Generative AI is artificial intelligence that can create new content like text, images, or music from simple instructions. It’s no wonder these tools are becoming so popular! They can do amazing things and keep improving.

I’ve found a few generative AI products helpful for my research and writing. Let me show you how I use them.

How AI Supports My Research

I use generative AI alongside regular search engines to quickly find research material. Think of it as a research assistant! It helps me gather a list of top articles, papers, books, and more on a specific topic. In my research, I only use generative AI to locate information and provide a summary of the content. These summaries help me decide what to read in more detail. I never use these AI-generated summaries in my work.

Here’s a recent example of an AI prompt I used:

“Find the top 10 articles, papers, or books written since January 1, 2021, about implementing a skills-based hiring process. These should be resources that other researchers found helpful. Provide a summary and citation for each item along with a list of the references found in each item.”

The AI tool found ten sources and summarized each, which helped me decide which ones to investigate. Nine warranted a closer look, which is an excellent hit rate. However, it’s important to remember that AI sometimes misunderstands instructions. In the example above, the AI found ten sources but only listed ten references for each, regardless of how many there were. So, it’s crucial to always double-check its information against the original sources.

AI as My Writing Assistant

Generative AI makes my writing so much faster and better! First, I sketch out a quick outline and write a first draft. Before, I’d get stuck trying to make it perfect as I wrote. Now, I have AI to help me with the editing!

After drafting, I evaluate the manuscript for a strong introduction, key points, and an engaging conclusion, paying attention to ideas and the overall tone. Then, I use an AI tool to help with clarity, consistency, grammar, and spelling. Subsequent steps may involve submitting the draft to one or more AI tools for refinement. Sometimes, I ask the AI tool to edit from a particular perspective, such as that of a recruiter for a healthcare provider.

I will often ask if there’s anything else I should add. I’ve been surprised by some of the great ideas the AIs suggest! Then, I merge my draft with the AI’s edits, add any additional thoughts, and feed it back to the AI for another editing pass. We go back and forth like this until I’m happy with the final result.

Responsibly Using AI in Writing

I want to offer a word or two of caution about using generative AI. As you likely know, generative AI is not built to deliver facts or validated research, and certainly not the truth. It can produce a phrase or a reworded paragraph similar to that available in a paper, but unlike a search engine, an AI doesn’t simply look for existing information. Generative AIs string words together in response to a prompt, and the resulting sentences may be on topic and accurate, or they may not. When these responses are wrong, the AI world refers to them as hallucinations, and it can appear that the AI just made it up. At times, these hallucinations can be glaringly wrong. More dangerously, their errors can be subtle and quickly passed along as accurate information.

Protecting intellectual property and citing others’ works is just as important when using AI as it has been for hundreds of years. Whether you use AI to help you write or not, you should carefully check your work and cite all referenced items accurately. Every phrase, thought, or idea you publish must be something you stand behind, something you own. It is your responsibility to make sure it is accurate and fully cited.

I address AI errors and copyright concerns by carefully researching source documents, drafting every piece I write, reviewing recommended changes, and submitting final products for plagiarism reviews. 

OK, that’s how I use AI to help me research and write. These tools have helped me quickly find key research pieces and turn rough drafts into finished pieces much faster than I could without them. They can improve your productivity and maybe your writing too. They sure have mine.

Let’s Talk AI Writing

That’s how I use generative AI! How about you? Do you use these tools for writing? Do you have any tips for me? Share in the comments below!

Are you new to AI? Give it a try! 

Use AI to find one surprising fact about your topic. Share it below!

The post How I Use Generative AI to Enhance My Writing  first appeared on Nez Notes.

The traditional ways we find, develop, and manage talent are broken. Using outdated signals like degrees and rigid job titles leads to bad hiring decisions and limits opportunities for many. It’s time for more companies to move to a Skills-First Talent Management approach.

That’s why I started this newsletter. As a senior technology executive, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative impact of a Skills-First Talent Management approach on businesses. Driven by a passion for fostering sustainable value creation, I want to help company leaders embrace this strategy.

By focusing on skills rather than traditional credentials, we make better hiring decisions and unlock a broader talent market, tapping into a rich reservoir of potential that was previously overlooked due to conventional hiring practices. This inclusivity expands the talent pool by providing additional talented candidates for companies and democratizes opportunities, enabling a more equitable distribution of career prospects across people from all backgrounds.

