Tag Archives: open enrollment

Round out your Benefits by bringing in HR & Payroll. Here’s why.

Open Enrollment is just around the corner and it seems like every company is trying to get their hands in your pocket. Whether it’s Payroll companies, software companies, retirement companies, plan vendors, or companies like ADP and Paychex, everyone has a “better solution” that they want to sell you. Upon closer examination, these “better solutions” all lack a piece that is generally critical to your business.

What if there was one place where you could manage it all: your “people” business processes, Employee Benefits, and Human Resources?

That’s where CorpStrat comes in. We can help you streamline your Employee Benefits, Human Resources, and Payroll to one location to make your life easier. Streamlining is an extremely effective tool that we believe will help simplify your life.

Here are some benefits of bringing your HR and Payroll into your Employee Benefits:

1. Personalized support.

No more wasting an entire day calling multiple companies and STILL not getting the answer you need. By streamlining your HR and Payroll into your Benefits, you call one number and reach someone who knows and cares about your business. Also we have a variety of experts on our team, from insurance to Human Resources, to Employee Benefits.

2. A comprehensive approach to your Benefits.

No more expensive piecemeal solutions that all don’t do what you actually need. We’ll help manage all the complexity and ensure compliance so you don’t have to stress.

3. Benchmarking gives you complete confidence.

Your CorpStrat advisor is working with hundreds of other employers so they know exactly what’s happening in the marketplace. You get real-time benchmarking, not last years’ assessment, so you know you’re being presented with the best options.

4. Cutting edge products.

We are in the trenches with carriers and underwriters daily. This means we’re constantly gaining insights into the best ways to use and design plans, which helps us deliver the best, custom plan for you and your team.

5. Coordinated approach to growing your business.

At CorpStrat, we’re not just passive participants. We strive to be a part of your advisory team and seek to collaborate with your professional advisory team, especially when there are tax or legal aspects to address.

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If you don’t currently work with us on Benefits or Payroll and you are still dangerously using Google to find HR answers, reach out to us. What we are offering could potentially help save you money, time, and make your business more effective. We take pride in being hands-on, non-call-center partners that are committed to helping employers manage their most important assets: their people.

Email us at marketing@corpstrat.com today.

When’s the Best Time to Choose an Employee Benefits Broker?

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Open enrollment is now over and we hope you’ve chosen a benefits package that works well for your team. However, if you found the process of choosing the right benefits tedious, you’re not alone. With so many options in the market, you might be looking for an Employee Benefits Broker to guide you through and help you make smarter decisions. You might be thinking “I’ll just wait until the next open enrollment to choose a great Employee Benefits Broker”. Here are a few reasons why we’d advise against that:

Don’t wait until the last minute and scramble ahead of Open Enrollment.

Before you know it, Open Enrollment is just around the corner. Waiting until the last minute can really cost you because you may not have time to carefully compare and contrast plans. Or worse, you opt to renew what you already have without taking a hard look at your other options. Choosing a broker to partner with well ahead of enrollment cuts down on your stress and allows you to build a benefits package that works best for your team. Plus, you’ll rest easy knowing they’ve found you the lowest cost plan in the market.

You want to save money and choose the best possible plan for your team.

If you don’t have a Benefits Broker, you may completely miss out on cost-saving opportunities, new plan updates, or simple ways to make your benefits package more appealing to your employees. Having an ongoing advisory relationship with your broker means they can give you a better evaluation of your current plan and help you eliminate plans that aren’t as effective.

Every broker gets paid the same 5%.

Now that you’ve decided on working with a great broker, be aware that not every broker is created equal BUT all brokers cost you the same amount. You should shop for a broker just like you shop for anything else—when you buy a TV, you shop around for the best quality at the best value. Ask yourself: Am I getting the best value for my money when it comes to my Employee Benefits Broker? The best and worst health brokers get paid exactly the same percentage so make sure you’re getting one who gives you the best value: high advisory support and data driven tools to help you with your business.

You’re not just choosing a Broker. You’re choosing an advisor.

In looking for the right Employee Benefits Broker, remember you’re not just choosing someone to manage your benefits, you’re choosing a long term advisor. When you work with CorpStrat, you get a number of value added services—we essentially become an extension of your HR team. We also have a bevy of tools that can help you choose the right plan, save money, communicate and deliver the plans to your employees, and remain compliant. A good Broker has your back, you don’t just hear from us when it’s time for enrollment, we’ll reach out to you with answers before you even think to ask the question. You’ll never have to call the carrier, we’ll solve any claim issues and billing issues. We’re always looking for how to better manage these plans and better serve you.

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Looking for an Employee Benefits Broker? We can help with that. Schedule a FREE 30 minute consultation with us today.

Ensure That Your California Business Is Compliant

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Proposed HR Compliance Laws

California law makers are currently reviewing several proposed laws that effect employers of all sizes (and not necessarily in a good way.) The following laws are likely to become effective within the next 12 months.

Paid Sick Leave Expansion (AB 2841) – This bill would expand the current paid sick leave law on the books per county to 10 days (80 hours) of paid sick leave.

Employment Protection for Medical Marijuana Users (AB 2069) – This bill would amend the Fair Employment and Housing Act to make it an unlawful employment practice for an employer to take adverse action against an applicant or employee. All because of a positive drug test for marijuana (by a medical marijuana cold holder) or because of one’s status as a medical marijuana card holder.

[An employer may still discipline an employee for being under the influence while working or being on the employer’s property. Key change relates to the area of employee accommodations. Exceptions would be made from employers who would lose a license or monetary benefit under federal law.]

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How to Deliver Unbeatable Customer Experience

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What does great service really mean?

A great product or service is the first half of a successful business – great customer service is the better half of a successful business. Does the mention of a company name trigger good feelings from a customer? When customer service evolves into an amazing customer experience, the answer to that question is a resounding ‘Yes!’ A successful business shapes the customers’ experience by embedding a fundamental value proposition in offerings, but a satisfactory experience just isn’t good enough for long-term success.

Go above and beyond

So what is great customer service? The definition is different for everyone – to some, it is as simple as solving problems and offering solutions in an expedient manner. To others, it means overall politeness from those who represent the company. In other organizations it’s defined as a company’s willingness to give their customers, ‘the customer is always right’ approach, no matter how unreasonable their demands may be.

If you invest in your customers, they will invest in you

The human elements of customer service are what really define great customer service…doing everything one can to please, protect, enrich, and value the customer. At the end of the day, every business should be built around how to deliver an extraordinary customer experience.

To achieve a truly value-based and positive customer experience, here are the four touchstones every company should be implementing:

Be responsive – Customers hate repeating themselves, so being responsive across social media platforms, mobile applications, and engaging web pages is increasing in importance as channels expand.
Treat customers with a friendly, helpful attitude – Lousy customer service is the number one reason people choose to stop engaging with a company. Simply put, happy customers remain loyal.
Quality communication and services – With today’s technology, every business can offer personalized connections that leave people more than satisfied and with confidence that strengthens brand loyalty.
Build trust – Transparency goes a long way by showing clients that they can lean on your processes and communication to steer them in the right direction.

At CorpStrat, we deliver the CorpStrat Gold Standard, which is our version of a customer service experience. This is comprised of 5 values:

Teamwork – we work together to achieve the best outcomes for our clients
Great Attitude – we bring positive energy to every interaction
Client Interest First – All of our actions are guided by achieving our clients’ objectives
CorpStrat Golden Rule – we show up on time, finish what we start, do what we say, and demonstrate our gratefulness
Passionate Learners – We are constantly increasing our knowledge and gaining wisdom

And most importantly, when it comes to our Gold Standard…

We know it, we show it, we own it.

How To Evaluate The Right Benefits Broker: 6 Important Questions To Ask Yourself

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Choosing the right broker can be a daunting task. While all benefits brokers have access to the same carriers and rates, there are value-added services that a skilled benefits broker will also provide; usually at little, or no additional cost. It’s important to take the time to find the right benefits broker for your company’s needs.

To get the most out of your broker partnership, ask yourself these 6 important questions:

1.) Are you up-to-date on the latest health care reform regulations, receive guidance and the latest developments?

Compliance concerns continue to increase for businesses. Between ERISA and payroll taxes, maintaining compliance is becoming more difficult and frustrating for companies. Here, a benefits broker can become the compliance officer for its clients.

2.) Do you have support during your open enrollment that includes educational materials, meetings, and other communications?

There is a lot that can go wrong during open enrollment periods and things can get hectic, especially in the coming years as health care reform and political turmoil spiral. Benefit brokers are there to help guide you through the process to make as seamless as possible.

3.) Who do you call when you’re faced with a complex question from a former employee about COBRA coverage?

Sure, you can try calling the U.S. Labor Department or the Internal Revenue Service office, but the most effective way to handle their questions, would be to consider calling upon insurance brokers. These skilled and certified professionals will eliminate the painful task of navigating COBRA coverage for existing and former employees.

4.) Do you know how other companies of your size and demographics are providing benefits to their employees so that you can remain competitive?

In many cases, employers must offer health care in order to remain competitive with other businesses for the most talented employees and avoid fines imposed by health care reform. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires employers with 50 or more full-time employees to offer adequate health coverage or be subject to assessment if their employees receive premium tax credits to purchase their own insurance.

5.) Are you aware of voluntary and workplace benefits that you can offer without adding significant cost on your end?

Be strategic about cost saving voluntary benefits. Voluntary benefits have long been a relatively simple and inexpensive way to expand the benefits a company can offer employees. With out-of-pocket medical costs growing into the tens of thousands of dollars, voluntary benefits can extend this type of financial protection to health care.

6.) How do you educate employees about how to make the most out of their benefits and do you have an online platform to access?

Education, especially when it comes to ones’ health is especially important. By explaining and guiding your employees on the different benefit plans offered, it can help them appreciate having access to coverage in the first place. But to really help employees feel comfortable with their benefit plans, we strongly suggest providing ongoing and consistent education throughout the year.

The above is only a sliver of the value-added services your benefits broker should offer. If your current broker isn’t providing all the above, feel free to reach out to us. We’re a full-service brokerage firm offering insurance, technology, and compliance solutions for all facets of your business

Ask us how you can spend less time on the broadening workload of benefits enrollment, payroll, & compliance and more time on growing your business. Contact us today, or learn more about CorpStrat HR and CorpStrat Payroll.