Everyone loses when thousands of optical assistants are untrained. It's not their fault; it's just that they're out there performing optical services that they haven't got any idea about. – James Gibbins

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by James Gibbins, Director of Education at ACOD and one of the legends in Australia's optical industry, to dive into the two critical areas of the optical profession: training and recruitment.

With over four decades of experience, James unpacks the current training gap impacting untrained optical assistants, outdated recruitment models, and how practice can build a sustainable, skilled workforce for the future through education, empowerment, and culture change. This episode is a must-listen for optical business owners, optometrists, dispensers, and practice managers who want to strengthen their teams, improve patient care, and future-proof their practices through better training and recruitment strategies.

Key Topics with Timestamps:

1:18 - James Gibbins' journey to the optical profession

4:48 - Biggest challenges that the optical industry faces

6:32 - The impact of an untrained optical assistant on the practice and patient care

10:43 - Key benefits of proper training

14:26 - Corporate vs. Independent training culture

18:22 - Recruitment challenges and how businesses can adapt

20:20 - Creating an attractive career pathway

28:35 - Addressing employer hesitations about training investments

31:45 - What retention looks like in high-performing practice

33:26 - What's new to ACOD: A Diploma in optical dispensing is coming

37:09 - Continuing education with ODA & CPD

43:44 - How to improve training and recruitment efforts

All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at

https://www.thefocusedview.com.au/


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Learn More About Us:

Website: https://www.thefocusedview.com.au/

Email: Michael@thefocusedview.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-focused-view

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefocusedview/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefocusedview

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Send us your thoughts about the episode

Thank you for joining us in this episode of The Focused View Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, give us a 5-Star rating, and leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify to help us reach even more eye care professionals and build a community of innovation and see new opportunities within the optical industry. Talk with you next time!

What if the real price of avoiding difficult conversations at work is losing your best team members and holding back your business growth? How much longer can you afford to stay silent?

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined again by Opticare’s Commercial Manager, Joanne Scott-Dostine, to dive into one of the most avoided yet essential parts of practice management: navigating difficult conversations with intention and clarity. From understanding why people avoid difficult conversations to walking through how to approach them with emotional intelligence and strategy, Joanne shares a useful and effective approach for practice owners and team leaders.

Joanne also shares transformative concepts like the Emotional Bank Account and “putting on your business hat,” offering leaders tools they can implement immediately. Whether you manage a small family-run optical store or lead a large multi-location practice, this episode equips you with the mindset, language, and leadership presence to handle the most challenging team dynamics with confidence and care.

Key Topics with Timestamps:

1:58 - Managing people is often underestimated in small practices

4:18 - Why people avoid tough conversations in the workplace

7:28 - The impact on business when issues go unaddressed

11:17 - “Bacon walls” and the danger of minor issues piling up

12:33 - What is the Emotional Bank Account, and why does it matter to businesses and people

16:05 - The power of vulnerability in leadership: Why owning your part builds credibility

17:21 - Maintaining strong relationships and accountability through the ‘business hat’ approach

22:49 - Navigating family dynamics in business (husband-wife teams, siblings, etc.)

26:42 - When not to have the conversation and when you absolutely should

30:16 - A step-by-step guide to preparing for tough conversations

36:29 - Avoid these common mistakes when dealing with challenging conversations

40:26 - Emotional management and the power of tone and language

47:13 - Real-life stories: how tough conversations led to transformational growth

51:59 - Your action step this week: stop avoiding, start planning

Join Michael at the ODMA Fair on Friday, June 28, from 2–3 PM at ICC Sydney as he shares top takeaways from the Elevate Your Practice series, practical insights to boost your team, efficiency, and patient care.

Register here: https://regonsite.eventsair.com/odmafair-2025/tradevisitor/Site/Register

Episode Suggestions:

EP30: Digital Health and the Evolving Scope of Optometry with Nicola Mountford

Connect with Michael Nasser:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-nasser/

Connect with Joanne Scott-Dostine:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-scott-dostine-144297152/

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Send us your thoughts about the episode

Thank you for joining us in this episode of The Focused View Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, give us a 5-Star rating, and leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify to help us reach even more eye care professionals and build a community of innovation and see new opportunities within the optical industry. Talk with you next time!

What does Digital health really mean in the context of optometry beyond the buzzwords? Nicola Mountford unpacks one of the most relevant topics in optometry as technology continues to reshape the healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Michael Nasser is joined by Nicola Mountford, Optometry Advancement Advisor at Optometry Australia, to explore the evolving role of digital health in optometry. Nicola breaks down the practical applications of digital tools in a clinical setting, how it's transforming the way optometrists practice, and how the industry can adapt to stay relevant and integrated into Australia's broader healthcare ecosystem.

Key Topics with Timestamps:

1:54 - Nicola's optometry background and her work at Optometry Australia

4:13 - What digital health really means and why it matters for optometrists

5:45 - Benefits of digital health to both patients and independent practices

10:16 - Emerging technologies in optometric practice

12:17 - Government’s digital health roadmap

18:27 - The state of My Health Record in optometry: Access, limitations, and future plans

21:48 - Defining data terminology in optometry: Why language matters

25:29 - Real-world impact of interoperable health records

27:32 - The risk of being left behind if optometry doesn't evolve with digital systems

29:33 - Frustrations and hesitations to digital health evolution

33:49 - Data privacy concerns and how patient empowerment helps address them

36:47 - The most exciting part of digital health

38:59 - Integrating digital health to optometry: Where to start?

All the other links and resources mentioned in this episode can be found at

https://www.thefocusedview.com.au/


______

Learn More About Us:

Website: https://www.thefocusedview.com.au/

Email: Michael@thefocusedview.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-focused-view

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefocusedview/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefocusedview

______

Send us your thoughts about the episode

Thank you for joining us in this episode of The Focused View Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, give us a 5-Star rating, and leave a review on Apple Podcast and Spotify to help us reach even more eye care professionals and build a community of innovation and see new opportunities within the optical industry. Talk with you next time!