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Lockton is proud to be a sustaining Corporate Partner with the New England Employee Benefits Council (NEEBC). We have hosted events, participated in various committees and showcased our talented consulting resources as subject matter experts for the benefit of NEEBC and our members. Fun fact, Mike attended his first NEEBC Annual Trade Show in 1989 - wow, that was sobering to type!
2023 Best Practices Award Conference - Recap
Building Communities through Employee Benefits was the theme of the 2023 Best Practices Awards Conference at Bentley University. I was honored to co-chair the event with Nancy Scicchitani of Foundation Medicine, supported by Robin and the fantastic team at NEEBC as well as our dedicated volunteers. And as a bonus this year, I didn’t have Covid (unlike in 2022) and was in the room where it happened.
And happen it did. Our event host was the engaging David Hennessey, partner at Keystone Partners and The Hennessey Report podcast. We jumped right into the fray with our keynote speaker, Pouli.
Jim “Pouli” Pouliopoulos is a self-proclaimed recovering engineer, Senior Lecturer at Bentley and Founding Director at their Professional Sales Program, storyteller, author and speaker. He spoke about “Building a Community of Well Beings” which fits with his mission “to make a million people happier”. While I can’t speak for the other 216 people in attendance, he made me happier that afternoon and, in the weeks since. Reading his book “How to be a Well Being” (Pouli signed over 200 books for our event) and reflecting on the lessons learned has helped in my own journey to “happier” daily.
And happen it did. Our event host was the engaging David Hennessey, partner at Keystone Partners and The Hennessey Report podcast. We jumped right into the fray with our keynote speaker, Pouli.
Jim “Pouli” Pouliopoulos is a self-proclaimed recovering engineer, Senior Lecturer at Bentley and Founding Director at their Professional Sales Program, storyteller, author and speaker. He spoke about “Building a Community of Well Beings” which fits with his mission “to make a million people happier”. While I can’t speak for the other 216 people in attendance, he made me happier that afternoon and, in the weeks since. Reading his book “How to be a Well Being” (Pouli signed over 200 books for our event) and reflecting on the lessons learned has helped in my own journey to “happier” daily.
“How are you?” Such a bland way to start a meeting. Pouli asked us to break into pairs and answer the question, “Who was your favorite teacher growing up?” After corralling the audience, he showed that through simple questions like these, we have the power to elevate the happiness and wellbeing of others. It’s simple as a quick thought-provoking question. Here are some other examples.
- What made you smile today?
- When was the last time you laughed out loud?
- What’s something you enjoyed lately?
- What’s good right now?
- What’s one thing you’re looking forward to?
We then went to the ”Unhappiest Place on Earth” – Disney World because of those lines. Oh, the lines! He cautions us to cultivate realism (the lines are not getting any shorter), be optimistic in our abilities and focus on we can control. “Happiness is not the absence of problems; it’s the ability to deal with problems.”
Time Out – Why the time and attention spent on Happiness? Well, it turns out, happier people have healthier hearts, lower levels of stress, less disease, live longer and stronger immune systems. And happier people make happier employees. That means we’re more productive, more creative, better leaders, more loyal and more collaborative.
Time Out – Why the time and attention spent on Happiness? Well, it turns out, happier people have healthier hearts, lower levels of stress, less disease, live longer and stronger immune systems. And happier people make happier employees. That means we’re more productive, more creative, better leaders, more loyal and more collaborative.
Can happiness be measured?
Sure, it can - H=S+C+V.
Happiness equals Set Point plus Circumstances plus Volunteer Actions. Set Point (~50%) are our “Factory Settings” passed down from our ancestors and most recently, our parents. Circumstances (~5%) are what’s happening in our daily lives and most likely out of our control. But Volunteer Actions (~45%) is where the magic happens.
Sure, it can - H=S+C+V.
