Monday, July 23, 2012
FIXED!!!!
It is so wonderful to have technologically competent co-workers. Patrick came in this morning and in less than a tick-tock, diagnosed and helped me 'fix' the problem with my blog site. Apparently I had ignored a message sharing that I needed to update my template (I thought those kinds of messages were guidelines, not requirements). Within 4 minutes, Patrick guided me to the correct place on the site and was patient as I viewed (and discarded) a couple of options, only to find the perfect new template. You will notice it is very simple and straightforward -- many of you have heard me say, there is elegance in simplicity. Some of the 'stuff' on the site is now at the bottom rather than on the side, but since it is only stuff "About Me", I am okay with leaving it there. So excited to have the problem FIXED!!! Thanks, Patrick.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Something's odd
This site is doing something strange. Did a post after our All Employee meeting in June, that now does not show up. Also, there is a large blue box that obstructs part of the site. I am thinking I need to "update some settings", but you all know how non-technology savvy I am, so am intimidated by just the thought. So some quick ones -- in case the 'bugs' are still there:
1)All Employee Meeting over a month ago was interesting. Am hoping everyone who attended has submitted their evaluation to Barbara. It is always helpful as we plan for future meetings.
2) Now that we have an online newsletter that includes a note from me, am thinking I may abandon this site. Have not yet made a decision, but will keep you posted.
3) We were recently selected as an ACO which will mean more additional communications and marketing projects coming to us. Stay tuned.
4) Has anyone attended any interesting conferences or meetings lately where you heard something that triggered a great idea that could be implemented here? If so, I would love to hear about them.
5) As part of service recovery, we have a credit by the catering company at the site of our All Employee Meeting. Would love ideas on the best way to use it. Am thinking of a fun contest that would send the winners to lunch -- likely enough of a credit for 20 people to go. Again, stay tuned.
J
1)All Employee Meeting over a month ago was interesting. Am hoping everyone who attended has submitted their evaluation to Barbara. It is always helpful as we plan for future meetings.
2) Now that we have an online newsletter that includes a note from me, am thinking I may abandon this site. Have not yet made a decision, but will keep you posted.
3) We were recently selected as an ACO which will mean more additional communications and marketing projects coming to us. Stay tuned.
4) Has anyone attended any interesting conferences or meetings lately where you heard something that triggered a great idea that could be implemented here? If so, I would love to hear about them.
5) As part of service recovery, we have a credit by the catering company at the site of our All Employee Meeting. Would love ideas on the best way to use it. Am thinking of a fun contest that would send the winners to lunch -- likely enough of a credit for 20 people to go. Again, stay tuned.
J
Thursday, May 31, 2012
A Groovy Afternoon
It was so much fun to welcome team members to our new digs this afternoon. BJC, BJH, SLCH, Siteman and BJC School Outreach hosted team members from across the organization to our work spaces. There was lots of energy and comraderie and even some opportunities for staff to catch up and get some work done face to face, rather than via phone or e-mail. As I shared in last month's post, one of my fave things about moving to this new space is being co-officed with so many that I work with closely, but from whom I had been physically separated for the last few years. Okay, and I will admit it -- my other fave thing is the view! Nothing like floor to ceiling windows to provide a sense of open space and inspiration.
Thanks to everyone who pulled off today's Open House. The School Outreach team outdid themselves by making sure that in addition to enjoying their space, they did what they do best -- teach! We saw (and some of us felt) a healthy pig's lung, contrasted with a pig's lung impacted by a daily pack of cigarettes for one year. They also showed us how much fat and sugar and salt can be found in some of our (formerly) favorite foods. It was very impactful and am sure helped to change some behaviors.
Thanks to the team for working together to pull this off this Open House and the biggest thank you to Barbara whom I feel so honored to work with every day. She made sure that everything was in place in time and helped to make everyone feel welcomed. She is truly a keeper.
And, just realized that today is the 31st -- so hooray -- made the monthly schedule!
J
Thanks to everyone who pulled off today's Open House. The School Outreach team outdid themselves by making sure that in addition to enjoying their space, they did what they do best -- teach! We saw (and some of us felt) a healthy pig's lung, contrasted with a pig's lung impacted by a daily pack of cigarettes for one year. They also showed us how much fat and sugar and salt can be found in some of our (formerly) favorite foods. It was very impactful and am sure helped to change some behaviors.
Thanks to the team for working together to pull this off this Open House and the biggest thank you to Barbara whom I feel so honored to work with every day. She made sure that everything was in place in time and helped to make everyone feel welcomed. She is truly a keeper.
And, just realized that today is the 31st -- so hooray -- made the monthly schedule!
J
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Everything about this site is new
So, I came on today to finally post and wonder of wonders, in the month and a half since I last posted things have changed. In fact, I am not sure if what I am now typing will actually publish and be viewable by anyone, as everything about this site is new. But, just in case here are a few june thoughts that have been on my mind lately.
First -- have moved into lovely new office space. While the natural light is wonderful, what is even better is being in the same building with team members and others with whom I work. It is interesting how energizing it is to hear people talking, laughing, collaborating, pondering and sharing. I missed it much.
