I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Clif Colley, Corporate Director of Materials Management for Baptist Health Care (BHC) in Pensacola, Florida. Colley described the history, structure, process and results of BHC’s very effective and comprehensive Margin Improvement Teams. Colley and his colleagues have achieved significant margin improvements throughout many areas of their healthcare system thanks

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The guest author this week is Emily Sirkel, my writing partner, collaborator, web admin, tech support, and unrelenting taskmaster! Read Emily’s blog at www.emilysirkel.com or follow her on Twitter: @EmilySirkel  _____________________________________________ French actress and writer Sarah Bernhardt once said, “Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.” This famous quote has been

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During a recent interview and discussion, I asked Gene Kirtser, President/CEO of ROi a wide range of questions regarding ROi’s role in improving the performance and success of those they serve. Gene will be presenting and answering questions at the upcoming Healthcare Supplier/Provider Institute meeting, April 9-10, 2012 in Las Vegas. Kirtser’s 3 highest priorities

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How do you squeeze the most out of the most important gift and asset you will ever have?  That gift, that asset, is your priceless, irreplaceable and very limited time on this planet.  Other than where and how you will spend eternity, there is no question more important and more relevant than how you spend

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Your Achievement Newsletter recently published an article titled “Sam Walton’s Rules for Success” written by Harvey Mackay.  The full article is available at yoursuccessstore.com. Let’s not forget that regardless of negative press, constant competitor attacks, as well as both legitimate and frivolous lawsuits, Wal-Mart continues to be, by far, the largest retailer in the world. Bottom line

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A recent Harvard Business Review “Management Tip of The Day” provides excellent advice for each and every person who desires greater success.  The management tip was adapted from “Five Steps to Assess Your Strengths” by Bill Barnett. To grow, achieve and enjoy greater success in any area of your life, you must know and understand your strengths. 

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A critically important, universal success principle is presented on page 14 of the February 6, 2012 Fortune magazine.  The very brief article is part of “The Best Advice I Ever Got”series. Bob Rodriguez, managing partner and CEO of First Pacific Advisors, tells the story of approaching a guest lecturer while in graduate school at the University

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Seth Godin, the world-class thought-leader, best-selling author, excellent speaker, and one of the most read bloggers in the world is on target once again.  Earlier this week, Seth wrote a blog (sethgodin.typepad.com) titled: An Endless Series of Difficult but Achievable Hills.  This blog, repeated below, provides excellent food for thought – and action for success! “Lightning rarely

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It was Sunday afternoon November 20, 2011.  I had just completed an hour-long workout at home on my recumbent bike.  As is true with most people, I was feeling relaxed and invigorated after a good workout.  Just as I was enjoying a refreshing glass of cool water, my cell phone rang. My first thought was,

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Do you want more success in all areas of your life?  Virtually 100% of all people on the planet desire more success in their lives (however they define success).  Here are three keys to more success in all areas of your life. Focus on collaboration Lead initiatives Stay current   Whether in your family, within

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Mac Anderson and John Murphy recently wrote a small but very powerful book entitled Habits Die Hard: 10 Steps To Building Successful Habits. The publisher, Simple Truths, describes the critical importance of this powerful, life-changing book as follows: “We are all creatures of habit and if you make good habits, good habits will make you. This

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2011.  Was it a good year?  A bad year?  A great year?  A difficult year?  A year of transition?  A year of stability?  A year of significant change?  A taxing and trying year?  A year of inspiration and progress toward your personal and professional mission?  A year filled with successes and failures? Like virtually every

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Successful people and successful organizations are busy this time of year, tweaking and making appropriate adjustments to their 2012 strategic and operational plans.  Even more so for highly effective and highly successful people and organizations. They have carefully reviewed their 2011 successes and failures.  They are building on and leveraging their strengths and successes.  They are

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One of the many blessings and benefits of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays is the time and inclination to reflect on what is really important in your life…. and what you are doing about what is really most important in your life. The wisest of the wise… the most truly successful of the successful…

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Guest author: Harla Adams, CEO, National Institute for Healthcare Leadership. September 4, 2011 my brother, Brent Leisure, lost his home and all his belongings in the Bastrop, Texas wildfires. The Bastrop fire encompassed approximately 34,000 acres and burned 96% or 6,240 acres of Bastrop State Park. Over 1,600 homes were lost, which makes this the

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Words can be piercing, memorable and life-changing… whether positive or negative.  Words can lift people up… or tear them down.  Some words, whether written or spoken, will never be forgotten.  Words can and will strengthen or destroy priceless relationships.  Words can truly make a difference in people’s lives. It is not the number of words,

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Average tenure for a hospital CEO in America is less than 5 years. Ben McKibbens was CEO of Valley Baptist Health System in Texas for over 25 years! McKibbens also served as a leader for numerous local, state and national boards, associations and other organizations, including as a board member and Chair of the Texas

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According to Time Magazine, in addition to years of training, operators who work in the main control rooms of nuclear plants must spend one week out of every six in retraining exercises.  Think about that.  One week out of every six… retraining, refining, rehearsing, sharpening their knowledge and decision-making skills. Obviously, the decisions made by

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Terrell “TJ” Johnson was one of the toughest, roughest, and most “successful” gang leaders and drug kingpins in the West Memphis, TN.  By age 15, TJ had made more than half a million dollars.  His cocaine-selling empire continued to grow.  By age 17, TJ was driving the streets of West Memphis in a brand new

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It was my honor to speak and lead a discussion this week with the leadership of one of Morrison Management Specialists’ very successful healthcare divisions.  The division is led by Jack Lawless, an outstanding, inspirational leader.  Jack is a true professional in every sense of the word. The theme of the meeting was “STEP UP,”

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