Are You Working "In" or "On" Your Career?

The book, "The E Myth," played a significant role in helping me understand a vital skill to succeeding in business ownership. I never intended to start my own company. It happened because I saw a big problem nobody was fixing and felt I had to do something about it. Early on, I made all the classic mistakes outlined in this book.The biggest one was working "in" my business too much when I should have been working "on" it.

"In" Versus "On"

When you work "in" your business, you are neck-deep in the day-to-day activities. You are putting out fires, supporting customers, doing the accounting, etc. It feels productive and you are definitely busy, but it doesn't leave time and energy to determine how to stabilize and grow the capabilities of the business. When you work "on" your business, you step back from the day-to-day and construct a strategy for making the business stronger and more capable of doing all the great things you want it to do.

Career Strategy: In + On = Success

In my experience, career success also comes from paying attention to the amount of time we spend working "on" and "in" our careers. When we don't find the right balance, we struggle, or even worse, we have professional set-backs. Here are a few examples of what can occur:

1. Work "in" a job for years, keeping your head down and staying under the radar only to be laid-off without working "on" any new skills that can be leveraged in the current job market.
2. Spending 2 months working "on" your resume while not engaging in a single activity that will actually get you "in" a job.
3. Dreaming of the day you'll get a promotion and/or better job by focusing "on" meeting people who are at that level already, while ignoring the need to build and display key skill sets "in" your chosen field of expertise that are needed for the role you seek.

I could list many more, but you see my point: we're all businesses-of-one. That means, we all need to work both "on" and "in" our careers to get what we want. More importantly, we have to pay attention to the balance so we don't negatively affect our progress.

[original article]

2012: US remote patient monitoring $10.6B market

by Jonah Comstock

Kalorama Information released a report this year on remote patient monitoring, stating that the US market increased from $8.9 billion in 2011 to $10.6 billion in 2012, an increase of 19 percent. Kalorama’s numbers looked at what the New York-based research firm calls “advanced remote patient monitoring”, which it defines as technologies that have wireless or remote capabilities and can potentially interact directly with an EHR.

“Patient monitoring systems with advanced features, especially wireless or remote capability, are among the fastest-growing medical devices,” the report’s abstract reads. “The aging population and the associated increases in diseases such as congestive heart disease and diabetes as well as the cost of treating those conditions, is driving sales of these devices. Use of new patient monitoring technologies can result in a need for fewer personnel, increased coverage by existing personnel, and a reduction in errors and are expected to lead to better patient care and the recognition of serious health problems before they become an issue.”

That 19 percent growth tracks with a prediction Kalorama made last July, when it asserted the market would grow by 18 percent annually. That rate would put the US market at $20.9 billion by 2016, the previous report said. That same report indicated there had been a 23 percent annual growth rate between 2007 (when the market was worth $3.9 billion) and 2011’s $8.9 billion.

At the start of 2011, Kalorama predicted that remote monitoring technology would hit $6 billion that year — a prediction that appears to have been surpassed. Back then, the firm was more ambitiously predicting a 26 percent annual growth rate.

If these numbers seem high compared to, for instance, GBI’s March 2012 report, which predicted an $8 billion market in 2017, it could be because Kalorama has an unusually wide definition for remote monitoring: the firm includes some in-hospital patient monitoring in its numbers, not merely telehealth.

“This year we tried something different: we segmented the market between two types of information that customers request from us,” Publisher Bruce Carlson wrote on Kalorama’s blog. ”We have a segment on hospital patient monitoring, which is still remote ([patient monitoring] between the rooms or floors or even buildings of a hospital) and telemedicine, where the patient monitoring occurs between patient and provider.”

In addition to US data, Kalorama tracks the global markets in its paid reports. In the same blog post, the firm revealed that worldwide market growth from 2011 to 2012 for advanced patient monitoring was 17 percent.

4 Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers

Shala Marks, Recruiter.com

Meet Jane.

Jane graduated college six months ago. She worked three internships while in school, graduated with honors, and has sent her resume to hundreds of companies. But, Jane is unemployed.

Meet Bob.

Bob also graduated college six months ago, no honors. Bob didn’t work at any internships while in school and has never applied for a job, yet Bob is employed. One day while he was playing basketball in a local gym, the president of one of America’s largest auto manufacturers sees Bob. The president has a company team and wants Bob to play on it so he can win a championship. He hires Bob immediately (true story).

Every last one of us knows someone who always seems to have the most incredible luck when it comes to locating and making the best of opportunities that come along. We’ve all also spent quite a bit of time wondering what his or her secret is and wishing we could bottle it to use to our own advantage. This is especially the case when it comes to landing a job in today’s economy.

