Newsletter 2-2015
- 1. FIRST1TRANSITIONSFIRST1STRATEGIESFIRST1TRANSITIONSFIRST1STRATEGIE Analyzing the health industry landscape for 2015 and beyond reveals a conundrum for the ages. Filling professional journals, driving strategic decisions, and keeping healthcare leaders up at night is the question of how to improve the health of our population while driving down exorbitant healthcare costs. Improving Population Health blog (improvingpopulationhealth.org) edited by Dr. David A. Kindig, defines Population Health as “the health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group.” Population Health explores how policies and programs impact determinant factors such as health care, individual behavior, and the environment to produce outcomes in terms of length and health-related quality of life. The goal of the approach is to improve the health of a population and eliminate the disparity of health between sub-groups within the population. It achieves this goal through a focus on health outcomes and acknowledgement that the healthcare delivery system is only one determinant of many impacting these outcomes. Policies and Programs The Affordable Care Act is an example of a policy intended to directly impact determinant factors including access to healthcare delivery systems, quality of care, prevention measures, and community-based activities. Its provisions illustrate the conundrum facing the industry. For example, one IRS provision requires nonprofit hospitals to complete community health needs assessments every three years and report annually on how they are meeting those needs. Accountability for identifying and addressing specific community requirements can go a long way to improving the health of local populations. Yet, the question remains how to make the services both affordable for consumers and financially viable for the institution. Determinant Factors The Population Health perspective advocates entities within the healthcare delivery system truly affect what makes and keeps people healthy by collaborating with public health agencies, community organizations, schools, and businesses to address determinant factors contributing to poor health. The challenge is to identify the most cost-effective cross-sector investments of time, money, and resources that produce the highest returns in the form of outcome improvements and reductions in health inequities between sub-groups. Individual behavior, such as consumerism, is also a determinant impacting health outcomes. High deductible insurance plans, healthcare exchanges, and cost-sharing programs have given rise to an era of consumer-driven healthcare. People are selecting policies and providers based on the actual cost of care and level of discount; compelling government agencies along with public and private providers to do more to meet consumer demands for transparency and disclosure. Facing the power of consumer choice, providers must offer competitive pricing and outstanding service-levels; never an easy model to achieve or sustain. Healthcare Economics The quandary of how to improve health while driving out costs shines the spotlight on healthcare economics. The industry has to do much more with a whole lot less. Healthcare organizations must develop or enhance process improvement, technology, and customer service competencies to remain viable and competitive in 2015 and beyond. For an assessment of your organization’s current competencies and to build strategies for thriving in today’s healthcare marketplace, contact a First Transitions office near you or visit our website: www.firsttransitions.com. QUALITY: Take time to do things right the first time. SERVICE: Render intelligent, timely and considerate service to all. CONCERN FOR PEOPLE: Treat clients, program participants and employees with honesty, trust, fairness and respect. COMMUNICATIONS: Communicate with our clients, program participants and employees in ways which will assure mutual understanding. CONSISTENCY: Insure that our behavior each and every day supports our values, goals, and standards. SIMPLICITY: Conduct our business in an easily understood manner. REALISM: Acknowledge that our success will come through intelligence, hard work, patience and experience. RECOGNITION: That our clients and participants trust us with the most highly confidential information they have. RESPONSIBILITY: Encourage individual responsibility and decision making. FLEXIBILITY: Recognize the necessity to be open to change for the mutual benefit of our clients, program participants and our organization. RESPECT FOR TRADITION: Understand what