Broker blog

Have you ever tried to transform a four-year-old into a grandpa? Trust me, it’s no small task! 

My three kids recently celebrated the 100th day of school where preschoolers are asked to dress up as if they were actually 100 years old. This local custom is new to me and my wife. Still, she proudly made plans to transform our youngest child into a sweet old man – courtesy of the Grandpa Kit!

Despite the image depicted on the package, the Grandpa Kit did NOT contain a white wig, white eyebrows or black glasses. My son looked nothing like an elderly gentlemen. 

What’s one of the top challenges facing employers today? Unemployment rates nearing a record low.

Your groups need to keep top talent from competitors and attract new team members. This is one of the main reasons they look to you, as an employee benefits consultant. A strong benefits program, competitive pay, vacation, and flex time might be the minimum to get a candidate interested. But, how can the employer really stand out?

When is the last time you communicated an important piece of information that no one remembered? It’s frustrating and many times, the effects can be significant. 

As a former HR Director, sometimes I felt my communication style was the rapid transit blasting info at people as fast as possible. Other times it was like a steam engine, huffing and puffing along. I often wondered if either method was actually working, but I can tell you this: creative help from one of my vendors was ALWAYS appreciated.  

This article was originally published on Q4intelligence Crushing Mediocrity blog.

There are some basic sales tools you can and need to use to make your success more predictable, but you’re not using them. I know because I ask and I usually get the same answer.

We all know how difficult it is to put a new opportunity in the pipeline. What’s maybe even more difficult is moving that prospect forward to a successful conclusion.

Brokers, what industry conferences will you attend this year? I’ve been to HUNDREDS over my 25+ years in the employee benefits industry. 

Some were funny, engaging, and full of ideas while others were dull, full of schlocky commercials, and an extreme waste of time. If you’ve attended more than three conventions, I’m sure you know what I mean.

Do you remember when telehealth was a new idea? Maybe it’s difficult to recall, but less than 10 years ago, we were often asked if telehealth was legal! 

How many of your groups have benefits to help employees who suddenly find themselves the caregiver of an aging loved one? 

Over 40 million Americans live this reality every day. Recently, I got a first-hand taste of all the questions and needs that arise when thrust into my own family health situation. At a minimum, an employee has to look to their employer for a little time off. What if employers could offer even more? 

Today, I’m sharing 3 reasons support for caregivers should be addressed in the benefits package… 

Are provider sponsored health plans (PSHPs) a good move? While patient benefits could include lower costs, improved care and a more integrated experience, there can be significant hurdles to reaching those pay-offs.

Some PSHPs like Kaiser Permanente, UPMC and Geisinger have experienced long-standing success, but many others haven’t. 

As a former employee of one such PSHP, I’m sharing four challenges I witnessed first-hand that will help you strategize the best alternative plans for your groups.