1 of 61

1

Healthcare Idea Jam Report 2019

The 2019 Healthcare Idea Jam was invested in by Berkshire United Way and R3SET Entreprises to analyze the opportunities to create a stronger pipeline and community around the healthcare industry in the Berkshires. This report summarizes the context, findings and suggested next actions.

2 0 1 9 . 1 0 . 2 3

2 of 61

2

  1. Overview & Story
  2. Why An Idea Jam
  3. How We Approached It
  4. At The Idea Jam
  5. What We Learned
  6. Recommendations
  7. Next Steps

Index

This index provides a quick overview of what to expect and how the report is laid out.

This report is lovingly printed by the Berkshire Print Shop.

R3SET Idea Jam Report

3 of 61

3

Overview & Story

The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital.

Mark Hyman

Part 01

R3SET Idea Jam Report

4 of 61

4

Integrating Values of Collective Impact Framework

R3SET Idea Jam Report

5 of 61

5

Background

Did you know that many of our neighbors are working two to three part-time jobs and are still struggling to make ends meet?

In 2017, the median household income here in Berkshire County was just over $55,000.

The Economic Prosperity Impact Council (EPIC), comprised of nearly 40 members from businesses and organizations throughout the county, is committed to placing people in vacant, full-time jobs and addressing the hiring and retention needs of local businesses.

Our goal is to reduce the number and percentage of households earning less than $75,000. This work began two years ago beginning with addressing the needs of the healthcare industry in Berkshire County.

As part of Berkshire United Way’s EPIC initiative and in conjunction with industry partners, an occupational awareness marketing campaign is being developed by R3SET and Sp3ak Easy Studio.

Vision & Goals

The campaign’s goal is to educate and engage students, job seekers and the larger community on critical entry level occupations available within the Berkshires.

We targeted four specific things for the project:

To create a diverse focus group which represents the healthcare industry in the Berkshires.

To identify and map the ecosystem, gain insight into awareness and recruitment efforts and identify gaps/ roadblocks in the industry pipeline.

To identify the most impactful marketing and storytelling opportunities that will shape an effective marketing and storytelling campaign.

To gain a competent understanding of the Berkshire ecosystem, furthering our ability to develop an effective healthcare campaign for the community.

Approach�

The Idea Jam process is designed for a defined focus group of diverse community stakeholders and engages them through the methodology of ideas and design thinking around a set of questions and issues that generates a data rich repository of information and solutions.

In addition, the idea jam was created as a way to extract data in a fun, efficient and impactful process and method that positively engaged all community stakeholders.

An idea jam helps determine how a marketing campaign and community engagement effort can increase career pathway engagement.

Campaign Overview

R3SET Idea Jam Report

6 of 61

6

Cooperative Partners

Berkshire �Workforce

Board

1Berkshire

SP3AK EASY

Community Health Programs

Berkshire Community College

Berkshire Place

Mildred Elley

Berkshire Healthcare

Berkshire United Way

R3SET Idea Jam Report

7 of 61

7

“Berkshire United Way is committed to innovative solutions that better fill existing job openings and improve alignment among job seekers, employers, professional development services and human support services.”

Berkshire United Way

P R O P O S A L

8 of 61

8

“Building off of the work of 1Berkshire and the Blueprint 2.0, we believe by investing in the healthcare industry in the Berkshires we can strengthen the community as a whole.”

Team R3SET

P R O P O S A L

9 of 61

9

Why An Idea Jam

“Creative thinking inspires ideas. Ideas inspire change.”

Barbara Januszkiewicz

Part 02

R3SET Idea Jam Report

10 of 61

10

Getting high-quality quantitative data is an important facet of the Idea Jam outcomes.

The data can be used to inform everything from where the community is spending its time, to the language and stories that connect with different community subgroups.

Quantitative & Qualitative Data

Learn More @ TeamR3SET.com/Idea-jam

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

11 of 61

11

By bringing people together, we are able to gather real time feedback on the station topics. Trends and emotional connection can be used to determine which ideas will gain traction.

We intentionally connected with the various groups that were represented at the event.

Real Time Feedback

REPORT

Learn More @ TeamR3SET.com/Idea-jam

R3SET Idea Jam Report

12 of 61

12

Connecting the community brings greater benefits than just the data. Bringing different groups together creates new opportunities for partnerships, networking opportunities and friendships.

Community Engagement

REPORT

Learn More @ TeamR3SET.com/Idea-jam

R3SET Idea Jam Report

13 of 61

13

How We Approached It

“Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.”

Charles Eames

Part 03

R3SET Idea Jam Report

14 of 61

14

Facilitated design thinking sessions are proven to be more effective. It keeps people on task and keeps the momentum focused on the established goal. The Idea Jam is a fast-paced facilitated brainstorm session.

