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STEVE JOBS ASKED US TO THINK DIFFERENT Over the last few months I have spoken to over 100 groups of brokers, consultants and employers across the country about the results of two critical pieces of recent research that MetLife has conducted with employees, employers and brokers that demonstrate the need to think differently about the future. Especially true for professionals in the trusted advisor business faced with distinct revenue challenges in the near future will be
October 31
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With responsibility comes opportunity . . . when we take on more responsibility for the way we live our lives and the health care choices we make, we earn opportunities for a better life. How? Choose to live a healthy lifestyle. Eat righ, check out Dr. Gundry on Google for some good advice. Get enough sleep, always easier said than done, but so worth the effort. Workout, find a cardio routine that you enjoy and do
October 27 -
As the Thanksgiving holiday rapidly approaches, perhaps we could take a moment out of our day to reflect on gratitude. This means appreciating the clients that we already have. Further, we should respect those who are being appropriately serviced by another adviser enough to abstain from unethical means to obtain their business for ourselves. Perhaps it seems that these clients are there for the taking, but if we ignore the ethical considerations, we have failed not
October 26 -
Mercer recently surveyed employers about their responses to health reform provisions that were effective in 2011 and their attitudes toward requirements that won’t kick in until 2014 or later. The area that provided the most intriguing results involved eligibility. A year ago, when asked what actions they were likely to take in 2014 when benefits must be made available to employees working 30 or more hours per week, employers seemed more inclined to bite the
October 25 -
As I discuss market trends with my peers around the country, PEOs are a consistent topic of discussion. Its one of those issues where everyone seems to have an opinion about their potential relevance and impact on the benefits adviser community. I realize that it depends on your locale and whether any PEOs are willing to partner and distribute their services through an adviser network. Clearly some organizations are exclusionary and represent direct competition to
October 24 -
The business process has always been interesting to me. What do we do and how do we do it? We all seem to follow a similar process with varying results. The typical new business progression is as follows: We obtain a potential prospect . . . referral, direct mail, telemarketer or someone we meet on a plane, etc. We attempt to arrange an initial meeting If successful, we tell our story. What is our differentiator? What are their
October 20 -
As the cost for health insurance continues to rise, the relationship between a benefit professional and a customer looking for affordable health care benefits can become strained. Despite the tough times, Read in today's BeAdvised why a broker who can provide a silver lining will stand out from the competition as a credible, valuable consultant.
October 18 -
Are you overlooking or denying these three valuable lessons? If so, you are destined to repeat them. Read how you can learn and adapt to become more successful in the industry.
October 17 -
It’s getting close to Halloween, which has many of us thinking about ghosts, witches, vampires and zombies. Apparently, the Obama administration is even getting into the spirit of the season, with a zombie of its own. Perhaps, though, you know it better as the CLASS Act. CLASS (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports) is the famous/infamous portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that would allow voluntary enrollees to participate in a public long-term care
October 13 -
Open Enrollment. Those two words are at once frightful and insightful. It’s a time when you’re able to make decisions with clients and do the work you love to do, but it’s also filled with late nights, long meetings, and at times, intense frustration. Research has shown that the open enrollment period also is a time of added stress for employers seeking to protect their financial health while offering a cost-effective and robust health plan for
October 11