An Agile Retrospective on Last Week’s #HIMSS15 Conference

Those who work in an “Agile Environment” know that a Retrospective review is often held after each sprint. The purpose of an Agile Retrospective is for team member’s to share three categories of information:

1. What worked well?
2. What did not work well?
3. What actions can we take to improve things going forward?

Click here to submit your thoughts on the above three questions.

Alternatively, some people like to use the Mad, Sad, Glad format where participants share what made them Mad, Sad or Glad about the sprint – in this case – the HIMSS Conference.

In this case, I’m thinking that “team member” means “HIMSS Conference Attendee.” One of the key benefits of a retrospective is that the recent events should be fresh in everyones mind and easier to recall and share.

If you’re willing to participate in a retrospective on last week's HIMSS Conference in Chicago, I’ve set up a Survey here. You do not have to enter any personal information unless you want to receive the survey results. And the survey is not unique to anyone so please feel free to share this survey.  I’ll publish the results next week and provide the entire detailed results to anyone who participates and gives me their email address.

If you have any questions on this survey, please contact me at HITConfGuy@gmail.com.

Questions to Ask Software Product Vendors at the HIMSS Conference

Visiting a vendors exhibit at the HIMSS Conference can be a good opportunity to learn specifics about a particular vendor's software product. Here are some questions to consider asking the vendor of any product you are considering implementing at your firm. I suggest tracking the vendor's response and comparing it to their response later on if you intend to move forward.

The Demonstration
1. Is this demo I’m watching the actual software or a special/scaled-down demo version?

Features & Functionality
2. What areas of the product are configurable? And who typically performs configuration changes after the product is implemented?

3. Is there a pending feature/functionality backlog? Can you share what major enhancements are planned for future versions of your product? Timeline?

4. Please tell me about the scalability of your software product and the key variables which impact performance?

Implementing the Product
5. How long is a typical implementation for your product?

6. What are the typical issues your customers can expect when implementing your product?

7. Would I be able to see a sample deployment project plan before making a decision?

8. What product modules, features and/or services are typically paid for a la carte vs. included in the purchase price?

9. What types of on-site services are included in the purchase?

10. What type of participation do you need from my staff when implementing your product?

11. Are there any 3rd party firms that specialize in the implementation and/or customization of your product? What is your company’s relationship with these firms?

Project Knowledge
12. What is the average length of experience for the people who will be working on my project? 

13. Would I be able to see the resumes of the staff who will be working on my implementation project before they start on the project?

14. What methodology, tools and approach does your staff use to manage and transfer product implementation and configuration settings and knowledge once the project is over?

Support
15. How many major releases are planned for the next 2-3 years?

16. Tell me about your service level agreement for getting bugs fixed

17. Tell me about your support plan

18. Can you provide at least three references from companies similar to mine?

What Else?

Consider following me on Twitter for more information on the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago.

How to Gracefully Exit a Conversation That’s Going Nowhere at #HIMSS Conference

There will probably come a time during the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago where you’ll find yourself trapped talking with a vendor, another attendee or a group of attendees in a conversation that’s going nowhere. You’re chatting with someone who won’t let you get a word in edgewise or someone is wasting time whining about their boss. What do you do? Do you grin and bear it? Or make up some excuse for why you have to leave on the double, jump ship, or head for the exits?

The Professional Approach

The “How to Network at a Conference” post on WikiHow provides a great approach as to “How to Excuse Yourself Gracefully. http://www.wikihow.com/Network-at-a-Conference

“There will be times when someone you're networking with doesn't turn out to be someone you want to connect with. Alternatively, you might start to realize that the other person does not appear that interested in talking with you. In either case, excuse yourself politely, thank the person for his or her time, and continue your networking with other members of the conference.”

