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Welcome to the THIIS Community Team Blog
With so much going on in the marketplace, there's a lot to talk about and so if you have something to say, why not say it here?
If you'd like to join our Blog Team, then just let us know.
|  I get an email every single day from a holiday company. I
signed up for a newsletter from them months ago, but didn’t quite expect to get
something every single day! Because it’s always useful to catch a ‘deal’ when you are
ready to take a break, I sort of put up with the daily intrusion in the hope
that one day, a deal will appear that makes it all worthwhile. However, the bombardment is unsustainable in the long
term and you don’t need too many companies popping stuff through on a daily
basis before it gets a little too much and you switch off.
 Read More David R asks....How many emails do you get that you don’t ever open? |
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Writing in the Daily Telegraph on the 24 January, Chris Skidmore, MP for Kingswood and a member
of the House of Commons Health Select Committee, argues that we need to
find a way to care for our ageing population immediately if the NHS is to avoid
near-collapse within decades. In his
article, Mr Skidmore points out that rising levels of obesity, alcohol abuse,
chronic disease, diabetes and an ageing demographic are shoring up a "perfect
storm” for the NHS, for which it is currently not prepared.
He also
argues that more money is not the answer, pointing out that healthcare spending
rose from £38 billion in 1997 to £102 billion today. An extra £12.5 billion
will have been poured in by 2015, and this is likely to continue to rise. Under
current projections, the NHS is expected to require in real terms £230 billion
in 2030, or twice its current budget. The
government has pledged to make £20bn of savings over this parliament, but let’s
be realistic. Frankly, there is very little chance of any real savings to be
realised while the NHS is so disparate and unplumbed
Read More Angus worries....Is the NHS heading for a Perfect Storm? |
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While governments and banks seem to drag their combined heels to make a decisions and sort out this economic mess, there are practical steps that you can take now to make a real and immediate, economic difference to your business. What have your suppliers done to support your business in these challenging, economic times?
Read More Tim lists….ways in which you can make a difference in your business |
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It seems for many years now, more and more, well-known brands and stores are relying on healthy sales at Christmas as the answer to their economic woes. Indeed, some have come to view Christmas time as critical to their very survival. Whilst the homecare industry is perhaps, less reliant on Christmas than other industries, there are still many who view December as a crucial month and see the festive season as a key marketing opportunity.
Read More Angus wonders….if a business has to rely on Christmas sales to survive then is it a flawed strategy? |
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I have read with interest the outcome of the recent OFT investigation and I have to say that the industry has potentially got off lightly. Why do I say this? I have been in two industries (Consumer Electronics and Major Kitchen Appliances) where separate investigations by the OFT have led to a full scale Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) inquiry. In both cases the outcome had far reaching and long lasting effect on the entire industry and its consumers
Read More Steve asks....OFT Report – Threat or Opportunity? |
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In regard to the great healthcare reform I confess I am not well informed, as I have only been catching snippets of news. And I filter the stuff I do hear, because I can see merit in reform – although every "change management” rule I have ever been taught has been ignored as far as I can see on this one.
However, it seems that in the "rehab” sector, it is increasingly difficult to find anyone in charge at a national guidance level.
Read More Julian wants to know…so just who is navigating this ship? |
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Very recently the OFT published its findings after investigation into the Mobility Aids Market in the UK. The study centred around three main headings;
- whether consumers are treated fairly
- whether consumers can access, assess and act on information which enables them to make informed purchasing decisions and to drive vigorous competition amongst firms, and
- whether competition in the supply of wheelchairs in the UK is working well for consumers.
Now I think we will all agree that we want to treat our customers fairly. But the recommendation that has arisen from the second point, that we should all make our pricing more visible to allow potential customers to view our web sites and make a decision based purely on price is fraught with danger.
Read More Alastair opens…..The Great OFT Debate |
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The has been much debate by politicians, healthcare professionals, industry leaders and media pundits alike on the subject of NHS budgets, cutting waste and efficiency drives. I have noticed though, much of the focus, and indeed, the vitriol is generally directed at the NHS senior management and service providers. What though of the recipients, or ‘customers' of this public sector, tax funded, service?
