April 17, 2008, 7:38 PM CT

Wanted: Forty-thousand More Health IT Professionals

Study by OHSU expert says a 40 percent hike in IT workforce will be needed to move U.S. healthcare toward a paperless system that controls costs and reduces medical errors.

If the U.S. healthcare system moves toward wider adoption of advanced information technology systems to control health care costs, reduce medical errors and improve patient care, it will need at least 40,000 additional health IT professionals - or almost 40 percent more than U.S. hospitals now are estimated to employ.

That is the finding of an analytical report presented today, at a meeting on Capitol Hill of the Steering Committee on Telehealth and Healthcare Informatics, by William Hersh, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology at Oregon Health & Science University.

The meeting was moderated by U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., author of a bill, H.R. 1467, addressing the need to train more health IT professionals, which the House passed recently and that is awaiting consideration in the Senate.

"I commend Dr. Hersh for his research on healthcare IT workforce issues," said Rep. Wu. "His findings further justify the need for my 10,000 Trained by 2010 Act, which provides funds for healthcare IT education. A workforce trained in healthcare IT is essential to bringing greater quality and efficiency to the healthcare industry"......... Posted by: Mac      Read more         Source

April 10, 2008, 8:14 PM CT

Strong Labor Market for Scientists and Engineers

Science and engineering workforce availability in the United States is under serious scrutiny by observers who worry about a decline in the nation's ability to fill future demand. However, three newly published National Science Foundation (NSF) reports show increasing supplies of researchers and engineers, as well as a strong labor market.

As per NSF data, the number of individuals working in science and engineering (S&E) occupations grew by 4.3 percent, and their unemployment rate dropped to 2.5 percent in 2006, the lowest unemployment rate since the early part of 1990s.

Every two years NSF surveys and collects data on researchers and engineers, defined as people with a bachelor's degree or higher with science, engineering or related degrees or occupations.

NSF collects data on these individuals with three separate national surveys: the National Survey of College Graduates, the National Survey of Recent College Graduates, and the Survey of Doctorate Recipients. Collectively, these surveys are known as the Researchers and Engineers Statistical Data System, or SESTAT.

The first report records data on the overall science and engineering workforce, specifically the number of individuals working in science and engineering occupations since 2003. See http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf08305/........ Posted by: Mac      Read more         Source

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:30:04 GMT

Wear your resume on your back

With all the job-hunting tools available on the Web, you may still find that your resume goes unnoticed after you click that send button on your computer. Maybe it makes more sense to wear your resume so that anyone who sees you on the street has the opportunity to make you an offer. That''s the idea behind Blackbird Tees'' custom Resume Tees. When ordering, you choose an intro or teaser line for the front of your t-shirt (for instance, "My resume is on the back of my shirt," a simple "Hire me," or "I heart job offers") and then upload your resume for printing on the back (as a Word doc, only Times Roman font). Choose from 6 different colors - $30 for unisex, an additional $3 for a girl''s fitted tee.

And if you manage to get hired this way, you''ll at least know that your employer has a sense of humor. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

March 9, 2008, 4:23 PM CT

Bullying more harmful than sexual harassment

Workplace bullying, such as belittling comments, persistent criticism of work and withholding resources, appears to inflict more harm on employees than sexual harassment, say scientists who presented their findings at a conference today.

As sexual harassment becomes less acceptable in society, organizations may be more attuned to helping victims, who may therefore find it easier to cope, said lead author M. Sandy Hershcovis, PhD, of the University of Manitoba. In contrast, non-violent forms of workplace aggression such as incivility and bullying are not illegal, leaving victims to fend for themselves.

This finding was presented at the Seventh International Conference on Work, Stress and Health, co-sponsored by the American Psychological Association, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the Society for Occupational Health Psychology.

Hershcovis and co-author Julian Barling, PhD, of Queens University in Ontario, Canada, evaluated 110 studies conducted over 21 years that compared the consequences of employees experience of sexual harassment and workplace aggression. Specifically, the authors looked at the effect on job, co-worker and supervisor satisfaction, workers stress, anger and anxiety levels as well as workers mental and physical health. Job turnover and emotional ties to the job were also compared......... Posted by: Mac      Read more         Source