Second -- am learning a lot about several areas that are part of our department. For example, we are in the process of completing a strategic plan for our health literacy efforts. It is a vast and impressive area and we do great things for our employees and members of our community and the fabulous thing is we have the opportunity to do even more and make sure we are measuring impact. Made a presentation to the board of directors on our efforts this past week and have gotten a number of very kind notes of appreciation on the comprehensive nature of what we are doing as well as a few requests to have the presentation shared in their workplaces.
Third -- the government continues to give us new and exciting gifts when it comes to community benefit. We are in the process of piloting the best method to fulfill our obligation (as all non-profit hospitals have) to undertake a community health needs assessment. We are giving ourselves plenty of time to learn and make mistakes and course correct and we are reaching out to collaborate with other hospitals. The team that is undertaking this work is doing a great job and I applaud them.
Fourth -- if anyone is interested in being in our next set of make medicine better commercials, please make your desires known. It is fun to have someone else put make up on you (yep, even if you are a guy) and applaud your efforts as your share how we make medicine better.
Fifth -- all other duties as assigned continue to grow and grow and grow for each of us, but you all continue to meet the requirements with professionalism and good nature and for that I am eternally grateful.
Sixth -- planning for our spring all staff meeting is going to happen. Several have stepped forward to assist and we promise a grand time will be had by all -- even if we don't know the date when that grand time will occur.
Seventh -- I am still hoping that you will share ideas with me on how our department can be made better. As I tell everyone when we go to lunch or breakfast, without ideas we run the risks of continuing to do what we have always done, which might be fine, but which won't make us better. So, shoot me an e-mail with your ideas or if you are bold, feel free to share them in this venue.
Happy spring.
J
First -- have moved into lovely new office space. While the natural light is wonderful, what is even better is being in the same building with team members and others with whom I work. It is interesting how energizing it is to hear people talking, laughing, collaborating, pondering and sharing. I missed it much.
Second -- am learning a lot about several areas that are part of our department. For example, we are in the process of completing a strategic plan for our health literacy efforts. It is a vast and impressive area and we do great things for our employees and members of our community and the fabulous thing is we have the opportunity to do even more and make sure we are measuring impact. Made a presentation to the board of directors on our efforts this past week and have gotten a number of very kind notes of appreciation on the comprehensive nature of what we are doing as well as a few requests to have the presentation shared in their workplaces.
Third -- the government continues to give us new and exciting gifts when it comes to community benefit. We are in the process of piloting the best method to fulfill our obligation (as all non-profit hospitals have) to undertake a community health needs assessment. We are giving ourselves plenty of time to learn and make mistakes and course correct and we are reaching out to collaborate with other hospitals. The team that is undertaking this work is doing a great job and I applaud them.
Fourth -- if anyone is interested in being in our next set of make medicine better commercials, please make your desires known. It is fun to have someone else put make up on you (yep, even if you are a guy) and applaud your efforts as your share how we make medicine better.
Fifth -- all other duties as assigned continue to grow and grow and grow for each of us, but you all continue to meet the requirements with professionalism and good nature and for that I am eternally grateful.
Sixth -- planning for our spring all staff meeting is going to happen. Several have stepped forward to assist and we promise a grand time will be had by all -- even if we don't know the date when that grand time will occur.
Seventh -- I am still hoping that you will share ideas with me on how our department can be made better. As I tell everyone when we go to lunch or breakfast, without ideas we run the risks of continuing to do what we have always done, which might be fine, but which won't make us better. So, shoot me an e-mail with your ideas or if you are bold, feel free to share them in this venue.
Happy spring.
J
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Lost February
So, does it count when you fail to do a post in the shortest month of the year? Does the fact that we have been busily preparing for a move get me off the hook for not posting in February? How about the new C & M newsletter where I share a few thoughts? Does it make up for my lack of a February post? In thinking about "What happened in February?" I realize that it was the same thing that all of us face -- too much to get done, not enough time to get it all done. Not an excuse, but a reason. Those things that are not right in front of us (by Blogspot does not send me a reminder or call when I have been absent for more than a few weeks), can sometimes be pushed to the back of the line.
In February, we began reviewing the next evolution of the our brand strategy. Thanks to great input by our internal branding team, the evolved strategy is one that I think we will all be proud to have represent our organization. Also, in February there was lots of preparation for a new community benefit board committee. Our committee is not new, but most of the members are. Meant making sure that all information that was being shared gave them an appropriate grounding on what community benefit is and how we approach it and how they can help us be even better. And, lots of work around the Kingshighway campus renewal. And, then there is the move that takes place this week. One of the "all other duties as assigned" that is kinda fun has been working on the supergraphics and selecting artwork for certain floors of the building. We have repurposed, but we have also been able to purchase a few new pieces. One of my goals is to make sure that artwork is purchased from either Missouri or Illinois artists -- since those are the states we call home. Did that on the lower level of the Learning Institute and am carrying it forward in the new building some of us will call our work home.
So, February was BUSY and SHORT and got away from me before I realized it.