The Idea Jam Process:

Attendees broke into four workgroups that brainstormed on four main topics. After 15 minutes, groups switched stations to allow all participants the opportunity to “jam” on each of the four topics and share their perspectives and ideas.

Facilitated Ideation

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

15 of 61

15

We designed four stations to maximize the amount of information we could get in a two-hour time period.

Stations included

  • Berkshire Healthcare Industry Career Pipeline Mapping
  • Ideal Candidates to reach with a Marketing Awareness Campaign
  • Mapping Industry Awareness, Recruitment and Upward Mobility Efforts
  • Impactful Industry Stories and Messages

Station Design

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

16 of 61

16

We ensured that representatives from all facets of the healthcare community were included in the discussion and ideation.

Groups represented

  • Administrators
  • Students
  • Teachers
  • Workforce
  • Influencers
  • Community Stakeholders

Industry Groups

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

17 of 61

17

After the event, we analyzed the data in a relational database to connect as many dots as possible.

We processed the data in 5 core ways:

  • Identifying interesting stories
  • Identifying trends in the data
  • Drawing comparisons between new and established data
  • Searching for anything that was counterintuitive
  • Searching for relationship between data points

Post Jam Analysis

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

18 of 61

18

At The Idea Jam

“Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you.”

Saint Augustine

Part 04

R3SET Idea Jam Report

19 of 61

19

The Idea Jam was well attended, with 30 participants representing six industry groups. Erika Allison, the master of ceremonies for the event, did an amazing job welcoming all participants. We were honored to have an introduction from Ben Lamb, Director of Economic Development of 1Berkshire, connecting these efforts to the Berkshire Blueprint 2.0. Next, Heather Boulger, Executive Director of MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, shared the many career opportunities in healthcare, their salaries, and how the Berkshire Workforce Board is communicating these opportunities to the community with healthcare industry stakeholders. Following was Candace Winkler, President & CEO of Berkshire United Way, who set up the context of why Berkshire United Way is leading this charge, namely that empowered families foster a strong, dynamic and engaged community with opportunities for all.

Welcome.

R3SET Idea Jam Report

20 of 61

20

Candace Winkler

President & CEO

Berkshire United Way

Ben Lamb

Director of Economic Development

1Berkshire

Heather Boulger

Executive Director

MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board

Community Support

R3SET Idea Jam Report

21 of 61

21

Erika explained to the participants/community stakeholders what they were there to do, thanking them in advance for their participation. She explained the goal of the Idea Jam was to bring the healthcare community together to solve the career pipeline problem, creating a healthier pipeline of CNAs, medical assistants and dental assistants. Participants were made aware of how Idea Jam activities were designed to gather input, data, and ideas for a media-marketing and storytelling campaign geared to address recruitment and retention.

Ready.Set.Jam.

R3SET Idea Jam Report

22 of 61

22

After a robust Idea Jam session, all participants returned to their original station for final voting on the ideas and recommendations put forward by the full group. Participants did a last round of voting on the top ideas and recommendations from the Ideal Candidate and Storytelling stations. This provided us with the community curated list of actionable ideas from the Idea Jam, reflected in this report as well as the recommendations for the industry.

Voting and Wrap-up.

R3SET Idea Jam Report

23 of 61

23

Who Facilitated?

Erika Allison - Willow/EA Unlimited

Karen Vogel, Julie Singley - Berkshire United Way

John Lewis, Patrick Danahey, Devin Shea - #R3SET �Chad Robertson - Elementi/NAACP

R3SET Idea Jam Report

24 of 61

24

179

25

26

600+

Event summary data from the Healthcare Industry Idea Jam.

Headline Data

Points Cast for Ideal Candidate Vote

Ideas Generated

Impactful Healthcare Industry stories submitted by Jammers

Ideal Marketing Campaign Candidates Generated

Data points collected

371

R3SET Idea Jam Report

25 of 61

25

What We Learned

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

Benjamin Franklin

Part 05

R3SET Idea Jam Report

26 of 61

26

Narrative and Scope:

One of the goals of the healthcare industry health care marketing campaign is to help attract, engage and retain ideal candidates who have a higher than average likelihood of finding personal and professional success within the industry.

For the candidate, this means a stable occupation and pay. For the employer, it represents an opportunity to retain the candidate longer, guide them toward professional advancement valuable to the candidate and the employer, and reduce costs to the organization.

Help us identify and understand who makes for an ideal entry level candidate and why they do.”

Station Goal:

Identify and profile ideal entry level and career candidates to reach with a healthcare marketing awareness campaign. Vote on the best ideal candidates.

