So 2014 has drawn to a final close and we’ve welcomed in a brand New Year! Many of us will have resolved to exercise more, quit smoking or spend more time with friends and family but statistics show that most of us won’t follow our resolutions through.

While you may not stick to your personal resolutions this year, setting realistic, achievable goals for your practise is a must. The start of a brand new year is a great time to take stock and make plans for the future, and there are some assurances that should be adhered to all year round.

We bring you a guide to our top resolutions to ensure your practise has a successful and positive start to 2015:

1. Health and safety

Make this the year you do everything you can to ensure that you, your colleagues, and your patients stay safe in the practise and are not put at risk during the year ahead. It pays in the long run to keep a weather eye open to potential hazards.

2. Feedback

An optician’s practise is particularly people-dependent and having happy, healthy patients is key. Why not turn over a new leaf in 2015 by surveying patients to find out what you’re doing well and what they think you could improve upon. The more informed you are, the more you can do to improve. It takes courage to invite criticism; however most often all people will do is offer constructive criticism.

3. Security

A necessary job for 2015 is to re-evaluate security at your practise. Double check opening doors, shutters, windows, locks and any alarms you have installed at your premises to ensure they are all the right types and are correctly fitted and fully operational. If you do suffer a break-in, but you do not meet the minimum-security conditions in your policy, your claim may be refused.

4. Insurance

The new year is also a good time to ensure you are prepared for anything that could potentially harm your business over the coming months. Re-evaluate the policy you already have and add on any cover you’ll need to protect you throughout 2015.

When you are working as an optician, it is usually mandatory to have Professional Indemnity Insurance, however there are a number of other types of cover that should be taken into consideration. Think about:

• Public Liability Insurance
• Employers Liability
• Business Interruption
• Shop and Office Contents Insurance
• Commercial Legal Protection

Whatever your practise’s resolutions are for this year, don’t forget to factor in some enjoyment and make the New Year count. Along with the essentials, it can make all the difference!

Written by: admin