That’s the easy and probably the proper way to handle the situation. Here are some other tried and true exit strategies beyond the very direct “Excuse me, but I don’t want to talk to you anymore”:

The Positive Comment
“Steve, it was really a pleasure speaking with you about [Topic]. I’m going to take a look at some of the other exhibits here, but if I don’t run into you later, I hope to see you at another event soon.”

The Plan
“Please let me know how that project goes, I’d love to see it and hear how it turns out.” 

“Have you seen anyone from [company name] tonight? I’ve been meaning to chat with them.” 

The Excuse
“I need to use the bathroom, but I'm sure I'll see you around.” 

(Just don’t walk ten feet away and start talking to someone else, your former conversation partner is going to know you lied and dumped them)

“I don't want to take up all your time; it was great meeting you!”

Bow out when others join the conversation.
This is a standard, tried and true method. Once other people join the circle of conversation and things get going between your old partner(s), you slip away.

What Else?

Consider following me on Twitter for more information about the 2015 HIMSS Conference and other Health Information Technology Conferences in North America.

The Complete Guide to HIMSS15-Related Conference Guides

Here’s all the HIMSS Conference-related guides I can find all in one place for your ease of reference:

Updated: Sunday, April 12, 2015 @ 10:18 PST

General Conference Information – Potpourri of Tips

Tips for First Time HIMSS Annual Conference Attendees

HIMSS15 Survival Guide

A guide to news and analysis from HIMSS 2015

HIMSS15 Preview: Your Go-To-Guide to the Annual Conference

The complete guide to getting your money’s worth out of conferences

Pocket Guide to HIMSS Conference

HIStalk’s Guide to HIMSS15 

The Official Unofficial Guide to HIMSS15

The Oneview Guide to Getting The Most Out Of HIMSS15

Social Media & Marketing

The Official #HIMSS15 Hashtag Guide

The Totally Unofficial Guide to #HIMSS15 Hashtags

Some Tips for Making Your #HIMSS15 Tweets Memorable & Retweetable

Vendors & Exhibitors

DataFox Conference Navigator

HIMSS Exhibitor Search & Floor Map

Sessions

The CIO’s HIMSS15 Session Survival Guide


Provider-Payer Community Suggested Activities

Networking & Social Events

Meetups at HIMSS Spot

Unofficial #HIMSS15 Meetups & Tweetups

Preparing Your Elevator Pitch & Networking Questions for #HIMSS15

Suggestions and Ideas for Meeting and Socializing at the HIMSS Conference

Functional & Technology

What to look for in population health at HIMSS15

A Field Guide to Interoperability at HIMSS

Conference Exhibitor Guide

HIMSS15 Buyers Guide

Healthcare Scene #HIMSS15 Guide

How to Spot a Great Product "#HIMSS15: A Clinician's Guide"

Shahid’s No BS guide to patient engagement at #HIMSS15

Dining & Entertainment

Guide to Dining and Entertainment at HIMSS15 Chicago

15 fun things to do in Chicago at HIMSS

The Road to HIMSS15: Chicago in a nutsh—er, hot dog bun

HIMSS15 Visitor's Guide

What to See in Chicago: Tips From Locals

What to Expect at HIMSS15 in Chicago, for First Time Attendees

What else?

Consider following me on Twitter for more information on the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago and other Healthcare IT Conferences in North America.

Unofficial #HIMSS15 Meetups & Tweetups

HIMSS has published an official list of meetups held at the HIMSS Spot Coffee Bar. And I'm maintaining a list of Unofficial Meetups and Tweetups being held before, during and after the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago. 

Note: Some of the items on my list look like they should be on the Official HIMSS list but I checked and they are not listed so I am listing them here. Also, a couple of these - like the Personalized Medicine and Predictive Analytics items - may not be meetups in the traditional sense but I'm including them here with the understanding that they will be an interactive, informal meeting.