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:41:00 GMT

Security Breach Affecting Over 600,000 Consumers

Credit issuer GE Money has announced that a computer tape containing the personal data of 650,000 customers of major retailers such as JC Penney is missing. The tape also contained the Social Security numbers of an additional 150,000 people. The tape went missing from a facility operated by Iron Mountain, a data storage company. It claims it notified GE of the missing tape last October and to its knowledge no one has been a victim of identity theft as a result of the loss. "We believe this is an unfortunate case of a misplaced tape," Iron Mountain's statement said. "We also understand the tape was created in such a manner to make unauthorized access extremely unlikely and difficult, even for experts with specialized knowledge and technology." The affect consumers are being notified via letter and those who's SSN's were compromised will be offered free credit monitoring for a year. Posted by: Sue Walsh      Read more     Source

January 8, 2008, 8:47 PM CT

Connection Between Job Loss And Poor Health

Employees who lose their jobs because of their health suffer more significant depression and detrimental health outcomes than people who lose their jobs for non-health reasons, new research shows.

The study also suggests that people who are reemployed quickly have better health outcomes than those who remain unemployed.

It's not clear how a number of people involuntarily lose their jobs for health-related reasons, but shaping policy to meet the needs of this population of the unemployed is critical, a University of Michigan professor says.

"We need to know more about this population for intervention and policy reasons," said Sarah Burgard, assistant professor of sociology with appointments in the Institute for Social Research and the School of Public Health. "Re-employment appears to be key for mitigating these health effects for people who lose their jobs-either for health-related reasons or other reasons, say a layoff."

Much existing research suggests a link between involuntary job loss and health consequences, but those analyses don't account for an employee's pre-existing health or other outside factors, such as socioeconomic background, that may actually make the link spurious.

People who have lost their jobs and want to get back to work may need the assistance of interim health insurance coverage, unemployment benefits, and re-employment programs. This may be especially true for people who have health problems that caused them to lose their jobs. However, these traditional employment benefits were designed to meet the needs of workers in standard full-time jobs,......... Posted by: Mac      Read more         Source

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:04:08 GMT

Risk

What are the risks involved in your proposed business?

Do you have any idea what risks you will face as you open your business? The Babe of Business blog has a posting on some places you can search to find the risks you may face.

While subconsciously we want to think that we have the perfect plan and our idea is going to work no matter what, the truth is there is risk to anything you do. If you open a store or a restaurant you're going to have a lot of risk. If you are going to open an online store you're going to have risk.

Use the resources the blog mentions. Then you need to ask your self these questions. Can you financially, personally and emotionally accept the risk of going into business and the business you are proposing?

Now that know what some of the risks you're facing in your business, you need to figure out how you are going to reduce the risk. Many of the ways you can reduce the risk is by setting yourself apart from the competition which boils down to marketing such as finding your niche. Some risks cannot be reduces and just need to be aware and make sure you can avoid them.

Risk is part of the game if your going to play, how are you going to deal with it? Posted by: John Dornoff      Read more     Source

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:58:57 GMT

Start Up Advice

How prepared are you to start your small business?

An Enthusiast Entrepreneur Kicks Off a T-Shirt Business is an article from the New York Times that shows how one woman is starting a t-shirt business and asks some experts to evaluate how she is doing and what she should be doing from here.

In my last blog we talked about finding your dream team in this article shows you that it may not always be easy hearing what the experts have to say. The one thing you must always remember is that they want you to succeed so they are giving you tough love so that you will be around in the years to come.

At one point the expert mentions the 30-second sales presentation. It was not until I attended a conference in Reno this past October that I realized how bad my 30-second presentation was. However, during the conference I attended a session that helps make our presentations better. I would highly suggest you practice a 30-second presentation or "elevator speech" until it is drop down fantastic. Remember you only have a few seconds to sell some people so make it good.

You will find some good information in this article. Posted by: John Dornoff      Read more     Source

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:02:56 GMT

More Ways to Design a Small Home Office

If these small office space design tips weren't enough for you, here's more:

Use corners.
Corners can be big home office space wasters if you don't maximize them. Capture these areas. Consider using a corner space of your home office with which to place your desk. You'll be surprised at the kind of space you'll be able to open up. You can then use the rest as your reception, storage, display or extra work spaces.

Consider foldaway desks.
If you use a desk only for writing or designing, why not buy or have someone fabricate a desk that can be attached to the wall using hinges? That way, you can fold it next to the wall when not in use and simply unfold it when you need to begin working.

Prioritize equipment and supplies.
Do you truly need all those storage drawers in your home office? Maybe you can use the garage as some sort of storage area for old files and folders. If you're trying to save space in a small home office, consider keeping only the most current and important equipment and supplies in the area. Keep the rest in a separate location.

