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Health insurance is taken by people because they expect the health care costs to rise significantly in the future which might become out of reach for them. They expect that health insurance will cover them for the most likely and emergency medical expenses without overburdening their pockets. But, with increasing costs of the medical health care, the insurance companies are themselves hiking their premiums. This makes one wonder whether the insurance itself will become expensive enough to be availed of. Or, will the authorities take steps for providing the affordable health insurance?

The insurance reforms are on the anvil. These are long overdue since the system has become accustomed to playing the way insurance companies want. Do the benefits of the insurance policies reach where they are require the most? Actually, it is the people with some disease or health condition, or the people in their old age, or the people in the risky occupations who require more than any other person. And, ironically, these very people were denied the insurance benefits till the Supreme Court held that such an action on the part of a public company was arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional. So, now the insurance companies cannot refuse insurance on grounds of past medical history but even in those situations, the companies raise the insurance premiums exorbitantly. This makes affordable medical insurance a pipe dream for many.

Affordability of this insurance is related to the income status of the people as well as to the awareness of its benefits. Most of the insurance premiums come from people from their out-of-pocket expenses. The lower income strata cannot afford it. To make the benefits of this insurance reach this segment of population, the government has adopted the Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) approach. The private hospitals may be providing the best medical facilities but they are increasingly becoming very expensive. To make health insurance affordable it is also imperative that the risings costs of medical care are curtailed. This will happen with larger participation of the government and robustness of the health care infrastructure in other parts of the country.

Enterprise resource planning is a growing approach to business that permits the sharing of business information for the purposes of strategic decision making. Investment in an ERP framework is a significant undertaking which is why it is important to adopt a well thought out approach.

The first and foremost consideration prior to selecting an ERP vendor solution is to determine the critical business process that you wish to improve. Using a balanced scorecard assists in this regard. Members from the business units and information technology department function together as a check and balance to ensure that business functional requirements and system process can work together without causing conflict.

The vendor solution is then matched against the selection criteria to determine operational best fit. In some cases, organization wide implementation will be the best approach whereas in other instances a modular approach may be more fitting. Implementing a modular approach allows a company to integrate one unit at a time. To some extent, this is a ‘go slow’ process that allows system wide rollout in an isolated manner. When the solution is built form the round up, companies need to ensure thy have the expertise to carry out the task at hand.

An implementation plan helps to scope and bound the range of activities that comprises the implementation process. A project management framework and the appointment of a team leader to devise and manage the rollout assist with mandating tasks, tracking progress and adapting to the practical demands of integrating the new system within the organization.

Testing and training are activities that are frequently overlooked and not accounted for in operational budgets. Many ERP projects fail because the workers are not empowered to understand and use the full functionality of the system. Without adequate training, the software becomes little more than an expensive calculator. Time is consumed working out the finer details of the system and generating the required information as opposed to creating fast and efficient processes which is what the system was intended for in the first place.

Companies that invest the time and resources into ERP implementation can enjoy significant productivity, improved business transparency and lasting performance improvements that directly impact the bottom line. Before you start commence an ERP project, it is important to take the time to understand the critical success factors that can shape the project outcome.

What Is IT Governance?

At the macro level, successful IT governance is accomplished by basing IT practices on high-quality, well-defined, repeatable processes. At the micro level, IT governance focuses on developing precise policies, clearly defined procedures, and scrupulously detailed documentation. In addition to zeroing in on these areas, IT governance also constitutes a forward-looking plan for continual improvement.

Types of Governance Models

There are two main public models for IT governance. The IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a widely accepted approach. Specifically developed for IT service management and operations, ITIL is a framework of best practices that are documented in an abstract fashion to be applicable to any IT organization. ITIL’s main focus is to provide service objectives, key activities, and key performance indicators for applications management, IT service delivery and support, infrastructure management, and business perspectives. This method is divided into 48 modules/processes.

Elsewhere, the Control Objectives for Information and related Technology (COBIT) is used as a control framework for corporate IT processes. Organizations use COBIT to manage accountability of IT resources, focus resources on business goals, and to build a framework for risk assessment. It divides information technology into 34 modules/processes that are further organized into four domains: planning, acquiring and implementing, delivery and support, and monitoring.

Action Plan

1.Get executives on board. IT governance is a control management system that enables you to translate a strategic vision into practical and measurable actions. If the top executives don’t understand and support a strategic framework for IT governance, then the outcome won’t have value. Also, governance is embedded in organizational culture and politics, not just processes. Backing from the C-level team is therefore critical.