Name	Date	Location & More Info
#IheartHIT meetup	4/13/15 - 3:30 - 4:30p	HIMSS Spot Coffee Bar - North Hall - B Lobby - RSVP Requested
How IT is enabling personalized medicine	4/13/15 - 1:30p	Booth 955 -   Requires Registration
#HITChicks Community Meetup	4/14/15 - 10:00-11:00p	HIMSS Spot Coffee Bar - North Hall - B Lobby
6th Annual New Media Meetup	4/14/15 - 6:00-8:00p	Gino's East - 162 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611-  Requires Registration
Predictive Analytics: A glimpse at the future of population health  management	4/15/15 - 11:00am	Booth 955 - Requires Registration
#HITsm Tweetup	4/14/15 – 11:30 – 12:15	HIMSS Room S403A
HIMSS Official Meetups	4/12/15 – 4/15/15	Various Times & Locations

If you know of any items that should be added to this list please forward them to me using the Submit an Idea, Tip or Pitch link on the top right of this page.

Also, be sure to follow me on Twitter for all the latest on the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago.

Preparing Your Elevator Pitch & Networking Questions for the HIMSS Conference

Credit: Mark Anderson - www.andertoons.com

So you’re going to the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago! What are your goals for networking at the conference? What do you want to learn from other people? What do you want to be able to get from or give to other attendees? There must be something. Why else would you be going?

Theoretically you could meet somewhere around 40,000 people interested in healthcare information technology. Realistically you’ll probably be quite successful if you have 300-400 relatively brief conversations. You should also use the little time left before the event figuring out what you want to say to people. Here are some suggestions and tips:

Have your Personal Elevator Pitch Ready

Come up with a sentence or two that quickly and accurately explains what you do. It should include what the primary benefit is that you provide and your role at your company. Avoid unnecessary jargon so those new to the industry or not is your particular area of expertise are not confused.

Struggling to come up with your Personal Elevator Pitch? Check out “The "High 5" Elevator Pitch Worksheet.” 

Note: Even if you're not going to the HIMSS Conference this year, having a Personal Elevator Pitch and having some questions ready to improve  your networking skills can help you both professionally and personally.

A Good Listener is a Great Networker

After the introduction, a most uneasy moment can be not knowing what to say next while you and the person you just met stare at each other or the coffee cup in your hand. To avoid this scenario, consider having a list of general questions to use with people you meet. Having this list also helps others interacting with you to better understand how you might be able to help them. It can also make you look less silly, which is a nice bonus.

You should ask meaningful questions and list to understand what the other person is saying. A good listener is a good networker. Focus on that person's answers to your questions and not on how you intend to respond. Don't try to fill in what the other person is saying. Let the person do the talking because by limiting your own talking and encouraging the other person to talk, you’ll make yourself more memorable to the other person. Seems counter-intuitive but it’s true.

Sample Post Introduction Questions

1. Where are you from?

2. How long have you worked at ABC company?

3. Where did you work before joining ABC company?

4. How did you become interested in your area of expertise?

5. What are you hoping to get out of the conference?
6. What sessions are you most looking forward to?
7. What do you think the best sessions have been so far?
8. Are you going to any other conferences this year?
9. I’m trying to improve at XYZ - what did you read to do so?

Make Your Own Luck

Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. The HIMSS Conference will provide all the networking opportunity than you'll ever have in one place in a short period of time. Remember that networking is a wonderful opportunity to get to know people, so make the most of it by coming prepared.

For more information on the 2015 HIMSS Conference, consider following @HITConfGuy on Twitter. 

Suggestions and Ideas for Meeting and Socializing at the HIMSS Conference

Attending the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago is like being a visitor in a tightly-packed city of about 40,000 inhabitants. And whether you’re first timer at the conference or a battle-scarred veteran conference-goer, you may feel awkward and uncomfortable at times. Add in the fact that there’s a lot of truth to the stereotypical introvert IT person and it’s almost a given that you can benefit from some suggestions and tips on how to socialize in such and environment and get the most enjoyment out of the conference.