Use color and lighting tricks.
Color and lighting can do wonders for tricking the eye. Use a light color of your choice to open up space. Or if your preferred color is darker, use a complementary lighter color to provide an accent. Use natural and ambient lighting to create an illusion of a comfortable (but small space) home office. If you can, use two or three layers of light effects with the use of wall or floor lamps, overhead lamps and desk lighting. Posted by: noel      Read more     Source

December 4, 2007, 9:59 PM CT

A company's good reputation can be a bad thing

Consumers expect a lot from high-equity brands such as Disney or Apple. When such brands fail us perhaps by providing a product that doesnt work or service that is sub-par we may be particularly disappointed. Our evaluations of formerly high-stature brands may even dip below those of low-equity brands. However, a new study from the Journal of Consumer Research finds that this drop in esteem may not always be inevitable after a failure. The study also reveals that, surprisingly, a high-equity brand fares better when the failure is severe.

Michelle L. Roehm (Wake Forest University) and Michael K. Brady (Florida State University) look at how failure affects high-equity brands brands that are well-known, with loyal customers and a good reputation. They find that immediately after the consumer learns about a problem, the high equity brand is at a disadvantage.

Perhaps the most provocative message arising from our data is the idea that despite its a number of advantages, higher brand equity can sometimes be a burden, the scientists write.

However, if the problem is severe, the high equity brand may actually fare better, the scientists found. In a severe failure situation, customers focus on how theyre going to deal with the problem and what they need to do to get on with their plans for the day, rather than re-evaluating the quality of the brand they chose. The authors describe this as a reduction in cognitive resources and think that this explains some of the protection offered to the high equity brand in cases of more severe failures......... Posted by: Tom      Read more         Source

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:46:12 GMT

Cubicle Freakout

One of every eight workers works in a cubicle. Cubicle workers complain most often about noise - trying to hear themselves think over the sound of co-workers working, conversing, and talking on the phone. Some lose their temper and start yelling. Or get angry enough to throw something.

They call it 'desk rage' - anger at work that takes the form of yelling, verbal abuse, attacks on office equipment (usually computers), and even fistfights with office-mates.

Are you one of these cubicle workers?
With Cubicle Freakout you can vent your office stress.

(via b3ta) Posted by: Gerard      Read more     Source

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:26:29 GMT

Five Fastest Growing Companies in Canada

This story in Canadian Business online is a very interesting read.

These are not small businesses that are featured but the articles do provide some insights into entrepreneurial behavior, decision making, and reading these articles will help you gain knowledge about how small businesses become big.
Rentcash's revenue exploded from $456,121 in 2001 to $154 million in 2006, giving it top spot on the 2007 PROFIT 100 ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies. Via Canadian Business online
You will find five in-depth profiles of the fastest growing companies in Canada. Posted by: Greg Balanko-Dickson      Read more     Source

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:33:05 GMT

20 tips to avoid burnout

For the solo bootstrapper just starting out, time is more valuable than money. Putting the time into a new venture is often crucial in the early phases because you don't have the investment to just hire people who can get the work done.

Here are 20 tips from business coach Wendy Piersall applicable to all solopreneurs that may keep you from burning out in the process.

1. Set up a "busy schedule" and stick to it. At first glance this might seem slightly crazy. You're going to be busy already so why plan for it, right? But Wendy's talking about setting boundaries by deciding how much extra time you will spend during really busy times so work doesn't "suck you in."

2. Schedule down time. I used to play downloaded games on my PC to take breaks during time consuming projects until my nine year old informed me that playing with him also constitutes down time!

3. Squeeze in walks. I started walking at work when I could justify the time. My day job involves driving to locations that are sometimes within walking distance. When I can I do.

4. Ask for help. Partnerships can be important. One of the great epiphanies I've had recently is that connecting with partners will not only help grow your business faster but also make it more viable in the long run so that hopefully someday it doesn't just depend on your effort anymore.

5. Say NO. Since trying to pursue the bootstrap approach I've learned that lack of money is seldom an obstacle, but lack of time certainly is. Saying no to projects that cannot significantly improve or grow your venture is crucial to managing that time effectively.

6. Avoid overwhelm by making lists. I do this with blog posts and with projects. I should probably do it with many other things too.

7. Focus on your outcome, not current problems. Though sometimes current problems can help you focus on outcome. In a recent project soon to be more fully revealed, the seemingly insurmountable problems connected to my original approach to the venture caused me to seek another (and I think better) path to the desired outcome.

