From Irritation to Innovation

Elizabeth Holmes hates needles. To her, the idea of being poked by a needle and withdrawing blood is more than just unpleasant. When she knows that she has to give blood, she becomes consumed and overcome with the thought until it's finally over.

So it should be a surprise that at age 19 she founded Theranos, a ground-breaking blood diagnostics company that 11 years later is worth more than $9 billion. The company has patented its secret technology of performing 200 different blood tests (soon growing to over 1,000 different tests) without using a syringe. They use a few drops of blood drawn using a finger stick to minimize discomfort, and collected in a "nanotainer"; a container the size of an electric fuse. Her board is stocked with powerful blue chip members including former cabinet secretaries, former U.S. senators and former military brass. Theranos' innovative technology is poised to transform health care technology at no more than half the cost of similar tests using current technology.

Holmes leveraged a process that irritated her to innovate a new method of getting it done.

Productive Dissatisfaction

Tony Fadell was building a vacation home in for his family. One of the seemingly mundane decisions was selecting thermostats, but he wasn't satisfied with his choices. So he developed the Nest Learning Thermostat, a digital and WiFi enabled device that conserves energy by learning it's owners habits. He also designed the Nest Protect which uses new technology to detect smoke and carbon monoxide.

Fadell's real goal is to use technology to redesign and control all technology in the home. He was successful in raising startup capital as a result of his Apple pedigree, and extensive connections in Silicon Valley. He previously led the team that created the iPod, thereby rejuvenating Apple and transforming the music industry (yes, I love iTunes), and assisted in the development of the iPhone. Fadell left Apple in 2008 (along with his wife who was an HR executive there) and his thermostat irritation became the epiphany to innovate his next career move. As evidence of his success, Nest was purchased by Google earlier this year for $3.2 billion.

Innovation Mindset

Holmes and Fadell were irritated by processes and technology that others accepted as status quo. Obviously this wasn't just a minor irritation either. Most of us would have dismissed it, avoided it, complained a bit while it was on our minds, then moved on to what we believed were more important things. We would think that change wasn't needed, or that technology couldn't effectively be applied to it and scaled for use. Instead, they saw it as a challenge and took the opportunity to do something about it. They had a mindset for innovation that they applied to their environment.

At the time, Holmes was a sophomore at Stanford, and according to her chemical engineering professor, viewed complex technical problems differently than other students. She dropped out shortly thereafter and persuaded her parents to invest her education fund into the business start-up.

Fadell's tenure at Apple was distinguished by asking lots of questions, challenging Steve Jobs, and building his network in the "valley" outside the company; something normally reserved for Jobs himself. He didn't conform to the typical concept of the Apple executive.

The Key to Innovation

So what is the key to your innovation? What is it that irritates you, but you find it difficult to simply walk away or ignore it. Instead, you keep trying to figure it out. This may be your opportunity to move from irritation to innovation; to find new approaches to address old ways of doing things. Though Holmes and Fadell applied innovation on a large scale, you can easily do this within a smaller sphere of influence; in your work team, organization, community group or family. Here are a few simple steps.

1. Tap into what's irritating you. What problem needs to be solved? Chances are it's right in front of you.

2. Find the benefit. Who will it add value to? Identifying your stakeholders will help you to target what action to take, and encourage you to stick with it for their benefit.

3. Ignore the naysayers. What do you believe is possible? If you don't have faith in yourself, no one else will either.

4. Identify all the assumptions associated with the status quo. Why do people do it this way? Calling them out individually helps to break the innovation opportunity down into workable sizes for better analysis.

5. Methodically challenge each assumption. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? By the time you've asked "why" five times, you'll uncover some suppositions that really don't have a strong foundation.

6. Think of a new approach. What if we did it this way instead? Then think of another different approach. This practice gets you into the mode of change.

If you're really irritated, true innovation will typically involve transformation, not evolution. It will yield a totally unexpected outcome that represents a leap ahead, not just a step forward. So embrace that impatience and exasperation with the current situation, and press forward to a new mindset of innovation.

Read more about Elizabeth Holmes and Tony Fadell in the June 12, 2014 issue of Fortune Magazine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Priscilla_Archangel,_Ph.D.

Keeping the Job On Schedule

Regardless of the scale of the project to be undertaken, keeping everything on schedule is of paramount importance for success. The reason being is that to ignore the importance of scheduling is effective to work in a completely random and poorly controlled manner, which each element of the process cannot in any way be tracked, monitored and evaluated. It's a little like heading off on a journey with no destination or map - you can't get where you're going unless you know how to get there.