While Bob is an uncommon scenario, there are plenty of people whose paths seem to be effortless when it comes to getting the best opportunities. And although you may wonder what the person’s secret is, the truth is that there’s really no secret to be bottled. The person is simply someone who naturally develops good habits in regards to job seeking. You can do the same by making sure you incorporate the following four habits into your own strategy:

1. Be Proactive

Successful job seekers aren’t successful because more opportunities fall into their lap. They’re successful because they make it a point to get out there and find chances to make things happen. They’re also ever-prepared for the next good thing to come along. For instance, their online professional profiles, personal websites, and resumes are kept perpetually updated. Their wallets are always full of business cards just in case they run into someone to give them to while out and about (you get the idea).

2. Be Outgoing

Successful job seekers never turn down an opportunity to network or rub elbows with other people in their field. Instead of sitting at home in front of the television, they’re accepting those invites to corporate get-togethers and attending local events where great contacts are likely to be found. They’re also outgoing once they get there, making it a point to introduce themselves to people and engage potential business contacts.

3. Be a Team Player

Whether you’re working in a highly social environment or working remotely with clients and customers who live overseas, it’s important not to underestimate the value of people skills and the ability to connect when it comes to those you work with. No one wants to hire someone who doesn’t work well with others or who’s going to have too much trouble being engaging and pleasant when they have to. Successful job seekers take advantage of opportunities to get to know new people or to contribute something to the team.

4. Step Out of your Comfort Zones

On some level, just about every one of us would prefer to play it safe and be comfortable than take risks and step out a little. However, those who are successful at what they do take the bull by the horns instead and find ways to welcome new experiences as new adventures. They welcome chances to try new things, meet new people, work on different projects, and pick up new skills. They realize that every time they do, they grow as people and have even more to offer than they did the day, week, or month before. The more varied and experienced you can become in regards to different things related to your field, the more attractive you’re ultimately going to be as a job candidate.

Original article found here.

Survey: Healthcare Careers Sizzling

Bernie Monegain, Editor for Healthcare IT News

Healthcare continues to be one of the hottest areas for hiring across the country – and an area where it's crucial to recruit the right talent – according to a survey by recruiting firm CareerBuilder.

CareerBuilder’s annual survey finds 22 percent of healthcare hiring managers plan to add full-time, permanent healthcare employees in this year, up three percentage points over 2012. At the same time, 23 percent of healthcare employers reported they have open positions for which they can’t find qualified talent.

Thirteen percent of all U.S. jobs are in healthcare and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the U.S. will add 5.6 million health care jobs from 2010 to 2020, the largest projected increase of any industry.

CareerBuilder announced today a new division specifically for healthcare with stronger market intelligence, more customized recruitment and information on healthcare trends and workforce issues.

[See also: Healthcare IT hiring: A new frontier.]

"The recession had very little impact on the hiring momentum of the healthcare industry and, to meet further demand, CareerBuilder has pooled a group of proficient experts into a new division that will focus solely on assisting healthcare client’s hiring needs efficiently and effectively," said Jason Lovelace, president of the Health Care Group at CareerBuilder, in a news release. "Our research suggests that heathcare hiring will accelerate in 2013 with heightened competition for high skill labor and improved compensation trends. As a result, it is essential that we arm our healthcare clients with the data and tools needed to recruit qualified talent and ultimately, positively impact patient care."

Temporary and contract hiring

More healthcare organizations are turning to staffing and recruiting companies and temporary workers to help meet increased market demands, according to Lovelace Thirty-six percent of healthcare employers plan to hire temporary and contract workers in 2013, up from 34 percent last year, the Career Builder survey shows. Among these employers, 37 percent plan to transition some temporary workers into full-time, permanent employees over the next 12 months. There are an increasing number of areas – information technology is one – where demand for skilled positions – is growing much faster than the supply.

Harris Interactive conducted the online survey on behalf of CareerBuilder, among 274 health care hiring managers and human resource professionals and 576 healthcare workers (employed full-time, not self-employed, non-government) between Nov.1-Nov. 30, 2012

U.S. Adds Surprising 146K Jobs In Nov.; Unemployment Down To 7.7%

by Abram Brown, Forbes.com

Growth in the nation’s labor market far exceeded forecasts last month, a possible signal that businesses are proving resilient through the disruption caused by Superstorm Sandy, the monster hurricane that punished the East Coast and disrupted that key artery of the economy, and the uncertain political situation. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, fell to 7.7%.

The U.S. added 146,000 new jobs last month, new Labor Department data shows. Government economists say the hurricane didn’t impede November’s tally. Last month’s figure fits with the labor market’s performance this year. The country had averaged a monthly gain of 151,000 this year. In the past three months, that figure was closer to 170,000. Another employment metric, which accounts for job hunters and those forced to work part-time, supported the headline figure: Total unemployed fell to 14.4% from 14.6% a month earlier.

