Experts Matter. Find Yours.
Connect for media, speaking, professional opportunities & more.
ChristianaCare also ranks as No. 2 overall health care employer nationwide for diversity and inclusion, No. 40 overall For the second consecutive year, Forbes magazine has ranked ChristianaCare as one of the best employers for diversity and inclusion in the United States in its list of Best Employers for Diversity 2022. ChristianaCare ranked as the No. 2 employer for diversity and inclusion in the health care industry and the No. 40 employer in the nation overall. “Through purposeful actions, we commit to valuing diversity and fostering an environment for inclusion as we support all caregivers and serve all our neighbors with love and excellence, in our actions and in our words,” said Neil Jasani, M.D., MBA, FACEP, chief people officer at ChristianaCare. “We know when we support our caregivers and they can be their authentic selves, they will be exceptional today and even better tomorrow.” ChristianaCare, Delaware’s largest private employer, has committed to being an anti-racism organization and works to ensure that commitment is reflected through the organization’s policies, programs, and practices. (Read more about ChristianaCare’s anti-racism commitment here.) All employees of ChristianaCare are referred to as caregivers, whether they provide direct patient care or support that care indirectly. ChristianaCare’s inclusion efforts include 10 employee resource groups, which connect caregivers who have a common interest or bond with one another. Formed by employees across all demographics – such as disability, gender, race, military status, national origin, sexual orientation, etc. – these voluntary grassroots groups work to improve inclusion and diversity at ChristianaCare. More than 1,100 caregivers at ChristianaCare participate in employee resource groups. ChristianaCare also has developed LeadershipDNA, a leadership development program that is specifically targeted to underrepresented, diverse populations early in their leadership journey within the organization and is designed to foster professional and career development. ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, has signed the CEO Act!on for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge, which outlines a specific set of actions the signatory CEOs will take to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed, and employees feel comfortable and empowered to have discussions about diversity and inclusion. More than 1,600 of ChristianaCare’s caregivers have also signed the pledge. “This recognition shows that we are making progress in our commitment to invest in our caregivers and to make all who join us feel included,” said Pamela Ridgeway, chief diversity officer and vice president of talent at ChristianaCare. “Taking care of people is what we do, and our ability to help people achieve optimal health is tied directly to how successful we are at embracing diversity and creating an inclusive environment for our caregivers.” Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity were identified from an independent survey of more than 60,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people in their U.S. operations. Respondents were asked to rate their organizations on criteria such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation equality, as well as general diversity. More than 10,000 companies were reviewed and approximately 2,000 were given a diversity score that is derived from employee surveys and publicly available information. The final list ranks the 500 employers that not only received the most recommendations, but also have the most diverse boards and executive leadership, and the most proactive diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Networking tips for newcomers to Canada
As a newcomer, networking can be your gateway to the Canadian job market. It gives you an opportunity to understand the employment landscape, plan your career path based on insights from other professionals, and identify mentors who can guide you and offer moral support during your job search. However, the benefits of networking go beyond just landing your first job. As you advance in your professional career, you may be able to leverage your network to find future opportunities or build your own team. Networking is essential no matter where you are in your professional journey. This article covers some networking tips to help newcomers to Canada get a headstart in their career. Focus on quality, not quantity Building a network from scratch in Canada can be a stressful, time-consuming process. Many newcomers mistakenly believe that the more connections they make, the better their network will be. However, it is the strength of your network that truly matters, not the size. Rather than sending dozens of LinkedIn connections requests every day, spend some time identifying professionals who are in organizations or roles you’d like to work in and individuals you find inspiring. Strategic networking will reduce the time and effort you need to invest in building connections and improve the quality of insights you can extract. More importantly, it’ll make it easier to follow up and stay in regular touch with the people in your network. Know what you have to offer Networking is about sharing: giving and receiving. Before you start networking, think of the value you can offer your network. Helping others is a great way of building meaningful relationships and positioning yourself as a potential candidate. People are also more likely to remember someone who offers to help them, rather than someone who is seeking their support. There are numerous ways in which you can bring value to your network, including through problem-solving, providing guidance on a specific subject or skill, connecting them to someone in your network, or offering your support for executing a project. Find networking platforms you’re comfortable with Networking may not look the same for everyone. While some people might be outgoing and social, others may be more reserved. If you’re an introvert and prefer smaller or less formal social settings, you can look for networking settings you’re most comfortable with. There are a variety of networking platform options you can use. Social and professional networking events If you’re an extrovert and do well in a group setting, in-person or virtual networking events might be the best option for you. Keep track of networking events on websites like Eventbrite and Meetup and those organized by industry associations. If you’re still assessing your comfort level around large groups, look for events that have limited seats or breakout sessions with smaller groups. Social networking and blogs Social media platforms and blogs are a great way to connect with and engage with people you’d like to add to your network. While LinkedIn is usually the go-to platform for building a network, you can also use other social networking sites or apps like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Clubhouse to connect with professionals. In-person or virtual coffee chats Once you’ve connected with someone at an event or social network, ask if they’re willing to meet you for a one-on-one coffee chat. A coffee chat, also known as an informational interview, is an informal meeting with an experienced professional to get insights on their organization, industry, or role. Whether you want to learn about the Canadian job market or the hiring process of a particular company, be sure to go prepared with a goal and a list of relevant questions you want to ask. When you do hear of opportunities, or begin applying for jobs, coffee chats are also a useful way of getting insights on the recruitment process and the company values or culture to help you prepare for interviews and determine if the position is a good fit for you. Volunteering If you prefer meeting people in a work setting, rather than a social one, volunteering can be an excellent way to network. People in all stages of their career volunteer in Canada, so these opportunities give you a chance to meet like-minded professionals, showcase your skills in practice, and build long-lasting relationships. Survival jobs, side hustles, and other jobs Many newcomers think of survival jobs and side hustles as just a means to earn extra money, but these can also be great networking opportunities. If you’re working in a field that aligns with your professional interests or meeting people from different backgrounds, you might be able to make some valuable connections. Similarly, the contacts you make in your professional roles might be useful later in subsequent jobs. Be sure to stay in touch with your professional connections throughout your career. Leverage existing connections Before you set out to build your network from scratch, check if you have any existing connections in Canada. These could be friends, relatives, alumni from your school, or former