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4 ways to lose a sale — and how to fix it
More than 70% of sales leads are lost because contact isn't made quickly enough, according to one study. But Brandon Stuerke, president of Advisors Edge Marketing, a specialist in marketing strategy and automation for financial advisers and other professionals, points out there are other ways to lose out on sales opportunities. Stuerke, a former financial adviser, shares four ways professionals commonly lose sales leads and how to fix them. [images: Thinkstock]
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7 essential rules for building your business
Building your own business, even with a team of experts behind you, requires tough decisions regarding resources, clients and employees. But most of all it requires leadership. Shirl Penney launched Dynasty Financial Partners more than two years ago and here are some of his tips on continuing to build a business. Penney blogs for Financial Planning, a SourceMedia publication.
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5 tips for better introductions
Learn how to turn a referral into a quality introduction with five critical things you should do, according to Bill Cates. Bill Cates is this author of several books including Get More Referrals Now! Cates blogs for Financial Planning, a SourceMedia publication.
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7 wealth destroying management styles
Whether you’re running a small business or a giant corporation, leaders — and even trained MBA’s — are making major mistakes when it comes to their management styles, says corporate turnaround executive Kathleen Brush, author of The Power of One. She provides the top seven mistakes. [Images: Thinkstock]
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7 stats on OTC drugs in America
Over-the-counter medicines are part of most Americans’ routine health care. But what does usage of OTC medications really look like, and what impact does it have on health? In fall 2012, Edelman PR conducted a nationwide survey on this topic — and some of the findings from the 31,000 respondents may surprise you. [Images: Thinkstock]
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4 rules for merging your practice
Merging your practice can be a difficult process. Advisers who have been through the deal process offered their recommendations for others considering a deal during a panel at TD Ameritrade Institutional’s annual adviser conference in San Diego. [Story by Rachel F. Elson, Financial Planning] [Images: Thinkstock]
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8 ways to improve your retirement participant education plan
While your retirement education plan might look good on paper, it could likely use a little work in order to hit the right notes with employees. Aaron Friedman, national practice leader at The Principal Financial Group, provides best practices to create an engaging approach.
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5 voluntary benefit trends for 2013
The 2013 benefits landscape will find employers, human resources professionals and benefits brokers challenged once again to provide competitive benefits packages that attract and retain employees. In an effort to manage benefits costs, deal with PPACA provisions, and offer benefits for a diverse workforce with varying needs, a solid voluntary benefits strategy is certain to be included. Elizabeth Halkos, Purchasing Power’s chief marketing officer, shared her predictions for voluntary benefits for the coming year. [Images: Thinkstock]
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Top 5 quotes of 2012
2012 was a year full of news affecting this industry. Here are some quotes that stood out to EBA editors.
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EBA's top 10 stories of 2012
2012 was a year full of health care news, with most of it focused around the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Are you familiar with these top ten stories of 2012?
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5 things benefit advisers can be thankful for
With much turmoil, change and uncertainty in the employee benefit industry that’s coupled nationally with a struggling economy and deeply partisan political environment, it can be understandably difficult to remain positive. But as we head into the holiday season, there is indeed much for benefit advisers and brokers to be thankful for this Thanksgiving — and beyond. Images: Thinkstock
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10 disaster recovery and business continuity lessons learned from Sandy
The impacts of Hurricane Sandy have crystallized in many executives’ minds the importance of business continuity planning, according to a recent report from Janco, which contains a list of lesson's the firm believes this storm should have taught businesses. Images courtesy of Thinkstock. Edited by Insurance Networking News.
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8 electoral states to watch
Breaking down the battlegrounds for tonight's election returns, EBA has compiled a list of eight states to watch as the electoral map takes shape to determine whether Barack Obama will win a second term in the White House or Mitt Romney becomes the nation's 45th president. [Images: Thinkstock]
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5 disaster recovery steps for advisers after Sandy
Financial advisers on the East Coast have solid reasons to be worried about Hurricane Sandy – and even those far from the wreckage should be concerned, too. Advisers’ and clients’ safety rank first, but advisers also have to be concerned about their offices and property, as well as those of their clients’ and their clients’ relatives. As vital as proper insurance coverage is, it often will not cover all losses, nor losses from the disruption of business. How prepared are you and your firm to deal with a major disaster, like Sandy? Far too many advisers have no disaster recovery plan to rely on for times like this. Here are 5 questions to consider regarding you, your firm and your clients after the worst of the hurricane strikes. Story credit: SourceMedia's Bank Investment Consultant Images: Bloomberg News Service
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Relive the best of BF&E 2012!
Benefits professionals and advisers enjoyed three days of exciting keynotes, including Meghan McCain, and informative sessions, expansive networking, and a rockin’ 80s party in tranquil Phoenix, AZ last week at the 25th Annual Benefits Forum & Expo. Experience moments you may have missed or relive the best of them in this special slideshow.
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7 keys to 401(k) engagement
Offering a 401(k) plan to employees is only half the benefit; sponsors need to design plan features to maximize enrollment and communicate the advantages of the plan. With strong plan construction and sound communication and financial education campaigns to support it, employers can help workers save and plan adequately for retirement.
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2012 elections signal historic change for workplace benefits
The results of the November election will dramatically affect major employee benefits issues, most notably health care. No matter who wins the White House, the makeup of Congress after the elections could also significantly influence how employers manage their workplace benefits. Chantel Sheaks, a principal in government relations with Buck Consultants, outlines how the most likely scenarios could determine benefits strategy for plan sponsors.
