This post by Seth Godin gives valuable advice about how to approach your business decisions.

One way to think about running a successful business is to figure out what the least you can do is, and do that. That’s actually what they spent most of my time at business school teaching me.

Epipens are new at Amcon Labs

It’s better to be safe than sorry.  These three products are important to have on hand for different types of emergencies: Epipens, the Biohazard Spill Kit and the Angle Closure Glaucoma Emergency Treatment Kit.

Allergic reactions can be triggered by medications or other elements in the environment. Epipens inject epinephrine very quickly, suppressing the immune system and curbing the allergic reaction. Epipens are a new product for Amcon, just recently added to our product line.   They are currently offered on the Amcon web site and will make their debut in the 2010 Amcon product catalog.  Amcon carries two types of Epipens: a standard Epipen and Epipen Junior for patients weighing 33-66 lbs.

In a busy practice, there is always potential for spills of hazardous materials (blood, fluids, chemicals, etc…).  Containing all the components to help you get rid of a mess, the Biohazard Spill Kit is an easy clean-up solution. Amcon’s Biohazard Spill Kit meets OSHA’s requirements for an in-office spill kit.

Amcon’s Angle Closure Glaucoma Emergency Treatment Kit ensures that your practice is prepared for a patient with an angle closure.   It contains all the pharmaceuticals recommended for use on an angle closure patient, as stated in the 2008 Review of Optometry Clinical Guide to Ophthalmic Drugs.

Sweetheart Purse Cases - Amcon's Item of the Week

Over the last decade, eyeglasses have become less of necessary evil and more of a fashion statement. Eyeglass frames are now available in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and materials. Numerous fashion designers and Hollywood celebrities have launched their own line of eyewear.

With this growing trend, demand for more fashionable optical accessories grew. Many of these new accessories can generate added practice revenue, while fulfilling the desires of style driven consumers.

Many optical accessories make great Valentine’s retail items. For example, the beaded eyeglass chains, and the rhinestone wristlet eyeglass cases would appeal to a fashion conscious consumer.

For contact lens wearers, the Optipak Designer Lens Cases and the iPak leather cases are a sure hit.  These retail items make great Valentine’s gifts and are currently on sale as the Item of the Week at Amcon.

This story was posted on The Optical Vision Site this morning.  This is an extreme example of why it is so important to talk to your patients about proper contact lens care.

Another wonderfully humorous drawing by Scott Lee, O.D.

This week we wanted to take a little time to thank our customers. It is because of our customers that Amcon has been successful for over thirty years.

January is a time for fresh starts and trying new things. We introduced 20 new products in the Jan/Feb sale flyers that went out to our current customers.  We encourage you to take a look at the new products on our website. You can see new products featured online in the category labeled New at Amcon located on the right side navigation bar.

We understand that a few of these products are a little more fun than others. For example we have introduced a Pop-Up 3D Book that is filled with 3D images, a story about how 3D imagery works and two pairs of red/cyan glasses.  This book has been an instant hit! It is a fun way to engage your younger patients.

Pop-Up 3D Book

We have add new pharmaceuticals and expanded our line of Spanish products. Other new products include Lollypop eyeglass cases, new designs for patient supply bags and reminder postcards.

Acrylic T Chain Display

Lighted Mag Rx

Pivot Arm Silver Dispensing Mirror

The Amcon Sales Reps will be happy to give your more details about these or any of our other products.

January is National Eye Care Month! Consider using this month to educate your patients and staff about the importance of proper eye protection.  Point out that once good vision is lost, it can not be easily regained. This type of education will benefit everyone in the end.

Amcon the Eye Care Supply Center (that’s us!) is featured on The Optical Vision Site today. Shirley has written a very nice article welcoming us as a new sponsor of The Optical Vision Site. She writes about the thousands of supplies we carry as well as mentions our Dry Eye Test Strips.  Check it out.

http://theopticalvisionsite.com/accessories/welcome-amcon-labs-to-the-optical-vision-site/

Job hunting can be both an exciting and frightening prospect when you are leaving school.  Some graduates of optometry school are looking to open their own practice right away and others know that they would like to work for a retail chain. But what about the others? Neil B. Gailmard, OD has some advice for new optometry grads