created past successes. INTEGRITY: Consistently practice the utmost modesty and integrity in serving our clients, our participants and ourselves. COMMITMENT: Take the plunge - there is truth in the theory that there is “strength in numbers.” And finally, never sacrifice these precepts for the short term. OUR SERVICES WHAT WE STAND FOR Our day-to-day activities, our dealings with each other and our relationships with customers/clients must be governed by a passionate and unwavering commitment to a set of values, which are: First Transitions, Inc. has been a provider of career-transition services since 1981. We have completed consulting assignments for more than 500 organizations in 44 states. Our uniqueness has been in the caring, nurturing appoach we have taken in assisting individuals in attaining life goals, personal or professional. 4 w w w . f i r s t t r a n s i t i o n s . c o mFIRST1TRANSITIONSFIRST1STRATEGIESFIRST1TRANSITIONSFIRST1STRATEGIESFIRST TRANSITIONSN E W S & I N S I G H T S FIRST TRANSITIONSN E W S & I N S I G H T S 1211 W. 22nd Street • Suite 1006 • Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 571-3311 • Fax (630) 571-5714 • www.firsttransitions.com Executives Senior Managers Directors Managers/Supervisors Exempt and Nonexempt Group Workshops Executive coaching Career Assessment Organizational career development programs Succession planning Retention strategies Leadership development 360o performance appraisals Selection process design Onboarding program design e-Coaching Pre Retirement Education Programs FIRST TRANSITIONS News & Insights Editor: Nicole DeFalco Art Director: Tricia Keener Blaha CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS FOR: WHERE TO FIND US: 1211 West 22nd St., Suite 1006 Oak Brook, IL 60523 630-571-3311 630-571-5714 (fax) 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 875 Chicago, IL 60606 312-541-0294 33 Wood Ave. South, Suite 600 Iselin, NJ 08830 800-358-1112 114 Pacifica, Suite 320 Irvine, CA 92618 949-551-4377 Terraces Center 400 Perimenter Center Terrace, NE Suite 900 Atlanta, GA 30346 770-891-7866 200 S. Executive Drive, Suite 101 Brookfield, WI 53005 800-358-1112 8888 Keystone Crossing Suite 1300 Indianapolis, IN 46240 800-358-1112 Our Web site address: www.firsttransitions.com E-mail us at: admin@firsttransitions.com OUR LOCATIONS THE HEALTHCARE CONUNDRUM How to improve care and lower cost? Volume 16 - Issue 1 *F1T00115_WinterNews_Vol16-1.ind1 1 1/19/15 8:34:56 PM
- 2. We had the good fortune to talk with Bill Myhre about what has transpired since first meeting Russ Jones in 1996! When they met, First Transitions was handling outplacement for Bill’s employer. Impressed with what he saw, Bill brought them in for outplacement services at his next employer. Since then, he says, “I have used First Transitions many, many times over and it’s always a great return on investment!” Bill admires the genuine interest First Transitions takes in clients. “They make a strong connection with every person. The results are good, interaction is excellent, and people are satisfied.” Clients tell Bill the personalized attention makes them feel valued and gives them confidence. “People are motivated to dig deep, consider what they want, stay positive, and move forward. They leave understanding themselves better. After they get jobs, they stay in touch!” he declared. Almost all First Transitions clients have maintained a positive relationship with him. “It’s a terrific benefit” Bill explains. “Russ’ team DEAR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES: In an attempt to spare him the stress, my friend didn’t tell her son the reason for their trip to the pharmacy. Unfortunately, thirty fearful minutes gnawing at his fingernails waiting for his turn for a flu shot blew away his mom’s hope for an anxiety-free experience. Later, her son said he would have preferred to know about the pharmacy visit ahead of time. He also commented the wait was worse than the needle. Much like standing in line for a flu shot, lack of control and fear of the unknown are top stressors for people in business. Hearing about layoffs creates anxiety as employees wait to see if they will be among those let go. For people in transition, not knowing what the next move will be or when it will come causes the greatest concern. Though anticipation can be exhilarating when it comes to roller-coasters and ketchup, in the realm of careers it is downright agonizing. Fortunately, there is much wisdom to be gleaned from our young friend’s observations about his flu shot. No more waiting for the other shoe to drop. It is time