Facilitators:

Patrick Danahey, Julie Singley

Station: Ideal Candidate Avatars

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

27 of 61

27

Station Highlights

At the IDEAL CANDIDATE AVATAR station, Idea Jam participants were asked to get creative and brainstorm who will be an ideal candidate to reach with a healthcare marketing awareness campaign. After generating new ideal candidates, each Idea Jam group selected a candidate to profile. Profiling an ideal candidate included exploring their goals, pain points and challenges, values, information sources and key influencers. At the end of the session all idea jammers were given three stickies; red sticky = 3 points, green sticky = 2 points, yellow = 1 point.

26 Ideal Candidate Ideas Generated

5 Customer Avatar Profiles Created

179 Total Vote Points Cast

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

28 of 61

28

R3SET Idea Jam Report

29 of 61

29

Goals

Figure out a career path to make money after high school, figure out a next step toward a career, find a school or institution that fits

Values

Stay close to family, interest in caring for people, doing something that is important and meaningful, doing something that they can be proud of, making money, do I love what I do? = happiness, stewardship, caring, drive, smart

Influencers

Family opinions, school administration, fellow students, friends, teachers, guidance counselors, boyfriend or girlfriend

Challenges & Pain Points

Transportation, money, place to live, not knowing what path to take, not knowing what to do to move into chosen profession, unaware of opportunities in healthcare industry, friends’ opinions

Information Sources

Schools, family, guidance counselor, internet, career fair, parents, friends, teachers, local advertisements

Profile - High School Student

R3SET Idea Jam Report

30 of 61

30

Goals

To smoothly settle into the area and find a livable career, find a job with adequate pay, relocator/trailing spouse seeking job, find community of like-minded people

Values

Finding a rewarding position, something to pay the bills, easy transition, desire to succeed, make a name for themselves, relocator/trailing spouse- lifestyle, networking, family

Influencers

New neighbors, people they meet online, spouse, realtor, new friends

Challenges & Pain Points

Finding available positions, settling in the area while settling into a new career

For organizations looking to hire - how to know who relocators are, how to get them information.

Information Sources

Information from realtors, HR at spouse’s employer, online, word of mouth, new friends, social media

Profile - Relocator to the Berkshires

R3SET Idea Jam Report

31 of 61

31

Goals

Support self while retired, get out or start out in workforce as a senior for first career, finding full-time or part-time work after retiring from life-long career, having more to give

Values

Strengthen community, generally have good work ethic, committed to succeed, still want to contribute to the economy, wanting to continue to give more to their communities

"

Challenges & Pain Points

Being an adult learner in youth-oriented setting, not being reached out to in an accessible way. e.g.. social media, age discrimination, age - limited income allowed by it effects benefits

Information Sources

Newspapers, shoppers guide, radio, public television stations, print media, word of mouth, life experiences

Profile - Retiree

Influencers

Peers, especially those with or in a career, local agencies and businesses in need

R3SET Idea Jam Report

32 of 61

32

Goals

Care for family, driven to care maybe from personal experience with family member or friend, secure future for family, stability, take care of family, have time for family/career now that children are older

Values

Family, security, hope for the future, money, hard work, social aspects, appropriate working hours, organized, hard working, already caregivers to their families, earning enough to afford health insurance, child care, make a living versus just surviving, emotional support, time/energy opportunity

Influencers

Teachers, leaders at jobs, physicians, NP/PA- primary caregiver, family, friends, children's friends and parents, parents, peers, celebrities, spiritual leaders, counselors

Challenges & Pain Points

Misaligned incentives, living wages, low paying positions, cost burden of training/education, mental health support, family member needs for time and care, reliable transportation, family sickness, family obligations

Information Sources

Social media, word of mouth, Facebook, grapevine, friends and family, television commercials, internet or word of mouth from member in healthcare position, others in same boat, fake news

Profile - Single Parent

R3SET Idea Jam Report

33 of 61

33

Goals

Career satisfaction, increase income opportunities, career advancement opportunities, meaningfulness in life, not necessarily money incentive, education and training, change to something they are passionate about

Values

Community, committed to work, motivated, meaningfulness, helping others, doing something that matters, giving back and lived experience, work ethic

Influencers

Family obligations, influencers know someone, the marketing campaign, colleagues, friends, media

Challenges & Pain Points

Schedule/family schedule, dealing with younger colleagues, monetary barriers, finances, cost, time out of school, possibly first time in school, age, ability, family support, learning something new, technology

Information Sources

Social media, networking, friends and family, Facebook, radio, television, internet, Google search, clear and easy to navigate sources

Profile - 2nd career people changing careers, already working

R3SET Idea Jam Report

34 of 61

34

Addressing barriers to entry in order to grow size and quality of candidate pool

Groups identified challenges and barriers including – low wages, benefits cliff, access to child care, transportation, cost of education/training, etc. Addressing key barriers and communicating how the barrier is addressed will help attract more candidates toward the healthcare industry.

