When you think about employee communications, what comes to mind? Websites, presentations, pamphlets, emails? If so, you’re not alone. For most organizations—and most plan sponsors—communication refers to the tools we use to deliver information after everything else is done. When it comes to changing a benefits plan, for instance, the process typically looks something like […]
What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” Paul Newman in the film Cool Hand Luke didn’t enjoy hearing this, and plan sponsors don’t enjoy hearing it either—particularly when they’re trying to communicate benefits and pension plans to employees. But some plan sponsors are failing to reach members as, more than ever, employees are bombarded […]
Since I stepped into the editor’s role at Benefits Canada in April, I have been immersed in many compelling discussions, ranging from pension reform to containing benefits costs. Although the topics have varied widely, I have noted a common thread: communication, and the pursuit thereof. Take the recent Education Initiative Report by the Association of […]
Another big hurdle will be ongoing communication with its board and trustees.
More than ever, today’s plan sponsors need to maximize the return on their communications investment. The question is: how? In our hyper-connected world, most of us struggle with information overload. Throw in a constant barrage of messaging about our global economic crisis, and it’s no wonder that plan members start tuning out. So how can […]
Year 2008 certainly has been a challenging one financially, and those capital accumulation plan (CAP) members who had not realized what it meant to them yet are doing so now, as they are receiving their year-end statements. These turbulent times represent a unique opportunity to communicate with CAP members, as rarely will they be open […]
In the recent, financially challenging weeks, it seems like everyone has become an expert at communicating with capital accumulation plan (CAP) members. As a plan sponsor, you should know that you may ultimately be held responsible for all communications going to your members. So you need to keep a keen eye on everything going to […]
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve already branded your pension, benefit and other reward programs. The “look” and “feel” of your plan communications send an immediate message about the quality and value of your plans. Even if you don’t give your “brand” a second thought, communication materials will still convey a message that goes […]
How to convert a disclosure requirement into a communications solution. It’s that time of year again—time for plan sponsors with a December 31st year-end to make sure their annual pension statements are safely delivered into the hands of eagerly awaiting (or not) plan members. The problem is that most plan sponsors still view the requirement […]
Pension and benefit communications is no time to be shy. If anything, it’s a good excuse to get personal. Let me explain. Plan sponsors typically fall into one of two camps: those that under-communicate and those that over-communicate. Although the under-communicators are still in the strong majority, the over-communicators are growing in number. Having opened […]