In terms of keeping a job on schedule, there are certain simple tips that can be followed and applied by any project managers to great effect, which include the following:

Schedule Everything

It's not enough to map out a plan in January whereby the only scheduling involved is that of insisting everything must be done by December - this does not qualify as scheduling. Keeping things on track means coming up with a schedule that covers everything of importance, and every step of the project. The simple reason being that if you don't know what should and should not be done by March, June and September, how can you be sure you're on-track?

Set Milestones

Another key tip is that of setting milestones, which essentially means breaking down the final goal into much more manageable targets to be met one by one. If the overall goal is to cut costs by say $10,000 for example, milestones could be set at $2,000 and $5,000. The utilization of milestones are not just for measuring progress, but also as a motivational tool.

Use Software

The very best scheduling software on the market today can work wonders for keeping a project running smoothly and efficiently. From the production of accurate estimates to the analysis of work carried out to date, to use the right software is to make scheduling and general project management much easier to handle.

Address Setbacks

When and where things go wrong along the way, the worst thing to do is pretend they never happened and move on. The reason, risk history repeating itself many times over, which will only hold the project back even further. If things aren't going as they should, they must be addressed.

Allow for Error

When coming up with the scheduled for the project in the first place, be sure to leave at least a little realistic margin for error. It's more than likely that at least one or two hiccups will creep into the equation, so by allowing for these ensures the schedule can be kept and less likely to be deferred from.

Learn from Mistakes

Last but not least, each time a mistake is made by way of the project itself or its Scheduling, it's important to learn from it. This means analyzing what went wrong, why it happens, what effects it had on the project and how to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Learn more about the latest scheduling software and how best to keep a project on track by manageable milestones.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alfred_Clark

3 Reasons to Automate Business Processes in Your Organization

Since the days of the automaton, workers have been searching for ways to automate the manual business processes that steal time from more important jobs. Communicating with colleagues, manipulating spreadsheets, entering customer information into a CRM... these are all examples of time-consuming manual processes that can be done better and faster by someone (or something) other than you (no offense).

If your idea of fun is copying and pasting text all day then by all means, continue doing what you're doing. Your competitors will love that. But we've got some thoughts on why you should at least consider automating business processes in your organization. Here are a few.

Reason 1: To Err is Human. It's Also Expensive.

In a compilation of error rates by business task*, as reported by studies over the last 30 years or so, error rates for medication prescriptions were found to exceed 1.6%. Data entry error rates for expert typists ranged as high as 6%. In general, the human mechanical (I.e. by hand) error rate for data entry tasks is 0.5%. Seems small at first, but what if you're entering order data from 100 online transactions into your CRM? Or, if you're compiling stock performance for 100 different mutual funds from an online investment website? What if you're changing prescription doses for 100 patients? That's 5 errors that have the potential to cost you money and maybe lives. You can expect to make 5 errors per 100 records any time you're manually changing information. The fun part is: You'll never know which records or pieces of data will be wrong. Get yourself an automated solution that enters and changes data for you automatically, and you'll never have to worry about data errors again.

Reason 2: Have Time to Kill? Neither Do I.

Here's the great thing about never making an error: You don't need to waste time fixing them. If you're lucky enough to catch an error (see #1 above), and it's a critical one, you'll need to go back and do the job again. In some industries like health insurance, where the cost of a reprocessed claim is 4 times that of one that gets approved the first time, that rework time can be a killer

Think of an automation software solution like a "digital employee" - someone who basically does the most unpleasant parts of your job for you so that you're free to do other things. Digital Employees generally work faster than humans in most web or Windows applications, so more gets done faster without rework. Even if it DIDN'T work faster, you'd still be free to perform other tasks while your software solution did all the typing, copying, and pasting. Automation basically returns 100% of the time spent on manual business process back to you so that you can go serve customers, win business, or take a vacation.

Reason 3: It's Easier Than You Think.

A good automation software solution can be installed and put to work inside of a few hours. Sure, there are some solutions out there that require coding or programming to operate, but the kind you're looking for can be "taught" to perform tasks simply by clicking and dragging your mouse to objects on the screen. The software should then present you with a narrow list of actions that work with the object you've targeted. You shouldn't have to scroll through 200 possible choices when all you need to do is click a "Submit" button.