Interesting Ideal Candidates Worthy of Consideration by Industry

Among the middle of the pack ideal candidates (according to the vote) were suggestions that may traditionally be overlooked, including but not limited to: immigrants, incarcerated/turning lives around individuals, minorities, veterans, individuals re-entering workforce after a break, dissatisfied college grads.

Communicating occupation/career benefits through values key to attract more candidates to industry

Coming into the Idea Jam, one of the agreed upon focuses for an industry marketing campaign was communicating lifestyle/personal benefits to ideal candidates. Values identified in this profile give the industry valuable insight into what occupation/career benefits in the healthcare industry will best align with ideal candidate values, helping employers retain and recruit more effectively.

When analyzing the ideal candidate voting results, it is clear that high school and college level candidates were identified as crucial to addressing the recruitment issue and growing the candidate pool in the county. (Placed 2nd, 3rd and 5th in voting.)

Reviewing the five candidate profiles, some clear themes emerge with regard to a ideal candidate goals, pain points, values and influencers which can help shape future industry marketing and communication efforts.

Findings

R3SET Idea Jam Report

35 of 61

35

Narrative and Scope:

At the Industry Pipeline Mapping station, participants were asked to share their perspective from the lens of the industry group they were representing.�

We suspect there are gaps in the healthcare career pipeline. We want to know from where you sit what do you hear, think, feel, see, do and say (Current Experience), as well as what you would like to hear, think, feel, see, do and say (Desired Changes) as it relates to the healthcare pipeline.”

For the purpose of this exercise, the scope of the pipeline started at high school and focused on getting candidates to becoming successful CNAs, CMAs, or CDAs, with a trajectory headed toward establishing a career in the healthcare industry.

Goal:

Capture each industry groups’ perspective, experience, and what they would like to see as it relates to the Berkshires healthcare industry and pipeline.

Facilitator:

Karen Vogel

Station: Industry Pipeline Mapping

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

36 of 61

36

Station Highlights

At the Industry Pipeline Mapping station, idea jam participants shared their current experience working in the healthcare industry, as well as what they would like to experience. Feedback and representation by industry group was varied; administration shared 23 stickies with feedback, students 18, workforce 13, teachers 8, influencers 2, and community stakeholders 2. Existing issues and desired changes were shared, with a lot of similarities and a few differences between groups.

66 feedback stickies captured

Administration Industry Group Contributed 23 Feedback Points

53% focused on current experience

47% focused on desired experience

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

37 of 61

37

Current Experience - Core Issues

  • Finding and retaining workers
  • Unmotivated workers
  • Lots of availability for occupations, few people to fill the job
  • Lots of training opportunities available, but a lack of students/ trainees
  • Low desire to learn what it takes to do the job
  • Teamwork between workers is lacking
  • Impact of insurance benefits, stipends, etc. on willingness and sensibility to work

Future Experience - Desired Changes

  • More openness to accommodate atypical workers
  • More teamwork taught in training, more vocational programs
  • Better pay, benefits outside the BHS network
  • More innovative, technology driven education
  • More education via social media reaching the public about the healthcare industry, how this can impact the industry

Industry Experience - Workforce

R3SET Idea Jam Report

38 of 61

38

Current Experience - Core Issues

  • Cannot pay workers what they want/need
  • Workers are incentivized to cut hours to ensure they qualify for vouchers and stipends
  • Small pool from which to drawn upon and the pipeline is very limited.
  • More diversity in worker pool needed (age, sex, experience, ethnicity)
  • There is a lack of understanding of the medical assistant profession
  • Employment opportunities available are not known/understood
  • Lack of partnerships and integrated efforts among the educational schools, employers and community agencies
  • Lack of work ethic, commitment
  • Stealing help from other employers in the industry
  • Pipeline gaps: need more career awareness at the middle school level, e.g.. medical assistant, LPN, etc.
  • Transportation is a major challenge when it comes to recruitment
  • Rate of pay can be challenging in some positions due to competitors

