Employee Benefit Adviser articles from October 2008

Employee Benefit Adviser archives from October 2008

Bailouts begin at home.(From the editor)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Robert L Whiddon, Editor -In-Chief It's hard to imagine what it's like to be on Uncle Sam's short list once he decides to start writing billions of dollars in checks and wants to ensure his money is well spent. Where do you...

Worksite marketing pantheon adds two new industry pillars.(Just Rewards)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Robert l. Whiddon Turner Williams, described as the "founding father" of worksite marketing joined the ranks of the Workplace Benefit Association's Worksite Marketing Hall of Fame earlier this year. Marty Traynor, vice...

Top ten 401(k) trends.(401(k) trends)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Steve Smith and Laura White In the ever-changing retirement plans landscape, it can be challenging to keep pace with current trends in 401(k) plans, let alone try to predict what lies ahead. Yet advisers need to anticipate where...

Help! Employers need somebody, but not just anybody.(Be Advised)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Jay Young Way back in 1965 The Beatles captured the sentiment shared by the universe of employee benefit managers with their famous song "Help!" Although this song wasn't written for the ranks of HR directors, it is prophetic! How...

After the HRH roadshow, Willis' Plumeri refocuses on his billion-dollar benefits target.(Movers & Shakers)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Robert L. Whiddon The Willis/HRH deal is the biggest insurance brokerage pairing of the year and it was done in large part for the employee benefits business. Willis CEO Joe Plumeri remains bullish on the prospects for benefits...

Make Heisman-worthy plays for your clients this renewal season.(Movers & Shakers)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Molly Bernhart Fall may be the beginning of football season, but there's no time to relax on the couch and crack open a cold one. This is a time for action as benefit advisers tackle plan renewals and the challenges of open...

Better questioning gives advisers better control of sales appointments.(Sales Call)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Mel Schlesinger The cornerstone of successful information gathering is the ability to ask great questions of your prospect. Over the years much has been written about the difference between closed- and open-ended questions. It...

5 Steps to effective social networking.(Sales Call)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez Professionals across many industries are discovering and leveraging social networks to further their careers and strengthen their businesses. Here are some guidelines for getting started. 1. Define goals,...

On the road with Rob Nielsen; It takes strength to conquer the learning curve.(Sales Call)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Editorial Staff Now, seven months and 108 airline flights into this rambling road show, I have made real-time observations of "the learning curve" applied to the employee benefit business. But note that the "curve" is more "wavy"...

Better messaging through video.(Tips On Technology)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Lydell C. Bridgeford The YouTube revolution and the growth in broadband Internet access have not been lost on the benefits community. Online videos can reach a mass audience. For that reason, more employers are creating online...

A good business plan is real work, rewarding those who put in the effort.(Your Business)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Jack Kwicien Last month we kicked off a new four-part series on developing a business plan for your firm. We discussed the reasons you should have a business plan and the rationale for it being written. It will help your team to...

Employers struggle with scan costs.(Health)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Leah Carlson Shepherd Concerned about their medical costs, employers are using radiology benefit managers to minimize spending on unnecessary diagnostic scans. The RBMs communicate with doctors and help employers determine when a...

All this, and a tooth cleaning, too: Dental spa services grow in popularity among consumers, practitioners.(Health)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Kelley M. Butler It seems obvious that most people would much rather get a massage, a manicure/pedicure or facial than go to the dentist. But what if consumers could combine all of the above? Building a booming business out of...

Six steps to help you satisfty employer appetite for value-based pharmacy design.(Health)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Tim Watson Market forces and employer-driven cost-cutting strategies have combined to slow the annual growth in prescription drug spending to single digits. But inappropriate use - both over- and under-utilization - continues to...

Advisers set to benefit from the transformation of 403(b) plans.(Retirement)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Molly Bernhart The industry has known this was coming for a long time. Last July the Federal Register announced sweeping changes for 403(b) plans that would be effective January 1, 2009. Needless to say, some employers are behind...

Gen X and Y fret much, save little.(Retirement)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Molly Bernhart Paying bills and keeping a job are obviously important goals, but the fact that they are driving many Americans aged 19 to 39 to either ignore or shortchange retirement savings programs is a growing concern, experts...

Aflac plans adviser charm offensive, seeks to shed nemesis status.(Voluntary)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Molly Bernhart Who could have predicted that America would come to love a screaming duck? It's true that Alfac has won the hearts of many, but has it won the minds of benefit brokers? Some say not yet. That's the battle Ron...

Pipe Dreams: Many advisers dream about pipelines full of prospects. They also think their superior service should speak for itself. It doesn't. Joe Part says no one is above marketing.(Cover Story)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Molly Bernhart, Photographer Bob Croslin Joe Part knows a thing or two about being profitable. As managing partner and co-founder of Tampa Bay-based Alltrust Corporate Benefit Partners his company is on track to add another mil to...

To Sell or not to sell ... Just because college is going to cost a lot and employees will struggle with the bills doesn't mean advisers should prod employers to initiate college-savings benefits.(Feature)
October 1, 2008... Byline: Robert L. Whiddon It's going to cost how much to send little Timmy to college? A quarter of a million dollars? Get out! If Timmy's five years old today and he plans on going to a four-year private college in 13 years that would...