8. Put your perfectionism on the shelf. And keep it there! You can take it down later when you're up and running and have the time to tweak your business model.

9. Get support. On the professional side this may mean hiring, but when contemplating this remember to watch costs. Perhaps you can barter with another bootstrapper to give both of you the support you need.

10. Eat at least one meal a day with family or friends. Sometimes the hardest of these tips to follow as a part-time bootstrapper with a full time gig.

11. Set up accountability. Spouses, parents and children can be great for this. The long hours and other sacrifices must lead to a payoff in the end. It's one of the most important measures I know for success.

12. Build in consequences. But don't beat yourself up too much. I think promising yourself or others a reward if you succeed is a better idea here.

13. Eat right. Too much junk is not only bad for your health it robs you of energy desperately needed to work on your venture. I would argue that good food could be considered one of the bootstrapper's most important investments.

14. Set up email filters. Separating e-mail into distinct categories if possible makes the whole mess much easier to manage.

15. Turn off email and the phone for set hours. My parents own a place up in the country where the cell phone literally cannot get service. When I'm there chilling out for the day for a family get together I can comfort myself in the knowledge that I couldn't make or receive a call even if I wanted to.

16. Play hard. As mentioned above I like doing things with my nine year old. One of the reasons is that he's engaging. Try to think about work when he's got you on the floor with the toy dinosaur collection or he's dragging you to the arcade. Go ahead try it!

17. Know your own "Relax" buttons. I not only make coffee I grind my own beans and use a French press in the kitchen to create a relaxing brew. The relaxation is not only in the coffee itself but in the process of making it.

18. Watch your estimations. But think big! Like Mr. Scott in Star Trek, don't be afraid to tell Captain Kirk you need thirty minutes, even if you know you can restart the warp drive in ten.

19. Get a coach! If you can afford one. I predict that a coach with a stake in the venture instead of an immediate paycheck might be an important part of bootstrapping teams in the future.

20. Lay down the law. Don't work on all of these at once. Pick just a few and challenge yourself to follow them. Bootstrapping may not require cash, but taking the time to avoid burnout may be the single most important investment you make in you venture. Posted by: Shawn Hessinger      Read more     Source

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:54:11 GMT

Home Baked Goods Business

A Home Baked Goods Business: Which Way Does the Cookie Crumble?

The scene is familiar: you bake a plate of brownies or a dozen cupcakes for your family lunch, corporate gathering, or church party. Everyone loves your baked goodies, and a few even offer to buy some from you. You might start thinking: should I put up my own business? Would I earn a decent income from it?

The truth about home-based businesses is that you can earn only as hard as you work, and only as big as your market is. If you are selling or offering something that is not always in demand, you might end up on the losing end. Moreover, if you offer something that is too expensive, your business could fail within the year.

These are the common mistakes that home baked goods businesses make, whether they are home-based or not: owners tend to bank so much on the compliments given to them by friends and family, that they forget there is a much larger market out there with varying tastes and whims. Moreover, they forget to make a business plan and instead botch up the pricing scheme, so that they lose three to four-fold of their initial capital within the first two years of operation. Posted by: noel      Read more     Source

August 27, 2007, 8:32 PM CT

Most Americans Say They Are Happy At Work

The survey observed that job satisfaction increases with age, with workers over 65 among the most satisfied. The study shows that 86 percent of the people interviewed between 1972 and 2006 said they were satisfied at their jobs, with 48 percent saying they were very satisfied. Only four percent reported being very dissatisfied.

In addition to older workers, those with more education, those earning more money, and workers in the South Central states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Mississipi, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee were the most satisfied. Blacks, Hispanics and people doing unskilled labor were the least happy, as per the report Job Satisfaction in America: Trends and Socio-Demographic Correlates by Tom W. Smith, Director of the General Social Survey at the National Opinion Center at the University of Chicago.

The most important the factors contributing to more job satisfaction in descending order of importance are holding a job with high prestige, being older, being non-black and earning more from a job, Smith said.

Job satisfaction is particularly high among those 65 and over because most people working at that age are not those forced to still work due to financial reasons, but those who choose to do so because they like their jobs, he said. Of the people still working after age 65, 71 percent said they were very satisfied at their job. Workers under 29 had the lowest amount of happiness on the job 42 percent said they were very satisfied......... Posted by: Mac      Read more         Source