Future Experience - Desired Changes

  • Education of students at an earlier age
  • Increase number of internships for high school students.
  • Break down barriers between agencies
  • Advertising in such a way that attracts older employees who are not savvy on social media
  • Being able to do more for staff to retain them (like tuition assistance/ loan repayment
  • Better quality candidates
  • Higher pay for employees
  • More people moving to the Berkshires
  • Decrease in crime, opioid crisis, etc. in area
  • Some way of supporting guidance counselors and give time to them to understand career + college relaxed options, e.g.. trade can also go to college
  • Varied advertising media/routes (ie.g. billboards) with career opportunities in healthcare and process to enter field
  • For employers to support the educators so there is an increase in qualified candidates for employers

Industry Experience - Administration

R3SET Idea Jam Report

39 of 61

39

Current Experience - Core Issues

  • Teachers
    • Not enough structured time for career programming (tests, evaluations, data take up this time)
    • Low enrollment number for college track/health care track
    • Students resistant to learning
    • Numbers and testing prioritized over engaging students
  • Students
    • Lack of high quality education or the perception that is the case
      • Example: people are not proud to go to BCC out of high school
    • Classroom theory is poorly delivered. There is an overemphasis on testable theory and not enough practical training
    • Students are not given career info on what careers are a part of industry, we only assume doctor or nurse

Future Experience - Desired Changes

  • Teachers
    • Students more engaged in hands-on work (clinics, volunteerism, current events within industry)
    • Better networks
    • More effort made to reach those who may be interested in allied health
    • “As a teacher, I would like to see a CNA program that is stripped to its essentials to reduce time and money for students = better, more robust workforce. “
  • Students
    • More opportunities for students to have on-the-job experiences
    • More immediate experience of what job/career paths are like - shadowing and practical training vs. academics
    • Classes that need to be taken and knowing the amount of money that is needed to get a nursing degree
    • Exposure to industry pathways if you do not have access to programs/people with such careers
    • More career fair type opportunities
    • More marketing materials that high school students can take home about training/education/career opportunities
    • Awareness of internships, in-school visits by professionals

Industry Experience - Teachers & Students

R3SET Idea Jam Report

40 of 61

40

Current Experience - Core Issues

  • Community Stakeholders
    • A growing elderly population with growing demand for healthcare service while the working aged population is leaving en masse and no outside population relocating to fill need
    • Lack of ideal candidate pool for training
    • Population decline within the Berkshires
  • Influencers
    • Lack of commitment to care-work professionally

Future Experience - Desired Changes

  • Community Stakeholders
    • A two-fold strategy to get new/trained workforce into the Berkshires and a campaign to retain younger population
  • Influencers
    • More support for workers/team members with challenges in their lives
    • More PTSD, drugs, substance abuse training for staff

Industry Experience - Community Stakeholders & Influencers

R3SET Idea Jam Report

41 of 61

41

Employer - Entry Level Worker Findings

Employers cannot expect the perfect hire to walk through the door; they need to be willing to support, train and build the workforce to move up the ladder within their own agency or through partnerships. There is a need to have a continuous flow of students/workers coming into these entry level positions so there is always backfill as current workforce moves on. Employers need to better understand the incentives that motivate employees to stay with an agency.

Need for Support Networks within Industry, Community

There is a wealth of resources in our community but few people know about them, access them or utilize them. We need to better understand the barriers that exist in getting services/training and build stronger support networks for individuals.

Industry Educational Programming Worth Exploring Further

Feedback on industry education stood out, as both teachers and students felt there was an over reliance on testing and a need for more practical hands-on experiences for students. Additionally, feedback was given that educational institutions have a curriculum for students that does not necessarily meet the current needs of the workforce., creating a scenario where students are not gaining appropriate education/training to enter the workforce.

At the Industry Pipeline Mapping Station, a number of gaps were identified within pipeline sectors.

Students requested more exposure and career opportunities in high school, as they were not aware of the breath of opportunity in the field. They want to start career planning earlier (9th grade minimum). College/post secondary students are seeking more hands-on experience and noted BCC has a stigma that is not good amongst peers. Current workforce did not learn the practical skills needed for the job and need greater access to training on the job. Administrators are facing unmotivated employees and acknowledge low pay is a significant factor. Educators are seeking relationships with industry partners to know their needs and adjust curriculum accordingly. Community Stakeholders and Influencers spoke to the growing demand for care as our population ages; the need to attract employees from outside the Berkshires to fill positions is strong.

Findings

R3SET Idea Jam Report

42 of 61

42

Narrative and Scope:

At the Mapping Industry Awareness station, participants were asked to share insights on what is being done/ what can be done to engage, recruit and advance Berkshire residents to the healthcare industry.

“Help identify existing marketing, recruitment and career advancement opportunity efforts in Berkshire County.

Beyond what is happening, we would like to ask you to put on your thinking caps and come up with insights and thoughts on what you would like to see happening.”

