Eyewear Education and Training

Finding eyewear education and training online

There are many people dealing with the sales of eyewear to the public in various roles, from doctors who prescribe glasses or contact lenses, to the shops that sell them. From time to time, all of them need some form of informational training about the products they sell and how to sell them.

Specific eyewear customer service options available online are scarce. Either the industry's larger providers have developed their own form of in-house training, or the Internet training market has not quite recognized this niche as a specific promotional field. However, there are some training options for those who are dealing in eyewear in a retail environment, as well as for those who want to become licensed opticians or eye doctors:

1. University programs prepare individuals to serve in "fashion retail," where they assist customers with the personal fashion end of finding their eyewear glasses frames and lenses, or in a medical or health care role.

2. Sales training gives eyewear retailers staff the skills they need to blend the care they give customers in eyewear selection with a proven strategy for protecting and enhancing sales revenues.

3. Online medical sites offer some insight into basic glasses and contact lens care that staff can use to pass on to customers as part of being knowledgeable about their products, and other medical sites offer training opportunities for licensing in medical eyewear fields.

 

Use fashion retail program to prepare staff for eyewear retail management

Specialized college courses will help workers become adept at helping customers perfect their shopping experience when seeking eyeglasses, eyewear frames, contact lenses or other designer eyewear that will match their personal styles.
Try: The Art Institute of Pittsburg represents one option where students learn a combination of "fashion and retail" skills that will help them to run a retail floor including fashion eyewear customer service. Get more similar options from schools like the College of Retail Training for helping to promote eyewear through a retail space.

Get eyewear training in "Glasses vs. Contact Lenses"

Sometimes, knowing a bit about the basics of choosing between glasses and contact lenses will help out in eyewear sales by putting the rep "into the customer's shoes" to help make informed decisions.
Try: Learn about choosing glasses vs. contact lenses from the Contact Lens Manufacturer's Association info pages online. Learn about glasses or contact lenses for kids at KidsHealth.

Look for medical sites offering "eyewear know-how" and eye health and safety

Another resource online are medical sites, often part of a hospital or other care site, that can give staffers insight into how to talk to customers about eye care with regard to products like designer glasses and contact lenses.
Try: Some online resources like this one from the North Shore - Long Island Jewish Health System can help staff see how customers should use contact lenses. Find more online from the Weill Cornell Medical College.

Locate info on license requirements for opticians and eye doctors and eyewear professionals

There will be licensing requirements for eye doctors by state. Would-be medical eyewear professionals should research these before seeking out a career.
Try: FInd out about medical eyewear pro requirements from the American Board of Opticianry online. Or get more info from the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Use directory sites to get program options for eyewear professionals

For those looking for a career in optical health care, many programs exist to train for certification. Find these on education web pages.
Try: Find optician job options through the Education Portal online. Find more options for trade school professionals at Trade-Schools.Net.

 

• When looking for training options, always consider what will best help your staff to anticipate customer needs. A sales training, customer service training, or both might be called for better eyewear services.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---