Why Regulation (and Your Input) Matters

“Regulation” can be tough to get people excited about (until something goes wrong), but it deserves our attention (and maybe even a little InstaFame). Something shouldn’t have to go wrong before we take notice and get involved. It may seem subtle, but the regulation we are surrounded with makes a significant difference in our everyday lives. And changing regulation helps shape our future in the direction we want to go.

Share your thoughts on pharmacy care in BC

When regulation is too prescriptive, inflexible or overly strict in comparison to the risk, it can inhibit innovation and advancements that benefit the public. When regulation is overly permissive or not reflective of current realities, it becomes an inadequate tool to protect the public from safety risks.

Getting it right, or the “Right Touch”, isn’t easy. You have to identify all the possible risks, then develop regulations that are proportionate to those risks. You need to set the rules, add the safety checks, all without stifling innovation that can benefit the public.

For this to work, you need input – and lots of it. You need as many diverse opinions and perspectives as possible. You need to learn what’s working, and what’s not, and what people imagine for the future.

That’s why I need your help. I need to hear from you.

As part of developing its next strategic plan, the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia is seeking input on how they expect pharmacy care to evolve to meet the future needs of British Columbians.  (Full disclosure, I work for the College, leading their communications and engagement.) 

We don’t just want to hear from pharmacists. We need to hear from all kinds of British Columbians.

Some of our questions might surprise you. For instance, how might blockchain, AI and machine learning impact pharmacy practice in the future? Or, how might the future of identify management and personal information security evolve?

As our awareness as a society grows, are patients receiving respectul care? Are our ethical standards effective in relation to #MeToo, Reconciliation, and so many other stigmas that all detract from safe and effective care?

We need to hear from you if we are going to have regulations in the future that enable and protect.

With this in mind, I hope you can take a few minutes to share your insight and thoughts on these and other questions.

The survey is available here: surveymonkey.com/r/bcpharmacy
And is open until March 31, 2019.

Your input will be used to develop and refine initiatives in the College of Pharmacists’ upcoming Strategic Plan, and to help shape the future of regulation for pharmacy care.

You can learn more about the College of Pharmacists of BC’s role in protecting the public as the regulator for pharmacy practice at bcpharmacists.org/who-we-are.

Leading through the ear

Over the past year, I’ve been exploring ways to consume more content while moving. (More on this soon.)

Podcasts have been a great resource, providing a break from screens, an opportunity to get outside, and a wide array of quality content to tune into.

When it comes to leadership, I find it especially valuable to be able to hear from people on their successes and failures, as well as how they navigate different relationships.

I’ve curated a handful of my favourite podcasts that provide this through their raw and insightful interviews.

Without Fail

Without Fail is the new show from Gimlet Media that asks people who have pursued incredible things: What worked? What didn’t? And why? Each week, Alex Blumberg interviews a person who’s taken a big bet and won or lost. His guests share stories and lessons about what’s it’s like to succeed, what’s it’s like to fail, and how to live with both.

In particular, I’ve really appreciated the candor shared in these interviews, which brings an unexpected level authenticity that makes these guests and their experiences especially relatable and helpful.

Recent favourites include Relentless: How One Guy Brought the Internet to America’s Schools, Ira Glass: The Man Who Launched a Thousand Podcasts, and Sophia Amoruso: From Nasty Gal to Girlboss.

🎧 (RSS) (Apple)

StartUp Podcast

StartUp is another Gimlet podcast that is a documentary series about entrepreneurial life. Their multi-episode podcast series range from capturing some of the less conventional entrepreneur stories including Church  Planting, Startup Bus, Arlan Hamilton (Silicon Valley, By Invite Only) and Success Academy. The episodes do not shy away from sharing conflicts and challenges faced by teams, and how they prevail or fail (or both).

🎧 (RSS) (Apple)

HBR IdeaCast

HBR IdeaCast is a weekly podcast by the Havard Business review that features thought leaders in business and management. I’ve found that while the podcast features many different guests and topics on business and management,  many of the episodes circle back to the impact of employee engagement and workplace culture on an organization’s long-term effectiveness.

Recently I enjoyed listening to Improving Civility in the Workplace that shared how managers need to discover how to allow more honesty and emotions and humanity in the workplace, while still delivering in a high-performing environment.

