Breaking the Code

The Wall Street Journal's Gerald Seib's penned a wonderful column today offering a 30,000-foot analysis of the dynamics behind the "inexplicable schizophrenia" Americans hold toward their "creaking, frustrating and way too expensive" health care system.

Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies are experiencing enormous challenges as a result of the transformation being fueled by the empowered patient, Internet-driven transparency, and of course the proposed policy changes emanating from Congress and the new administration in Washington. Reform will eventually occur, at least that's the consensus among the companies and organizations we're fortunate to represent across the healthcare spectrum, from insurers to hospitals to device companies, from biotechs to employee benefit providers. But blazing a trail through and beyond that outcome will be a test unlike any other.

Navigating the unsettled present and an uncertain future is going to require what we call "breaking the code," an approach that produces transformational ideas and business solutions by combining a holistic and experienced view of the healthcare continuum with tactical depth in advocacy, government affairs, corporate health, cause marketing, social media, mobile communications and marketing and research/insights.

How does a medical technology company drive innovation within regulation in a volitle healthcare environment? What will healthcare enterprises need to do to communicate vital changes to their stakeholders during the next few years? How can mission-driven healthcare delivery organizations protect their reputation at a time of intensifying scrutiny?

Everyone agrees that the first place to start to search for answers is by becoming better informed on the issues driving change in your field. We've put together an innovative "Code Breaker" quiz that not only tests your knowledge of current challenges but also offers insights that can help you begin thinking about strategies to get to the horizon.

Challenge yourself to Break the Code.

~ By Ed Cafasso, Managing Director