Benefits Think Why advisers need to rethink their business strategies
The benefits market is undergoing a transformation and few operations seem fully prepared.
By
Joe Markland
Joe Markland
CEO
Benefits Think Fidelity enters benefits business: Others will follow
This move sends a signal to advisers that things are no longer business as usual, says Joe Markland.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think I am just like Tom Brady: overcoming commoditization
Commentary: Creating a differentiator to open new doors when you are an adviser without a big venue to display your talents can be a challenge.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Market disruption is coming to the benefit business and it will come from the outside
Commentary: Changes will attack the costs of health care and trickle down to benefit brokers. These outsiders may or may not see the broker as a valuable resource in their future world, says Joe Markland.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Zenefits has crossed the line
Commentary: The companys new tactic of comparing itself to brokerages across the country goes beyond the line of ethical standards, says HR Technology Advisors' Joe Markland.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Think like George Costanza and become a better broker
Commentary: Is the way I think hurting my business, or is there a lot of groupthink going on? Should I do the opposite of what I think, like Seinfelds George Costanza, asks Joe Markland.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think What does the Willis, Towers Watson merger mean about the health care industry?
Commentary: Big financial moves such as the merger between Willis and Towers Watson announced this week can be quite interesting; and if you study them they may actually tell a story about where these firms think the market is going.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Benefits goggles may be blurring your vision
Commentary: The changes you may need to make to compete effectively in a future benefits world may be dependent on some prediction as to where you think the market is going.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Turning the benefits service business upside down
Commentary: Many benefit brokers live by the idea that face-to-face onsite service is the only way to provide quality service. Certainly that is one of the advantages a local broker has, being local. But times change, says HR Technology Advisors Joe Markland.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Why brokers must move out of their comfort zone
Commentary: The benefits world is in transition and tech adviser Joe Markland says brokers who want to remain relevant must be willing to move outside of their comfort zone to embrace the new benefits models clients may be seeking.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think The demise of small- and mid-sized benefit brokers is greatly exaggerated
Commentary: Sometimes the market changes in a way where these size businesses may be better positioned for success. Now may be that time, says tech adviser Joe Markland.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Dont play like the Packers
An atypical market culture has left benefit firms vulnerable to the destructive powers of inertia, says Joe Markland, and advisers must change their mindset to survive.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Dont get caught in the benefits technology arms race
Commentary: How to win the game by exiting the technology arms race and saving money in the process. Tech expert Joe Markland shares 8 guiding principles.
By
Joe Markland
Benefits Think Why the Utah Insurance Dept. is wrong about Zenefits
Commentary: Zenefits is definitely more open about what they are giving away, but industry technology adviser Joe Markland guarantees they arent the only benefit firm that may in some way be breaking the Utah rebating laws.
By
Joe Markland