Optical Prism September 2018 | Page 31

SHAPING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EYE HEALTH IN CANADA A true partnership with Canadian eye care professionals New market dynamics, consumer behaviors and demographic changes are transforming the optical industry. At the same time, it’s estimated that there are 3 million Canadians who do not have the vision correction they need. Helping Canadians see better is a goal that Essilor has been working towards alongside eye care professionals (ECPs) for over 45 years. Taking proactive and preventive steps towards good eye health starts with a comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye care professional. That’s why Essilor partners with ECPs to provide the tools and services they need to raise awareness about the importance of eye health, take care of their patients’ needs and grow their practice. Spanning from coast to coast with 32 laboratories across most provinces, Essilor combines their national scope and local presence to support the success of their customers. SUPPORTING ECPS THROUGH ADDING VALUE Innovation is one of Essilor’s core values and it is at the heart of their strategy. Essilor is constantly listening to consumers and looking to help ECPs address some of their patients’ unmet needs in new ways to improve their lives and protect their sight. Educating the public on the importance of regular eye exams is another way Essilor is helping reinforce the important role ECPs play in eye health. They invest several millions yearly in advertising, Consumer branded newsletters, websites with ECP locators, social media and marketing campaigns, all of which builds brand awareness and helps drive consumers to the offices of eye care professionals. Through their unwavering commitment to bringing value to eye care professionals, Essilor is helping to build a sustainable future for the industry where every Canadian has access to better vision. “We are focused on our relationship with eye care professionals to understand their unique needs and craft plans to help them thrive – whether they are looking to grow, to be at the cutting edge of product innovation or simply to further position themselves as top healthcare providers in their communities,” said Barbara Heffez- Piper, President of Essilor Canada. But the value brought doesn’t stop with innovative products. Essilor goes further to help support their partners’ entire business leveraging all of their assets: products, services, training, awareness campaigns, marketing and community involvement. Essilor truly believes that together with eye care professionals, they can shape a bright future for eye health in Canada. For instance, Essilor Academy Canada offers training and development programs designed to enhance business and industry knowledge for ECPs and their staff. With a focus on making the lives of ECPs easier, these courses help grow and enhance expertise through webinars, in-office trainings and large-scale events such as the Roadshow and Varilux Vision Summit Trips. These programs are constantly being adapted to better meet the needs of ECPs in an evolving market – and with six training and development consultants, Essilor has deployed the largest training team in the industry. World Sight Day A global annual awareness campaign aimed at promoting the importance of good vision through advertising and local initiatives. ENSURING THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY By supporting and empowering eye care professionals for the changing realities of today and tomorrow, Essilor is contributing to the longevity of the eye health industry. Their sustainable business model prioritizes environmental, health and safety initiatives, resulting in water and energy conservation. Each year they also donate lenses, equipment and scholarships, conduct trainings and organize visits to Essilor laboratories in several provinces throughout Canada. Essilor takes a collaborative approach to innovating not only products, but business solutions. They partner with academic and industry leaders, and sponsor research teams in Canada to uncover new ways to improve vision. For example, they partner with various organizations and eye care professionals across the country to ensure all Canadians, with a particular focus on youth, have access to visual screenings. In 2017, these collaborations resulted in more than 25,000 visual screenings in underserved areas. ESSILOR CAMPAIGNS Road Safety Essilor joined forces globally with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, or FIA, in 2017 in a three-year awareness campaign to promote the importance of good vision for road safety. Through this program the FIA has added a new Golden Rule to its list: Check your vision. In June 2018, Esssilor Canada brought this program to life in Montreal during the F1 Grand Prix, facilitating four days of consumer awareness, inviting the public to participate in a driving simulation to showcase the importance of good vision, while eye care professionals conducted on-site eye screenings. ESSILOR CANADA’S TEAM + 54 Business Consultants supporting ECP’s growth and practice differentiation + 161 Customer Experience Agents answering daily customers’ needs and questions + 9 Technical Advisors for escalated troubleshooting and more advanced technical questions on Essilor products CONTACT YOUR ESSILOR CANADA SALES CONSULTANT TODAY. essilor.ca