Goal:

Deepen our collective understanding of what is already being done, what can be done to attract Berkshire County residents to entry level healthcare positions.

Facilitator:

Chad Robertson

Station: Mapping Industry Awareness

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

43 of 61

43

Current Methods

  • Reaching out to colleges
  • Allied health
  • Cold call direct
  • Research company and go for it
  • Volunteer

Potential Methods

  • Where to go for training and what is available
  • Fact sheet for career paths
  • Education on options and how to get there
  • Mentorship/meetups
  • Market to high school students in high school with real life examples
  • Education on non medical careers
  • Paid internships/mentorships

Mapping Awareness

R3SET Idea Jam Report

44 of 61

44

Station Themes

Lack of knowledge of career opportunities in industry

Lack of knowledge by candidates on how to string together various jobs into a career, lack of communication between longer-term employees who have created their own career path to high school/college/entry level candidates who want to know how to navigate a career.

More Integration Advisable

More integrated efforts between educational institutions, supportive services, and healthcare industry providers to support job awareness, training and career upward mobility.

Lack of knowledge of job opportunities in industry

Lack of knowledge by candidates of entry and mid-level job opportunities and of the education/background needed for those job opportunities.

More Communication Necessary

More communication is needed between employers and local schools/colleges on type of jobs that are open. Public/candidates/high school students are unaware that a significant amount of jobs in health care are not patient-facing nor deal with medicine - e.g. accounting, finance, data, legal and administrative work.

R3SET Idea Jam Report

45 of 61

45

County-wide Unified Approach

Opportunity for better recruitment and retention scenarios in Berkshire County by integrating efforts and planning between industry, educational institutions, social service organizations, government agencies and key stakeholders. More opportunity needs to be created to build relationships between sectors.

No distinct approach to finding candidates

Very little was said or known about current ways to find candidates or seek other employment opportunities. The answers revolved around two themes - word of mouth searching/advertising and an aversion to job websites, like Indeed or CareerBuilder, as they are seen as ineffective.

Candidate/Employer Communication Gaps

Candidates’ general lack of knowledge and understanding about available jobs, entry level positions. Advancement and career pathway opportunities not being communicated effectively.

Groups at the Mapping Industry Awareness station participated in two silos of discussion.�One silo focused on current ways one would go about looking for a job or candidate for a healthcare job in the Berkshires.

The second focused on what needs to be improved about current efforts to recruit or market jobs in healthcare.

Conversation on how to improve the current recruitment system was much more fruitful.

Findings

R3SET Idea Jam Report

46 of 61

46

Narrative and Scope:

Our goal is to produce a media-centric industry marketing campaign - one that will potentially include interviews, powerful photos and imagery, videos, articles and more to build engagement and empathy.

In an effort to increase awareness and engagement for entry-level industry occupations and beyond, we will tell stories of real people - who they are, what their life is like, what the impact of working in the industry has been for them and so on.

Outcome:

This station contributed known success stories, future story ideas and relevant communication channels to help attract and engage candidates through a marketing and positive imaging campaign.

Goal:

Brainstorm impactful healthcare stories and messaging to promote through an industry healthcare marketing campaign

Facilitator:

John Lewis

Station: Impactful Industry Stories and Messages

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

47 of 61

47

Station Highlights

At the IMPACTFUL INDUSTRY STORIES AND MESSAGES station, participants wrote 25 stories in total. Participants chose stories they felt would be impactful and engaging for a future marketing campaign. Participants also shared 90 slogans and messages, of which a top 18 was determined through voting. Ideal channels to consume stories and content was discussed and voted on, with social media 16, podcast 12, and Youtube 12 being the highest voted channels. Between print, video and blog mediums, video and print tied for first place. Participants also narrowed down who the marketing campaign should reach, identifying individuals under 40 as the target group, with a main focus on high school students.

25 Impactful Industry Stories Generated

90 Slogans and Messages Generated

Top Voted Channels:

Social Media = 16 Podcast = 12 Youtube = 12

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

48 of 61

48

The second exercise in the Storytelling station was designed to gain insight and data on how participants would prefer to consume these stories and from what channel: print. digital blog or video.

The Results:

Preferred Secondary Tertiary Checks

Video: 7 1 7 21

Print: 7 2 6 21

Blog: 2 12 0 18

*Preferred = top option, secondary = 2nd option, tertiary = 3rd option, Check = participant would consume information from this medium

Story Consumption

R3SET Idea Jam Report

49 of 61

49

Differences Between Industry Groups Preference on Media/Marketing Communications

Media/marketing communication preferences differed by industry group, as well as by age, with administrators seeking more print centric media, and in general younger adults seeking more video and digital media as their preferred way to consume content.