It’s quite common for first time conference attendees to feel left out because they may not know too many people. The only reason you may feel that way is because you may not know too many people; yet. Give yourself some time. Remember that everyone else is probably feeling like they don't know anyone too.

Here are Some of Suggestions and Tips

1.  Keep in mind that schmoozing is important and okay. Check out other people's nametags so you know who they're. Be sure to wear your nametag in a prominent spot so others can identify you.

Don't get too turned off by nametag gazing. It is what people do at conferences. Sure, people will check yours out, discover that you’re a nobody and then move on. Some of the folks doing this are real ass-kissing idiots who are just looking for famous people to kiss up to. Don't sweat it. Don't let the posers get you down.

2.  Always remember the first law of socializing: act like a host. This means taking the initiative and introducing yourself to others. Be sure to remember the people you do know and that you’ve met before – including those in your online social circles.

3.  Consider making a list of all those you want to keep an eye out for. It’s easy to forget while being overwhelmed with all that’s going on.

Tips for Introducing Yourself and Others

4.  When you meet someone new, even if your interests are a far apart, you can always say "Have you met so and so? You should. I'll introduce you when I see you together." And then, when you do, they'll possibly be grateful for the intro, and they’ll definitely remember your service.

5.  Be as “socially generous” as possible. It almost never "costs" anything to invite someone along, bring them into a conversation, introduce them to a colleague, connect them to someone of common interests, etc.. People always remember these kinds of things and what goes around comes around.

Presentations, Gatherings and Meetups, Oh No!

6.  Make a point of asking everyone (in elevators, crossing the street between hotels, waiting in lobbies, airport shuttles, etc.), “Are you here for the HIMSS conference?"

Most likely they will be and it's fascinating to learn why they're attending. Perhaps you have something in common and it'll be a face to smile at if you meet later on in the conference. Even if they're not affiliated with the conference, you'll probably have a chance to explain why you're in town and it will make it that much easier when you do talk to someone at the conference.

7.  Prepare a question ahead for someone important that you know will be at the conference. Most people encourage questions related to their presentations--even a couple of days later in the hall.

8.  Remember that it's OK to engage people in serious conversations about what they do, what they think about, etc.

9.  While listening to presenters, try to look wise--frown, nod, take notes. :)

10. Consider reaching out to those you know you want to meet in advance. Ask them about a recent publication or their interest in your area of expertise. Sometimes they'll ask to meet you at the conference.

Serendipity Reigns

11. Never pass up an opportunity to go out with a group to eat or have a drink.

12. Recognize and celebrate the fact that the most important and enjoyable part of the annual meeting is the stuff that occurs OUTSIDE of the sessions.

What Else?

What other ideas do you have for Meeting Others and Socializing at conferences? Consider following the @HITConfGuy on Twitter for more tips, ideas, and information on this years HIMSS Conference in Chicago.

List of First 100 Followers of @HITConfGuy Account

If your name is on this list, I'd like to thank you for being one of the first 100 followers of the @HITConfGuy account. And you can take advantage of a special Conference Monitoring Service I am providing for the 2015 HIMSS Conference in Chicago. 

If you're interested, please review this post and respond accordingly.

Note: There are actually 110 names on this list due to a little confusion on my part as to exact order in which some accounts followed. Plus some unfollowed me and some were duplicates. So I gave the benefit of the doubt. And I'm guessing some (many?) of you may not take advantage of this service.

Some Interesting Factoids on Y'All

Average Number of People Who Follow Y'all = 4567
Average Number of People You Follow = 2380
Average Number of Lists Y'all are On = 152
Average Number of Tweets Y'all Make Per Day = 7.1
Average Age of Your Twitter Account as of 3/20/15 = 1395 days or 3.9 years

So all in all, y'all represent a pretty impressive group of Twitter Luminaries in the Healthcare and Healthcare IT space! I hope I don't disappoint any of you. 