colleagues from your home country who’ve also moved to Canada. Building meaningful relationships through networking takes time, so tapping into existing connections first can help you speed things up. You can ask your existing connections to introduce you to other professionals in their network or refer you for job opportunities. They might also be able to help you create an impressive Canadian-style resume or share insights from their own job search experience. Set networking goals for greater discipline If you find it hard to set aside dedicated time for building a network, a goal-based approach might help. As a newcomer, you should ideally be meeting three or four new people each week, but this can vary based on your schedule and objectives. Setting concrete goals will help you prioritize networking alongside your job search and other daily tasks. Your goals can focus on the number of meetings (including follow-ups) you intend to take each week, new connection requests, priority industries or organizations, and information you’re looking to gather from your network. They can also be centred on making yourself a more valuable connection by sharing relevant content on platforms like LinkedIn or offering support to others. Be sure to set realistic, measurable, and incremental networking goals that encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, without causing stress. Adopt a consultative approach to networking It’s always better to adopt a “consultative approach” to networking as opposed to a sales approach. The difference is that you seek to understand before demanding to be understood and you listen and learn before expecting to be heard. It is quite natural as a newcomer to be focused on addressing your immediate need of finding a job. However, if you come across as pushy, the doors you’re trying to open will close and you’ll lose out on potentially valuable professional connections. Changing your approach to networking meetings can dramatically change the outcomes. Prepare and refine your elevator pitch An elevator pitch is a 20 to 30 second introduction that highlights your expertise and area of interest. A good elevator pitch is positive and conversational, and includes a question or call to action, so that your connection can respond to it. It can take a while to perfect your elevator pitch, so keep refining it based on the feedback and reactions you get. If you have a mentor, you can ask them to help you refine your pitch. In Canada, people are generally very open to providing tips on how to enhance your elevator pitch or better present yourself. Don’t go in looking for a job It is true that, as a newcomer, networking can help you access the hidden job market in Canada. However, there is so much more that networking can do for you. The most important thing to keep in mind is that networking is not meant to be transactional, so don’t expect that your professional connections will be willing to give you a job or referral as soon as you meet. By going into networking meetings with a “give me a job” mindset, you might lose out on the opportunity to improve your networking skills, understand the job market, and learn from other people’s career journey. You will also not be able to build meaningful connections with potential mentors who can help you increase your employability. Keep the conversation alive The most important part of networking comes after you’ve made the initial connection. Send thank-you notes after someone connects with you on LinkedIn and after coffee chats to keep the conversation going. It’s a good practice to keep track of what you discussed during each networking meeting, so you can refer back to your notes during follow up. This also helps you remember your connections’ interests and create a stronger bond. Keep in touch with your network and follow up at regular intervals through meetings or email. You can also keep the conversation alive by engaging with their social media posts and sharing information that would be interesting or relevant for them. If you’re seeking support from your network for your job search, be sure to keep them updated about any changes to your professional situation. Don’t let what others are doing discourage you Your goals and approach for building a network may not be the same as those of your friends or acquaintances in Canada. Just because someone else is meeting 10-12 people each week or opting to attend in-person networking events doesn’t mean that’s the only approach, or the right one for you. You might have very different schedules, objectives, and comfort levels with meeting new people, or work in different fields. Regardless of how many meetings you choose to do or the platform you pick, make sure that you have enough time to prepare and follow up with everyone in your network. Don’t be discouraged if someone else manages to get a referral or job through their network before you do. As long as you invest the time and effort to nurture your professional relationships, networking will add value and lead you closer to your career goals. For many newcomers to Canada, networking is a professional skill they may be new to, and building a network in your new country might take time. Whether you are just starting your career, exploring a different professional path, or transitioning into a new role, these networking tips will help you build strong, lasting professional connections to guide you through your career in Canada. Original article located here, published by Arrive. About Arrive Arrive is powered by RBC Ventures Inc, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. In collaboration with RBC, Arrive is dedicated to helping newcomers achieve their life, career, and financial goals in Canada. An important part of establishing your financial life in Canada is finding the right partner to invest in your financial success. RBC is the largest bank in Canada* and here to be your partner in all of your financial needs. RBC supports Arrive, and with a 150-year commitment to newcomer success in Canada, RBC goes the extra mile in support and funding to ensure that the Arrive newcomer platform is FREE to all.
How to network virtually: What newcomers in Canada need to know
Newcomers to Canada already faced an uphill task of adjusting to their new life and starting a career in Canada, but COVID-related restrictions made things even harder. However, after an initial period of adjustment, virtual networking and remote job interviews have become the norm. Now, even with COVID-19 restrictions easing and people getting vaccinated, some aspects of the “new normal” are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Due to its relative convenience, virtual networking will likely remain a popular means of building professional connections. This article covers key aspects of how to network virtually and the things you need to know about virtual networking for professional success as a newcomer in Canada. Advantages of virtual networking Start building your Canadian network before you land Before the COVID-19 pandemic, networking was mostly done in-person, which meant that newcomers to Canada could only start building their network after arriving in the country. However, with virtual networking, newcomers have the opportunity to start building their network well in advance of their arrival in Canada. You can start attending virtual networking events or meeting people for online coffee chats while preparing for your move. It can take months to cultivate meaningful professional relationships, so the sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be to enter the Canadian job market when you land. Opportunity to look beyond your city One major disadvantage of in-person networking is that it geographically limits the people you can meet. With virtual networking, you can connect with experts or professionals, regardless of where they live. If you’re still preparing for your arrival, this gives you a chance to speak to people in different cities and figure out where the best job opportunities are for your industry in Canada. You can also learn about different job markets within Canada and plan your career path based on insights from a more geographically diverse set of people. The convenience of networking from home Attending events and networking meetings is time-consuming. By networking virtually, you can save the time it would take you to travel to the event venue or meeting place. This means that you can accommodate more coffee chats in a day and build your network faster. Many newcomers find it much easier to network from the comfort of their homes, compared to the unfamiliar and chaotic environment of a coffee shop. Since you are the person requesting the meeting, it is expected that you’ll be paying the bill for coffee during in-person meetings. These amounts can quickly add up and might impact your budget, especially if you’re meeting several people each week. In most cases, virtual meetings are also