See the difference. Rick Gadd, President of Essilor America, and Essilor’s leadership team conveyed this message clearly at the National Essilor Sales Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The leadership team at Essilor is made up of a special group of eyecare leaders that have one mission: Improving Lives by Improving Sight. The See the Difference theme is perfectly suited for the innovation that Essilor has created from its lens technology and education to management and its leadership team.
The day kicked off in the main room which was stylishly decked out with extravagant decor, eye-catching entertainment, and welcoming energy. Sherianne James, Chief Marketing Officer, was first up with a clear message about the see the difference theme and the importance of focusing on customers values, medical attention, lens technology, and personal experience. Sherriane James believes that putting emphasis on the customer’s values will provide an opportunity to shorten the repurchase cycle. In addition to the aforementioned, Sherianne excited the room with Essilor’s Smartbook. She expressed that it is a frictionless experience for patients to book appointments outside of business hours. Smartbook is powered by 4Patientcare.
Next, the latest and greatest in innovation was released by Jeff Harrell.
Eyezen Start
Essilor has taken the Eyezen brand to the next level. The Eyezen Start is a unique design and is a revolution in single-vision lenses. The Eyezen Start provides asphericity in the far and near zone. It reduces the power errors and astigmatism up to 60% in the reading area. This enhances the experience of the digital device user. The Eyezen Start is available today.
Varilux Comfort Max
Varilux Comfort uses Flex Optim Technology. The Flex Optim technology provides a comfortable vision, freedom of movement, and flexibility of posture. There are 20,000 ECPs prescribing the Varilux Brand. Varilux Comfort Max provides accessibility to the Varilux brand. It will launch in April 2020.
Crizal Rock
The 3 pillars of the Crizal brand are clarity, durability, and protection. The Crizal Rock will take the aforementioned to the next level and will launch later this year.
Transitions Signature GEN 8 Style Colors
The Transitions Signature GEN 8 in single vision will be available in all the style colors starting in February. This year the Varilux W2+, Varilux Physio W3+, Varilux X Series will be available in Transitions Signature GEN 8 Style Colors. Additionally, the Varilux Comfort Max will be available in all style colors when it launches.
After the unveiling of Essilor’s latest innovation, Holly Gillentine, Holly Gillentine – Vice President, Brand, Media & Communications, expressed that Essilor will provide tremendous visibility with advertising every week beginning this week. As an a eyecare professional, this is fantastic news. Not only will Essilor provide amazing innovation, but will help educate and promote to our existing and potential patients as well.
Shortly after the revealing of Essilor’s latest and greatest innovations, I had the opportunity of hanging out with two of my favorites, Sherriane James and Daniel Liberman, Chief Commercial Officer. We discussed the theme, “See The Difference”, and what it meant to them on Facebook and Instagram Live. The interview ended with a game show which tested their knowledge of Essilor’s innovation.
Next, I had the pleasure of meeting Becky Palm, Director and President of the Essilor Vision Foundation. We discussed the Essilor Vision Foundation’s new campaign, “Vote for Vision”. With this being an election year and the year of vision, the campaign was perfectly designed. According to the Essilor Vision Foundation, “It’s estimated that 1 in 4 kids in schools has a vision problem that affects their ability to learn”. Becky Palm and the Essilor Vision foundation are asking for everyone to make vision a priority for 2020 and donations in 2020 will be matched up to $100,000, thanks to a generous donor (EVF).
Finally, it was time for podcasting. I had the pleasure of discussing the rapidly changing landscape of optometry with Essilor’s President of America, Rick Gadd. We had an in-depth conversation about the Essilor Luxottica merger, VSP’s penetration of the market, and how Essilor will help to combat the recent negative picture the media has painted of optometry. One one of my favorite moments of the conversation with Dr. Millicent Knight was discussing the importance of Essilor’s partnerships. It is amazing how many partnerships Essilor has created to help enhance our profession and create awareness of optometry. Essilor has strong relationships with the Global Myopia Awareness Coalition (GMAC), American Optometric Society (AOA), American Student Optometric Society (AOSA), American School College of Optometry (ASCO), and Kidsania to name a few. Another highlight of my trip was talking innovation with my new best friend (he does not realize this yet, but I am claiming it…lol), Jeff Harrell. If you know me well, then you know that I am very passionate about doctor-patient interaction particularly the doctor optical handoff. Jeff and I discussed the latest innovation from Essilor this year from Eyezen Start, Varilux Comfort Max, Crizal Rock, to the expansion of style colors in Transitions Signature Gen. 8 lens. It is imperative that eyecare professionals have great knowledge about the products they are prescribing. This takes the patient experience from mediocre to spectacular. Look out for the podcasts coming soon!
Disclaimer: I am a partner of Essilor of America, but opinions expressed are my own.
