Jun. 29, 2009 at 1:49pm

Smart marketers aren't tweeting

Posted by Kathleen Deakins in Internal Communications, Planning and Strategy
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In a room of 30 smart hospital marketers last month, not one could think of good reason to take up Twitter personally. They’re already struggling to keep up with a crushing workload. I think they were hoping our Think Lab speaker, Andrew Fry, would let them off the hook. He didn’t—at least not completely.

May. 14, 2009 at 4:44pm

Rx from a recessionista

Posted by Guest Blogger in Community Relations, Planning and Strategy
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“I'm not home, but my shoes are. Leave them a message.” Beep.

So goes the greeting on the answering machine of one Carrie Bradshaw, the shopaholic protagonist on TV’s “Sex and the City.” Like Carrie, I love shoes. Unlike her, I’m into bargains. And I’m talking more than shoes—clothing, groceries, appliances, you name it. But there’s one notable exception: Health care.

Navigating clearance sales? Easy. Selecting insurance plans and buying prescriptions? Forget it.

May. 6, 2009 at 12:03pm

Piggyback your way to results

Posted by Kathleen Deakins in Advertising, Special Events
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“Someone pushed it. We’re on our way.” Brilliant. And a timely lesson on my commute earlier today. I was looking at the back end of a Staples delivery truck featuring a large, red “Easy” button.

The truck graphics show two tried and true techniques for stretching a budget in good times and bad.

Apr. 27, 2009 at 11:40am

Thanks, Mr. Blue

Posted by Guest Blogger in Community Relations, Planning and Strategy
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Recently I posted an account of my frustrating experience with my insurance company’s patient access Web site (Singing The Blues: Delivering on your promise). The initial problem was the customer-unfriendly login.

Apr. 24, 2009 at 1:09pm

Don't keep me waiting

Posted by Shari Campbell in Internal Communications, Planning and Strategy, Practice Management
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Just returned from my annual mammogram appointment. I sat in the second waiting area for 15 minutes after I’d arrived on time for a 7 a.m. appointment.

Apr. 15, 2009 at 11:58am

Making changes, one fakinagel at a time

Posted by Shari Campbell in Internal Communications, Measurement, Planning and Strategy
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My favoite lunch is a fakinagel.

A few years ago, when my cholesterol crept over 200 despite my mostly healthy diet and mostly regular exercise, I realized I needed to make more changes.

Apr. 10, 2009 at 3:41pm

Employees ready for wellness at work

Posted by Guest Blogger in Declassified
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“Walk your way to a size 6!” teases a magazine headline.

But by now you’re already salivating over the photo of the four-layer chocolate cake also featured on the cover.

Healthy lifestyle information is so common, it has become easy to ignore. Recent research confirms that health care industry employees are tired of just reading about making healthy choices. They are ready to take action, and they would appreciate a nudge from their employers.

Mar. 27, 2009 at 3:25pm

March Madness, marketing and more

Posted by Guest Blogger in Planning and Strategy
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March Madness is upon us – and even if you’re not a sports fan, you’re probably vaguely aware that something significant is happening in the world of college basketball.

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament  is in full swing as I write this, with only 16 teams out of 64 still standing, hoping their national title dreams will come true.

Mar. 11, 2009 at 11:25am

The walk-talk disconnect

Posted by Kathleen Deakins in Branding, Community Relations
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I passed a McDonald’s filled with hospital employees recently as I walked down the hall of a major medical center. I took note because a few days earlier, a health care employee several states away had mentioned that same in-house McDonald’s as an example of a hospital not walking the talk about employee wellness.

Actions speak louder than words, you might say. The unbreakable lease signed 15 years ago still speaks today.

Mar. 3, 2009 at 3:00pm

What's in a name?

Posted by Shari Campbell in Branding
Comments (1)

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