This approach becomes more crucial every year as tuition costs continue increasing and a growing pool of talented people select less costly routes to develop their skills. Companies with a Skill-First hiring process are improving their skills inventory and providing career pathways for these STARs, or people Skilled Through Alternative Routes.

Through my research and experience, I have come to firmly believe that embracing a Skills-First Talent Management strategy can help companies create sustainable value for their businesses and society in several ways:

Hiring the best people for each position: A Skills-First hiring process provides hiring managers with applicant evaluations on the most relevant skills by focusing on the skills required for a role rather than job titles. It also gives each applicant a level playing field to showcase their talent.

Building an adaptable workforce for the future: The skills required for success constantly evolve in today’s rapidly changing business environment. A Skills-First approach enables companies to proactively identify and cultivate the skills needed to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring their workforce remains agile and capable of adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Expanding the pool of talented people: Traditional hiring practices often exclude talented individuals without access to formal education or traditional career paths. Companies can tap into a broader and more diverse talent pool by focusing on skills, increasing their chances of finding exceptional candidates from various backgrounds.

Increasing opportunity for overlooked talented people: Many individuals possess valuable skills that may not appear on their resumes or educational backgrounds. A Skills-First approach provides a more equitable and inclusive pathway for these talented individuals to showcase their abilities and gain access to rewarding career opportunities.

Addressing higher education inflation: As higher education costs continue to rise, many individuals seek alternative paths to develop the skills needed for in-demand careers. A Skills-First Talent Management strategy aligns with this trend, enabling companies to recognize and reward individuals based on their abilities rather than relying solely on formal degrees or credentials.

Through this newsletter, I aim to champion these principles, encouraging companies to adopt a Skills-First approach. It’s more than a strategy; it’s a movement toward fostering a skilled, motivated workforce ready for the future, creating a ripple effect of positive change that benefits businesses and society.

By fostering dialogue among business executives and talent management thought leaders, I aim to accelerate the adoption of Skills-First Talent Management strategies. This will empower organizations to build dynamic and future-ready workforces while creating more equitable opportunities for talented individuals from all walks of life.

How are you and your company using a Skills-First approach to recruiting and developing the people in your company?

The post Why I Started Writing a Skills-First Talent Management Newsletter first appeared on Nez Notes.

In Mississippi, John, a devoted husband and father of two, works tirelessly to support his family. Despite his hard work, his income hovers at just 120% of the national poverty level, making health insurance a financial burden beyond his reach. Having not expanded Medicaid, Mississippi leaves individuals like John in a healthcare coverage gap.

One day, while tending to his yard, John suffered a deep cut on his leg. Concerned yet financially constrained, he and his wife reluctantly decided against seeking medical attention due to the cost, hoping the wound would heal on its own. However, several days later, the cut was severely infected, forcing John’s worried wife to insist on an emergency room visit.

After many hours of waiting in the ER, nurses cleaned, drained, and dressed John’s wounds, but the delay in treatment led to a lengthy recovery. He was bedridden for ten days, requiring two follow-up visits and an intense course of antibiotics. The financial impact was twofold: the hospital absorbed the costs as uncompensated care, and John lost ten days of pay, jeopardizing his job.

In Arkansas, James, also a husband and father of two, lives a different reality thanks to Medicaid expansion. Earning a similar income to John, James has access to affordable health insurance under the expanded program, covering individuals up to 138% of the poverty level.

James promptly visited a clinic after sustaining a similar leg injury during yard work. The wound was efficiently treated and stitched, and he was prescribed a 5-day course of antibiotics. The affordable co-pay, made possible by Medicaid expansion, meant that James didn’t hesitate to seek the care he needed.

James’s swift medical response prevented complications. He missed no work, the healthcare providers got paid, and his wound healed without any side effects, demonstrating the profound impact of accessible healthcare.

The stories of John and James paint a stark picture of the significant differences in healthcare experiences across state lines. John’s ordeal in Mississippi highlights families’ struggles and risks without access to affordable healthcare. In contrast, James’s smooth recovery in Arkansas showcases the positive outcomes of Medicaid expansion, where accessible healthcare benefits individuals and families and reduces the financial strain on healthcare systems. This cross-state comparison underscores the potential benefits that Mississippi could realize by adopting a similar Medicaid expansion as in Arkansas.

