Sparking A Conference Or Convention

The Henry J. Kaiser Company had seven groups ranging from seven to eleven persons answer this question: “What methods of intercompany communications can be employed to create a greater understanding of all companies, each to the others, of their plans, objectives, and current activities?” The question might be simplified, yet the answers were good in quality. And the total… 241.

Here are the categorized results of a six-minute mass brainstorm I ran. The question was: “How can we improve the New York Hospital Personnel Association?” The numbers in parentheses indicate duplicate answers. In all, the group came up with 143 ideas, of which 44 were duplicates. Among the 99 usable ideas I think there are ones you can use in your own lodge, club, company, or organization.

1 RESEARCH

Maintain a standing committee on salary information (2). Publish the results of one project completed each year. Compare functions with other personnel organizations. Plan more active research (3). Determine what members’ needs are.

2 TRAINING -EDUCATION

Set up good educational programs and get them started. Have more literature provided on our educational program.

Offer short courses (2).

Hold “problem” clinics.

Offer scholarships.

Have field trips to institutions (4).

Co-operate with industrial personnel groups (2).

Provide information for people entering the personnel field.

Work with schools of Hospital Administration.

3 MEMBERSHIP -NEW MEMBERS

Membership committee should improve welcoming and

acquaintance procedure.

New members should be introduced faster.

Set up “Big Brother” movement in Association (3).

Have a system for identifying members.

Certificates of membership should be issued.

4 MEETINGS

Encourage group discussions (3).

Use “brainstorming” in problem areas (2).

Have more specialized meetings.

Work on common hospital problems (3).

Have less repetition of topics.

Have more informal interchange.

Discuss “how,” not “what.”

Hold sessions where members discuss new ideas.

Have smaller discussion groups at meetings.

Have more case discussions.

Hire speakers (2).

Have joint meetings with other groups.

Have specialists speak on different phases of personnel.

Hold luncheon or dinner meetings (3).

Have a cocktail hour.

Have coffee breaks at meetings (3).

Charge 25 cents for nonattendance at meetings.

5 COMMUNICATIONS

Circularize employee publications, handbooks, house organs, etc.

Strive for more publicity in hospital journals (2). Prepare and circulate monthly information bulletin (2). Exchange information in bulletin form with other hospital associations in country (2). Publish annual review of year’s activities. Circulate articles by members.

Appoint Public Relations Committee to publicize Association’s activities (2).

Issue minutes and get notices out quicker. Set up a central file for the Association to provide material for new members (2). Advertise personnel positions open in various hospitals.

6 ORGANIZATION

Assign each member to a committee (2).

Establish a guidance and placement service.

Employ a full-time secretary; establish an office.

Establish a consultant bureau (2).

Set up our own employment agency (2).

Affiliate with other personnel associations.

Increase dues.

Establish grievance committee.

Establish a “new ideas” department.

7 MISCELLANEOUS

Have evaluation of recruitment procedures and sources.

Plan recreational activities, parties, social activities (5). Have greater interhospital contacts. Standardize methods and procedures. Set up referral policies.

Give awards to hospital personnel directors for unusual achievement.

Get more of our activities in concrete form for members. Have our members represent us with different organizations. Work in conjunction with other hospital departments.

Remember, the most important thing in every case of brainstorming is to get the participants to think without inhibition. They have to operate with a green light, no holds barred. When you get any group of people, no matter how large or small, to do that, you will find solutions to your problems coming in an avalanche.