Joblessness declined to the lowest point since December 2008. This was accompanied by a decline in the labor force; the labor force participation rate fell to by 20 basis points to 63.6%. Without this decline in the labor force, mostly the result of people halting the job search after Sandy, unemployment would not have fallen. As they return this morning, unemployment could return to nearer 7.9%.

Significantly, the Labor Department lowered estimates on October’s job growth (by 33,000) and September’s growth (by 16,000).

Today’s upbeat estimate on job growth comes as a complete surprise. Economists had expected figures well below 100,000. Some pegged between 50,000 and 80,000. Market participants immediately cautioned that these government figures will be revised in coming months. To be sure, other economic numbers had seemed to show a contradictory picture of the nation’s health. Weekly reports on jobless claims have shown an immediate increase after Sandy, and they remain elevated still—recording a four-week average of more than 400,000.  Businesses, simultaneously, have seemed to stay on the sidelines; as several other economic indicators apparently reinforced, most are postponing any major investments until later this year. The fiscal cliff, a series of tax increases and spending cuts set to begin Jan. 1, threaten to impede business growth.

Regardless, a 150,000 monthly gain still falls short. Economists say the nation needs to create double that figure to lower unemployment and help the economy heal.

U.S. stocks immediately rose after this morning’s data release. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.4% to 13,131.33. The S&P 500 index climbed 0.2%. And the Nasdaq composite declined 0.1% to 2,987.53.

Basic material stocks pushed the market higher. Freeport-McMoRan Copperwent up 5%. Barrick Gold increased 1.1%. Cliffs Natural Resources added 1.1%.

Capital goods stocks also posted gains. Caterpillar rose 1.7% to $87.38. Deere gained 0.7%.

“The labor market continues to improve gradually, which is good news given fears over the fiscal cliff,” says IHS economist Nigel Gault. “That suggests that if we can successfully negotiate the cliff, employment growth should accelerate in 2013.”

A piece of economic data that complicates today’s picture was also released this morning. The Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 74.5 in early December, down from 82.7 in November, likely from the worry over the fiscal cliff.

In November, retail added the most jobs (53,000). Business services (43,000) and health care (20,000) were also major job creators.

Meantime, a decline in construction and manufacturing growth show Sandy’s lingering effects, as well as how the fiscal cliff roils the economy. All told, some 370,000 Americans say they were unable last month to work because of weather. While a record high for November, it still isn’t as much as the 1 million that sometimes report in December and January during bad snowstorms.

Health IT VC Funding Could Soar to $1B in 2012

from Diana Manos, Sr. Editor for Healthcare IT News

 

AUSTIN, TX – Third quarter results of a venture capital (VC) study conducted by Mercom Capital Group showed healthcare IT remaining strong for the fifth quarter in a row, and the outcome of the presidential election is not expected to change that, according to Raj Prabhu, managing partner of Mercom.

“This is private funding going into private companies, and there continues to be a strong interest and demand in the [health IT] sector with a consumer angle as health apps and social health networks are becoming popular and more mainstream,” he told Healthcare IT News following Mercom’s Monday release of the report.

Fifty-eight different investors participated in the third quarter funding rounds with First Round Capital, Great Point Partners and West Health Investment Fund participating in multiple deals, the report found.

[Related: Calling all entrepreneurs: HIT takes an ecosystem]

Health information management companies received the most funding as a technology group with $101 million in 20 deals, followed by mobile health companies with $39 million in seven deals, and social health network companies with $26 million in four deals, according to Mercom.

The report showed “a healthy number” of early-stage deals. “2012 has the potential to be a billion dollar VC funding year for the sector,” Prabhu said.

Prabhu attributed the HITECH Act of 2009; Affordable Care Act and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Data Initiative for “getting the ball rolling” on the upward trend.

“HHS started making greater amounts of usable health data available,” he said. “This has made a whole slew of applications possible, opening up possibilities for companies, consumers and communities to come up with new solutions leading the way to mobile apps, social health networks and other products.”

“Health IT touches everybody, creating a large market that has peaked the interest of investors and is likely to continue to grow,” Prabhu said.

The report showed there was continued strength in M&A activity in the sector, as well, providing investors and companies with plenty of viable exit strategies. There were 37 M&A transactions in Q3 2012, amounting to $3.2 billion, of which only ten transactions disclosed details.

According to Prabhu, the 37 M&A deals in one quarter is a strong indicator of growth in the industry. “That total has been surpassed only twice since 2010,” he said.

The top funding deal this quarter was the $25.5 million raised by Telcare, a mobile health company that uses cellular machine-to-machine technology for diabetes and other chronic illnesses, according to the report.

[Related: CDC girding to open its cloud to public health departments]

Other top deals included $20 million raised by Connecture, an online health insurance process automation company focused on health insurance exchanges, followed by $17 million raised by Doximity, a professional social network for physicians. Clinipace, an eClinical technology provider of real-time access to the healthcare information raised $13 million, and finally both Streamline Health Solutions, a provider of enterprise content management and business analytics solutions for healthcare organizations and SoloHealth, a healthcare technology and data analytics company, raised $12 million each, the report showed.