The Affordable Care Act extended Medicaid eligibility in participating states to adults ages 19 to 64, including adults without children, with family/household incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level. Eligible adults include citizens and legal immigrants who have resided in the U.S. for at least five years. As part of the expansion, the federal government paid 100 percent of the Medicaid costs of the expansion group in participating states each year from 2014 to 2016. This percentage gradually decreased to 90 percent for 2020 and each year after that.

Thus, states that entered expansion before 2020 received the most generous funding from the federal government. However, the American Rescue Plan, which became law in March 2021, provides an incentive for states that have not elected to expand Medicaid and missed out on these early increased payouts if they decide to expand. Several states took advantage of this two-year 5-percentage point increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for most of their existing Medicaid groups. Mississippi did not.

The 2021 study by J. Corey Simmons and Sondra Collins from the University Research Center of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning[1] offers a compelling insight into the economic and healthcare benefits of adopting the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion in Mississippi. This analysis delves into various aspects, from increased Medicaid enrollment to the consequent economic stimulation.

A key finding is that Medicaid expansion in Mississippi would significantly increase Medicaid enrollment by approximately 228,000 to 233,000 individuals. These are primarily adults aged 19 to 64, living in households with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level. This expansion is crucial in extending healthcare access to a considerable segment of the currently under-served population.

While the annual costs to the state for this expansion are estimated to be between $186 million and $207 million from 2022 to 2027, these figures do not exist in a vacuum. Notably, estimates show the state would save approximately $206 million to $227 million annually over the same period. These savings, stemming mainly from a reduction in uncompensated care costs, which currently stand at about $600 million annually, effectively neutralize the financial burden of the expansion.

The potential impact on Mississippi’s economy is particularly noteworthy. The expansion is estimated to increase the state’s real GDP yearly by about $719 million to $783 million from 2022 to 2027. This significant boost is a direct result of increased healthcare spending and its multiplier effect on the economy.

Employment is another area set to benefit, with an expected addition of about 11,300 jobs per year from 2022 to 2027. These jobs, created indirectly because of the Medicaid expansion, contribute to the state’s overall economic growth and stability.

The fiscal benefits extend to state revenues as well. The study estimates an annual revenue increase of around $44 million each year, primarily from the rise in individual income tax revenues. Additionally, experts project the expansion would elevate personal income in Mississippi by approximately $539 million to $812 million annually from 2022 to 2027.

An intriguing aspect of the Medicaid expansion is its potential to attract new residents to the state. Estimates suggest an increase in the state’s population by about 3,300 to 11,500 new residents per year between 2022 and 2027, further contributing to the state’s economic and demographic dynamics.

“Mississippi will be able to save funds from a variety of sources if the state enters Medicaid expansion, according to our estimates. We estimate these total annual savings range from approximately $206 million to $227 million between 2022 and 2027–roughly offsetting the annual costs to the state from Medicaid expansion over the same period.[2]”

In the first two years, expanding Medicaid would provide over $1.6 billion annually in federal funds to hospitals and other healthcare providers and over $1.35 billion a year after that.[3] Adopting the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion in Mississippi presents a unique opportunity to improve healthcare access for a significant portion of the state’s population while stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and increasing state revenues. The findings of Simmons and Collins underscore the multifaceted benefits of this policy change, making a compelling case for its adoption.

It’s hard to understand why politicians would turn their backs on an opportunity to improve healthcare access and grow a state’s GDP at little or no cost. The situation has become urgent with the deteriorating financial condition of hospitals in Mississippi, driven by the increase in unreimbursed medical expenses.

“In Mississippi, one of the nation’s poorest states, the missing federal health care dollars have helped drive what is now a full-blown hospital crisis. Statewide, experts say that no more than a few of Mississippi’s 100-plus hospitals are operating at a profit. Free care is costing them about $600 million a year, the equivalent of 8 percent to 10 percent of their operating costs — a higher share than almost anywhere else in the nation, according to the state hospital association.[4]“

The situation is so dire that Mississippi’s Governor Tate Reeves announced a plan while successfully running for an additional term in 2023 where to access additional Medicaid funds, hospitals would pay an additional $178 million per year as the state’s portion to gain an estimated $680 million in federal funding. This plan is essentially an extra tax on hospitals to get additional federal funding.[5] A tax ultimately paid by the hospitals’ patients directly or through their insurance companies.

