion and minority interests to be stifled in the name of unity.
Despite the explosion of lobbyists and committees within optics less and less actual communication takes place. Members of groups often don't want to appear 'off message' or to be breaking rank. Collaboration is good, but let's have some communication and an optical 'face' to deliver it.