Best Practices

Steve Alexander
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Business

Tune in to Best Practices twice a month as we deliver practical, actionable insights for eye care professionals seeking to elevate practice performance, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. Each episode features experts sharing their insights about the most pressing issues facing independent eye care practices today. Learn the strategies that the Best Practices have used to build out the eye care business of their dreams. From building a new specialty in neuro optometry, myopia management, dry eye, to optimizing for practice efficacy, patient engagement, and profitability. Designed with busy optometrists, opticians, and staff in mind, the podcast focuses on steps you can implement immediately to improve care and grow your practice; all it should cost you is a little time and effort.

  1. Best Practices for Selecting Your EHR

    5d ago

    Best Practices for Selecting Your EHR

    Host Steve Alexander sits down with Colton Calandrella, co-founder and CEO of Barti, to break down how practices can approach selecting the right EHR and practice management system. Colton shares a practical lens shaped by building in the space and working closely with practices navigating these decisions. They explore when it actually makes sense to switch systems, what future-proofing looks like in real terms, and how to evaluate total cost beyond the sticker price. The conversation also touches on getting team buy-in and making changes that support both operational flow and the patient experience. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 02:46 Why Build an EHR 05:21 When to Switch Systems 06:52 Future Proofing With AI 08:54 Total Cost of Ownership 12:16 Migration and Training Concerns 14:22 Industry Headwinds and Cloud Shift 16:16 Customization and Peer Insight 23:16 Pricing and True Comparisons 26:38 Paperwork and ROI 28:08 Revenue Per Patient Break Even 29:25 Rethinking Patient Flow 30:39 Staffing and Retention Impact 33:25 Leading Change With Your Team 35:50 EHR as a Practice CRM 40:47 Personalization and Patient Retention 43:53 Defining the New Standard of Care 46:11 Patient Education and Follow Up 48:08 Wrap Up and Contact Info

    49 min
  2. Best Practices for Creating Moments Worth Talking About

    May 27

    Best Practices for Creating Moments Worth Talking About

    In this episode of Best Practices, host Steve Alexander sits down with Samantha Toth, President and Founder of InnerReactive, to discuss how independent eyecare practices can intentionally create experiences that patients remember and share. They explore the difference between routine customer service and a fully engineered patient journey, with practical insights on digital first impressions, optical storytelling, and proactive follow up that strengthens loyalty and capture rate. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:22 What Defines a “Wow” Moment 03:38 Engineering the Patient Journey 05:22 Designing Patient Choice Intentionally 07:30 The Human Touch After COVID 10:13 Service Versus Experience 12:34 Building Loyalty and Trust 17:42 Understanding Patient Types 23:18 The Digital Discovery Phase 24:28 The Power of Real Photography 25:02 Optimizing Your Google Presence 25:45 Keeping Online Listings Fresh 26:35 Messaging by Patient Type 27:54 Frame Storytelling That Resonates 29:26 Common Optical Pitfalls 31:58 Handling “Take My Rx” Requests 33:55 Creating Wow Moments in the Optical 35:25 Merchandising With Intention 41:56 Implementation Tips for Teams 45:04 Follow Up Calls and Final Takeaways

    47 min
  3. Best Practices for Building Purposeful Relationships in Eyecare

    May 4

    Best Practices for Building Purposeful Relationships in Eyecare

    Host Steve Alexander welcomes back Dr. Brianna Rhue, co-founder and CEO of Dr. Contact Lens, to discuss best practices for building business relationships. Dr. Rhue emphasizes that relationships are foundational to going “far,” sharing lessons from her father about connecting with others and stressing that you work with people, not companies. She contrasts real relationships with transactional social media engagement, urging listeners to do the work of reaching out and having meaningful conversations. Drawing from her partnership at Westward Eyecare, she highlights trust, fair compensation, clear communication, and addressing issues early to prevent breakdowns. The episode also focuses on seeking and using feedback from employees and patients, offering an example of handling prescription requests as an opportunity to learn and improve the patient experience. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Welcome Back 01:04 Why Relationships Matter 02:10 Lessons From Dad 03:22 People Not Companies 05:31 Social Media vs Real 06:16 Partnership Done Right 10:18 Standards and Boundaries 12:33 Feedback Builds Trust 17:05 Two Seconds Courage 19:07 Listen Deeper 20:42 Closing and Connect

    21 min
  4. Best Practices for Building a Specialty Practice

    Apr 20

    Best Practices for Building a Specialty Practice

    Host Steve Alexander sits down with returning guest Matt Rosner to explore what it takes to build a successful specialty eyecare practice. The conversation centers on Matt’s Five P’s framework: Passion, Prevalence, Pain, Protocol, and Profit, offering practical guidance on choosing the right specialty, aligning it with patient needs, and building systems that support long-term growth and sustainability. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:26 What It Takes to Start a Specialty Practice 02:40 Introducing the Five P’s Framework 02:46 Passion and Choosing the Right Focus 04:44 Understanding Prevalence and Market Demand 08:36 Identifying Patient Pain Points 11:58 Building Effective Protocols 20:25 Making Specialty Care Profitable 28:05 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Matt