Increasing spending by $1 to get $3.80 in funding from the federal government is a good deal. So why are some Mississippi political leaders continuing to reject spending $1 to get $9 in federal spending through ACA Medicaid Expansion? Why do they reject this plan when the state would get $9.50 per $1 for the first two years, and economists have shown that the state receives every single dollar back in savings on uncompensated healthcare costs? All this while insuring over 225,000 more state citizens, increasing state health care workers, growing state GDP, and gaining more state residents?

Here are some of the arguments that Mississippi politicians opposed to Medicaid expansion have used:

• The state cannot afford to expand Medicaid, which will burden the state budget.
•  The federal government will not keep its promise to pay 90% of the expansion cost, leaving the state with a huge bill.
•  Medicaid expansion will create a dependency culture and discourage people from working and getting private insurance.
•  Expanded Medicaid will not improve health outcomes or access to care, but will strain the existing healthcare system and providers.

Various studies, experts, and advocates who support Medicaid expansion have challenged these arguments. They claim that:

• Medicaid expansion will generate economic benefits for the state, such as increased jobs, tax revenues, and GDP growth.
•  Medicaid expansion will reduce the number of uninsured people and improve their health and well-being.
•  Medicaid expansion will help the state’s struggling hospitals and rural healthcare providers by reducing uncompensated care and increasing revenues.
•  Medicaid expansion will leverage the federal funds that Mississippians already pay through taxes and bring them back to the state.

Yet Reeves has and continues to oppose expanding Medicaid. In 2021, Reeves clearly stated, “I am opposed to Obamacare expansion in Mississippi. I am opposed to Obamacare expansion in Mississippi. I am opposed to Obamacare expansion in Mississippi. I don’t know how many ways I can explain this to y’all.[6]”

To this day, he describes this program to the people of Mississippi as one which will:

• Remove people from the workforce
•  Trap people in another federal government program
•  Add 300,00 Mississippians to the welfare roles

Medicaid expansion is not a handout and does not remove people from the workforce or educational institutions. It is a state and federally funded program that provides healthcare insurance to those unable to afford it. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that over 90% of Medicaid recipients either work, are in school, are disabled, or provide care to family members. Gaining healthcare insurance does not allow people earning at or just above the national poverty level to “retire.”

Mississippi’s Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn, whose website states, “We must work with providers to reduce the costs of healthcare. We must also require the recipients of healthcare services to assume personal responsibility for their health and take care of themselves,” has been publicly opposed to Medicaid Expansion.

In 2021, Gunn said, “I don’t see Medicaid expansion as something that is beneficial to the state of Mississippi. I just don’t think the taxpayers can afford it. That is what it boils down to is the taxpayers. It is their money. I just don’t have the taxpayers calling saying we want you to raise taxes so we can expand Medicaid.[7]”

Yet, none of the states expanding Medicaid coverage have increased taxes, and several have seen a net reduction in spending after expanding the number of insured citizens through the program.

“Studies in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana and Virginia showed the states saw a net reduction of more than 4% in spending on their traditional Medicaid programs after expansion. Louisiana’s Medicaid expansion in 2016 brought a 33% reduction in uncompensated care costs for hospitals, including a 55% reduction for rural hospitals.[8]”

The results from other states are clear and overwhelming. The estimated economic benefits are thoroughly gathered, thoughtfully calculated, and fairly represented. They present a compelling argument that expanding Medicaid in Mississippi would improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Mississippians while improving the overall healthcare system across the state.

You can decide why some of Mississippi’s politicians, all Republicans, prevent the state from accessing well over a billion dollars of federal funding each year. No other state has increased taxes on its people. There is no reason other than mismanagement that suggests it will raise taxes on Mississippi’s citizens.

It will lower hospitals’ uncompensated medical care costs, helping to fix the urgent hospital crisis in the state. This situation would have been lessened and perhaps even avoided had Mississippi joined the other 40 states in accessing these federal Medicaid funds a year ago.

People do not leave the workforce or stop seeking work when they get health insurance. In fact, it helps them stay healthy and able to get and keep a job.

Expanding Medicaid will also bring more people to Mississippi, more healthcare workers to improve the care and quality of life across the state, and more people to do the jobs Governor Reeves seems so eager to fill.

All of these additional people will increase the state’s GDP. Expanding Medicaid is good for Mississippi, and it is good for the people of Mississippi. Mississippi’s politicians should expand it now.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gunn, P. (2024) ‘Solutions | Gunn’. Available at: https://philipgunn.org/solutions/ (Accessed: 7 January 2024).

