Select articles from Visular's knowledge library on various technology and business leadership topics.
Lessons Learned from Implementing a Fully Digital Hospital
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In healthcare these days, the most challenging information technology efforts are the successful implementation of the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Computerized Provider Order Entry system (CPOE) and all the needed interfaces that support these two massive (and incredibly important) systems. During my tenure as Chief Executive Officer for a hospital in Colorado, I had the pleasure of overseeing both of these implementations as we completed a journey from paper to fully digital. Focusing on the CPOE implementation and the critical interactions with physicians, below are nine key strategies that leadership will need to employ to ensure a successful CPOE implementation:
Physicians must have a voice in the process
Build credibility with physicians beforehand
Respond effectively and in a timely manner
Explain the value
“At the elbow” support
Local voice
Customization
Presence
Key metrics
Details around each of the 9 strategies follow...
Read MoreSome IT Leadership Principles for CEO’s & Business Leaders
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I recently was asked to participate on a panel of technology leaders presenting to a group of CEOs. As I only had 10 minutes to give some advice and tips on how to effectively leverage technology, I did my best to pare down my thoughts to a short set of principles:
First People – then Process – then Technology
Never abdicate your responsibility for your company’s technology
Have a solid, documented IT strategy
Practice Rhythm of Review
Know your total cost of IT
Strive for simplicity
Proactively manage security and risk
Be a very tough, but very fair customer
Know ALL your “IT people” – treat them as one team
You get what you pay for – invest wisely and as part of a plan
Be wary of tech trends
Detailed explanations for each principle follow...
Read MoreEvery Company Should Have a Master Calendar
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Rhythm of Review was one of the most important management concepts I learned while at GE. Every manager (and most employees) knew the dates of the monthly financial closes as well as when the major strategy sessions with corporate were scheduled. These were big events where success or failure was objectively measured and the future of the company was energetically planned.
Regularly scheduled rigorous reviews of results against plan (finance, sales, project status, inventory, etc.) are critical to ensure companies stay focused on their most important metrics. In particular, your IT department needs this rhythm to align their efforts well with the business strategy and flow.
Read MoreHave to Give that Uncomfortable Bad Performance Review? Let Your Employee Talk First
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No matter how experienced you are as a manager it's never fun to give a negative review to an employee, much less fire someone.
I recently gave some advice to a colleague who was lamenting going into a performance review for one of his people who was delivering far below expectations. It was at the point where if major improvements weren't made soon he would have to be fired. My approach helped and he just e-mailed me saying the discussion went much better than expected, so I thought I'd share the leadership tip.
When you sit down face to face with that problem employee for the dreaded bad review, before you go into your documented laundry list of their problems, weaknesses, and failings - let them talk first.
Read MoreGoals for Conducting a Successful Software Vendor Search
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Finding the right software or other technology solutions to meet your needs is critical. There are more and more options available to solve all kinds of business problems arriving on the market every day. So many companies and managers still have an "old school" overly competitive mentality when it comes to dealing with vendors. They tend to use the "I'm the customer" approach to a fault, driving such hard bargains and beating up tech vendors to the point where they are doomed to failure once the contract is signed. Ironically these same folks often abdicate their responsibility to vendors for their own business processes and defining requirements saying things like "you're the experts in XYZ, you tell me how it should work".
Read MoreA Quick Team Assessment Tool
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Attached to this post is a tool I designed to quickly assess the strength of any team I'm managing. As a leader there is nothing more important to your success than building up a winning team.
Download Visular-Team_Assessment_Tool_v02
This tool is strongly influenced by the GE leadership approach to managing people - focusing on A players and exiting C players. It is NOT a substitute for a full employee management process (role documents, goal setting, performance reviews, merit-based bonuses, etc.). Instructions for using the tool are included in the file.
Read MoreBack to Basics - Meeting Agendas (And More Importantly - Objectives)
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