Happiness equals Set Point plus Circumstances plus Volunteer Actions. Set Point (~50%) are our “Factory Settings” passed down from our ancestors and most recently, our parents. Circumstances (~5%) are what’s happening in our daily lives and most likely out of our control. But Volunteer Actions (~45%) is where the magic happens.
Our focus forms our reality and if we focus on gratitude as part of daily habits, we’re on the road to happier. Practicing daily gratitude habits do not make them perfect but rather permanent. “Simple, daily habits can tune your brain to find the good in every day.”
We have only one life (about 4,000 weeks) which equates to about 77 years. Wouldn’t it be better to spend them happy, joyful and grateful? How many weeks do I have left? 24 hours per day is the fastest I can travel so I’m going to make the most of the days I have left.
We have only one life (about 4,000 weeks) which equates to about 77 years. Wouldn’t it be better to spend them happy, joyful and grateful? How many weeks do I have left? 24 hours per day is the fastest I can travel so I’m going to make the most of the days I have left.
When Pouli wrapped up, we recognized the Best Practices Nominees (a record number of submissions btw) with a special recognition for Syner-G BioPharma Group (representing smaller employers). Our Award Winners for 2023 are Cabot, Citizens, CVSHealth, GBH, Hebrew SeniorLife, Liberty Mutual and ZOLL Medical Corporation. This year’s Rising Stars are
Following a break, Erin Sarin, Leader of HR and AI Innovation at Moderna moderated our first Best Practices Panel compromised of
Lisa described how Cabot expanded their Well-Being Program in the US to include Reimbursement Accounts to meet employees where they are. They conducted listening sessions with Global Leaders to understand what they saw as challenges and conducted an employee Pulse Survey globally to identify the support their employees wanted.
Jennifer told us how, with 20% of the population over 60, GBH was looking for better resources to support employees through this critical career transition (facing retirement). GBH introduced “The Future of You – Accelerator Workshop” a 6-week virtual workshop that helps organizations support long-tenured employees' transition to retirement. Jennifer thanked her predecessor, Jane Holland (now retired herself), who started the program.
Verlinda presented how the benefits team at Liberty Mutual partnered with employee resource groups (ERGs) on health and well-being with the goal of supporting belonging and building community. Verlinda and team listened both formally and informally, hosted events and initiatives with expert speakers, developed strong communications campaigns and are building toward 2024 with an internal social platform.
The first panel was outstanding and it was time for another break thanks to our sponsor Ovia Health.
Our second panel was moderated by Dave Milani, Head of Strategic Partners and Employer Markets for TempoPay and consisted of
Kristin detailed how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Citizens means that all colleagues have access to benefits that support them and their loved ones, in the ways they need support. Business Resource Groups are key in delivering on these commitments.
Lauri presented how CVS Health through an initiative spearheaded by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Stamp Out Stigma, or SOS, seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. This campaign “challenges us to transform the dialogue from a whisper, to a conversation.”
Dawn told us how Hebrew SeniorLife, through their LiveWell at HSL program, identified that part of HSL’s employee population is food insecure. Employees signed up to offer support and purchase gift cards for the 34 employees identified as food insecure who received gift cards to the grocery store of their choice during the 2022 Holidays.
Tanya showed us how Zoll Medical Corporation connected with their remote workforce (sales) that has historically been difficult to engage. They helped attendees at the Annual Sales Meeting by shining the spotlight on well-being by showcasing self-service benefit tools and resources such as ZOLLbenefits.com, Healthy Hearts! Healthy You!, and providing easy access to the ZOLL Benefits Team and on-site vendors.
- Alyson Cohen - Senior Benefits Specialist, ZOLL Medical Corporation
- Franny Hock - Benefits Analyst, Pegasystems
Following a break, Erin Sarin, Leader of HR and AI Innovation at Moderna moderated our first Best Practices Panel compromised of
- Lisa Blasdale, Senior Manager, Global Benefits at Cabot Corporation
- Jennifer Flanagan, Director of Benefits at GBH
- Verlinda Dimarino, Head of Benefits at Liberty Mutual Insurance
Lisa described how Cabot expanded their Well-Being Program in the US to include Reimbursement Accounts to meet employees where they are. They conducted listening sessions with Global Leaders to understand what they saw as challenges and conducted an employee Pulse Survey globally to identify the support their employees wanted.
Jennifer told us how, with 20% of the population over 60, GBH was looking for better resources to support employees through this critical career transition (facing retirement). GBH introduced “The Future of You – Accelerator Workshop” a 6-week virtual workshop that helps organizations support long-tenured employees' transition to retirement. Jennifer thanked her predecessor, Jane Holland (now retired herself), who started the program.
Verlinda presented how the benefits team at Liberty Mutual partnered with employee resource groups (ERGs) on health and well-being with the goal of supporting belonging and building community. Verlinda and team listened both formally and informally, hosted events and initiatives with expert speakers, developed strong communications campaigns and are building toward 2024 with an internal social platform.
The first panel was outstanding and it was time for another break thanks to our sponsor Ovia Health.
Our second panel was moderated by Dave Milani, Head of Strategic Partners and Employer Markets for TempoPay and consisted of
- Kristin Chenevert, Manager of Health & Wellness at Citizens
- Lauri Tenney, Executive Director, Benefits at CVS Health
- Dawn Damiano, Employee Wellness Program Director at Hebrew SeniorLife
- Tanya Riley, Senior Manager of Health Plan Programs at Zoll Medical Corporation
Kristin detailed how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Citizens means that all colleagues have access to benefits that support them and their loved ones, in the ways they need support. Business Resource Groups are key in delivering on these commitments.
Lauri presented how CVS Health through an initiative spearheaded by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Stamp Out Stigma, or SOS, seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. This campaign “challenges us to transform the dialogue from a whisper, to a conversation.”
Dawn told us how Hebrew SeniorLife, through their LiveWell at HSL program, identified that part of HSL’s employee population is food insecure. Employees signed up to offer support and purchase gift cards for the 34 employees identified as food insecure who received gift cards to the grocery store of their choice during the 2022 Holidays.
Tanya showed us how Zoll Medical Corporation connected with their remote workforce (sales) that has historically been difficult to engage. They helped attendees at the Annual Sales Meeting by shining the spotlight on well-being by showcasing self-service benefit tools and resources such as ZOLLbenefits.com, Healthy Hearts! Healthy You!, and providing easy access to the ZOLL Benefits Team and on-site vendors.
Our event concluded with Eric Swain, Vice President with UnitedHealth Group, presenting the 2023 Superstar Award to Jerry Daly, Senior Vice President with Optum. Jerry has been a great colleague to Eric, connector and mentor to hundreds of people in the benefits field and a tireless advocate for NEEBC. Congratulations Jerry - well deserved!
Another great NEEBC event is in the books. Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners. And remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about Best Practices 2024. See you there!
Another great NEEBC event is in the books. Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners. And remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about Best Practices 2024. See you there!
2023 Annual Summit - 5 Proven Tactics for Reducing Health Costs
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I was pleased to co-present with Deborah Devaux, Chair, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and Mim Minichiello, President Employee Benefits, HUB International New England on the topic of reducing healthcare costs. At a time when employers are scrambling to expand their repertoire of benefits that meet the evolving needs of employees, wrestling with escalating health care costs could prevent them from consuming more of our finite financial resources.
My recommendations regarding 5 tactics to reduce healthcare costs
Click here to download Deb Devaux's presentation Click here to download Mike Smith's presentation |
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2022 Best Practices Keynote - Overcoming Disruption in a Distributed World.
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Dr Sahar Yousef and Lucas Miller of the Haas School of Business keynote's presentation.
As organizations struggle to improve employees well-being and mental health, Dr. Yousef and Miller provide focused and actionable steps to taking control of our days, focus and energy.
Click here to download the presentation |
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