we schedule our footwear change and pick the pair we want to wear! Planned Obsolescence is a well-known business strategy. Products or services are designed to “expire.” Companies do this to stay ahead of the competition and to ensure consumers feel the need to purchase replacements when they come to market. Instead of awaiting a decline in sales before developing their “next big thing,” businesses use planned obsolescence to maintain control and stay ahead of the game. I propose individuals apply this same strategy to their own careers. Plan and pursue the next iteration of you. Adopt a personal strategy of planned obsolescence. This does not mean you have to find a new job, field, or career. It could be a strategy to bloom where you are planted. The point is, it is a strategy – a deliberate course of action over which you have control. Define a three to five year career trajectory by applying strategic planning models such as Porter’s 5 Forces or SOAR (appreciative inquiry) to “brand you.” Then, set a plan in motion to build up strengths, competencies, and capabilities so you are prepared to use them when the time comes. For example, commit to reading a variety of books to gain a fresh perspective and to grow critical thinking skills. Make time for training and personal development. Pick up a hobby. Renew old acquaintances. Stay close to friends. Network regularly. Imagine how calm and confident you will feel when you know where you are headed and how and when you will get there. Best Wishes for a Terrific Year, Russ Jones make people feel good and credit the organization for the value of the service. The branding they do on behalf of the organization fosters loyalty. Former employees remain colleagues and serve as resources.” Whether working with them on outplacement, executive coaching, or leadership development, Bill suggests HR professionals rely on First Transitions’ approach. Bill shared an example of a leadership program Deb Taber facilitated for a new management group. “Through assessments and the best training I have ever experienced, they helped us grow into a true team. Within 18 months, we turned a $10 million loss into a $1 million profit! We followed their lead and came away wiser leaders.” Contact our office near you or visit our website, www.firsttransitions.com, to start partnering with First Transitions today! Plan Your Obsolescence 1 Chance Meeting. 18 years. Countless Projects. Zero Regrets. 3 TIPS: FOR MAKING RESOLUTIONS STICK Research suggests less than 10% of people fulfill their New Year’s resolutions. Here are 3 tips for beating the odds and making resolutions that last. One bite at a time. Breakdown resolutions into milestones attainable in short periods of time. For example, a fitness goal can be a series of “little wins” such as download and set up MyFitnessPal app on January 1, set up “Fitbit” on January 2, hit daily step goal 5 days in a row, lose 1lb by January 8, etc. Look on the bright side. Special K cereal has a brilliant campaign asking, “What will you gain when you lose?” They are shifting focus from the price to the prize. Try it. Write your resolutions not in terms of the sacrifice but rather from the point of view of what the work will get you. Instead of “lose weight,” resolve to “buy new suit 2 sizes smaller.” Instead of “workout 3x a week,” resolve to “take the kids on a beautiful hike this summer.” Go public. Often, we keep our resolutions to ourselves in an attempt to avoid embarrassment if/when they are abandoned. This is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Resolutions made in the shadows rarely end up in the spotlight of success. Publicly declare your Resolutions and invite the support of friends, family, and colleagues. Making your resolutions known increases your level of commitment and adds an element of accountability to help you stay the course. FOOD FOR THOUGHT 2 3 S T R A T E G I E S F O R O R G A N I Z A T I O N A L A N D I N D I V I D U A L S U C C E S S FIRST1TRANSITIONSFIRST1STRATEGIESFIRST1TRANSITIONSFIRST1STRATEGIESFIRST TRANSITIONSN E W S & I N S I G H T S THREE TIPSTHREE TIPSTHREE TIPSTHREE TIPSTHREE TIPSTHR 1 3 2 “You’re right, I owe all my success to luck! I’m lucky that my alarm clock rings at 5:00 so I can get to work before everyone else. I’m lucky that my car has a CD player so I can listen to self-improvement programs while I commute. I’m lucky there are electric lights in my office so I can stay late....” “I have used First Transitions many, many times over and it’s always a great return on investment!” *F1T00115_WinterNews_Vol16-1.ind2 2 1/19/15 8:34:59 PM