Five tips on getting started on implementing your employee benefit plan.

Using Art of the Start author Guy Kawasaki's getting-started model, here is a list of the top-five most important things to do to get going on your benefit plan:

• Make Meaning: Figure out why now is a good time to start and create a customized benefit plan designed to meet the specific needs of your employees. Conduct a survey of your staff to find out what they would like to see in their plan. One person may want 100 per cent dental coverage while the person who wears daily contacts may be more interested in vision care.
• Make Mantra: Make sure your benefit plan reflects your corporate culture and compensation philosophy.
• Get Going: Work with a benefit plan professional who is interested in learning about, and understanding, your business, goals and opportunities so your plan is a good fit for you and your employees.
• Define Your Business Model: Create a program you can maintain. While at the outset you may want to provide the Cadillac plan, consider first whether or not it's a program that will adapt as your business grows and as new opportunities present themselves.
• Weave a Mat: Create a communications plan with your employees, plan administrator and your benefit plan consultant. A communications plan will help you decide how you're going to let your employees know about things such as your wellness plan, changes in the industry, how to handle claims, changes to government health care policies, and your claims review.

Using the outline of Kawasaki's Art of the Start can help you shape your employee benefit plan while ensuring it reflects your corporate culture. For more information about how to get started on your plan, contact us.

Go here for more information on Kawasaki's Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything.