HIMSS Virtual Conference 2011: Closing Keynote-an exceptional presentation

The HIMSS Virtual Conference ran last Wednesday and Thursday. Meaningful Use seemed to be the key topic of focus. The sessions that I had time to view were generally instructive and interesting. The closing keynote was altogether different though.


The content and visual impact of the keynote presented by Dan DeMaioNewton of Monster Worldwide were unique. I haven't seen such an impressive slide presentation since thirty years ago when dual slide projectors and screens were first used in a medical conference talk. You have to be "old" to remember that now primitive technology. Last Thursday graphics, color, and animation were integrated in a fashion that truly amplified what the speaker had to say. I realized that the bar for presentations had suddenly been raised. I anticipate that others will be spending a lot of time and money to exceed this new standard. The presentation would have been remarkable if only for its visual impact but it provided more.


One of the themes of discussion considered HIT hiring practices and prospects. The question was " what is more important to employers- a degree (formal education in the field) or experience?" Mr. DeMaioNewton stated categorically that a degree was a necessary prerequisite. During further discussion, he allowed that experience was also important. Then, only yesterday, I was reading a discussion string on LinkedIn by those seeking employment in HIT. Most of the posts seemed to indicate that employers usually asking for a minimum of three years of experience for the positions they were attempting to fill. Up front at least, employers are looking for experienced personnel. I think that there will be continuing demands for HIT staff and fewer qualified individuals to fill the positions. Eventually the demand for staff will dilute out strict employer requirements for both training and experience. For the present, employers are still in the driver's seat so recent grads are going to face an uphill battle to break into the ranks of HIT professionals. That has been my personal experience anyway.


Another topic provided advice that was instructive. What do you do when you have a supervisor or potential supervisor who knows less than you? This is a situation that may prevent one from landing or keeping a job. Often, the supervisor doesn't want anyone around that knows more than they. They build fiefdoms of power and drive away those with more skill. Surprisingly, corporate culture often supports and encourages this management style. Mr. DeMaioNewton made the point that there are well-run companies that seek and value excellent employees. Good workers owe it to themselves not to tolerate work environments that stymie their enthusiasm and creativity. They should look for organizations where their special skills are recognized and rewarded. Just yesterday I read of a company whose hiring practices were based on finding the best people possible and then finding a job for them to do. The trick is finding the enlightened organizations.