Harrison, B. (2023) Reeves makes clear that cost is not his reason for opposing Medicaid expansion for working poor, Mississippi Today. Available at: http://mississippitoday.org/2023/10/01/tate-reeves-medicaid-expansion-costs/ (Accessed: 5 January 2024).

Harrison, B. (2021) Mississippi politicians don’t believe what they keep being told about Medicaid expansion, Mississippi Today. Available at: http://mississippitoday.org/2021/09/19/mississippi-politicians-medicaid-expansion-opposition/ (Accessed: 7 January 2024).

LaFraniere, S. (2023) ‘“We’re Going Away”: A State’s Choice to Forgo Medicaid Funds Is Killing Hospitals’, The New York Times, 28 March. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/us/politics/mississippi-medicaid-hospitals.html (Accessed: 5 January 2024).

Miller, J.C. and Collins, S. (2021) ‘A FISCAL AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MEDICAID EXPANSION IN MISSISSIPPI UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT’.

Pender, G. (2022) Who’s opposed to Mississippi Medicaid expansion and why?, Mississippi Today. Available at: http://mississippitoday.org/2022/11/15/medicaid-expansion-opposition-why/ (Accessed: 5 January 2024).

[1] (Miller and Collins, 2021)
[2] (Miller and Collins, 2021)
[3] (Harrison, 2023)
[4] (LaFraniere, 2023)
[5] (Harrison, 2023)
[6] (Pender, 2022)
[7] (Pender, 2022)
[8] (Pender, 2022)

The post Medicaid Expansion in Mississippi first appeared on Nez Notes.

Crafting Effective Job Descriptions for Skills

Creating compelling job descriptions is the first step in skills-based hiring. In order for your job postings to attract a wide pool of qualified candidates, they must clearly convey the skills and competencies required for the role and eliminate all unnecessary credentials, certifications or capabilities. Here are some tips for crafting effective job descriptions:

• Use precise language: Be specific about the skills and qualifications you’re looking for.
• Highlight key competencies: Clearly list the skills and competencies that are crucial for success in the role.
• Emphasize key measurable corporate values: Mention your company’s values and culture to attract candidates who align with your organization’s measurable values and eliminate all items that are prone to introduce biases (subconscious or otherwise) into the decision.
• For more in-depth insights on crafting job descriptions that stand out, read our full article here.

Navigating Skills Assessments: A Holistic Approach

Skills assessments are a vital part of the hiring process. However, it’s essential to take a holistic approach to these assessments. Beyond technical skills, consider soft skills and company values. Here’s how to design skills assessments that provide a well-rounded view of candidates:

• Include behavioral questions: Assess how candidates handle real-life situations and interactions.
• Evaluate cultural fit: Determine if candidates align with your company’s values and culture.
• Use practical tasks: Ask candidates to complete tasks or projects relevant to the role.
• For a deeper dive into creating comprehensive skills assessments, check out our full article here.

The Role of Skills in Company Growth

Skills-based hiring isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about driving your company’s growth. When you strategically hire for skills, you can enhance innovation, productivity, and overall business success. Real-world examples demonstrate the transformative power of skills-based hiring. Learn how companies have leveraged this approach to reach new heights in our article here.

Related Articles

Crafting Effective Job Descriptions for Skills-based Hiring

Navigating Skills Assessments: A Holistic Approach

The Role of Skills in Company Growth

The post Hiring for Skills: Building a Strong Workforce first appeared on Nez Notes.

True success is not measured by the battles won, but by the peace and unity achieved. — Nelson Mandela

The recent violence in Israel and Gaza is a tragedy that has caused immense suffering for civilians on both sides. I condemn terrorism in all forms and the actions of Hamas on October 7th were heinous, barbaric, and evil beyond words.

The lives of civilians in Israel are no more valuable than the lives of civilians in Gaza. Israel has the right to defend its people, but it must do so in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and complies with international law.

There is no equivalency between the terrorist actions of Hamas and the Israeli government. Hamas is a terrorist organization that has repeatedly targeted civilians, while the Israeli government is a democratically elected government that is responsible for protecting its citizens.

However, the civilians of Gaza have been mistreated by both the Israeli government and their Hamas leaders. The Israeli blockade of Gaza has caused widespread poverty and humanitarian suffering, while Hamas has used violence and intimidation against its own people.

I urge all sides to end the violence and work towards a peaceful resolution to this conflict. The people of Israel and Gaza deserve to live in peace and security.

The post Wishing for Peace and Hoping for Restraint first appeared on Nez Notes.