more convenient for the professionals you’re meeting, so your acceptance rate for virtual coffee chats may be higher than for in-person meetings. Easier to follow up and stay in touch Once you’ve made a connection and had an introductory meeting, it is important that you stay in touch with your new contact. However, as your network grows larger, it can become challenging to follow up with everyone on a regular basis—especially if you’re doing these meetings in-person. It’s much easier to stay connected and engage virtually over follow up coffee chats, emails, or social media. This will allow you to follow up more often and build stronger, more meaningful connections. How to build your network virtually as a newcomer in Canada Whether you’re looking to network or find a job, it is important that you keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date. Your Linked In profile will likely be the first thing people see when they connect with you. Unlike a resume, which is customized for each job, your LinkedIn profile should be generic and should highlight all your skills, experiences, and certifications. Be sure to use a professional headshot and grab people’s attention with a compelling headline. Use LinkedIn’s advanced search filters to find new connections based on their organization, job title, and other criteria. Always personalize your LinkedIn connection request messages. You can also increase your visibility and promote your personal brand by being active on LinkedIn. Post, share, and engage with relevant content to get noticed by other professionals. Interact over social media As a newcomer, LinkedIn is not the only social network you can use to build a network. You can also find professionals you’d like to connect with on Twitter and initiate a conversation. Depending on your industry, Instagram and Facebook groups might be useful platforms for networking—but make sure your profile is professional! Clubhouse is another app where you can virtually meet and share ideas with like-minded people, listen to expert speakers, and ask questions. If your initial interactions go well, ask for a follow up coffee chat to take the conversation forward. Online networking platforms and virtual events Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, most networking events have moved to a virtual setting. Virtual networking platforms bring together people from similar industries and give you an opportunity to start making connections. Events hosted by industry associations are a great place to meet other professionals in your field. You can also find virtual networking events for different industries and interests on websites like Eventbrite and Meetup. Arrive webinars and workshops are also a great place to learn from and connect with experts. Leave a positive impression on others attending the networking session by behaving professionally and asking intelligent questions. Virtual coffee chats Online coffee chats (also called informational interviews) using tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Webex, are a great way to build your network virtually. Once you’ve connected with someone on LinkedIn or at a virtual networking event, ask if they’d be open to a one-on-one meeting. Virtual coffee chats give you an opportunity to introduce yourself to established professionals in your industry, showcase your skills, and position yourself as an ideal candidate for future job openings. You can also seek recommendations on other people you should add to your network. If you’re looking for information about a specific organization, role, or industry, informational interviews can be particularly helpful. Be sure to do your research beforehand and have a list of questions ready. Reactivate your existing network As a newcomer, you’ll have to start building your network from scratch in Canada. However, there might be others in your network who are already in Canada. Speak with your friends and family to find out who you might already know here. You can also use LinkedIn to find alumni from your school or colleagues from your previous organizations who’ve since moved to Canada. Leverage your existing network to get introductions to other people in your industry or for job referrals. How do you effectively network virtually? Do your research. Learn what you can about the person you’re meeting beforehand and customize your questions accordingly. Going in prepared will make it more likely for you to get the information you’re looking for, and to make a good impression. Do check your technology. Make sure your internet connection, microphone and camera are in perfect working order before your virtual meeting. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the video call platform prior to your meeting. Always keep your camera on during meetings and if there’s noise in your background, put yourself on mute when the other person is talking. Do be professional. Go in with a list of topics you’d like to discuss and don’t ask personal questions. Be punctual and dress the way you would for in-person networking meetings. Create an appropriate work setting and keep your desk and background distraction-free. If you don’t have a dedicated workspace, apply a professional virtual background in your video call tool. Do be authentic and offer value. Express genuine interest in what people have to say and learn from their experience. Find ways to help the people you’re meeting—it’s a great way to demonstrate your skills in practice! Don’t skip the small talk. In Canada, small talk is a cultural practice, so make sure you allocate some time for it while creating your meeting agenda. It’s also a great way of breaking the ice and getting to know people you’re meeting and relate to them outside of their professional life. Don’t mistake your elevator pitch for a sales pitch. Your elevator pitch is a brief 30 second introduction meant to capture the other person’s interest. Highlight your skills, strengths, and achievements, but don’t oversell yourself. Don’t interrupt or multitask. Appreciate the fact that someone has taken the time to talk to you and pay attention to what they have to say. It’s rude to interrupt or check your phone when someone else is speaking. It can be very distracting, and more importantly, it gives people the impression that you aren’t interested in what they have to say. Be sure to put your phone on silent during networking meetings. There might be other distractions around you at home, such as children or pets, so find a quiet place for meetings. Don’t forget to follow up. If you’re meeting several new people every week, it can be hard to keep the conversation going with all of them. However, regular follow up is the best way to maintain professional relationships. Keep track of all your virtual meetings and create a realistic follow up schedule. Virtual networking has made it easier and more convenient for newcomers to expand their professional networks. As a newcomer to Canada, there are many online platforms and events you can leverage to start building your personal brand and growing your network virtually一even before you come to Canada. Original article located here, published by Arrive. About Arrive Arrive is powered by RBC Ventures Inc, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. In collaboration with RBC, Arrive is dedicated to helping newcomers achieve their life, career, and financial goals in Canada. An important part of establishing your financial life in Canada is finding the right partner to invest in your financial success. RBC is the largest bank in Canada* and here to be your partner in all of your financial needs.
12 tips to help you build your networking skills in Canada
Your professional network will be one of your most valuable assets in the Canadian job market. Whether you’re trying to land your first job or are looking for a mentor, your network can play an important role in helping you achieve professional success in Canada. As a newcomer to Canada, you’ll have to work harder and refine your networking skills to build connections from scratch in your new country. This article will provide you with tips to help you build your networking skills, so you can start nurturing meaningful professional relationships. 1. Understand that communication is two-sided One of the many advantages of networking is that it’s as much about promoting your personal brand as it is about learning from the experience of others. When someone takes time to speak with you, give them a chance to talk. Active, attentive listening is an essential networking skill that ensures you absorb the information being shared with you. You can then ask intelligent, relevant questions and get insights that might be useful for your professional success in Canada. Keep distractions away and focus on the conversation. It is rude to interrupt when someone is talking, so save your questions until they’ve finished speaking. 2. Improve your public speaking skills Many newcomers avoid networking or public speaking as they lack confidence in their English language or interpersonal skills. However, practice is the best way to overcome the fear of speaking in public. Take the time to work on your language skills. There are many English as a Second Language (ESL) resources and community groups available across the country to help newcomers improve their speaking and listening skills. Practice speaking in front of a mirror or with your friends. Don’t feel insecure if you have an accent or have trouble understanding some words. Remember, Canada is a diverse, multicultural country, and most people are accepting of the fact that English may not be your first language. 3. Practice both verbal and non-verbal communication What you say is only half the image you present—non-verbal communication is just as important. Your body language conveys a lot about your personality and how engaged you are in a meeting. Avoid crossing your arms, closing your fists tightly, or hunching your shoulders, as this can make you seem unfriendly. Practice smiling and gesturing with your hands as you talk in front of a mirror. Be aware of your posture and make eye contact with the people you are talking to. While networking in-person, speak confidently. Respect people’s personal space and avoid standing too close to them. 4. Learn the art of small talk Small talk is culturally important in Canada. It serves as an icebreaker before you get to the actual topic of conversation. Since small talk is meant to create a safe, comfortable environment, be sure to choose non-controversial, light topics. Some common small talk topics include the weather, sports, arts, entertainment, hobbies, and current events. Stay away from topics like politics, personal or family matters, income, and religion. As a newcomer, you can build your small talk skills by staying up-to-date on the news, developing an interest in Canadian arts, culture, and, of course, sports. 5. Ask for constructive feedback An easy way to build your networking skills is to get an honest opinion on what you maybe doing wrong or need to improve. Before an important networking meeting, do a practice run with some friends and ask them for feedback on your small talk, elevator pitch, questions, and overall communication skills. You can also ask for constructive feedback towards the end of your networking meetings. Be open and humble when you ask for tips to help you build your networking skills. In most cases, people are willing to offer guidance and insights that you can leverage in future meetings. 6. Give before you get One mistake many newcomers make is to only think about what they can get out of a connection, without considering what they may be able to offer in return. Networking is not one-sided, so be sure to make a list of your unique skills and strengths before you start. Even if you are new to the Canadian job market, review the LinkedIn profile of the person you’re going to meet to understand their role and see where you can contribute. During your meeting, convey your willingness to help and ask if there’s anything you can support them with. By offering to give before you get, you can build meaningful connections and also prove your value to your network. Once they’ve seen your skills in action, they’ll be more likely to offer guidance, connect you to others, or refer you to job opportunities. 7. Attend networking events and workshops One way to build your networking skills is to jump right in and start networking. Look for both virtual and in-person networking events on industry association websites or on platforms like Eventbrite and Meetup, and attend as many as you can. In addition to making connections, this will also give you a chance to observe the way other people network. You’ll be able to pick up best practices related to small talk, ways to introduce yourself, verbal and non-verbal communication, and questions to ask. If you meet someone particularly impressive, don’t hesitate to follow up and ask if they would be willing to share some tips to help you network better. 8. Prepare, prepare, prepare When it comes to networking meetings, preparation can make all the difference. Put your research skills to good use and learn as much as you can about the background, role, and career path of the individual you’re going to meet. Know what you want to get from your networking meetings—further connections, guidance, or referrals. Prepare a list of questions accordingly, and customize your list based on each person’s industry, skills, and position. Finally, spend some time creating an engaging, authentic elevator pitch. Remember that an elevator pitch is not a sales pitch, but a chance to tell your story and highlight your skills in an impactful way. 9. Ask for recommendations and introductions In Canada, every professional you meet will likely have their own network. As a newcomer, it might not be easy to ask the people you meet to connect you with others. This is a networking skill that you’ll need to build as you start to grow and nurture your network. Before you meet someone for a coffee chat, go through their LinkedIn network and see if they know someone you’d like to be introduced to. If you’re looking for specific information or trying to build a particular skill, it is a good idea to ask your connections if they can recommend someone in their industry or organization who might be able to help. If you’ve cultivated a meaningful relationship, you might also be able to get an introduction to someone in their network. When you are introduced to a person by someone they know and trust, they are more likely to take out time to speak with you. 10. Keep track of your networking meetings For most newcomers, the first few months of networking can be overwhelming. Since you’re building your network from scratch in Canada, you might be meeting as many as four or five people each week. This makes it hard to keep track of who you’ve met and what you discussed. As a result, you might forget valuable insights or miss out on following up with some people. Keeping track of your meetings is an important networking skill. Create a list with names of people you meet, meeting dates, their designations and organization, discussion points, and follow-up actions. When you set up follow-up meetings, you’ll be able to refer to your list to review points that you had discussed with them earlier. This list can also help you identify connections who might be useful when you’re applying for a job. You’ll also be able to clearly see gaps in your network, such as industries you don’t have connections in, so you can focus on those in the future. 11. Follow up and follow through Building meaningful professional relationships takes time and in most cases, the first meeting is only an introduction. The value you can leverage from your connections often depends on how much time and effort you invest in maintaining them. You can start by sending a personalized thank you note within 24 hours of your meeting. If you’ve agreed upon any action items during your meetings, don’t forget to deliver on them. After your initial meeting, you can keep the conversation going by regularly sharing relevant developments and insights, engaging on their social media posts, or asking for their opinion on topics related to the ones you discussed. 12. Don’t give up Finally, patience is another skill you’ll need as you start building your network in Canada. It’s easy to become demotivated when your LinkedIn connection requests go unanswered or when the people you connect with online are unwilling to meet you. Even after the initial coffee chats, some of your connections may not be able or willing to offer you the advice, guidance, or contacts you need. It takes time to nurture relationships and identify how and where someone might be able to add value. You might also have to demonstrate your own willingness to help before someone agrees to support you. Even if some meetings don’t go as well as you had hoped, don’t give up. Each new meeting is a learning opportunity, so keep an open mind. Remember that it only takes one connection or referral to land your dream job in Canada. Networking plays a crucial role in the Canadian job market. However, networking may not come naturally to everyone. As a newcomer to Canada, improving your networking skills will help you build meaningful relationships with people who can bring you closer to achieving your career goals. Original article located here, published by Arrive. About Arrive Arrive is powered by RBC Ventures Inc, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. In collaboration with RBC, Arrive is dedicated to helping newcomers achieve their life, career, and financial goals in Canada. An important part of establishing your financial life in Canada is finding the right partner to invest in your financial success. RBC is the largest bank in Canada* and here to be your partner in all of your financial needs.
Technical training, exposure to multiple industries and an open and inclusive culture help IT Associates innovate across CCG. They are often the quiet contributors to a project, taking a business idea from concept to delivery to allow strategic business endeavours to get off the ground. What they do and how they do it can be mysterious to many, with technical jargon, architectural details and complex processes at play. To succeed in IT requires incredible technical knowledge, a solid understanding of business processes, and innovative mindset with a natural curiosity to understand how multiple industry business systems all work together. Most importantly what’s needed is the desire for continuous learning. The IT department at CCG has enjoyed an incredible period of growth and development over recent years. In the last decade alone, CCG has undergone a major technology transformation, replacing every major business system required to support the different lines of business under the CCG umbrella including CAA Insurance, Orion Travel Insurance, CAA Travel, Membership and Emergency Roadside Services, while also implementing industry-leading innovations like CAA MyPace. We spoke to three tenured Associates to uncover their secret to success working in IT. What drives the culture of a team that often works behind the scenes but is vital to the success of all organizational projects? Lindsay Lamothe Typically, IT Associates have exposure to many business areas, giving them a well-rounded view of the various industries in which CCG operates. At first glance, one might think that this kind of exposure helps drive innovation and growth. But, while this is true for many, Lindsay Lamothe, Senior Business Systems Analyst for CCG’s Roadside Product Management, explains it’s more nuanced. “I think working in multiple lines of business at the organization led me down the path towards IT. I have no formal training in IT but having exposure to the business side of things gave me insights that continue to be valuable now that I work in a business enablement area,” shared Lamothe. “Being exposed to multiple industries while working in IT is a valuable opportunity to grow knowledge, but I think anyone who can learn more about the multiple industries we operate in would be well-positioned to do well in IT.” Lamothe started at CCG as a summer student to pay for university and eventually came on full-time working in auto travel, helping Members with TripTiks. She worked on the frontlines for ten years before shifting into IT and roadside assistance and has now been at the company full-time for 18 years. Her sense of purpose comes through very clearly when you speak to her about the impact of her work. “I am proud to work in IT at CCG because I am passionate about roadside operations. What we do saves lives,” said Lamothe. “If each code fix or enhancement that we work on gets us to the Member even five seconds sooner, that could be a matter of life or death. I know that we are making a difference in people's lives.” Voytek Bialkowski Voytek Bialkowski, just accepted a promotion to a director position in Enterprise Resource Planning. He also started his career at CCG and credits the technical learning opportunities offered for his continued success. Next month he marks the impressive milestone of 15 years with the company. “CCG is unparalleled in the marketplace in terms of professional growth and learning opportunities,” shares Bialkowski. “Our senior leaders have created a true knowledge culture by encouraging and celebrating professional development, certification, and lifelong learning. In my time with the IT department, I have earned four SAP certifications that furthered my technical skillset. I have also leveraged many of the programs available for Associates, such as the Lean Six Sigma White Belt and the Queens mental health certificate.” What truly sets CCG’s IT department apart is the emphasis on technical training that many Associates can receive right out of school or with little prior knowledge. Bialkowski explains, “CCG has provided me with multiple avenues for technological growth. Working on best-in-class systems and learning their functional and technical components has allowed me to become intimately familiar with SAP’s software suite, Greenfield SAP strategies and methodologies, data quality and data migration, application management, software development and testing lifecycle, as well as SQL and other query languages.” It's clear through the experiences of Lamothe and Bialkowski that learning opportunities and a broad array of opportunities to contribute to different areas of the business are key drivers of the success of CCG’s IT Associates. While hard skills and insights are essential, equally important is the culture of a team and the people that one works with to get things done. John Zhao John Zhao, Manager Quality Assurance in IT App Development & Architecture, shared his take on CCG’s culture and how that plays a role in delivering exceptional service to CCG’s business areas. “Collaboration and mutual respect underpin everything we do in IT. This is a big part of how we continue to learn and support each other,” shares Zhao. “Beyond these two values, we are encouraged to apply innovation to our daily process and products.” Innovation, being care-driven, leading by example, and collaboration are values that define CCG’s corporate culture across departments. Still, it is evident in speaking to Zhao that with tight deadlines and often unexpected challenges, they are especially engrained in the culture and approach of the IT department. Zhao’s experience at CCG aligns with Bialkowski and Lamothe’s, showcasing how fostering and developing technical knowledge internally and maintaining a broad perspective that can connect the dots across multiple industries are standard features of our IT approach. All three Associates underscore how the innovative and best-in-class approach of our IT department starts at the top. From Jay Woo, our CEO, to Apra Sekhon, our Chief Innovation Officer and Kin Lee-Yow, our Chief Information Officer, and their leaders. Together, they set the bar on integrating technology and innovation to ensure everyone aligns on promoting growth and knowledge to drive success for CCG’s IT Associates. As technology and innovation continue to grow, it’s valuable for all Associates to understand how this hardworking group of individuals support the essential work we do at CCG.
In new study in journal Gene Therapy, researchers at ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute describe how the advance is validating the safety and efficacy of their novel approach for using CRISPR to improve lung cancer treatments A new study from scientists at ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute is advancing the safety and efficacy of using CRISPR gene editing in patient treatments by demonstrating how to identify and evaluate the broad-based biological impact of gene editing on targeted tissues, where the edits are designed to fully disable or “knock out” a specific sequence of genetic code. The work, published today in the Nature journal Gene Therapy, supports the Institute’s efforts to improve lung cancer treatments by using CRISPR to disable or alter a master regulator gene to prevent it from producing a protein that blunts the impact of chemotherapy. “We found that when you use CRISPR, the edits sometimes end up altering rather than completely disabling the target gene, so we developed a process to gain a more complete understanding of what that means for patients,” said Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., executive director and chief scientific officer of ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute and the principal author of the study. Dr. Kmiec said that for his team’s lung cancer work, “We discovered that even when our CRISPR-based genetic manipulation did not completely disable the targeted gene, it altered it in ways that appear to make lung cancer tumors more sensitive to chemotherapy. Validating lung cancer research using CRISPR “We were fortunate that our strategy for using CRISPR to improve lung cancer treatments has been validated once again,” he added. “But our commitment to conducting an unbiased assessment of our approach highlights the importance of examining all potential outcomes of an attempt to use CRISPR to knock out a specific gene. Specifically, anyone developing CRISPR therapies needs to be on the lookout for edits that don’t fully knock out a section of DNA code—and evaluate the potential impacts for patients. They could be positive, as they were in our case, negative or neutral, but they need to be known.” Much of the excitement around medical applications of CRISPR involves using the tool to disable harmful genes by editing or “knocking out” a specific sequence of DNA code. But there is increasing evidence that in the wake of a CRISPR edit, cells may remain that contain merely an altered form of the targeted code that allows the gene to continue to produce biologically active proteins. Scientists at the Gene Editing Institute are investigating the potential of using CRISPR to disable a gene called NRF2 to alter production of the protein that protects squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer tumors from the effects of chemotherapy or radiation. They already have shown, in studies with tumor cells and in animals, that they can selectively target the NRF2 gene without affecting normal cells, where the gene confers health benefits. In the present study they wanted to go further. They wanted to fully understand the implications of a CRISPR gene edit that allowed the NRF2 gene to retain enough DNA code to continue making a version of the protein, albeit in an altered or truncated form. The team is laying the groundwork for a clinical trial that would use CRISPR to improve the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Dr. Kmiec said that before proceeding, he wanted his team to develop a clear process for identifying and evaluating all outcomes of CRISPR edits. Identifying and understanding the diversity of genetic outcomes produced by CRISPR-directed gene editing has been a centerpiece of the foundational research programs established by the Gene Editing Institute. Using CRISPR in a safe way “We carry out experiments in an unbiased fashion, not hoping for a particular outcome, but with patient safety and efficacy serving as the true north for our scientific endeavors,” Dr. Kmiec said. “No matter what we uncover or elucidate, the insights will help both ChristianaCare and the entire field use CRISPR in a safer and more efficacious manner.” The researchers found multiple cells where the targeted strand of DNA code in the NRF2 gene was not completely knocked out. Rather, following the CRISPR edit, cells emerged that had retained enough of the original code to continue producing a different form of the protein. Tests revealed that cancer tumor cells generating these altered proteins may be more vulnerable to chemotherapy drugs. "For the work we are doing with NRF2, the truncated proteins generated by the CRISPR edit appear to be beneficial for making tumors more sensitive to treatment,” said lead author Kelly Banas, Ph.D. “But the key point is these proteins were clearly biologically active. And that means we needed to determine their potential impact on the safety and efficacy of using CRISPR to treat lung cancer patients.” Dr. Banas noted that the study points to the limits of considering a CRISPR edit to be successful simply by testing for the absence of a targeted protein in its original form. She said by that standard, their edit was successful. The edited NRF2 genes were no longer producing the same protein. But she said if that’s all the ChristianaCare team had looked for, they would have missed the altered proteins coming from the NRF2 gene—and overlooked an important outcome that, in this case, strengthens the original hypothesis and experimental approach: that using CRISPR to target the NRF2 gene holds promise for improving outcomes for lung cancer patients. Importance of due diligence “The process we describe in this study is a template that should be followed in any effort to develop CRISPR as a medical treatment,” Dr. Kmiec said. “We’re part of a health care organization where patient safety is the top priority. We also are working at the vanguard of an exciting area of cutting-edge medicine, where a failure to conduct due diligence could cause tragic outcomes that would set back this field for decades. With this study, we have validated a process that can help this field move forward rapidly but safely.” CRISPR stands for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats.” It is a defense mechanism found in bacteria that can recognize and slice up the DNA of invading viruses. Scientists have learned how to modify this mechanism so it can be directed to “edit” specific sequences of DNA code. About ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute The Gene Editing Institute, a worldwide leader in CRISPR gene editing technology and the only institute of its kind based within a community health care system, takes a patient-first approach in all its research to improve the lives of people with life-threatening disease. Since 2015, researchers at the Gene Editing Institute have been involved in several ground-breaking firsts in the field, including the development of the first CRISPR gene editing tool to allow DNA repairs outside the human cell which will rapidly speed therapies to patients and the ExACT ™pathway of single-stranded DNA repair, which increased the on-target efficacy of CRISPR and paved the way for new CRISPR breakthroughs in precise DNA edits. Its researchers created CRISPR in a Box™, the leading educational toolkit to teach gene editing, DECODR™, recognized as the most user-friendly and precise analytical tool to understand the diversity of genetic outcomes of gene editing and are currently developing a patient trial for lung cancer using CRISPR.
Dr. Janice Nevin named among Modern Healthcare’s 2022 ‘Top 25 Women in Health Care’
Nevin praised for her work expanding ChristianaCare’s efforts in health equity, value-based care and emerging technology ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Women in Healthcare for 2022. This is the second time Dr. Nevin has received this distinction. Modern Healthcare chose awardees – female executives from different sectors of the health care industry – who are guiding health care improvement by influencing policy and care delivery models across the country. A panel of judges and the top editors of Modern Healthcare made the selections. The publication focused on Dr. Nevin’s leadership in ChristianaCare’s use of innovation and technology to aid in the battle against COVID-19 and improve health equity. It also called attention to her leadership in ChristianaCare’s collaboration with Highmark Health; through a new joint venture company, ChristianaCare and Highmark are combining their expertise and capabilities to create better health and to make health care more affordable for everyone by taking costs out of the system. “I am deeply gratified by this award, but it is even more so a recognition of the incredible work all of ChristianaCare’s caregivers do every day to create better health,” said Dr. Nevin. “Living our values of love and excellence, we are transforming care and becoming not just a health system—but a system that truly impacts health.” Dr. Nevin has overseen growth at ChristianaCare during the past year that includes a joint venture with AccentCare (formerly Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care) to expand in-home hospice and palliative care services throughout Delaware and a recently announced letter of intent to acquire Crozer Health, as well as the continued integration into the health system of Union Hospital in Cecil County, Maryland, which joined ChristianaCare in January 2020. At the same time, she has worked tirelessly to ensure the system continued its tradition of clinical excellence while maintaining financial health and stability. This year, ChristianaCare was recognized for the second consecutive year by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals and by Forbes as one of the best health systems to work for in the United States. Dr. Nevin continues to promote caregiver wellbeing and health equity. For the work of ChristianaCare’s Center for WorkLife Wellbeing to support its caregivers, ChristianaCare earned a 2021 Joy in Medicine recognition from the American Medical Association. The American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity named ChristianaCare a 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award honoree for demonstrating health equity as a priority across the organization. “ChristianaCare is lucky to have Dr. Nevin’s leadership,” said Nicholas M. Marsini, Jr., chair of the ChristianaCare board of directors. “Having Modern Healthcare recognize her extraordinary efforts and passion is a wonderful acknowledgement of what we see on an ongoing basis. Dr. Nevin is incredibly invested in the wellbeing of ChristianaCare’s workforce, the communities we serve and the future of the U.S. healthcare system.” The recognition also highlighted Dr. Nevin’s work in promoting gender equity – from building an executive cabinet evenly split between women and men to the creation of ChristianaCare’s Gender Equity Taskforce, which focuses on issues like pay equity and leadership access. The profiles of all the winners were featured in the February 21 issue of Modern Healthcare.
10 resume mistakes to avoid when applying for jobs in Canada
As a newcomer to Canada, applying for your first job can be stressful. The recruitment process may be different from what you’ve experienced back home and it can take some time to understand what will make your application stand out in Canada’s competitive job market. As you look for your first job in Canada, your resume will likely be key in determining whether or not you get the role. In Canada, most companies run the resumes they receive through a resume-scanning software to filter ones that best match the requirements laid out in the job description. If you’re shortlisted, your resume and cover letter will be sent to a recruiter or hiring manager, and they’ll decide whether you’re an ideal candidate for the position. Since your resume will determine the first impression you make on the hiring manager, there’s a lot riding on what you include––or not. Should you really submit that extra page? (Maybe.) Is it okay to exaggerate your credentials? (No!) What about using a fun font? (Better not to.) Here are 10 common resume mistakes newcomers tend to make and guidance on how to avoid them. 1. Using the same resume for different job applications Landing your first job in Canada can take a few months and it’s easy to get overwhelmed and exhausted by the process. When you’re applying to hundreds of job positions, the idea of using the same generic resume for multiple positions can be tempting. However, customizing your resume significantly improves your chances of being selected. Every job is unique––and your application should be too. While your applicant profile won’t vary significantly from one application to the next, the way in which you present it should be customized for each company and job opening. A good way to do this is to look for keywords in each job posting and sprinkle them throughout your resume where they make sense. This will help your resume get past both the resume-scanning software and human recruiters tasked with reading dozens, if not hundreds of applications. Be sure to include experience and behavioural traits mentioned in the job posting. (For example, if the ideal candidate is proficient with a certain type of software, you should definitely mention any experience you have with it.) At the same time, remove experiences and skills that aren’t a match, so whoever reads your resume isn’t distracted by non-essential items. 2. Not reading the job description before creating your resume Reading the job description will give you vital information about the role and the potential candidate an organization is looking for, including key skills and experiences. Not only will this information help you determine if you’re a good candidate, it’ll also help you craft the perfect resume. Many Canadian employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes and shortlist ones that match the job description. This means it’s essential your application takes the job ad into consideration. As mentioned above, you’ll want to look for keywords and descriptions you can include in your cover letter and resume. It’s also a good idea to include some synonyms and similar words to these keywords. The idea is to include just enough keywords for your resume to pass the ATS, while ensuring that it reads well for a human recruiter. Only include keywords where it makes sense to do so and don’t include too many in a row. Your cover letter and resume should always be grammatically correct, easy to read, and flow naturally. 3. Listing job responsibilities instead of achievements Unlike some countries where resumes are supposed to outline your past roles and responsibilities, in Canada resumes focus on achievements. Listing past job responsibilities doesn’t tell future employers how you performed in a role. The goal is to make you stand out from every other applicant with similar job experience, so make sure you emphasize what you brought to a company or team as an individual. The best way to do this is by listing achievements, citing numbers or data that may grab an employer’s attention, or describing challenges you overcame. This isn’t the time to be modest! You want to share what makes you special. 4. Grammatical errors and typos in your resume Proofread, proofread, and proofread again before hitting “send.” Missing grammatical errors and typos is the worst resume mistake you can make and can cost you a job, even if you’re a good candidate for the role. Grammatical errors will make your resume stand out in all the wrong ways, undermining your credibility and bringing into question your attention to detail. If possible, have a friend, family member, or mentor proofread your cover letter and resume as well. This is even more important if English isn’t your first language. You can use spell check as a guide, but don’t rely on it to catch all your errors. 5. Creating a resume that’s too long or too short One of the biggest questions Canadian job seekers have is how long their resume should be. The exact answer depends on the specific job at hand and an applicant’s work experience, but generally resumes should be one to two pages long. A cover letter should be no longer than one page, but not shorter than three to four paragraphs. The more years of work experience you have under your belt, the closer to two pages your resume can be. If you’re fresh out of school or less than a decade into your career, it’s better to stick to one page. As you progress in your career, it’s also normal to cut out early-career work experience and keep educational experience to a single line. A recruiter for a senior-level position doesn’t need to read about your early-20’s internships or time spent in debate club. 6. Not using action verbs You want to use powerful and impactful language in your resume, which means using action verbs. Action verbs are verbs that imply that the subject (you) is doing something. These are a great way to showcase your initiative, rather than passively saying you were “responsible for” something. Good examples of action words to use in a cover letter or resume include “led,” “managed,” “succeeded,” “surpassed,” “created,” and “delivered.” Try to use a mix of action words and avoid repeating the same ones in consecutive points. 7. Including information not typically included in Canadian resumes In Canada, you’re not supposed to include information like your marital status, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientiation in your cover letter or resume. Unless you’re applying for a modelling or acting job, you’re also not supposed to include a photo or headshot. Not only will this extra information take up valuable page space, it could cause a potential employer to avoid your resume for fear of accusations of unintentional or intentional discrimination. It’s actually illegal in Canada for an employer to ask for information like your sexual orientation, age, or ethnicity in a job application process or interview. To avoid putting a recruiter or employer in an awkward situation, it’s best to stay away from these topics. It’s also considered improper to include salary expectations or irrelevant personal hobbies in your application. In Canada, you can skip writing “references available upon request,” as that’s understood and doesn’t need to be stated. 8. Submitting a cluttered or improperly-formatted resume First and foremost, a resume should always be organized and easy to read. An employer should be able to easily pick out your work experience, any volunteer experience, and educational background. Be sure to leave enough white space around text. This typically means 1 or 1.5 line spacing and wider margins. Job applications also aren’t the time to get creative with fonts. Stick to classics like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri with a size of at least 10, but not larger than 14. Avoid mixing fonts or using too many different font sizes. Also avoid going overboard with bolding, underlining, or italicizing. If you need more guidance on formatting your resume in the Canadian style, you’ll find the tips and templates you need in our article on Canadian resumes and cover letters. 9. Listing inaccurate contact information It doesn’t matter how great your resume is if a potential employer can’t contact you. If you’ve recently moved or changed your phone number or e-mail address, make sure the information included in your cover letter and resume is up to date. Either way, proofread this information multiple times to avoid typos. It’s also important to make sure your email address is professional (avoid using contact email addresses like cutiepie468@hotmail.com or rockstar732@yahoo.com). Ideally, it should be formatted firstname.lastname or using your initials and not include any nicknames or slang language. 10. Lying on your resume You may be tempted to exaggerate your experience or accomplishments, but this is a big ethical no-no and a dealbreaker for any potential employer. Many Canadian recruiters and employers will verify your credentials and background through other sources, whether that’s by calling references, conducting background checks, or looking you up on LinkedIn or other social media platforms. If you lie, you’re very likely to get caught. If you’re worried about an employment gap, it’s better to plan to explain it than cover it up with a lie. As a newcomer, landing a first job can be challenging. However, it’s important to avoid the urge to embellish or lie to make your resume more impressive. Remember, most employment contracts include a clause that allows an employer to terminate your position if they find you lied on your job application. That’s not the type of stress you need hanging over your head! Having a good resume is crucial for your job search. Your resume is essentially your first interaction with a prospective employer and it should convey why you’re an ideal candidate for the job. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make a positive impression and stand out among a pool of candidates to land a job in Canada. Original article located here, published by Arrive. About Arrive Arrive is powered by RBC Ventures Inc, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. In collaboration with RBC, Arrive is dedicated to helping newcomers achieve their life, career, and financial goals in Canada. An important part of establishing your financial life in Canada is finding the right partner to invest in your financial success. RBC is the largest bank in Canada* and here to be your partner in all of your financial needs. RBC supports Arrive, and with a 150-year commitment to newcomer success in Canada, RBC goes the extra mile in support and funding to ensure that the Arrive newcomer platform is FREE to all.
