There are countless sources of inspiration out there. Some are found through a good church sermon, motivational speakers, public service, books, music, co-workers, and the list goes on and on. Wherever we derive it, the important thing is that we realize how badly we need it. Inspiration can fuel the fire that maybe fading. Inspiration can motivate and invigorate yourself as well as an entire organization.

Lately I have been reading with great interest the articles in Time Magazine about the Power of One. These are true stories about everyday people and organizations doing great things to impact the lives of so many. Caroline Kennedy started this series this year. The articles are inspired by a

"Everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace." -- Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

story that ran in the April 2006 issue of Time that pictured a 7-yr old girl, Insha, in a camp in Kashmir after the catastrophic earthquake.

It was a moving article and featured a picture of Insha hobbling along with a wooden stick and no leg. Two days after the article and photo ran, Shriners Hospital contacted Time and the ball started rolling. They found Insha in a camp in Pakistan. A news director paid for her and her father to travel to the U.S. The Heal the Children Foundation provided shelter for their stay. Insha has a prosthetic leg, her parents are forever grateful, and the people who got involved and offered their services are feeling the difference one can make through the Power of One.

Just a couple years ago, M.E.D. and business partners, Keane Insurance Group and LarsonAllen, came together to find a way to give back to our community. Our goal was to identify a charity that would involve performing public service, not just making a monetary donation. As a group, we decided on the St. Patrick's Center. St. Patrick's is a model agency that is working to put an end to homelessness. The third Friday of every month, two employees from each company, head to the Center to work with other volunteers for a few hours. Since that time, our employees have experienced the same difference that just a few hours a month can make to bring hope to the homeless.

I am pleased to announce that Dan Buck, the Executive Director for St. Patrick's Center, recently reported in the St. Louis Review that there was a 26% drop in homeless people over the past two years. The Center has been working in conjunction with Mayor Slay and other social agencies to develop new strategies that will help put an end to this social ill.

If you and/or your company, practice, corporation, is looking for ways to inspire and motivate staff, consider the act of public service. Volunteering time for those in need has extraordinary benefits. When you find your inspiration, remember to share it with others. We all have the power to make a difference.

Service Excellence:
Myth or Reality
By Linda Pello, Recruiting Specialist

Everyone is talking about service excellence. Some are doing it and some are achieving it. Without excellent human relations, excellent care does not truly exist, or vice versa. Can it be done? Is service excellence the attitude of the staff; something they have to do in order to keep their jobs? Or is service excellence a lifestyle, the reflection of who and what the staff is?

These are tough questions. The questions in the preceding paragraph are all answered yes. These questions reflect the stages of development in an evolving service organization. The need is identified, a plan is implemented to improve service, the staff goes along with it (somewhat grudgingly at first), and then it becomes a lifestyle, a normal course of business.

M.E.D. started to dispel the myth and make it a reality years ago. We identified the need with the help of our clients and candidates. They told us to do better! We implemented an office standard of service. Always Respond Positively with a Smile. Whether it is on the phone or when someone comes into our office. Our clients and candidates expect service excellence. Our reputation demands it, the competition anticipates it, and our clients are paying for it. Our future is always at stake. Therefore, WE DELIVER!

We do not operate in a perfect environment and mistakes and service failures do occur…appointment errors, misplaced files, etc…Good service does not just happen, we believe it is managed. All staff members must SPEAK to candidates/clients in a FRIENDLY and COURTEOUS manner at all times. We can PAY COMPLETE ATTENTION to candidates/clients demonstrating genuine and enthusiastic interest in THEM. We can ANTICIPATE candidates/clients needs and show FLEXIBILITY in meeting these needs. We must be KNOWLEDGEABLE…know our jobs. We exhibit spirit…and we know how our job relates to others. Above all, we LEARN to take OWNERSHIP of our candidates/clients problems. We see it or hear it, we own it until RESOLVED.

In essence, in any medical facility the same principles of hospitable and courteous service whether in person or on the telephone apply.
Be honest with callers. It is okay to say we don't have the answer but offer to get the answer and follow up.
Be respectful and courteous, every person is important, so make them feel that way.
Always thank the callers for calling. They could have taken their business elsewhere.
The person on the telephone plays a part in the future return of business.
Remember unhappy patients or customers tell at least 10 others of their negative experience.
Assuredly if they do not find excellence with us, they will find it elsewhere.

And finally, try to remember that the first impression makes a lasting impression.

Visit our web site at www.medstl.com

Contact M.E.D. for all Your Medical Staffing Needs

M.E.D.'s qualified staff is available 24/7 to ensure you have the staffing resources to run your business. Call us today!

West Port office: (314) 991-8806