Automation software solutions that actually work like "digital employees" use a series of steps (called a script) to perform a task. They work off of those scripts diligently because it's what you have told them to do. And they do it flawlessly. If concerns over learning curves and installation times are preventing you from automating your workflows and business processes, choose the right solution and put those fears to rest.

*Here's that link: http://panko.shidler.hawaii.edu/HumanErr/Basic.htm

Foxtrot software from EnableSoft automates virtually any process in web or Windows applications, performing them faster and more accurately than any human. For more information on what Foxtrot automation can do for you, visit http://www.enablesoft.com.

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The Evolution of Dialysis Technician Competency Standards

Demand for dialysis treatment has increased dramatically in the United States as the number of people suffering from end stage renal disease secondary to chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure has risen. Although a technician is responsible for providing direct patient care, there are very few state and federal regulations that affect the profession. The low barriers to entry that are associated with this field have made it one of the most appealing employment options for those who want to work with patients, but who do not want to commit several years of their life to education and training. Those who are considering this career path should be aware that certification is now required according to the federal conditions for coverage and compliance is required in order to remain employed in the specialty.

Most facilities that offer dialysis treatment in the US require technician applicants to possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED in order to be considered for an open position. While some community colleges and vocational schools offer technician training programs that are specific to dialysis and that issue a certificate of completion, it is very important to contact potential employers to make sure that a local program has been approved before enrolling. Many facilities have designed their own in-house training programs that must be completed before providing direct patient care. After completing the mandatory training, a technician is generally allowed to work in the field for a period of 18 months prior to passing a state or national certification examination.

There are several different certification exams that can be taken in order to comply with federal dialysis technician regulations. Although the federal government is willing to accept many different certification credentials, it is critical for new technicians to review any special state requirements prior to scheduling an exam date. In most cases, the employer will provide detailed instructions on which exam to take once the training period has been completed. Most states have adopted the federal standards as their default technician requirements, but there are a few states that have created their own guidelines that reflect more stringent credentialing timelines. In addition, some states have developed their own certification exams that must be passed in order to continue working in the profession.

Individuals who have the option of selecting their own certification exam should understand the options that exist prior to scheduling an exam date. In general, there are three national organizations that are widely recognized as the standard for dialysis technician competency assessment. These include the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC), the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT), and the National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO). While these organizations offer several credentialing exams for both nurses and technicians, an individual who is new to the profession will typically be required to pass the entry-level exam before progressing to the advanced options. The vast majority of dialysis technicians working in the US will be required to pass an exam offered through one of these well-respected companies.

Formal dialysis technician certification is a fairly new competency standard within the healthcare sector that represents an important step towards solidifying the legitimacy and long-term survival of the profession. Although these new regulations have made it slightly more challenging to enter the field, they represent a very low barrier to entry compared to the standards that are in place for most medical specialties. In addition, they serve to strengthen the technician's standing among other allied health professionals and they demonstrate the importance of the services that a technician provides. As the healthcare system continues to evolve and become more regulated, expanded credentialing requirements are expected to become a critical determinant for reimbursement and should be embraced as a positive advancement for the profession.

Those considering a rewarding career in this profession are encouraged to learn more about dialysis technician certification requirements by visiting http://www.dialysistechniciansalary.org/dialysis-technician-certification/ where they will find additional details about the national organizations that offer entry-level exams along with links to study materials and registration forms. A basic understanding of the credentialing requirements for a technician will help prepare new technicians for the training process and will reaffirm their commitment to the provision of high quality and comprehensive patient care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Hutchinson

How To Structure Your Job Search Stories To Get A Job

In this article, I will be revealing formulas in the form of acronyms developed by professional career counselors that will help you to frame your job search stories. These formulas while varied generally invoke a common theme.

Typically, you will identify a problem or challenge that you faced on the job, the hindrances you encountered while trying to fix the problem, what actions you took to overcome the hindrances, the results of your actions to fix the problem and what impact your solution had on your department or company.

Here are five of the most popular acronyms used when creating stories:

PAR: Problem, Action, Result
SAR: Situation, Action, Result
SHARE: Situation, Hindrance, Action, Results, Evaluation (by Fred Coon)
SOAR: Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result
STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result

You can pick any of the formulas above to use as the framework for structuring your stories. All of these formulas follow a logical sequence making it easy for you to present your stories in an organized fashion. Stories created using these formulas are most often used when interviewing. However, they can be applicable to other aspects of the job search such as resumes, cover letters and portfolios which will all bae discuss later in the report.

