the innovative LEDGER
An e-Newsletter from The Innovative Edge™ Inc.

  Vol. 5, No. 5, May 2005
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The Doctor is (Rolling) IN
By Jeff Govendo

If you were a hospital patient (OK, let's hope not... but if you were), what would you say about being seen by a robotic doctor consisting of a self-propelled machine in a lab coat with a T.V. screen for its head?

No #@%& way!!!

Yet there he is, right on the cover of a recent BusinessWeek magazine. Dubbed Mr. Rounder by the folks at Hackensack (NJ) University Medical Center (Why not Dr. Rounder? Perhaps they don't award medical degrees to machines.), he is enabling doctors to check in with patients from their own offices (it's the doctor's face on the screen), where otherwise they wouldn't have time to see them at all. As a result, he's improving patient care, lowering mortality rates, and contributing to a rise in productivity at Hackensack and 35 other hospitals across the U.S.

And… the patients actually like him!

Now let's be honest. A T.V. screen-headed mechanical doctor on wheels is what many of us might call an off-the-wall idea. Yet, the problem it addresses - too few physicians for too many patients, particularly in large urban hospitals - is very real and getting worse as caseloads increase under managed care. While the national debate goes on about the need for fundamental changes in the way we pay for healthcare services, new ideas are needed now for increasing the efficiency of delivery. The strange-looking Mr. Rounder is one of them.

It Takes Courage
But imagine the brainstorming session when someone brought this idea up for the very first time! Can you see the eyes rolling? The look on people's faces?

Bold, creative thinking requires courage in a corporate environment. Often it means taking a risk - the risk that your ideas won't be taken seriously, or worse, that you won't be taken seriously… something to worry about if you're trying to advance your career.

But, tough, seemingly intractable problems call for breakthrough solutions, and you don't get those by offering up timid, warmed-over ideas.

Some of the most successful companies at innovation are those that encourage creative thinking among their people, and also have processes in place for evaluating and developing "far out" ideas into potential business solutions. Some approaches to this are quite elaborate, others more informal. But it all begins with a recognition that there is no more powerful combination for innovation than the expert knowledge and innate creativity of an organization's employees.

So the next time you're involved in problem-solving with co-workers, be listening for your colleague's - or your own - "wild & crazy" idea. Try not to roll your eyes, and be prepared to give it a fair shake by exploring its meaning and implications, and how it might be developed into a potential solution.

Who knows? Your Mr. Rounder might be rolling right around the corner.

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Effective Communication Prevents Silos and Improves Productivity
By Carol Bergeron

Your Challenge: Keeping communication lines open so that employees are well informed and kept current on important business and organizational matters.

Your Action: Create and implement a communication plan for your organization.

Start creating your organization's communication plan using the following questions as a guide. Engage employees when answering the questions.

1. What needs to be communicated?
Start with: organizational goals, product / service information, customer / market and industry information, business processes, policies & practices, organizational announcements, recognition of accomplishments, career development opportunities, benefits and tools available to employees. The list should reflect what is important to people in your organization.

2. With what frequency and when will it be communicated?
Consider the frequency of dissemination. Is there a time during the month or week that is better for than others? Get feedback from recipients on what frequency and schedule makes the most sense. Keep in mind that enough time must pass in order for there to be fresh information but not so much time that it is outdated upon receipt. Remember also that some messages are so critical that they are worth repeating.

3. What mode of communication will be used?
Consider multiple delivery vehicles: email, voicemail, web site, newsletter, one-on-one conversations, group sessions, etc. It makes sense to tailor the venue based on the type of information to be shared and the preferences of the recipients. Whatever method used, keep your messages relevant, timely and concise. People will appreciate your respect for their time. Also, remember that communication is multidimensional, so create feedback opportunities.

4. Who is responsible?
Get employees to take ownership. Clarify roles and responsibilities required to implement the plan. The source of the information should be clear as should the person(s) responsible for preparing, reviewing and sending the communication. Select people who are enthusiastic and skilled given the broad range of responsibilities.

5. How to measure effectiveness?
You will want communications to be sent out on a timely basis - one form of measurement. Feedback mechanisms are key to determining if communications are not only received but understood. Simple conversation and the use of quick surveys can help discern effectiveness.

The Results: Ongoing, effective communication will pay for itself in no time. You will know it makes a difference by the way employees express their business acumen in day-to-day conversation and let it guide their interdependent actions.

Carol Bergeron founded Bergeron Associates in 1998 and has over 20 years of experience in workforce effectiveness consulting. She works with leaders to optimize organizational results through people. Carol accomplishes this through the design and implementation of customized workforce strategies and solutions. Carol, a board member of the Institute of Management Consultants - New England, can be reached at 781-376-4071, carol@bergeronassociates.com or www.bergeronassociates.com

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Names We Like

We're always on the lookout for creative product or business names. Know of any? email us!

• Eyefull Tower (film production company) - they specialize in monumental productions!
• Rock of Ages (granite tombstones) - each piece leaves a lasting impression.
• Physical Ed's (fitness equipment) - exercising their right to pun.
• The Twill is Gone (men's shirt model from a catalog company) - this company has some great names up their sleeves!