GROW YOUR BUSINESS
ROBERT DALTON | Executive Director of the Opticians Association of Canada
The Opticians Association of Canada
and indeed all Opticians are clear
that science and technology will be a
catalyst for strengthening economic
competitiveness and fostering social
cohesion. Examples of change are all
around us. However, this message is
not about the future or change. This
very important message is for all Opticians and relates to the past. Consider the OAC just celebrated its 25th
anniversary. That, to me, seems like a
long time. When put into the context
of one's career, though, how long is it?
When we think about the time we
spent in school studying our respective optical program how do we perceive the experience? Was there an
Optician we worked with, someone
who showed us the crafting skills and
attention to detail that is required of
a Licensed Optician? Usually, the
answer is yes. It has to be.
Opticians learn a great deal of theory
and clinical skills in our educational
system. All accredited schools have
practicums and labs; some even have
dispensaries open to the public for
training purposes. In reality, it is our
work in the field that extensively
refines our skills. It is the time spent
with our fellow professionals,
working side by side.
For many of us it may not be one
particular person but perhaps it is a
collage of mentors and associates who
have helped us become the master
opticians we are today and impacted
our careers in one way or another. All
this is not to say that we are not the
masters of our own destiny; rather it
shows that each of us have to take
ownership of the success we have or
have not achieved. We must realize
that it is also our duty to pass on the
mentorship and knowledge that has
been shared with us by our colleagues,
including the next generation of Opticians. It is out of respect and gratitude
to those that shared their knowledge
with us that we must be committed to
‘pay it forward’.
The stability of our industry and perhaps our profession is sometimes
called into question. There is nothing
new in this concern and believe me,
most professionals are faced with the
same reflections. I spoke with an
industry consultant the other day who
all but confirmed within the next five
years the public will be in control of
their own refractions.
Imagine all the time we spent arguing
over scopes of practice only to find
out that technology will advance far
beyond what our greatest industry
minds could foresee. Yes, things will
change, but thanks to those that came
before us who shared the gift of
knowledge and experience, we can be
certain of our continued success.
Remember: keep it simple… reinvent, re-create, re-assert, re-assure,
and lastly rest assured the world
needs Optici