Hint: When detailing the results that you obtained in your particular story always try to quantify them by using numbers, percentages etc. Remember to keep the stories short and memorable.

Use adjectives and verbs that will help the interviewer visualize the story as you tell it. If there are any negative aspects of the story always end on a positive note and let the interviewer know how this experience impacted you and made you a better person.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheila_Savage

How To Discuss Your Crime With An Employer

Discussing your crime will probably be both the scariest and trickiest part of the interview process. Consequently, it is extremely important that you:

1.) Think about what you are going to say.
2.) Write down what you are going to say.
3.) Rehearse what you are going to say.

Although, you are not required by law to tell all of the details of your crime to a potential employer, they are not necessarily bound by law to hire you either. Even though, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you because you are an ex-offender. However, discrimination for that basis alone is often very difficult to prove. Consequently, the more information that you are willing to provide to the employer the more honest you appear and the more willing the potential employer is to hire you.

Please note, this does not mean that you should disclose every detail of your crime. It means that you have to learn how to strike a delicate balance.

As an ex-offender the whole objective of the interview is to give the potential employer the opportunity to put a human face to the crime(s) that you may have listed on your employment application.

This person needs to see you not as a victim but as someone who is:

1.) Competent and capable of doing the job.
2.) As someone who for whatever reason made some extremely bad choices.
3.) Someone who recognizes his/her past mistakes and is remorseful.

Violent offenders particularly those convicted of capital crimes such as manslaughter and first degree murder have to understand that regardless of how much time that they may have served in prison, in the eyes of a potential employer time can never make up for the loss of life incurred by the victim(s). Nor can it make up for physical, psychological and/or emotional trauma that living victims may presently be experiencing as a result of their actions.

The reality is that regardless of what circumstances led up to your committing a crime, the fact remains that you did commit one. In some cases, such as self-defense, you may even have felt that you had no options.

Unfortunately, in the eyes of the courts in particular, and society in general, there is no just cause for violence. This holds true whether it was done in self-defense or due to some psychological problems, childhood trauma, and/or alcohol and drug addiction.

The best advice I can give you, if you are a violent offender, is to face the fact that whether for seemingly right or wrong reasons, you committed a crime. Then try to determine what factors led up to it, explain what you are doing to rehabilitate yourself and provide evidence.

Visit My Site And Get My FREE eBook: 101 Tips For Ex-Offender Job Search Success

For the past 13 years, Sheila Savage has worked with ex-offenders to help them find suitable employment. To get more information about ex-offender employment and job searching please visit http://www.lifebydesignconsultants.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheila_Savage

Brain Power for a Job Search

There were times when I woke up in the morning feeling like I didn't know "which way was up"... I had a hard time thinking, I felt spacy, confused, tired and many times I had a hard time focusing and concentrating. Through talking to my friends and family, I found out that I was not the only one that felt this way from time to time. Later I learned that the foods that I ate played a big part in the mental boost that I was lacking in the morning.

For many of us, preparing a healthy breakfast is time consuming so we try the quick fix by eating foods such as toast and coffee, waffles drowned in syrup or a bowl of our favorite cereal.

The following 5 foods were included in the list of "brain foods" by a September 2012 article posted by the Huff Post Healthy Living and can serve as a brainy substitute to the unhealthy quick fixes that we normally settle for. Now although there are many other benefits for consuming these foods as well, I am focusing on how they can give us the brain power boost that we need to maintain a focused job search.

1. Olive Oil

My favorite on the list is Olive Oil. Unlike other fats, olive oil helps to control blood sugar levels and prevent diseases that cause problems with brain function and memory.

2. Avocado

Avocados may be high in fat but it promotes blood flow allowing the brain to function at its highest.

3. Eggs

Although high in cholesterol, eggs are a great source of protein; they contain choline which is a nutrition that helps the brain to improve memory function.

4. Mixed Berries

Delicious berries such as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and cranberries all have been shown through study to benefit our brains by boosting brain function and preventing age related memory lost.

5. Walnuts

Walnuts contain Omega 3's which are the essential fatty acids that help to keep the brain functioning normally. Ever wonder why this nut is shaped like the brain? It gives an ironic meaning when people say "Your Nuts!"

There are many other foods that are brain friendly and can help stimulate our mind in the right direction but these were the favorites on my list that I wanted to share with you. Have a nice day and don't forget to start your day right by a "brain powered breakfast".

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joyce_Sanchez