Read More Angus asks….Does the public have a role in helping to save the NHS? |
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I was reading the article in THIIS magazine about Mangar withdrawing from Naidex and looking at other marketing possibilities. My initial thoughts were that I could understand their reasoning around the cost outlay and the difficulty in equating this to leads and actual sales and the potential possibilities of other marketing routes. I then reflected on how this may affect me as an Occupational Therapist and specifically an independent practitioner.
Read More Kate comments…..on supplier decision to not show at Naidex |
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I have just heard someone moaning about government cutbacks on this morning's news. No change there then. But this news was that the national careers guidance team is being closed down. And not replaced. Just as I was about to get in touch with them!
I wanted to point out what an excellent industry we work in. Call it Healthcare Equipment, Assistive Technology (AT) or whatever – it is a good place to be. Growth market, and broadly rewarding. Interesting, and socially beneficial.
Whether you're part of a specifying team, assessing someone or somewhere for kit. Or you're installing that kit. Or you're maintaining or repairing that kit; you are part of a 20,000 strong group - of WHAT? What collective noun describes the people (us) who do all that?
Read More Julian believes that…..there should be more recognition |
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Think about this for a moment . . . "in the current economic climate should your business
a) diversify b) specialise c) neither?”
Given what we are experiencing on the UK's high street, seeing the above question on the Cabinet Maker website recently, would certainly make you think! How should you approach this question for your business? After some debate, you may well come up with the answer - diversify and specialise, do both.
Read More Tim promotes….the value of the ‘wellbeing' concept |
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What happens when an organisation chooses to get out of step with its customers, misjudges what the customer wants, or simply applies selective hearing? I think you know – there are numerous examples. All dead. In a recent THIIS bulletin, the importance of visitor numbers to exhibitions was mentioned. I'll paraphrase your note which spoke of the "need to ensure adequate numbers of well targeted visitors to ensure a good return on investment and how a simple thing like weather can make the difference between profit and loss”.
Read More Julian just wants….a return on investment |
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Recently I was fortunate enough to be invited to a seminar in Newcastle as part of a programme of events to bring closer scientific and economic ties between Sweden and Northern England. Life Sciences and Healthcare are key industrial pillars in Sweden and so a whole day was dedicated to promoting reciprocal healthcare, business, investment and knowledge transfer opportunities between the two countries.
Read More Angus wonders….what all the private investment in care fuss is about |
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UK internet sales hit a record high,accountingfor a staggering 10.5% of all retail sales in November last year, up from 7.9% in 2009. The Office of National Statistics estimated that around £660m was spent on internet retail sales each week during that month. In one vertical industry, supermarket shopping, UK online sales are growing at between 30% and 40% a year.
Read More Joe can see….traditional retailing being dwarfed by e-commerce |
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If you want to get to X from Y, there's usually a most efficient way to do it. But what happens if you have a whole group of people with different views and experiences telling you how to get there. Usually it ends up in a confusing and frustrating mess. Is this what's happening to the NHS reforms?
Read More David suggests….that we're going round in circles and getting nowhere |
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I recently attended a research advisory group and during the discussions on the project the issue about the design of the UK bathroom, it's interesting to note that the major bathroom products, toilet, hand basin and bath have changed very little in their concept in last hundred years their style and colour have certainly changed from white to avocado to pink and now black, they have been round, square, traditional looking or ultra modern but the fundamental design is very much the same.
Read More Kate asks….a simple question about toilets |
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The Government announces an extra £3m for disabled people's organisations to better deliver services that disabled people really need. This is good news for people with disabilities as well as the rehabilitation equipment sector but is £3m anywhere near enough extra funding?
Read More Richard is frustrated…with the unworkable levels of funding |
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Some authorities say they have no option but to cut one of their biggest areas of spending. The number of councils in England cutting back on free adult social care has increased by 13% this year, a survey has suggested. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services study found just 26 out of 148 councils would fund people in "moderate" or "low" need, down from 41. The moves follow a sharp reduction in central funding for local authorities.
Read More Joe wonders….what will give as budgets get slashed |
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I am now in the last decade of my official working life. That probably means I am fast becoming a grumpy old so and so and have begun looking at life through the spectacles that show past days as a panacea. So, with that in mind, I make an observation. In the late 1970s and through the next couple of decades, I was privileged to work with some of the nationally known names in the therapy world. There was a cohort of outspoken, formidable, dedicated and ground-breaking women throughout the UK.
Read More Julian wonders….where are all the ground-breaking professionals? |
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