Other episodes I’ve found insightful include Speak Out Successfully on acts of courage in the workplace, Avoiding Miscommunication In A Digital WorldThe Power of Curiosity, and John Kerry on Leadership, Compromise, and Change (sharing leadership lessons from his career in public service).

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Masters of Scale 

Masters of Scale is an original podcast hosted by Reid Hoffmanin (LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner). Reid invites various entrepreneurs to provide insight into how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion. Guests include people like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg & Sheryl Sandberg, Netflix’s Reed Hastings, Google’s Eric Schmidt, Spanx’s Sara Blakely.

Recently, I listened to the episode The Millennial Episode — with Brit + Co’s Brit Morin that talks about the opportunity to marshal the power of millennials to grow and support and organization, and the need to redefine your concept of loyalty by focusing on a commitment to continuing to evolve.

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See you 2017…

If your 2017 was anything like mine, the year moved at lightening speed and was heavily loaded with projects focused on improving or protecting the lives of those around you.

Here’s my highlights of 2017…

This year it was also especially important to take a stand against racism and discrimination. I invested more time in learning and acknowledging what’s happening on a international and local scale and NPR’s Code Switch became one of my favourite podcasts for exploring how race, ethnicity and culture are shifting. I also participated in my first anti-racism rally together with about 4,000 other awesome people at the Stand up to Racism Vancouver Rally on August 19. I plan to continue to show up to take a stand against racism in 2018.

#BlondesAgainstRacism #standuptoracism

A post shared by Gillian Vrooman (@gndv) on

To keep myself physically and mentally sane, I started SoulCycle to boost by cardio (something I normally run away from) and allowed myself to say no to things (for a change) when I was running low on energy.

I also welcomed Stanley – a giant, floppy, English Mastiff puppy – into my life. His curiosity with how this world works and unbiased love of humanity are always the highlight of my day! And I love running his instagram account (which is now more popular than mine)!

Next year looks to be another year where much passion and vigour will be needed to implement positive change – and I’m excited to take action.

I also recognize what an important role mentors, friends and people who just inspire you to want and be better play in your life and the projects you work on. Thank you Bob, Andrea, Renee, Mohammed, Aaron, Davin, Drew, Adrian and Mark among others!

Why I’m hosting Vancouver’s Open Data Day Hackathon

I’m thrilled to be hosting the 2017 Vancouver Open Data Day Hackathon!

Our President @gndv starting off the 2016 #VODDay #OpenDataDay Hackathon

A post shared by Open Data Society of BC (@opendatabc) on


Some people assume this is what I do for a living. It’s not. I have a pretty awesome (and appropriately demanding) job as the Director of Communications and Engagement with the College of Pharmacists of BC.

So why am I spending nights organizing #VODday when I would really love to just Netflix and chill (or just sleep)?

Here’s why:

This year, recognizing the importance of open data and transparency is especially important.

Just as important is Is is looking at how open data and civic tech can help support communities, whether it’s our local homeless, newcomers, or groups that find themselves discriminated against.

And finally, tools that empower everyone living here, improve efficiency, reduce waste, improve transportation and support the environment will help us build the community we want to live in.

I hope you dig deep, and find your own reason to participate in International Open Data Day.

Join me for the #VODday hackathon on March 4!

If you are interested in being a sponsor, email us at info@opendatabc.ca.

Periscope This!

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had a handful of people ask me about how I use periscope to broadcast events.

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Periscope and using it for events – the ability to live stream anything with only a smartphone, and without any additional costs, makes broadcasting events accessible in a whole new way.

Anyone can now easily broaden their reach, increase engagement or host open meetings that are actually “open”.

I challenge your organization to ask why you would not want to make this happen for your next event.

My #Periscope kit   A photo posted by Gillian Vrooman (@gndv) on

With this in mind, here’s my advice for those who want to get started…

Continue reading Periscope This!

Hosting a hackathon? Here’s how to market it!

Hackathons are exciting events that bring communities together, drive innovation, inspire action and are an exhilarating experience. If you haven’t participated in one, give it a try. They are an excellent opportunity to directly contribute to a cause you care about.

Our President @gndv starting off the 2016 #VODDay #OpenDataDay Hackathon

A photo posted by Open Data Society of BC (@opendatabc) on

Some hackathons are competition focused – full of budding entrepreneurs with ideas to flush out and prototype. Others are focused on social good – tackling local or global problems, or bringing transparency to important issues through storytelling and data visualizations.