List of First 100 Followers of @HITConfGuy Account

Twitter Account	Followers	Friends	On Lists	Last Tweet as of 3/20/15	Tweets Per Day	Age of Acct in Days as of 3/20/15
2healthguru	13319	3967	833	03/20/15	25.66	2377
3MHISNews	4119	2661	134	03/18/15	8.76	1296
Alexruoff	421	457	27	03/19/15	0.57	1858
andyvassallo	39	150	0	03/18/15	0.02	2116
AvailityAPI	120	233	14	03/19/15	0.94	150
BluePrintHIT	277	343	15	03/09/15	0.28	1443
Brad_Justus	7571	8317	290	03/20/15	21.54	1898
Brian_Eastwood	4716	4248	335	03/19/15	10.66	2110
caitietnolan	183	379	10	03/19/15	0.13	2083
carimclean	1491	454	98	03/19/15	0.72	2329
caseyhealthlaw	89	310	1	03/20/15	1.57	26
CDW_Healthcare	9646	6360	287	03/20/15	2.91	2019
ChelleRovner	217	241	10	03/20/15	1.1	1598
ChilmarkHIT	833	1024	46	03/17/15	0.57	1399
ClinicSpectrum	1038	744	39	03/18/15	0.81	1053
CSlocumb	293	213	23	03/19/15	0.47	2649
CureMD	3366	2669	81	03/20/15	6.21	1744
dadimo13	200	416	11	03/16/15	0.18	2059
DavisJamie77	307	440	26	03/18/15	0.8	819
DC_Assoc	317	872	20	03/18/15	1.33	1151
DehaanStephanie	844	1920	49	03/20/15	5.79	157
dougchase	307	600	14	03/20/15	0.07	2974
DrLindaMD	19944	20625	340	03/19/15	25.93	616
ehealthcareorg	227	1640	2	03/17/15	0.08	1263
ehrandhit	32626	17346	996	03/19/15	8.46	2147
ehrpmrcm	131	771	35	03/20/15	19.04	89
EMRAnswers	10524	5330	505	03/20/15	14.95	2044
erictalbothit	10	120	0	03/19/15	0.29	25
esseeconsulting	501	1260	65	03/19/15	7.02	535
foybj	133	567	15	03/19/15	0.35	2430
GalenHealthcare	3662	2722	63	03/19/15	0.64	2193
GetReal_Health	3947	2161	116	03/19/15	5.81	1119
GLHC_HIE	464	1073	43	03/19/15	4.88	286
greenway	6471	1108	220	03/20/15	2.84	2199
GreythornNA	435	531	53	03/20/15	1.18	1734
H4Omaha	107	575	3	03/18/15	0.29	517
HCITExpert	4624	4944	142	03/18/15	13.49	955
HCSInteractant	1725	1530	63	03/19/15	0.57	2219
HealthBIJeff	96	304	6	03/14/15	0.13	737
HealthcareScene	1436	1927	40	03/18/15	2.77	949
HealthITMKTG	248	259	22	03/17/15	0.24	1207
HealthNautica	8	43	0	03/12/15	0.07	364
HIMSS	59369	974	1757	03/19/15	4.58	2481
HITMarketingPR	829	957	39	03/19/15	0.82	463
HITpol	83628	1982	745	03/20/15	16.04	2012
hootnolan	98	290	13	03/19/15	0.82	152
HX360_	2392	2616	84	03/19/15	4.83	180
icetechnologies	262	943	16	03/20/15	0.36	1783
iMethodsJames	21	88	1	03/20/15	8.6	4
ImpactAdvisors	399	745	21	03/20/15	0.33	1769
infomanager	195	372	33	03/16/15	1.29	2268
Insight_HC	65	60	6	03/18/15	0.27	716
irvinbalagosa	620	996	17	03/15/15	2.9	1957
Itentive	83	92	14	03/19/15	0.16	1959
