President's Message

As you are aware the optical industry is in a state of change. Companies such as Wal-Mart and 1-800 Contacts have formed an alliance creating advantages for themselves and a very small advantage for private practices.

1-800 Contacts has not only increased their prices, but now they can and will refer your patients to Wal-Mart for an eye exam.

Within the optical industry wholesale companies such as Luxottica have made inroads into the retail market; acquiring Lens Crafter, Pearle Vision and Cole Vision. When optometrists started to boycott Luxottica, they very cleverly reinvented themselves by moving into the insurance industry with EyeMed. This step forced optometrist to deal with Luxottica in the hope of bringing new patients into their offices. Luxottica has already positioned itself in a very unique way by controlling the patient pool, the eye care facilities and the supply of optical goods.

These conditions have forced large organization such as VSP, who already has its own lab, to re-think its structure by acquiring Marchon. VSP has now gained two of the three conditions that Luxottica has.

We see mergers and acquisition being made; the larger operators get stronger, while we independents are losing ground.

The question I ask myself is, what can I do? Who will help? The answer is… we can help ourselves by uniting and working together to become a strong team. There is great strength in numbers. Remember; “UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL”.

Our organization, CV Management, represents many of the largest private practices in California. Most are located in the southern part of the state and as a group we generate over 90 million dollars in gross optical revenue. Our goal is to guarantee the survival of private practice optometry, to increase our share of the patient pool, and to compete in a highly competitive market. There are organizations that assist optometry and serve an important need such as the C.O.A, but none work at the business promotion level.

CV Management assists our members in the day to day running of an optometric practice by helping you buy products at the best prices, working to promote sound business skills keeping your present patient base intact and aiding in acquiring new patients.

We find that, with our present buying power, suppliers will sell to our members at greater discounts than they can achieve on their own. Most big practices with large volume feel they are buying at the lowest possible prices but, we have found this is not the case. There are larger discounts available to strong, cohesive groups. I wish to make one point very clear; we are a cooperative not just another buying group. Our member receives a full discount from suppliers; unlike most buying groups that give you 18% off and take back 4%.

To sum up CV Management: We bring together many of the largest practices and combine their strength to leverage deep discounts. We place great emphasis on practice management, thus helping you develop skills in promoting your practice. Our group also creates name recognition by branding. One of our greatest strengths is the free and open exchange of working ideas where an optometrist helps another optometrist succeed. There are business management seminars, CE credits, and access on the internet to other members for open and stimulating discussion.

How do you become a member? You must be recommended by an existing member. You must be in private practice and your practice must be well above average. We look for team players primarily because we are a team. Our members are colleagues, not competitors.

 Sincerely,

 Robert F. Collins, OD
 President CV Management