Medical, Lab & IT Equipment Benchmarking & Analytics

Medical, Lab & IT Equipment Benchmarking & Analytics

April 03, 2017

Blog

Learning From How The Masters Manage Tradition and Change

It’s April and if you’re a golfer, it’s Masters Week!

I’ve never been to Augusta National or the Masters, but my friends who have describe a tradition and event unlike any other. The azaleas in bloom, the birds singing, the verdant green of the fairways, the Southern charm, pimento cheese sandwiches that cost $1.50 and beer that costs $3.00 (our local high-school events charge at least triple these prices!), the manual scoreboard, prohibition of electric vacuum cleaners (too noisy)—it all adds up to the mystique of an historic golf course and event.

But as much as people may think there is a timelessness to the Masters, apparently no major golf tournament has changed as much in the last couple decades. The golf course that Tiger Woods tamed in 1997 has dramatically changed. The length of the course has increased (by over 450 yards – the equivalent of adding another par 4 hole to the course) and the fairways are much narrower. The greens are now almost twice as fast, as measured by a device called a Stimpmeter (7.9 vs 13.5 – like putting on a marble floor!)

What’s even more interesting is just how much new technology and reliance on information is employed by Augusta National. There is a state-of-the-art irrigation system that feeds data to a custom-made, on-site weather station. The greens are regulated by unique subterranean cooling. There are miles of high-definition fiber optic cables underneath the fairways. Lasers are set up on each fairway and greens can track the position of a player’s ball; this data lets viewers see on an aerial map what’s going on.  To improve the TV viewer’s digital experience, the Masters’ website uses multiple data centers and even employs predictive analytics.

This interesting mix of tradition and change is something many of you have told us you struggle with.  Your organizations want certain levels of traditions maintained and want to use the same budget processes every year.  But yet, there is also the need to keep up with the challenges of the times and to employ the most effective resources available.   Every capital budget cycle brings new challenges – new technology to be evaluated, new pricing to be negotiated, interoperability and software requirements that need clarification.

As you think about how to deal with this, let us know how we can help you.  We have always worked with clients to balance the need for maintaining traditions while also using new information, new techniques, and new approaches to accommodate the need to change.  For example, one of our clients identifies a couple of departments every year where he provides new information that can help them with their decision-making, often resulting in savings for their departments. Needless to say, he continues to deepen his relationships with his internal clients every year.

Like the stewards of the Masters, there is a way to balance Tradition and Change in such a fashion that continues to deliver outstanding results!

Know the right price.

And get it.

Having the right information saves hospitals time and money on medical equipment lifecycle costs.

Matt Werder

Chief Technology Officer

Hennepin County Medical Center

“Miga’s data is key to helping us be good financial stewards and validates we are using our resources wisely. The market intelligence provided by Miga’s EVMS platform has allowed us to save substantial amounts of money.”

Matt Blashill

Enterprise Director of Supply Chain

Lake Region Healthcare

"There’s a personal touch that sets Miga apart from their competitors. They don’t just offer great insights. They always take the time to provide additional analysis that is meaningful and actionable."

Dan Bazinet

Director of Clinical Engineering

Southcoast Health

“In all my years in health care, I’ve used a lot of benchmarking tools. Most simply repeat information passed along from others; Miga’s information tells me what’s really happening.”

COO

Community Hospital

"Miga's negotiating skills save us time and money. And their unique understanding of the market means we’re always playing from a position of strength."

Supply Chain Director

Regional Healthcare System

“All suppliers claim to have excellent customer service. Miga actually walks the talk and always has our best interest at heart. We love working with them."

"Miga’s ability to match equipment donated by their customers with the needs of our medical projects has been a most valuable and welcomed resource."

Jim Tierney

CEO

Suburban Radiology

“Miga’s data, analysis and expertise – in particular related to the fair market value of clinical equipment – is a critical resource we need to support strategic acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.”

Eric Hoag

Director, Corporate Strategy & Development

Allina Hospitals and Clinics

“Miga’s proprietary data and expertise was critical to our ability to close an acquisition deal quickly and with a high level of confidence in our valuation.”

Bill Barta

Corporate Director, System Imaging

Fairview Health Systems

“Miga’s objective information-based approach and understanding of the needs of hospitals makes them a valuable resource and helps us make the most cost effective spending decisions.”

Scott Bosch

Manager of Clinical Engineering

Park Nicollet Health Services

“The groups responsible for managing technology in our healthcare organization need data and analysis to manage costs and make informed decisions. Miga’s EVMS platform is an important and valuable resource that helps us make the right decisions for both our clinical priorities and budget.”