    29 min
  5. Best Practices for Storytelling in Eyecare

    Apr 6

    Best Practices for Storytelling in Eyecare

    Join the conversation as Steve Alexander, VP of Industry and Strategic Partnerships at Anagram, sits down with Nico Roseillier, founder of Untitled Agency, to explore how storytelling shapes the way patients experience eyecare. From first impressions to lasting connections, Steve and Nico share how intentional design, branding, and community presence can transform routine visits into moments patients remember and talk about. Drawing from his journey from France to becoming a creative director in the U.S., Nico brings a fresh perspective on creativity, craft, and authenticity in independent practices. Together, Steve and Nico discuss how small, thoughtful details influence perception, why local connection matters more than ever, and how practices can design experiences that feel personal rather than transactional. Whether you’re rethinking your brand, refining your patient journey, or looking for new ways to stand out in a crowded market, this episode offers practical inspiration for creating environments patients want to return to and recommend. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:24 Nico’s Journey from France to the U.S. 03:11 Creative Career Highlights and Industry Perspective 08:58 Why Storytelling Matters in Eyecare 13:03 Designing Memorable Patient Experiences 15:45 Creative Ideas for Independent Practices 22:11 The Value of Craft and Personal Touch 34:41 Adapting to Industry Shifts and Expectations 42:54 What Makes an Eyecare Experience Memorable 43:40 Innovation and Differentiation in Practice Design 44:50 Building a Brand Patients Recognize 46:13 Community Engagement and Local Connection 47:10 Personal Stories and Meaningful Relationships 49:17 Crafting a Distinct Patient Experience 52:08 Authenticity as a Competitive Advantage 54:02 Thoughtful Marketing and Brand Expression 55:52 Meeting the Expectations of Modern Patients 01:00:48 Specialty Practices and Focused Services 01:07:48 Closing Thoughts and What’s Next

    1h 18m
  6. Best Practices for Building a Better Practice Through Continuous Training

    Jan 28

    Best Practices for Building a Better Practice Through Continuous Training

    In this episode of Best Practices, host Steve Alexander sits down with Kayla Ashlee, Founder and CEO of Spexy, to explore how continuous training and clearly defined mission statements can elevate optometry practices. Together, they discuss Kayla’s unconventional path into eyecare, why structured staff development matters more than ever, and how a strong mission can guide better decisions for both patient experience and team culture. The conversation also dives into practical marketing insights, including social media strategy, authentic promotion, and creating experiences patients want to share. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:44 Kayla’s Journey Into Eyecare 03:19 Identifying Gaps in Optical Practice Training 04:30 Steve’s Eyecare Story 07:44 Why Ongoing, Structured Training Matters 11:54 Standing Out With Creative Marketing Strategies 14:21 Customer Experience, Reviews, and Retention 17:20 Engaging Patients Through Social Media 17:50 Authenticity in Practice Promotion 19:46 The Role of Mission and Vision Statements 20:41 Defining Your Passion and Practice Niche 23:45 Creating Shareable, Memorable Experiences 30:14 Leveraging Team Input for Growth 35:30 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

    36 min
  7. Best Practices: Colton Calandrella on Maximizing Your EHR

    Jan 15

    Best Practices: Colton Calandrella on Maximizing Your EHR

    Join the conversation as Steve Alexander, Head of Growth at Anagram, sits down with Colton Calendrella, co-founder and CEO of Barti, to dig into what it really takes to get more out of your Electronic Health Records system. With so many practices relying on their EHR daily but tapping only a small fraction of its capabilities, Colton breaks down how teams can close that gap. From choosing an internal “EHR champion” to investing in ongoing training and taking advantage of support resources from your vendor, the discussion shows how small shifts can open the door to smoother workflows, less frustration, and a better patient experience. Steve and Colton also explore how continuous learning fuels long-term efficiency, why carving out time for EHR mastery pays off, and how leaders can build confidence across their staff. Whether you’re upgrading your software or trying to get more from what you already have, this episode offers a practical roadmap for leveling up your EHR and your practice at the same time. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:37 Maximizing Your EHR: Where to Start 02:49 Investing Time in Learning EHR Capabilities 04:45 Practical Tips for EHR Mastery 06:45 Hiring and Training for EHR Efficiency 09:35 The Importance of Continuous Learning 11:49 The Toothbrush Test: Prioritizing EHR Tasks 14:23 Leveraging EHR Training Resources 19:22 The ROI of EHR Mastery 23:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    27 min
  8. Best Practices: Adam Cherry on Lens Selection

    Jan 7

    Best Practices: Adam Cherry on Lens Selection

    In this episode of Best Practices, host Steve Alexander talks with Adam Cherry, president and owner of Cherry Optical Lab, about how intelligent lens selection decisions can improve both patient satisfaction and optical performance. Together, they explore how materials, coatings, frame choice, and pricing strategies all play a role in creating better outcomes for patients and practices alike. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:31 Lens Selection Fundamentals 01:41 Choosing the Right Lens Materials 03:24 Balancing Aesthetics and Comfort 06:41 Matching Frames and Prescriptions 11:02 Anti-Reflective Coatings and Their Benefits 17:53 Managing Patient Expectations 21:59 Industry Challenges and Common Pitfalls 23:05 Designing an Effective Lens Menu 23:31 Vision Plans and Profitability 24:19 The Rise of Online Retail 27:26 Private Pay vs. Vision Plan Patients 27:52 Progressive Lenses and Pricing Strategy 32:29 The Evolution of Lens Technology 35:55 Retail Strategies for Optical Practices 43:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Tune in to Best Practices twice a month as we deliver practical, actionable insights for eye care professionals seeking to elevate practice performance, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. Each episode features experts sharing their insights about the most pressing issues facing independent eye care practices today. Learn the strategies that the Best Practices have used to build out the eye care business of their dreams. From building a new specialty in neuro optometry, myopia management, dry eye, to optimizing for practice efficacy, patient engagement, and profitability. Designed with busy optometrists, opticians, and staff in mind, the podcast focuses on steps you can implement immediately to improve care and grow your practice; all it should cost you is a little time and effort.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Alexander
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Anagram 2025
  • Show Website
    Best Practices

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