ChristianaCare’s renowned Center for Heart & Vascular Health has earned the highest quality rating—three stars—from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. The prestigious three-star rating places ChristianaCare among the elite health care organizations for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada. The STS star rating system is one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in health care, rating the benchmarked outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery programs across the United States and Canada. The star rating is calculated using a combination of quality measures for specific procedures performed by an STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database participant. “Earning a three-star rating for heart bypass surgery places us among the top heart hospitals in the nation,” said Ray Blackwell, M.D., the W. Samuel Carpenter Chief of Cardiac Surgery at ChristianaCare. “Delaware residents can be confident that they have one of the best heart surgery teams in the nation right here, close to home, at ChristianaCare.” The three-star rating from STS adds to ChristianaCare’s long list of awards for quality heart care. For the past two years, the Center for Heart & Vascular Health has earned the designation HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence from the American College of Cardiology for its commitment to high quality cardiovascular care. In addition, the Center for Heart & Vascular health received the American Heart Association’s 2021 Mission: Lifeline Gold Quality Achievement Award for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks; the 2021 Get With The Guidelines NSTEMI Silver Award for patients with a less severe form of heart attack; and the 2021 Get With The Guidelines Gold Plus Award for Heart Failure. “Our Center for Heart & Vascular Health and our community have much to be proud of,” said Kirk Garratt, M.D., medical director of the Center for Heart & Vascular Health. “We provide great outcomes, and we also listen to patients and families and work to ensure that the stressful experience of surgery is as easy as it can be. That kind of commitment leads to this kind of recognition.” Heart Disease Remains a Leading Killer in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease remains a leading killer in the nation—claiming more than 600,000 lives each year. In addition, the AHA anticipates the effects of COVID-19 are likely to influence cardiovascular health and mortality rates for many years. “February is American Heart Month, and there is no better time for us to take stock of our heart health than now,” Dr. Garratt said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges to people living with chronic conditions such as heart disease. People with heart conditions are at greater risk of complications from the virus and also continue to need assistance managing their heart health. If you are a heart patient, please do not postpone your regular visit with your cardiologist.” The STS is a not-for-profit organization that represents more than 7,600 surgeons, researchers and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The STS National Database was established in 1989 as an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety among cardiothoracic surgeons. “The Society of Thoracic Surgeons congratulates STS National Database participants who have received three-star ratings,” said David Shahian, M.D., chair of the Task Force on Quality Measurement. “Participation in the Database and public reporting demonstrates a commitment to quality improvement in health care delivery and helps provide patients and their families with meaningful information to help them make informed decisions about health care.” About the Center for Heart & Vascular Health ChristianaCare’s Center for Heart & Vascular Health is among the largest, most capable regional heart centers on the East Coast. It is one of the only centers in the region that integrates in a single location and under one roof cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, vascular interventional radiology, cardiology and interventional nephrology. Its team of experienced cardiovascular surgeons and heart experts perform nearly 700 open-heart procedures each year and treat more than 8,000 total heart and vascular cases annually. For more information, visit https://christianacare.org/services/heart/.
5 Ways Expertise Marketing Supports Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is much more than merely redesigning your website or moving your files to the cloud. It’s about harnessing digital technologies to elevate your business. Specifically, digital transformation is strategically adapting your business processes to change company culture, empower your staff and keep up with rising consumer demands. Organizations of all sizes are taking on transformative initiatives to meet today’s expectations in the digital space, but research by IDG has concluded that we still have some growing to do: “IT leaders are making steady and sequential progress to becoming digital-first organizations – though not at the same breakneck speed that the technologies themselves are proliferating. For many organizations, the foundational pieces are in place, and they’re actively working on adopting newer technologies like AI and IoT. But successful digital transformation will also require equal attention to change management and workforce strategy for the entire organization.” Supporting the Bigger Picture It’s easy to get hung up on the technology but successfully transforming your business means thinking about everyone involved – including your experts. Here are five ways expertise marketing supports digital transformation: It aligns people. Most companies aren’t particularly good at telling their people that their expertise is valued and many employees don’t understand the role they play as brand ambassadors. On top of that, outdated biographies on the company website fail to share the work that these experts with the audiences who are looking for it. A well-constructed expertise marketing program helps get experts and executives aligned on how they can help the brand – and it helps marketing teams feed the content beast. It tracks data. Metrics on visitor behaviour are critical to calculating ROI and ensuring your content is working. That said, most organizations don’t have an intuitive way of tracking internal contributions to the corresponding engagement data – making it difficult to determine which people and topics are driving results. Expertise marketing programs are designed to capture essential metrics on employee contributions and ensure that leads are captured and routed to appropriate individuals and departments for prompt follow up and reporting. It enhances search and SEO. Part of digital transformation is creating a sustained online presence. By harnessing your collective expertise, you can quickly publish a large volume of quality, searchable content that boosts your owned content footprint. It also provides a way to capitalize on earned media opportunities related to breaking news and emerging trends. It drives collaboration. Many organizations corporate policies and standards tend to lack guidelines for generating and promoting individual experts. As a result, individual groups within the organization are forced to fill the void and essentially, do their own thing. This leads to a disconnected set of expensive, custom projects. Organizations with structured expertise marketing programs consistently report an increase in collaboration and organizational alignment. It minimizes risk. It’s becoming more and more important to ensure adherence to corporate brand standards and editorial guidelines, as well as regulatory standards such as accessibility compliance. By centralizing your content and utilizing a federated content management structure, you’re not only providing your employees with a common source for branded assets and templates, but you’re empowering them to get things done in the simplest way possible. This approach mitigates risk, speeds time to market and dramatically lowers costs to implement a program. Filling the Gaps with Expertise As mentioned above, digital transformation is a comprehensive business strategy with many moving parts. While expertise marketing is one component of this organizational change, it works in tandem with your other programs and complements any initiative aimed at boosts your digital presence. In fact, it’s proven to support many of the activities that organizations have yet to complete. IDG’s 2018 State of Digital Transformation Expertise marketing is a powerful tool for enabling and elevating digital transformation. By encouraging company-wide participation, it’s shown to increase internal uptake, generate higher-quality content and ultimately, drive better results in terms of ROI. If digital transformation is in your future, then you need to start thinking about your experts today. Download the Complete Guide to Expertise Marketing For a comprehensive look at how expertise marketing benefits the entire organization and drives measurable return on investment, follow the link below to download a copy of ExpertFile’s Complete Guide to Expertise Marketing: The Next Wave in Digital Strategy or download one of our tailored Guides for Corporate & Professional Services, Higher Education Institutions, Healthcare Institutions or Association & Not-for-Profits.
