Fun fact: some of the most common Halloween costume themes actually parallel the challenges healthcare leaders routinely face. This Halloween, to avoid being “spooked,” it is important to uncover what lies beneath the surface to develop a proper response. Identifying the reason for the “mask” by unveiling the issues behind it will help to create permanent change and sustained improvement.
Category: Finance
The Productivity Party – Part One!
During the summer months, there is a lot to celebrate. Whether the gathering is to recognize an achievement, a milestone, or simply to share a bit of comradery, parties, like productivity, bring people together. This year, while you are toasting a birthday, the great weather, or just spending time with family and friends, consider serving up one of the ALTIUS team’s productivity-approved cocktails/mocktails! Margarita Refreshing and bold, this zesty party staple has a long history, likely dating back to the 1930s, when there were no bottled mixes or blenders.
Leading without Lecturing
Being the kind of leader that people want to follow voluntarily, not because of position or title, is always the goal. No one should take on the responsibility of management with the intent of becoming the “because I said so” type of boss. Having the knowledge, experience, and expertise might get you hired into the leadership role, but providing the necessary communication, collaboration, guidance, and support for staff to thrive is what keeps you there.
Perception v. Reality – The “Alice” Effect
Being a leader, especially a good one, can be overwhelming even at the best of times. Trying to effect positive change can often feel like chasing the elusive “white rabbit;” the path never being quite clear. Whether navigating the wilds of Wonderland or the current healthcare landscape, it is essential to remain grounded in reality as perception can be misleading.
The ALTIUS Holiday Productivity Playlist
The ALTIUS team is excited to unveil the second installment of our Productivity Playlist. This time around we are channeling the spirit of the season through some classic holiday songs, tapping into the power of productivity once again by tying its principles to festive music. Andy Williams: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Routine productivity monitoring supports a streamlined budget process by aligning staffing needs with projected volumes.
Are You Flirting with Disaster?
February is the month of love, and now is the perfect time to evaluate your organization’s relationship with productivity. Is it one-sided? Does your bottom line give and give without much support from leadership? Productivity is a partnership requiring constant attention. If you are not willing to put in the work and make a long-term commitment, you could be headed for an expensive break-up! Effective productivity management is a consistent balancing act.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race!
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2023 is the year of the Rabbit. The sign of the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be the year of hope.
It’s All Relative!
Simply stated, productivity is the measure of input to output. It is typically tracked to gauge changes in performance over time. The most common way that healthcare organizations assess productivity is through internal comparisons against historical operations.
The “Lucky Charms” of Leadership
The recent challenges to and changes in the delivery of healthcare have spotlighted the demand for more enhanced leadership development moving forward. Throughout the pandemic, staff have displayed their resilience and ability to adapt, made possible by the innovative leaders that guided organizations through recovery towards stability without any predetermined path. This “trial by fire” approach was necessary given the unprecedented situation at hand, but has, in hindsight, proven the value of certain traits that need to be cultivated in future leaders.
Love Your Bottom Line
For most organizations, healthy finances are the pulse by which operations are measured and improvement strategies developed. Fiscal sustainability sets the tone for services and staffing, balancing cost with demand and quality. Though many would argue that employees, namely nurses, are the heart of a hospital or health system, it is truly a strong margin that determines viability.