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January 2005 Food For Thought
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Until We Meet Again...
Characteristics of Effective Meetings
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SAVE 25% WHEN ORDERING ALL 3 PROGRAMS.
A NEW YEAR BRINGS 3 NEW PRODUCTS!
Announcing 3 New Clint Maun Programs in Partnership with PRIMEDIA Healthcare:
The Activity Department's Role in Enhancing Customer Service -- This program
will provide insight on how the activity department relates to customer service
perception, addresses their role in coordinating the resident's care plan,
developing a quality indicator scoreboard and much more.
http://www.ihnsolutions.com/products/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=75
Meals or Milkings? True Dining Experience or "Herding Ritual"? --
This program discusses how customer perception and value are related to the
dining experience, relates how each team member is involved in creating a
positive dining experience, identifies rewards and recognitions to foster
positive team involvement, plus more.
http://www.ihnsolutions.com/products/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=76
PPS, MDS, Do It For Less, or Are We Blessed? -- This program will differentiate
between capitated reimbursement versus fee-for-service, identify ways to
involve each member in properly documenting services, lists ways to track team
success involving capitated reimbursement.
http://www.ihnsolutions.com/products/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=77
These three 60 minute video programs target nurses, certified case managers,
long-term administrators, dietary managers, dietetic technicians, and activity
professionals.
All 3 Programs are available on VHS or DVD. Please indicate your preference
when ordering.
If you'd like more information on Clint Maun's speaking, consulting or products
please go to www.ClintMaun.com or call Kathy Cain, VP at 1-800-356-2233.
SAVE 25% WHEN ORDERING ALL 3 PROGRAMS.
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Are you aware of the latest epidemic going around the office? No, it's not the
flu, pneumonia, or an outbreak of e-coli. Rather, it's the overwhelming
presence of unnecessary and/or inefficient meetings. Chances are, you've been
to your fair share of these meetings. You know, the ones where attendees arrive
ill-prepared and the conversation rambles along for hours in a meeting that
could have taken 15 or 30 minutes--if it needed to occur at all.
Among the worst meetings are those that operate under the guise of a meeting,
but actually resemble more of a social gathering. People attend these
"meetings" to eat, talk about their favorite TV shows, and chat about
other various topics of shared interest. Nothing of real substance is
accomplished and those who came to get work done are left utterly frustrated
with how much time they've wasted.
So, what distinguishes an effective meeting from one that is a complete waste
of time? Here are some important factors that help ensure a good meeting:
* Have a good reason to meet in the first place.
* Have an agenda that clearly states the purpose of the meeting along with what
will be covered during the meeting.
* Establish a timeframe and stick to it.
* Make sure that participants come prepared. Let them know what they need to
bring and what questions they will have to answer before the meeting starts.
* Assign a chairperson. Have someone who can keep participants focused on the
agenda items and keep the group on track.
* Cancel if the need for the meeting disappears.
While good meetings are often rare, you know when you're attending one. A good
meeting is about moving forward and is energized by the preparation and
clear-focus of its participants. The meeting occurs to ensure that the group is
on the same page, to share vital information, and to keep various initiatives
moving forward in a way that is aligned with your healthcare organization's main
strategies and goals.
