Cleveland-based organization praised for its small business development efforts

May 21 2013

Evergreen Cooperatives, a Cleveland-based organization designed to help spur economic growth and nationwide job creation, recently received praise from government officials for its efforts to generate small business development strategies. According to a recent guest blog in the New York Times, the company was called out by Federal Reserve Board member Sarah Bloom Raskin and referred to as having established an effective local business growth model that other areas should follow.

It is an important time for small businesses, given the current economic landscape and the mindset that typically separates small companies from their larger counterparts. Nancy Folbre, an economics professor at UMASS Amherst and author of the piece, said that the economy will struggle if assistance typically reserved for larger organizations is not provided to small businesses.

"Currently, the businesses best able to garner generous grants and tax incentives by promising to create jobs within specific political boundaries are large, mobile corporations that can pit communities against one another, demanding ever-higher subsidies," Folbre wrote.

She went on to say that while a shift in attitude pertaining to job growth is slow, positive results can already be seen across the country. Alternative economic strategies are catching on in various areas, and Evergreen Cooperatives is being viewed as a leader in small business growth initiatives.

Should Evergreen's efforts continue and small local businesses keep growing, they will want to ensure they are equipped with the solutions and services needed to accommodate any new challenges. Working with a Cleveland logistics company will help ensure small local businesses will be prepared to meet new requirements and manage operational changes.

Supply chain efficiency can help reduce rising healthcare costs

May 16 2013

While the rising costs of healthcare have organizations and patients equally concerned about the long-term future of the industry, there are a number of ways these costs can be reduced, particularly in the supply chain of medical organizations.

The proliferation of innovative technology including mobile devices and ERP systems has gone a long way toward improving supply chain efficiency, which in turn mitigates spending. The sheer number of components in the supply chain means that organizations have numerous opportunities to save money as they send, receive and store items. If a healthcare organization is able to reduce its spending in administrative areas, those savings can ultimately be passed onto the patient.

An article in the online publication HIT Consultant suggested that organizations can save money in the supply chain in a number of ways including automating human processes, reducing waste and capturing data. These practices will help streamline the process and reduce the need to spend copious amounts of money on basic operations.

"As reform continues to force hospitals to find new ways to cut costs and increase effectiveness, many organizations forget about the processes and supplies needed to keep the business moving," the article says. "Getting a better grip on managing a healthcare organization's supply and demand will save tons of money to the organization while also increasing positive patient care."

As cities like Cleveland continue to grow as leaders in the healthcare industry, it will become important for hospitals in the area to incorporate these tactics into their supply chain management strategies. Working with an Ohio logistics company will help organizations improve various aspects of their supply chain and attain the level of efficiency needed to see significant cost savings.

Cleveland may benefit from increased national healthcare spending

May 13 2013

While the national healthcare industry may be in a state of flux at the moment, several local economies are flourishing due to high spending in the medical sector. Cleveland is one of the country's largest beneficiaries,and a recent article in The Economist says the city is "eager to cash in."

The debate over national healthcare spending will likely continue for the foreseeable future, but cities like Cleveland that are equipped with the resources needed to capitalize on increased spending could see a massive economic boon. The article says that Cleveland has been trying to reinvent itself for many years and becoming a healthcare leader may finally provide the vehicle it needs to do so.

"It is home to good hospitals, including the famous Cleveland Clinic. Local groups such as BioEnterprise are trying to foster a new generation of health entrepreneurs, with some success. Last year 43 biomedical startups attracted $227m in venture-capital funding," the article said.

For local hospitals and other companies related to the medical industry to take advantage of Cleveland's potential, they must equip themselves with the right tools to succeed in a growing industry.

Deliveries are a key component of healthcare, but there are many factors - including security regulatory compliance - that organizations must consider at all times. Partnering with a Cleveland logistics company that can assist with all aspects of medical deliveries will go a long way toward improving workflow efficiency, allowing medical institutions to capitalize on local industry growth.