IVDConnectivity	5	89	0	03/16/15	0.01	367
jackbergstrom	56845	23876	1291	03/19/15	1.86	2091
jamcbride	654	635	26	03/20/15	0.32	2280
janicemccallum	9547	3616	610	03/20/15	7.47	2165
jimmyweeks	2485	867	159	03/20/15	2.6	2298
jmrubin	225	458	20	01/02/15	0.1	2487
Joe_Lavelle	80	534	3	03/17/15	0.49	456
jonmertz	8440	6938	339	03/20/15	9.88	1680
JRJusticeSAI	23	342	3	03/19/15	0.16	190
JustmeJayneRN	1	29	0	02/15/15	0.01	560
KarlaKoertner	33	74	3	03/19/15	3.41	10
KentuckyREC	539	981	20	03/18/15	1.05	820
KonicaMinoltaUS	3100	1141	89	03/19/15	1.53	2073
L_Macnaughtan	69	181	22	03/20/15	5.8	39
LAlupusLady	8229	7993	343	03/20/15	28.15	2095
LeadGenMike	630	1907	70	03/20/15	23.49	142
Legacydnagroup	278	778	24	03/19/15	1.81	406
LHCQF1	2013	2005	55	03/20/15	6.31	784
LizGoodale	648	684	48	03/14/15	1.48	1309
lsaldanamd	6530	5555	420	03/19/15	38.84	2422
MandiBPro	9374	5081	658	03/18/15	31.24	963
marcinzawisza	113	543	32	03/11/15	0.19	792
MedeAnalytics	708	465	57	03/19/15	1.03	2118
MEDITECH	3158	1134	112	03/20/15	1.24	2138
MMaxwellStroud	916	1027	62	03/18/15	1.7	660
moodlemethods	18585	18534	126	03/18/15	4.23	1429
mrudnick	1452	1321	62	03/19/15	1.07	2517
msharmas	1117	2001	46	03/20/15	1.52	2103
mssoftware	182	255	18	03/19/15	0.07	2131
mtreardon	136	478	9	03/13/15	0.08	1281
MyCareNav	15	169	0	03/19/15	0.13	59
NextGen	15607	2961	497	03/19/15	4.41	2221
Nextwaveconnect	616	498	44	03/20/15	3.03	681
nicfletch	2448	2322	169	03/19/15	2.08	2343
nxtstop1	9019	8585	753	03/19/15	214.69	581
OpenQAP	15	112	0	03/18/15	0.01	376
Perficient_HC	8427	4050	377	03/20/15	13.84	1978
PetrosPapapa	170	266	9	03/19/15	0.57	741
ReasObBob	1628	1948	54	03/14/15	2.4	1088
Resultant	2976	3240	127	03/20/15	5.4	2135
RightPatient	1388	1679	78	03/18/15	6.36	1186
roseannarhit	426	1134	55	03/20/15	43.36	40
sarahbennight	443	419	38	03/18/15	1.69	1049
StaceyHolifield	512	854	32	03/19/15	0.62	2139
stacygoebel	513	595	41	03/18/15	1.94	2360
Steph_Sagacious	36	239	5	03/17/15	0.67	19
Steven_Paul	1633	366	97	03/19/15	3.36	2400
SusanCHull	1638	2001	136	03/20/15	4.43	1601
techguy	8401	6826	445	03/19/15	6.39	2872
TheNerdyNurse	16289	14713	579	03/20/15	12.96	2264
ThePatientsSide	1768	2001	108	03/18/15	5.47	1139
tom_finnerty1	51	147	2	03/14/15	0.03	1327
Turbodean	1050	1956	32	03/19/15	0.89	2235
VOXTelehealth	222	768	20	03/18/15	0.7	847
wallace_tim	442	1744	6	03/20/15	0.11	2013
wareFLO	5500	690	435	03/20/15	26.2	2256
	4567	2380	152	03/17/15	7.1	1395
						3.9