View from the High Street: Let ’em know where they stand

Good communication has always been a key part of my role as an optometrist, in hospital and the community, and as a store director, but it has never been as important as it is now.

Investing my time in strong two-way communication with colleagues is critical, including those who are in store with me and those on furlough – furloughed but not forgotten, as we say. Also, regular communication with support team colleagues and with fellow joint venture partners as we develop new strategies and support each other through this pandemic.

And of course, communication with our customers. The patients getting in touch with us have such a range of concerns: their eye health, concerns of visual changes, a small repair needed or even replacement spectacles because they have broken them while doing gardening or DIY (all those jobs that are finally getting done), contact lens queries and even audiology discussions. Patients need us more than ever.