Free business events for independents and staff

Sight Care has launched its regional business meetings for independents, scheduled for the first three weeks of October.

The business resource group is highlighting that it is maintaining its free-to-attend policy for independent practice owners and their staff for this year.

The theme for each event will be Building and sustaining a winning team, and they will take place at 10 venues throughout the country.

Supported by Sight Care partners Alcon, Marchon and mark’ennoy, the speaker programme includes Erak Simsson and Simon Burgess and will be facilitated by Sight Care’s new chief executive John French.

Mr Simsson runs his own private weight loss and personal training business in Salisbury, as well as a networking group called the Health & Wellbeing Group, which helps local health professionals. His presentation is How against incredible odds a winning team can prevail.

Mr Burgess has been providing training and coaching for the Sight Care group for the last 10 years. He has 30 years of optical experience, including positions such as national training manager for Specsavers Opticians, national development manager for Vision Express and operations manager for Boots Opticians. He will talk on Making profit from a winning team. 

Mr French said: “Establishing and maintaining a high-performance team is not easy in a small business. People are our greatest resource so it makes sense to invest in the recruitment and retention of good staff.

“At this year’s event our speakers will reveal the key elements necessary to build and sustain a winning team, what works and what to avoid. The presentations will be followed by a workshop, giving delegates the opportunity to discuss best practice.”

He added: “Sight Care believes with the UK economy forecasted to stall later in the year and High Street retail already under-performing, it’s crucial that independent opticians maximise their business opportunities. That’s only possible if highly professional teams are offering patients an unrivalled service.

“The fact that there is a clinical need for the services we offer does not make us immune from the possible cut back in consumer spending. Our speaker programme this year will provide plenty of ideas to encourage independents to do things differently.”

The regional meetings start on 3 October in Manchester, followed by Stirling, Scotland (4 October), Newcastle upon Tyne (5), Leeds (6), Leicester (10), Broxbourne (11), Belfast (17), Gatwick (18), Exeter (19) and Bristol (20).

For more information, visit the Sight Care website, email or telephone 0125 678 1522.