Among the top M&A transactions, Roper Industries acquired Sunquest Information Systems, a provider of diagnostic and laboratory software solutions to healthcare providers, for $1.4 billion. One Equity Partners acquired M*Modal, a provider of clinical documentation services and speech understanding solutions, for $1.1 billion. Science Applications International Corporation acquired maxIT Healthcare, a healthcare IT consulting firm, for $473 million. Thomas Bravo acquired Mediware Information Systems, a provider of clinical software solutions, for $195 million.

9 Steps to Ignite [Job] Motivation

by Shala Marks for recruiter.com

Let’s be honest: Sometimes work can be redundant. Even those areas you’re passionate about can become menial and dull if you do them for eight hours a day, five days a week and 52 weeks per year (give or take a few holidays and vacations).

The same task can quickly become boring and leave you feeling uninterested and unmotivated. According to Towers Watson’s 2012 Global Workforce study, only 35 percent of the 32,000 full-time workers polled were highly engaged. Lack of engagement, loss of interest and motivation are key reasons people decide to leave a company, change career paths or even start their own businesses. We need to be excited and inspired with the jobs and/or careers we pursue. Once that spark is gone, sometimes it’s difficult to relight it before simply deciding to jump ship.

Below are nine tips for increasing motivation. Whether it’s your office position, novel you began writing, going to (or back to) school to receive further education, or that idea for a start-up you concocted, using these suggestions can help you strengthen the necessary motivation for the boring and routine moments along your path.

Challenge yourself

Often times we lose interest in our work or tasks because we’ve mastered them. There’s no fun if there’s no challenge. Find ways to challenge yourself with the work you need to do. Try putting a new, creative spin on something. Ask for more assignments or for projects you aren’t used to handling. Step outside of your element and comfort zone to try a new concept, a new approach or a new method. Challenges are helpful because they not only increase your motivation and build interest, but they stretch your potential.

Set small daily and weekly goals

We have a goal: write a book, start a business, implement a new program. But many people desire to quickly reach the end without fully accepting the process that comes in between start and finish. Every process takes time, so to not lose focus during this time, set small goals for yourself. Set a few daily goals and only focus on them. Then work your way up to weekly goals. By breaking down your workload into smaller tasks you will 1) stay productive and 2) maintain your interest because you know each goal is bringing you steps closer to the end.

Use past work success for future motivation

If you find yourself bored on the job now, think back to a time (or times) when you were successful. Think about what you did, how it made you feel and how it affected where you are today. No one wants to just have accomplishments from years and years ago; people are always looking to see what an individual has achieved recently. Remembering past successes can help motivate you to continue working hard so you can have future success as well.

Think about the bigger picture

Although the task at hand may seem redundant and trivial now, it is a part of something larger. Focus on your role and the part you play in helping ensure the bigger picture comes together. What you’re doing in necessary and realizing this will help build back that desire to complete your tasks.

Remind yourself of your reasoning

Sometimes we lost our motivation because we don’t think about it (or them). Take out some time to remind yourself of why you decided to do this in the first place. Why did you apply for this job and who was depending on you to get it? Why did you want to work for this company? Why did you set that goal? Why do you have this desire? Remembering our whys will put things back into proper perspective.

Find what inspires you

Perhaps you just need a small fire lit beneath you to get you going. What inspires you? What makes you think, laugh or smile? What gets your blood pumping and your heart racing? I enjoy reading quotes whenever I need a boast of inspiration, especially encouraging quotes pertaining to your situation. Seek out that which inspires you.

Make goals visible

Similar to not thinking about what motivated us in the first place, many times we become bored because we lack visuals. Write out your goals (you can even add a photo) and hang it on your desk, in your office or any place you will see it each day. Look at your goals every day and read them to remind yourself of what you’re working toward.

Choose positivity

It’s easy to become negative, disgruntled and disengaged. Choose to remain positive in all situations. If you’re getting bored or are becoming restless with a task, combat negative thoughts with positive ones.

I am so tired of doing this over and over and over again but repetition is good for increasing my skills in this area.

What I am doing is so boring, but I know it is a necessary step to reaching my goals and it will not always be like this.

I just don’t feel like doing this work, but I know no one is going to hand me success. If I want it I have to work for it.

Be grateful

You have a job and millions of others don’t. You’re getting paid to complete a task. Millions of people are homeless. You have the opportunity to follow your dreams and the resources to do so (college education, money, time), while others are not as fortunate. If we step back and take a good look at where we are and where could be we should be grateful for the work we must do. Being appreciative reminds us that we could be in worse situations and motivates us to not only maintain our current positions, but work to improve them.