2.Know what you’re working towards. Reviews of successful IT governance models have revealed that there are characteristics common to all models. Derived from industry standards, the following outcomes are indicative, but not exhaustive, of well-executed governance deployments:

oComplete, flexible IT structure geared toward the delivery of business applications.
oCentrally managed IT infrastructure, as well as centralized IT staff.
oEstimated project costs based on a five-year lifecycle cost.
oProject portfolio management in place.
oClearly defined reporting relationships and strict adherence to standards.

3.Use modules from the standards bodies. An IT shop in a mid-sized company won’t be able to implement ITIL or COBIT in whole – they are simply too big and all-encompassing. You can, however, use parts of them that speak directly to your particular needs. For example, if the help desk is your worry, then use the help desk module from ITIL like the government of Ontario did. When using this module-by-module approach, keep the following tips in mind:

oBe sure to first benchmark the trouble area before moving ahead with the module. This way, you will be able to better measure performance over time.
oContinue to stay focused on this one area of change, as training, implementation, and change management will pose major ongoing challenges.
oUse such projects as a learning experience. Document everything and use this information when moving on to the next area that could use governance.

4.Tie in governance with compensation. Management must lead the charge when implementing IT governance. Bonus programs for employees will have to change to reflect a focus on positive metrics and key performance indicator improvements.

In Summary

IT governance plays an important role in making companies more successful via streamlined and standardized processes. Get started now to realize long-term benefits.

Let me start off by saying that there are two reasons why anyone buys a property anywhere in the world: to live on the property and/or to invest in the property by selling it at some point in the future, when they see the value of the property increasing over time. Let’s face it, the investment opportunities in the States are narrowing quite rapidly with equities, bonds, and real estate all in a spiral going the wrong direction. During this same time period, Costa Rica land investment growth has been double digits. It is not a hard equation to see, and with the Boomers seeking a place to retire with less money than they thought they would have, the influx is fairly obvious.

The real estate market in Costa Rica is thriving, and over the past years, the country has become more and more popular as a tourist destination. Costa Rica ranks fourth as the most ideal environment for foreign investment worldwide, and investors all over the world come here to capitalize on Costa Rica’s cultural and economic prosperity.

Americans, Canadians, and Europeans are wise enough to come here to invest, and there are plenty of reasons for them to do so. Costa Rica offers foreigners a real estate market that is more attractive and cheaper than that of the U.S. Land and home prices here are 20-25% cheaper than those in the U.S. The cost of property maintenance is very low, making buying and renting out properties a sound and profitable investment. As over 50,000 U.S. citizens live here, U.S. property brokers can arrange finances for Costa Rica real estate investment. What’s more, the cost of living in Costa Rica is much lower than that in the U.S., Canada, or most European countries.

Costa Rica is an ideal environment for business and real estate investment. There are no foreign exchange controls and no restrictions on capital or profit repatriation. Foreigners face no restrictions on owning a business or land in Costa Rica, and they enjoy equal property rights as local citizens. Business taxation and property taxation rates are very low. The Costa Rica real estate market is based on the U.S. dollar, and forming a company here is easy and inexpensive. Plus, investments in the business sector are expected to increase, as Costa Rica has recently agreed to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

Unlike all other countries in Latin America, Costa Rica enjoys the greatest political, social, and economic stability. Costa Rica is a safe and peaceful nation that has been a democracy since 1949. The country has no standing army, and it was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army.

Costa Rica’s compulsory free education system goes way back to 1869, and the country now has one of the highest literacy rates in the world (95%), a highly qualified workforce, and a strong and growing middle class. There are computer labs in most of the elementary schools and all of the secondary schools, and there are 67 university campuses and 81 technical high schools.

In Costa Rica, you will find excellent communication services (landline and cell phones and faxes) and high-speed Internet. In El Cajon de Grecia, where we live, we have a stable Internet connection as well as American television.

The country has a great transportation infrastructure. Travel plans from and to Costa Rica are simple. Daily international, 3-hour flights to the U.S. and an extensive road system are available.

Costa Rica is characterized by its economic diversity. People from all over the world come here all the time to enjoy their holidays in a safe, beautiful country. In 2006, 1.7 million international visitors came to Costa Rica, helping the country earn $1.6 billion in tourism receipts. The country ranked first in Central America and second in Latin American and the Caribbean region in the 2008′s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report released by the World Economic Forum. Costa Rica is Latin America’s largest exporter of technology products to the U.S., which is also Costa Rica’s largest trading partner. It has the second most energy-efficient economy in the world. Plus, 99% of the country’s electricity is generated from renewable resources, mainly hydroelectric.

