Telecom Solutions - Totally Connected

In previous blogs I have written about the wide variety of "things" that now have integrated connectivity and are part of the "Internet of Things". This movement has even been reduced to an acronym - IoT. In addition, I have written about Smart Grid and Smart Circles which are growing more and more prevalent as leaders see the vast benefits. One wonders, what's next? Well, at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the Detroit Auto Show this year, the question was answered. Next on the connectivity horizon is our car.

Now, you might think that with the introduction of General Motors "OnStar" product in 1995 that this is old news. But OnStar was only available in certain models of new cars and at a premium price. It had limited features, however GM saw the potential and continued to develop the product. In 2015, auto manufacturers have introduced high speed 4G LTE into the dashboard as well as self-driving capabilities and high end entertainment systems. Our connected car is becoming more of a reality as both AT&T's "Drive" platform and Verizon's "Vehicle" will be able to give us real time information about our vehicle - reminding us in a human voice to change our oil rather than seeing an ominous blinking icon which looks like nothing like it's supposed to - as well as many voice activated features controlling the entertainment system and phone features. AT&T and Verizon are taking different approaches to this connected car movement. AT&T is working directly with auto manufacturers and Verizon is offering a standalone product that can be used in older vehicles or those not quite equipped with the latest connectivity features.

Couple this with the advances in smart highway and home technologies and soon enough we will be able - through our car - to take the fastest way home at the end of the day and know what's waiting for us when we get there. Again, if only technology can work it out to have a nice glass of wine poured and ready, it would be perfect!

-Suzanne Beck
VP Business Development
Telecom Solutions - Telamon Corporation

Medical Solutions: SOAP-ing Your Wellness Program? - The "P" of SOAP

Your patience has served you well gentle reader. You have made it to the final installment of “SOAP-ing your wellness program.” We are ready to look at the “P” of SOAP. P represents plan. Remember those apples that you have been wanting to bring into the break room? This is the point in the SOAP process where this type of intervention would come in.

Now that your assessment report is complete, you should have a clear picture of the state of health and wellness in your workplace. The assessment report can serve as the reference tool to guide decisions when creating your plan.1 Additionally, it should identify and prioritize what health/safety concerns exist in your business. The workplace health assessment report is the springboard for your plan and your plan is the road map that provides direction for your health, safety, and wellness programming.

Considerations for any plan should include a system for prioritizing activities before developing a workplace improvement plan. This is different than prioritizing the greatest risk. How should you determine what trend should be addressed first? The easiest? The quickest? The least expensive? The one everybody likes? Apples in the break room?

The Centers for Disease Control has some guidelines for prioritizing activities. It is suggested that the employer contemplate the burden, impact, and feasibility when considering activities for workplace health improvement. In this case, burden means to consider the number of employees affected by a health risk or condition, the magnitude of the health effects for the employees such as risk for disability, quality of life or even death. Lastly, burden also refers to the direct or indirect health care and/or economic obligations.

Impact, amongst other things, is the potential health benefit of the program including the proportion of employees who might be benefited. Lastly, feasibility refers to the level of difficulty in implementing the intervention or strategy. What is the cost in dollars and time needed to plan and implement the strategy? Are the employees interested in participating? Do they see a need for this program or activity?

Once priorities have been set, then you are ready to develop a plan. Now instead of SOAP you are ready to move onto GOIE.

I know, it doesn't sound nearly as fun as SOAP.

Stay tuned...

1 (www.CDC.gov/workplacehealthpromotion-improvementplan)