Best of Paris

These two photos show one of the best optical shops I found in Paris. It couldn't be more than 10 or 12 feet wide, but the curving walls and soffit above help to distract the eye from the long narrow shape. The window display on the left is small but very eye-catching. I often use these type of cubicle displays in my designs because they work so well for upscale eyewear.

The use of light maple and dark cherry wood for the interior is nothing new, but balanced very nicely. Using dark wood at the back wall makes that wall seem closer than it really is. A bevy of halogen lights in the ceiling give the whole place a warm inviting feel. I'm sure this place is a magnet for shoppers looking for high fashion frames.

French But Funky

You'll rarely see the words French and funky in the same sentence, but when you combine antique style chairs with in-your-face color and top it off with pop art, what else can you call it? This place has a hip, fun point of view that's bound to attract a hip, fun clientele.

The front window, though, is a disaster zone. The pink miniature couch is cute and colorful but there's just too much "stuff" in this display. Mon Dieu, mon ami! Less is more!

Parisian Sunday Strollers

Hot fashion sunglasses were everywhere in Paris, the bigger the frame, the blacker the lens, the better. Saw a fair amount of aviators too.

Effective Leadership = Higher Profits

An effective leader is the key to any successful team. In Get Everyone in Your Boat Rowing in the Same Direction leadership expert Bob Boylan teaches you how to push your team to its full potential.

If you asked your employees the question, "Who are we, anyway?", would they all know the answer? Would you get different answers or just a blank look? As a leader it's your job to communicate to employees:
1. What's important around here
2. Where we are headed
3. What we stand for

Boylan says when everybody knows and believes in these three things, you've got a group of people working toward the same goal. And that translates into higher productivity and more profits.

I love this book. It's a short and simple read with great ideas you can put into action in your practice right away. Maybe you're not a born leader, but you if you don't learn to lead your people, your practice will never reach its full potential.

Some wise man once said, "Your level of success in life depends on how well you can get things done through other people." This book will help you step it up a level or two. And what's more it's only $9.95 at Amazon - http://tinyurl.com/34hydm