Hackathons are often run by hardworking volunteers, nonprofits, or on the side of your local “do-gooder’s” desk. As a result, hackathon organizers  may not always have as much capacity as they would like to create a rockstar hackathon. But what they lack in capacity they make up for in passion. I also believe that if you’ve organized a hackathon and haven’t suffered (at least a little), you probably haven’t done it right – just like a good work out.

It’s my appreciation for these hardworking hackathon coordinators that draws me to lend a hand to local hackathons and provide advice based on my experience. I find effectively marketing their hackathon is an area where many need the most help. Continue reading Hosting a hackathon? Here’s how to market it!

What should a BC Developer’s Exchange look like?

When DataBC asked for my help in reaching Vancouver’s local open data, development and startup community to host the first BC Developer’s Exchange information session, I was thrilled to have the Open Data Society of BC host this event and bring a great group together to provide input on this new program.

BC Developers Exchange OpenDataBC Event

The BC Developer’s Exchange is focused on creating an “exchange” between BC’s public and tech sectors – creating a path for entrepreneurs to use BC public sector digital resources and to have their innovations adopted back by government.

How to commercialize and build services products from open data (or other publicly available resources) is a complex topic with varying opinions – and it needs the ideas, experience and input of the BC’s tech and startup communities more than ever.

Not all open data will hold commercial value from a business context – many data sets’ greatest value are in addressing social issues and providing opportunities to improve transparency, efficiency and data-driven decision making. But where there may be opportunities for commercial value and new business models through access to public sector data, lets explore the possibilities thoroughly!

The OpenDataBC BCDev event in Vancouver at the Hive was held in April and over 100 members of the local Vancouver open data, developers and startup community came out and shared their ideas on what’s needed to make this Developer’s Exchange work. Among the panel that started the discussion was Mischa Steiner-Jovic, founder and CEO of Awesense, and Adam LaFrance, co-founder & CEO of Knomos. Together, they shared their insight as startups using public sector data.

The new BC Developer’s Exchange and Province of BC GitHub accounts, and the opportunities the Github methodology offers for public sector resources generated a considerable amount of interest, with many participants agreeing that the BC Developer’s Exchange GitHub is a good place to provide input.

Events were also held by Accelerate Okanagan, BCTIA, Viatech at Forttectoria.ca and the new Code for Canada (Vancouver Community).

The BC Developer’s Exchange needs the local tech and startup community to test out the “exchange” and provide ideas and feedback on how this program can work. There’s a variety of ways you can provide your input and see what’s already happening:

Whether you are skeptical, uncertain, curious or already using some of the resources, I hope you’ll take the time to learn a little more and provide your input on what a BC Developer’s Exchange should include.

Should I build an app?

United Nations of smartphone operating systemsHaving helped develop an iPhone app and having my “techie-in-a-skirt” rep amongst my colleagues and friends, I often get asked “Should I build an app?” Last  week I was asked just that.

My answer always starts with “It depends”.

Delivering a mobile friendly service is not the question here. ComScore recently revealed that  75% of Canadians own a smartphone in their 2014 Canada Digital Future in Focus report which means you need a mobile friendly solution if you want to be relevant. The question is, which mobile solution is right for you?

Generally, you have three main mobile options: Web Apps, Native Apps, and Hybrid Apps. But before you get into these options, you need to determine what exactly you are endeavoring to do before weighing your mobile options. Continue reading Should I build an app?

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary

Mr. Churchill's Secretary My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While this book spiked my interest enough to pick it up from Book Warehouse, a small independent   bookstore in Vancouver on Main street, it never quite lived up to its potential. A historical fiction novel set in 1940 and focusing on  WWII on the home front, and in particular the evolving role of women during the period, it simply lacked the depth of character to seem even remotely realistic -I was disappointed. I found heroine Maggie Hope confusing with her inner dialog not always aligning with her actions, and often inconsistent altogether.

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary does include does include cryptography, spies, murder, and intrigue, and of course a depiction of Winston Churchill himself, however you may find this is not quite enough to make this a memorable read without a greater depth of character development.

 

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Walls of Wind

Walls of WindWalls of Wind by J.A. McLachlan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What if males and females were completely different species from each other… Walls of Wind captivates you with a civilization where this is the exactly the case.

Bria Ghen, and the challenges they face as an evolving community, are masterfully illustrated through a series of relatable, and at times heartbreaking characters that speak to conflicts between security and truth.