Powerful Marketing and Messaging Themes Discovered from participants’ stories

Stories generated focused on meaningful and cherished relationships - those built between patients and caretakers, family and friends, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, wives and students, underscoring the importance of connection and community in the healthcare industry.

Storytelling Direction

Workers’ and industry members’ stories can be used to have a positive impact on industry recruitment and retention issues. We recommend these stories be shared and circulated through a Facebook group or another digital portal to spread impactful industry stories.

At the Impactful Industry Stories and Messages station, 83% of participants submitted a story. Many participants had more to share than allowed for by the 15 minutes at the station. �

While some stories shared were the participants’, many stories shared and discussed came from other sources and stuck with the participant, highlighting how a good story can make waves through a network or community. �

One concern raised by participants was the need for confidentiality with some of the stories shared. Many stories shared centered around direct healthcare. It was pointed out by participants that impactful stories can be shared across the industry, with examples such as mental health, military stories, physical therapy, administration, etc.

Findings

R3SET Idea Jam Report

50 of 61

50

Industry Recommendations

Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.

William Pollard

Part 06

R3SET Idea Jam Report

51 of 61

51

Recommended Approach:

Document, do not create methodology

Narrative Strategy:

Build the industry narrative that there is a group of healthcare workers working together as a community to innovate, provide great care and tackle its biggest challenges, while providing opportunity for the next generation of healthcare workers.

Storytelling Campaign Strategy:

The focus of the campaign will center around the stories and story leads captured at the Idea Jam, using these stories to support recruitment and retention efforts, general awareness efforts and educational opportunities.

Content Featuring:

Economic Prosperity Impact Council (EPIC)

Stories from all cohorts

Jobs and careers available

Career track opportunities

Healthcare industry success stories

Strategic Marketing Recommendations

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

52 of 61

52

Why a Campaign Strategy?

  • Opportunity for a pilot collaboration together
  • Set a campaign time frame of 90 days focused on recruitment
  • Ability to measure the success of the campaign
    • Digital promotions provide a great opportunity for data analysis and retargeting opportunities

Recommended Channels

  • According to the research aforementioned in the report, the channels that were chosen as the best to use in a storytelling strategy was two-fold:
    • Video storytelling as a format in which they want to consume and share stories
    • A video podcast series combined with a 3 to 5-minute video campaign

Video Podcast

10 to 25 video podcasts for stories from the industry, from healthcare workers to the people they serve.

  • Benefits
    • Video podcast is easy to share online
      • We can edit special segment clips to share on multiple social media channels
    • We can use the audio of the podcast and transcribe the podcast interview to be turned into a blog for print or newsletter
    • We can share and distribute the audio to SoundCloud/iTunes.stitcher/Spotify/major podcast directories

Facebook:

Share these stories on Facebook in a campaign, directing viewers toward additional stories, information about career opportunities, organizations.

We recommend establishing and directing viewers to a healthcare industry Facebook group/community.

Strategic Marketing Recommendations Continued

R3SET Idea Jam Report

53 of 61

53

  • Instantly integrating viewers into the community where they can network and meet people from the industry.
  • The Facebook group can provide a centralized location/channel for digital marketing efforts for all cohorts.

Instagram

  • A storytelling photo campaign can accompany this as well on Instagram.
  • We recommend starting with video and images captured from the Idea Jam
    • 1-minute video clips from the Idea Jam for Instagram, pictures from events
    • We can also use content from the video podcast on Instagram

Print

Part of the feedback received at the Idea Jam asked for incorporating print marketing into our strategy. We believe an integrated approach between digital mediums and print can be effective for the industry.

(Print continued)

Print was identified as a strong medium to communicate with the aging population in the Berkshires, for example the Berkshire Eagle.

PR Strategy/Communication Plan

Center the PR strategy around the Idea Jam report, its findings, and the recommendations that followed.

Event Marketing

Build connection, spark collaboration, problem solve together

We recommend that the proposed healthcare social community and healthcare industry host more social/networking/purposed events (e.g. Idea Jam)

Examples:

Healthcare Appreciation Thursdays at (venue)

Healthcare industry meetup in collaboration with 1Berkshire

More purpose-driven events for the industry, such as the Idea Jam

Strategic Marketing Recommendations Continued

R3SET Idea Jam Report

54 of 61

54

Continue to Recruit Organizational Industry Players to this group/collective

  • Recommendation to get the largest employer, BHS, in the room
  • Create a comprehensive mapping of whose specializing in what, and why, building stronger networks of industry partners, education, social service agencies.