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HR and benefits professionals share their benefits communication pet peeves
Some HR terms and buzzwords are overused and ineffective to communicate benefits information to employees and report to executives. EBN readers shared benefits vocab or phrases they despise on our LinkedIn Group and on Twitter. What HR word or concept would you add to the list?
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Plan ahead with Mercer's open enrollment checklist
Against the backdrop of health care reform, planning and prioritizing health benefit programs for 2013 is an immediate need for plan sponsors. Employers may find strategies and tactics for rolling out plans to be more complex. Based on key survey findings, Mercer has developed a short checklist to help ensure an efficient and effective open enrollment season.
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10 ways to tip the sales scales in your favor
Every salesperson knows the job is tougher than ever, especially those in the insurance field. John Graham, a marketing and sales consultant and business writer, shares 10 ideas that can help a broker stand out in the crowd. [Images: Thinkstock]
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Summer reading list for benefits professionals
This summer, enjoy some educational reading while relaxing by the beach or pool. Have you read these must-read books that bring insight to the HR and benefits profession?
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10 major concerns for health care reform after Supreme Court ruling
Global consulting and actuarial firm Milliman identifies the major strategic considerations for plan sponsors, insurers, and advisers now that the Supreme Court has upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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Brokers respond to SCOTUS decision
Upheld by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. Employee Benefit brokers and consultants across the country react and share their plans for moving forward.
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Top 5 locations for recruiting, retaining and relocating employees
Where does your city rank? Aon Hewitt’s 2012 People Risk Index measures the risks that organizations face with recruitment, employment and relocation in 131 cities worldwide by analyzing such factors as demographics, access to education, talent development, employment practices and government regulations. Here are the top five lowest risk cities -- in descending order -- in which to recruit, employ and relocate top talent. (Images: Thinkstock)
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Most prized summer benefits
Employees that yearn for the long summer vacations of their childhood wish their employers would provide benefits more conducive to summer freedom. According to a new OfficeTeam survey, employees rated the following summer benefits highest on their wish lists. (Images: Thinkstock)
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Financial Fitness Challenge
Retail salespeople, biomedical engineers, furniture makers and firefighters -- these and a host of other workers from around the country will face off this summer in The EBN-EBA Financial Fitness Challenge. Eighteen U.S. organizations will be giving their employees the opportunity to take a five-week online financial education course developed by our partner, The Educated Investor. The aggregated results of their efforts will be published by EBN and EBA. Here are 16 of the employers chosen for the first Financial Fitness Challenge.
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7 tax-free benefits for employees
During tax season, employees are sharply reminded of how much cash Uncle Sam takes from their paychecks. Many workers already take advantage of benefits such as tax-exempt health savings accounts, group term-life insurance and even tax-deferred benefits in retirement plans. Some fringe benefits, however, are lesser known for their tax-exempt status. Here are seven tax-free benefits that keep cash in employees’ pockets, as well may provide attractive deductibles to companies.
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5 winning vacation benefits and policies
Taking time away from the office has been shown to reduce stress and improve employee productivity. Here's 5 unique approaches to vacation benefits that encourage employees to unwind and return to work with renewed vigor.
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Health care reform stirs protests at Supreme Court
In March 2012, the Supreme Court heard six hours of oral arguments over three days on the constitutionality of the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which would require nearly every person in the United States to purchase health insurance, whether through an employer, state exchanges, Medicare, Medicaid or private exchanges. The mandate, the most polarizing provision of the law, brought American from both sides of the issue to Washington, D.C., to converge on the Supreme Court steps to protest or advocate for PPACA.
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6 tips to make sure your DC plan is successful
Defined contribution plans are becoming more and more the primary employer-sponsored retirement plan for most Americans. Yet, along with participants’ need for strong performance, plan sponsors must deal with increased regulatory activity, governance requirements and fiduciary concerns. Mercer’s Toni Brown and Bill McClain share how to make sure your plan is as successful as it can be. For more information on DC plans, visit Mercer.com.
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12 Most bizarre excuses for employee sick days
It’s that time of year again when employees have trouble making it in to the office — and no, we don’t mean cold and flu season. Some employees, not quite ready to go back to the grind after extended holiday time off, may be looking for some extra time away. According to CareerBuilder, the highest period of employee absenteeism occurs between January and March, with 34% of employers noting that use of sick days peak in the first quarter of the year. Further, 29% of workers cite errands and plans with family and friends among the top reasons for calling in sick when they were well.
Starting the year on a light-hearted note, EBN selected a dozen from CareerBuilder’s list of some of the most outrageous excuses employees have used to call in sick. We hope they’ll help you maintain your sense of humor as you endure the absenteeism of the winter months.
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Eight steps to a healthier holiday season
Kaiser Permanente recently launched "Maintain Don't Gain" campaign to help employer's wellness efforts through the holidays. Part of the KP campaign includes an eight-week guide to help employees avoid winter weight creep. As we approach the holiday season and the winter months share these tips with employees to encourage winter wellness.
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5 holiday benefits and perks to thank employees
Spread some holiday cheer around your workplace this season with these creative and thoughtful end-of-year benefits and rewards to celebrate a workforce that has dutifully taken on extra work and stress during trying economic times. Whether it’s giving a small gift or throwing a holiday bash to show your care, employees will be thankful for your support and recognition. When they return to work in the New Year, make sure employees are listing “exercise more” and “eat fewer sweets” as their 2012 resolutions, not “find a new job.”
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8 ways employees can use their flexible spending accounts before 2012
As 2011 comes to an end, it’s time for employees with health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts to use up their remaining balances before the end of their plan year, when any leftover money is forfeited. Here are eight ways your employees can spend down their FSAs before 2012, courtesy of Save Smart, Spend Healthy.
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