It’s unreal how so many companies are scared of people – even their own people. Yet people are their business. Starbucks sees the power of people with their new consumer ‘idea generator’ website. I don’t like coffee, but I like what they’re doing.At Ecumen, we also find that the best ideas come from people who know us best – Ecumen customers and Ecumen employees. The power of people is the genesis behind Ecumen’s Innovation Station. (note: this is a PDF link)Housed on our intranet, it’s where teams of people shape new ways of doing things. Last week was our annual celebration recognizing innovators, who have done a variety of things to improve the customer experience, including:– Specialized behavioral Alzheimer’s training- A new memory care community for people dealing with the most serious behavioral issues caused by Alzheimer’s, there are only 2 in Minnesota and a handful nationally– New congregational senior housing.- Expanding outside bricks and mortar to provide seamless care in a person’s home- Expansion of technology such as wireless record keeping of care (no more paper) and– Universal marketing, when a person walks into an assisted living community, everyone is empowered and trained to serve that person and provide a tour- Making it possible for nursing home residents to eat when they want to eat, what they want to eat (No institutional 7 a.m. wake up call and everyone going to the dining line at once … yuck)- Concierge service so that our customers have point of contact when they seek a service- Going green …the only paper products that Country Neighbors of New Richland, Minnesota, uses are recycled paper towels- ‘Guest’ apartments so that potential customers can ‘test-drive’ our communities- Retrofitted dining trays for a person’s walker to enhance independence and allow a person to fully participate in buffet-style dining- End of life care that underscores aging is all about living even at the very end of life.

THE POWER OF PEOPLE – WHAT POSSIBILITIES