Related Data

  • Feedback from Idea Jam participant - “"I would like to see a group consisted of schools, employees and community agencies to come together on a consistent basis to discuss educational needs, employment needs and requirements for recruitment strategies. “

Specific Recommendation

  • Streamline communication, near term agendas and integrate efforts between industry organizations, educational organizations, social service organizations, agencies, etc. More opportunity needs to be created to build relationships between sectors.

Increase Connectivity Between Industry Employment Requirements and Educational Institutions Curriculums

  • Related Data
    • Idea Jam participant feedback
      • “For employers to support the educators so there is an increase in qualified candidates for employers.”
    • Report finding
      • “Feedback on industry education stood out, as both teachers and students felt there was an over reliance on testing and a need for more practical hands-on experiences for students. Additionally, feedback was given that educational institutions have a curriculum for students that does not necessarily meet the current needs of the workforce, creating a scenario where students aren’t gaining appropriate education/training to enter the workforce.”

General Industry Recommendations

R3SET Idea Jam Report

55 of 61

55

Improve Health Care Industry Culture

Related Data

  • Idea Jam feedback
    • “Lack of work ethic, commitment “
    • “Lack of substantial pay, incentives to stay with organization”
    • “High expectations. Wish people were more committed to their work.”

Specific Recommendations

  • Pursue professional cultural development workshops and programming for industry, industry management
  • Appoint cultural team leader at your organization
  • Create staff feedback program with intention of developing new organizational incentives for staff members to stay with and advance through organization, industry

Establish Staff Support Networks

    • Example: Entry-level group/community that comes together to discuss challenges of entry-level positions and how to navigate them.
    • Challenges may include:
      • Available social services and support
      • Making connections
      • Career advancement pathways, etc.
  • More focus on job advancement and engaging entry-level position holders on their career path
  • Career track discussion at annual performance review

  • Internal market communication - informing staff members on what is available within the industry, presenting options, ideas, and future career milestones for staff to pursue.
  • Sharing of success stories within industry digitally

Establish Industry Best Practices for Recruitment, Retention

Continued investment into communicating with the industry community story, employment opportunities, what is being done to address recruitment and retention, educational opportunities.

Students Desired Changes

More career fair type opportunities for high school students. More marketing materials that high school students can take home about training/education/ career opportunities

Suggestion for online website, digital visualization/presentation of career pathway opportunities to better communicate opportunity and necessary background/criteria and benefits involved in reaching different career tracks.

Allows high school/college students to access at any time, and get the answers they are looking for. Can be developed by collecting data and mapping existing career fairs, transition fair from annual in-person experience to the ongoing online opportunity to engage and recruit talent to the industry.

Options - partner with 1Berkshire

General Industry Recommendations Continued

R3SET Idea Jam Report

56 of 61

56

Double down on establishing a more interconnected, robust healthcare industry network and community

Strategy

Create a healthcare industry cooperative/consortium focused on recruitment and retention

Method of Incorporation

Membership organization 501(c)(6)

Ex. Five Colleges in Pioneer Valley

Membership

Collective Membership Platform for Industry Healthcare workers

Memberships for corporations, educational institutions, non-profits

Industry worker members

Ex. AARP

Related Opportunities

Centralize and collaborate on career development programming specific to the healthcare sector

Benefits

Leverage the collective power of the membership to address some of the challenges of entry level positions.

Ex. Discounts and rewards at local businesses to support lower income positions

Supported by both an online and offline community platform makes it accessible 24/7.

Provide a place to centralize access to all the resources that are available to address the needs and aspirations of current and potential entry level healthcare workers.

Community stakeholders have direct access to community members and community members have direct access to a support network.

Membership provides a community and a sense of belonging.

Long Term Strategies Worth Exploring

R3SET Idea Jam Report

57 of 61

57

Next Steps

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Helen Keller

Part 07

R3SET Idea Jam Report

58 of 61

58

Continue gathering feedback and engagement for industry partners on the report

Industry marketing campaign proposal

Next steps paint a collective way forward.

What’s Next?

Share report, findings and media with the larger community

R3SET Idea Jam Report

59 of 61

59

Media by SP3AK EASY

Media Director

Devin Shea

Videography

Justin Allen

Devin Shea

Photography

Augusta Rose

Devin Shea

R3SET Idea Jam Report

60 of 61

60

5 Albany Rd

West Stockbridge, MA

01236

(413)-588-4415

Hey@SP3AKEASY.com

Beyond a studio, we are building a media network for leaders, speakers, entrepreneurs, activists, and artists who believe in the power of storytelling to create positive change in each other, our communities, and our world.

About SP3AK EASY

REPORT

R3SET Idea Jam Report

61 of 61

61

Thank You

From

Berkshire United Way & R3SET Enterprises