BenefitsPRO Broker Expo preview: Culture, communication, and creativity in the now normal
The reality is that our business practices and employee needs were changing even before the pandemic and will continue to change.
Culture. Communication. Creativity. These are core tenets of running a business with engaged employees. But how do we foster these ideas into practice? This was a big question even before the pandemic, but has become especially important as the reopening of business has left us with the realization that our society has been fundamentally altered.
So how do we find a “new normal” in this altered landscape? By recognizing there is no such thing–it’s ever-changing. The reality is that our business practices and employee needs were changing even before the pandemic and they will continue to change as we progress. Instead, we need to find out what we can do for the “now normal” and meet the needs of our employees where they are, while staying open to upcoming innovation.
Related: Your broker peers are embracing the new normal. Are you?
We are in an unprecedented moment right now, because the pandemic forced employers out of their ingrained, status quo comfort zones and they are recognizing that there are a multitude of new technologies, ideas and methodologies that they can implement to bring better benefits, foster better communication, and develop a better business culture that works for all employees. In our session at the upcoming BenefitsPRO Broker Expo, we will talk about how companies can utilize these tools to meet those goals. Here is how each of our panelists believe this session will benefit you and your employer group clients:
Janae Sorenson, VP, of product strategy and general manager of ancillary markets, BCS Financial
Why should you attend this session? We often talk about company culture, but can employees define what it is? Do they know what their company stands for? Companies that have a great culture experience higher engagement rates, which lead to higher performance, which leads to higher profitability–all great things.
Be sure to attend this group session, “Culture, Communication, and Creativity in the Now Normal” at the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo, August 17 at 2:50 p.m.
The pandemic taught us a lot about the importance of being connected, both personally and professionally. As the workplace shifts, it is important to know how to make every employee feel valued, understood and heard. With such a diversity of ages, cultures, races and religions, it can be hard to solidify your messaging in a way that resonates for everyone. Come join our session and learn how to build and strengthen culture for on-site and remote employees. We will explain how you can help your clients show employees the value of their professional and personal development so that everyone lives up to their highest potential.
Ed Ligonde, executive vice president, Nielsen Benefits Group
Culture is a loaded topic with a common misconception which, to a lot of people, means benefits and perks. To challenge this line of thinking, we need to identify the key attributes of what it means to be part of an organization and to realize how multifaceted culture really is. As an employer, do you believe simply offering a day off on Fridays or a great telemedicine partner is part of your culture? Sure, that can be a cog in a wheel. However, culture really stems from the emotional impact we, as employers, have on our number one asset–our employees. Do they feel valued and heard? Do we share opportunities and give them a voice? Are we transparent in the overall mission and goals of the organization?
During my recent interview on Eric Silverman’s #RockstarsRocking podcast, we briefly discussed a fact that we could have spent weeks on: diversity, equity and inclusion. This is an incredibly important aspect of workplace culture, as it ties in specifically to the overall mental well-being, comfortability, and opportunities within an organization. Are we supportive of those with different backgrounds and ideals? If not, what are we doing to enhance this experience and be intentional to display opportunities to those who would normally be passed over?
Culture isn’t a box to check, rather an all-encompassing belief that empowers people.
Rosario Avila, senior benefits advisor, Arrow Benefits Group
How do you define company culture when you have a multicultural workforce? In California, some people would say there are two diversities, and they are based on language: English/Anglo and Spanish/Latino. The reality is much more complex, and understanding that can be an advantage for employers. Creating an engaging company culture is more than offering employee perks, and understanding employees’ backgrounds is one key to successful business culture.
Andrew McNeil, principal and senior benefits advisor, Arrow Benefits Group
People often think company culture means platinum-level benefits and free food in the break room, but that’s not company culture. Company culture is defined as a set of shared values, goals, attitudes and practices that characterize an organization. A top-down philosophy that flows from the CEO to the janitor, and it is a key component of a successful business. A positive work culture has been linked to higher employee attraction and retention rates, improved employee engagement, increased productivity and greater profits.
As an illustration, Zappos’ culture is guided by the 10 core values inscribed on the walls of their campus and embodied by everyone in the organization. They are intentional about hiring and retention to protect their company culture. “We’ve actually passed on a lot of really smart, talented people that we know can make an immediate impact on our top or bottom line, but if they’re not good for the company culture, we won’t hire them for that reason alone.” – The late Tony Hsieh, former CEO of Zappos.com
Eric Silverman, founder and owner, Voluntary Disruption
Every businessperson knows that company culture can make or break you, but how do you foster that company culture organically without breaking the business in the process? Company perks, communication strategies, and employee engagement are age-old ideals for talent acquisition, retention and employee satisfaction, but too many of us are relying on dated ideas that are not meeting employees where they are and are no longer taking us where we want to be.
Are you looking for better ways to educate and connect with your employees? We live in a digital age where communication and engagement strategies can be easily managed to reach employees whether they are on the office computer or on the go and connected via the “remote control” of their lives–their smartphone. Trying to enhance benefits and compensation within a budget? There’s a diversity of offerings and resources your employees want that can be offered with little to no employer expense. We’re here to offer insights from our experiences on how to use the plethora of available tools at our fingertips to grow culture to work for both you, your employer group clients and the end-user and true consumer of health care, their employees.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re a broker looking for innovative ways to meet the needs of your clients, a producer looking to be a step ahead of the pack, or viewing our session through the lens of one of your employer group clients on a budget, our session is designed to educate you on the tools that are available right now and orient you towards keeping an eye on where things are going in the future, so that you’re proactively offering solutions before employees even mention a need.
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