The country is also characterized by its ecological diversity. Costa Rica’s sunny beaches, rich rainforests, variety of wild animals, and amazing mountains attract American, Canadian, and European investors to the Costa Rica property market. The country is regarded as the “ecotourism capital of the world.” Costa Rica’s ecology and natural beauty are its main attractions, and the government always makes plans to preserve them. 25% of the country’s land is protected, and 25% of tropical biology research worldwide is carried out here. There are more than 850 species of birds, and more than 80% of visitors coming to Costa Rica are eco-tourists.

World-class medical and health care services, including plastic surgery and dental implants, are available at knock-down prices. Costa Rica has one of the longest life-expectancy rates on earth (77 years).

Costa Rica also supports gender equality. It ranks seventh in the world by percentage of women in Congress, and 53% of the country’s top public officials are women.

The real estate hot spot in Costa Rica nowadays is the Central Valley. Specifically in Grecia, the weather is temperate year round, the quality of life is simply incomparable, and the real estate prices are much lower than those in the U.S.

Even though Costa Rica is widely regarded as a safe and well-governed country and the vast majority of Costa Rica’s real estate transactions are carried out without any problem, you should always research and investigate any foreign property you consider buying. You should also visit Costa Rica in person before you make any property purchase.

As you can see, it makes a lot of sense to invest in Costa Rica real estate. While the U.S. real estate market seems not likely to recover any time soon, Costa Rica’s tourism industry and economy are always on the rise.

Pura Vida! (The Good Life)

Introduction

Broadly speaking, our life can be divided into two parts:

1) Personal, Private or Family Life and

2) Career or Professional Life

Each of the above two can be further divided into different stages. The various stages of Private Life are: Infant, Child, Adolescent, and Adult (Husband / Wife), Parents, Feeder / Earner / Developer and Counselor / Guide / Mentor. Similarly, in a professional life, the different stages that we can have are: Trainee (Learner); 1st Level Executer; 1st Level Administrator / Organizer (Team Leader); Manager; Strategist; Chief Executor (CEO); Chief Administrator (CAO or COO); Corporate / Industry/ Business Leader; Coach; Mentor. In both the situations, it is very difficult to move from one stage (or role) to another; one needs to be mentally, emotionally and psychologically prepared for it. It is only due to the insecurity of an individual, his or her inefficiency to move to another role that we usually see people in the role of Patriarch and BOSS.
For the purpose of this article, we will be concentrating only on the different stages of Professional Life.

Different Stages of Your Professional Life

1) Trainee (Learner): This is the beginning of your career. Usually it comprises 2-3 years. During this phase, the individual learns about the expectations of his profession and expected corporate behavior. You learn about the practical aspects and implementation processes of the theory that you have learned in your graduation, post-graduations and during your management studies. This phase also gives you an opportunity to select the “Domain” within your profession that you want to “specialize in”/ Grow/ and become expert in.

2) 1st Level Executer: To some extant this phase might overlap with your previous phase. In this phase, you get inputs from different sections and you are asked to implement that process and then follow-up. It is like this, your reporting manager or your department head has initiated some policy or process and it is your responsibility to make sure that the policy and process is followed by everyone. You need to follow-up with the people on the floor or at the bottom end. You are also expected to “teach the employees” and make them aware about the processes and procedures, its purpose, impact, regards and punishment. During this phase you need to work very closely with your Reporting Manager and take his inputs and at the same time need to make your own identity. You need to take your decisions through your Reporting Manager. Here, you are process owner. Based on your efficiency, willingness to learn and grow, this phase might last for 2-3 years.

3) 1st Level Administrator / Organizer (Team Leader): Now, that you know the practical aspects of your profession, you have selected a domain with in your selected profession that you like to master and specialize in; you know the nitty-gritty of your domain…now its time to take bigger responsibilities and accountabilities; now, its time to take responsibility of a small team, small but solo and independent assignments and projects. In this phase you get accustomed to resource management. You get to know as how to run the show on your own.

4) Manager: In this phase, the area and scope of your work increases. You become accountable of 2-3 different but bigger projects / assignments. You are expected to manage following things: People Management (and Development); Infrastructure / Resource Management; Cash Management; Revenue and Profitability Management; and Statutory Compliance. Usually, a person stays in this role for 7-10 years.

5) Strategist: Now, you have lots of experience, knowledge and expertise. At this stage, you need to be a great planner, goal setter, creative, developer and innovative. Its time for you to align your domain with the core business. You need to smoothen the functioning of your domain. In this role, you work as a catalyst and as a facilitator. This is not a field job. Most of the time, people around you might not be able to understand, as what you are doing. This role expects a lot of mental strength, expertise of domain and understanding of the functioning of different industries.

6) Chief Executor (CEO): Just like the way we discussed the role of 1st Level Executor (who is a process owner); the role of Chief Executor is to execute the policies, process, strategies formulated and approved by the “Board of Directors”. He is the person who makes the “Corporate Culture” and “Workplace Ethics” for the organization. He is accountable for “workplace practices” that are practiced in the organization.

7) Chief Administrator (CAO or COO): You understand the basics of business; nitty-gritty of the business; people management; Cash, Revenue and profitability management, now its time to handle that at corporate level. As a chief administrator, you are accountable for one particular SBU or vertical or nation (if your company is very huge with millions of people, spread over N number of nations. It is your responsibility to generate revenues and profits. It is for you to plan Business Model for your Business and break-through for the success of your business.

Corporate / Industry/ Business/ Domain Leader: Now, its time to take a bigger leap. You have done enough for your team, your department, your domain, your company and your vertical / strategic unit. From now onwards whatever you do, will affect the Industry as a whole. You will be a trend setter in your profession / domain. You will be a LEADER.

9) Coach: Now, that you have gained lots of experience and knowledge and you are at that stage of your life, where you need to create many more people like you. Its time to pass your knowledge and experience to youngsters and create more people, Managers and leaders like you. Here, your role is to develop and groom young talent. You are a catalyst.

10) Mentor: Last, but not the least, after spending 40-45 years in an active “professional Life” now, its time to take a back seat and let the youngsters grow. Now, your role is that of a torch-bearer; guide; light-house; and pole-star. You are in a position where you can develop life of youngsters.

So, that’s in short is the professional life-span of any individual, irrespective to selected profession and domain. It spans from a trainee to mentor.

Conclusion

In order to move from one phase of your profession to another phase, one needs to be mentally and psychologically prepared. One need to know when is the time to move to another level. This also shows that irrespective of your profession HR, Marketing, Technical or Finance…one is capable of being and should be in all the phases of profession. It is only then when we are not confident about our abilities, or we are so comfortable with our present role and position that we don’t want to move out of that zone…that we behave like a BOSS. Bossism is nothing but forcing your views or ideas ONLY on your SUBORDINATES. They have NO SCOPE to Grow and Learn. Learn, grow and blossom in your profession. Life is short and sky is the limit.

Now, you are in which phase of your professional life???

Life is wonderful, if you believe that.

This world is beautiful, if you feel that.

Looking forward to your views and feedback

Regards

Less than a decade back, medical tourism was hardly in vogue. Patients living in developed nations, like the United States, had no alternative but to foot the exorbitant bills charged by their local healthcare centers. Countries processing the healthcare requirements through a public healthcare system were so overburdened that it took years for the treatment process to get initiated. Nevertheless, the present scenario of the healthcare system in most of the developed nations has not changed much. The rising medical expenses and the lengthy waiting periods are still common in most of the developed nations. But, unlike ten years back, the patients in these developed countries now have a far better alternative of fulfilling their medical needs in an even better and convenient manner. Today, a majority of developing countries are extending world-class cost effective medical services as a package to suit the needs of these patients. Not only that, the patients opting for these packages get added facilities like five star luxury accommodation and a chance to visit the tourism wonders of that country.

The quality of medical treatment available in these developing countries is at par and sometimes even better than that of the United States and UK. The medical practitioners in the countries specializing in medical tourism are not only well trained but also have considerable experience in their own domains. The respective governing bodies of these countries, after having realized the growing potential of medical tourism industry, are leaving no stones unturned to popularize their services by raising their quality standards. In the past few years many major corporations have also made substantial investments in setting up state of art hospitals and clinics providing world-class medical services. As a result, today more than two lakh foreign patients visit countries like India and Malaysia to meet their medical needs. In the coming years, it’s estimated that more than half a million foreign patients will seek medical treatment in India alone.

Among the various countries offering medical tourism services, India has been successful in carving out a niche segment for themselves. Recent estimates suggest that the number of patients from foreign countries opting for a medical treatment in India is growing at the rate of 30% each year. From the economic perspective, by the year 2012, the medical tourism industry in India is all set to earn a revenue of around $2.2 billion dollars a year. The primary reason that can be attributed to this success is the sophisticated medical infrastructure available in India. Apart from that, India also offers some added medical benefits that are otherwise not available at a cheaper rate elsewhere. Foreign patients coming to India for a hip replacement surgery can very well opt for a hip resurfacing procedure, which not only reduces the post operative trauma but also is done at a far economical rate as compared to other destinations.

In the years ahead, the market for http://www.recoverdiscover.com/”> medical tourism in India, as well as in the other countries will be in a continuous state of expansion. The number of patients seeking medical treatment in foreign countries will continue to increase, particularly from the United States, not only because of the low cost factor but also due to the likely growth in the number of people without a health insurance or a dental coverage.