In February, we began reviewing the next evolution of the our brand strategy. Thanks to great input by our internal branding team, the evolved strategy is one that I think we will all be proud to have represent our organization. Also, in February there was lots of preparation for a new community benefit board committee. Our committee is not new, but most of the members are. Meant making sure that all information that was being shared gave them an appropriate grounding on what community benefit is and how we approach it and how they can help us be even better. And, lots of work around the Kingshighway campus renewal. And, then there is the move that takes place this week. One of the "all other duties as assigned" that is kinda fun has been working on the supergraphics and selecting artwork for certain floors of the building. We have repurposed, but we have also been able to purchase a few new pieces. One of my goals is to make sure that artwork is purchased from either Missouri or Illinois artists -- since those are the states we call home. Did that on the lower level of the Learning Institute and am carrying it forward in the new building some of us will call our work home.
So, February was BUSY and SHORT and got away from me before I realized it.
Monday, January 30, 2012
When Bad Things Happen
It is an unfortunate fact of life that bad things happen. Not only do they happen to people, but they happen to and at organizations, companies, schools, hospitals, parks, government buildings and the list goes on. I was struck by the response of an East Coast college this weekend, when a technology supported test-run led to a number of students being erroneously told they had gained that most valued early admission. While the actual number of students impacted was not a huge number, for every student impacted it was a huge deal. The college has responded with an apology for the error and offered students the opportunity to talk with a real person if they so chose.
When bad things happen, it is critical to remember that for the person or persons it is happening to, it is a not an abstract occurrence, but very real. It is important not to use words like 'only, minor, or insignificant' that negate the very real hurt, harm, sadness or unhappiness that those impacted are experiencing. We should try to first put ourselves in the place of the person or persons who are going through the experience, reflect on how we would like to be treated and to the best of our ability, craft our messages accordingly.
A few years ago, my then 15 year old son and I were in an airport kinda people watching when he asked me how it felt to be part of 'just the background' in the lives of people walking by. His question has stuck with me for the past 8 years, is quite humbling and helps to inform how I approach communications "work." Having a profound respect for those for whom I am "just background" is important, especially when it comes to having to share why something 'bad' has happened.
When bad things happen, it is critical to remember that for the person or persons it is happening to, it is a not an abstract occurrence, but very real. It is important not to use words like 'only, minor, or insignificant' that negate the very real hurt, harm, sadness or unhappiness that those impacted are experiencing. We should try to first put ourselves in the place of the person or persons who are going through the experience, reflect on how we would like to be treated and to the best of our ability, craft our messages accordingly.
A few years ago, my then 15 year old son and I were in an airport kinda people watching when he asked me how it felt to be part of 'just the background' in the lives of people walking by. His question has stuck with me for the past 8 years, is quite humbling and helps to inform how I approach communications "work." Having a profound respect for those for whom I am "just background" is important, especially when it comes to having to share why something 'bad' has happened.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Tag Lines
Isn't it interesting how exhausting finding the right few words to serve as a tag line or positioning statement can be? Perhaps it is so hard because such statements must be memorable, pithy (an old word), long lasting (meaning cannot be too contemporary or too throwback) and have to be embraced (and sometimes approved) by lots and lots of internal audiences. I found myself with a little bit of time on my hands and decided to take a trip through the neighborhood of taglines for direct to consumer companies, business to business corporations, non-profit agencies and of course, other health care organizations. I came away from my journey with two thoughts:
1. Getting it just right is really, really hard
2. When it is just right, it "sticks" immediately
While it would probably be inappropriate for me to share the ones that 'stuck' for me immediately, I will share their attributes. First and foremost, they were simple. No big, fancy words or 'industry-insider' language that I needed to know. Second, there was a connection not only with my brain, but with my heart. The ones that really connected with me, engendered an inaudible "Ahhhh." Third, they were believeable. Since I was taking the journey, I only went to companies or organizations that I knew something about. I must say, I did read some that made me go "Really?" which means they did not immediately pass the believable test. Finally, they transcended being just "catchy, right now." I could see the words being used in the distant past, present and far into the future.
Because 'words' are an important part of what I do, these kinds of exercises are fun for me. Unfortunately, this kind of fun is not shared by anyone who lives (or has lived) in my house, so I am glad I have this forum to share my thoughts with others who get a kick out of words! Happy 2012.
J
1. Getting it just right is really, really hard
2. When it is just right, it "sticks" immediately
While it would probably be inappropriate for me to share the ones that 'stuck' for me immediately, I will share their attributes. First and foremost, they were simple. No big, fancy words or 'industry-insider' language that I needed to know. Second, there was a connection not only with my brain, but with my heart. The ones that really connected with me, engendered an inaudible "Ahhhh." Third, they were believeable. Since I was taking the journey, I only went to companies or organizations that I knew something about. I must say, I did read some that made me go "Really?" which means they did not immediately pass the believable test. Finally, they transcended being just "catchy, right now." I could see the words being used in the distant past, present and far into the future.
Because 'words' are an important part of what I do, these kinds of exercises are fun for me. Unfortunately, this kind of fun is not shared by anyone who lives (or has lived) in my house, so I am glad I have this forum to share my thoughts with others who get a kick out of words! Happy 2012.
J
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