Dear Subscriber,
The world is changing...and we can decide to go along for the ride, and enjoy the view, or try and buck trends to our own detriment.
As an example (and I admit I'm a bit fixated on this tool), I asked OpenAI to write me an intro to an advisor focussed newsletter. This is what she gave me in about 15 seconds...
Welcome to the latest edition of our benefits-focused newsletter. As a trusted advisor, you know better than anyone the importance of a strong employee benefits program in attracting and retaining top talent. That's why we're dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date and relevant content on the latest trends, best practices, and strategies in employee benefits.
In this edition, we've curated a selection of articles, interviews, and case studies that will help you to stay ahead of the curve in designing and implementing effective benefits programs for your clients. From tips on designing a wellness program to insights into the latest employee benefits trends, we've got you covered.
We understand the challenges you face in ensuring that your clients' benefits programs deliver real value to both the organization and its employees. That's why we strive to bring you practical, actionable insights that you can use to build stronger, more effective benefits programs.
We hope that you find this newsletter informative and helpful in your work as an advisor. As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future editions. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to helping you to build benefits programs that deliver real results for your clients.
Best regards, The Benefits-Focused Newsletter Team The future is here. Are you going to use it? (P.S. This year my April Mainstay newsletter will be no joke :)
Keep doing great things. Dave |
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OUR EVENTS
This is a regular event sharing and discussing all things group benefits. A huge thanks to Jason Watt (he/him) CD CLU for making this possible.
Our last episode featured a conversation with Dr. David Stevenson on the "Changes in the Dental Space in Ontario".
Our next episode featuring a conversation with Chris Gory on the "Ontario Regulator Audits and what you need to know" is coming up April 26th.
Watch our newsletter and website for upcoming episodes and details. ____________________________________________________________ CGIB COFFEE CHATS
Coffee chats are like a virtual breakfast. Log in, ask questions, share problems, seek solutions and talk about what's on your mind. Best done from a computer, with a camera and a microphone. No CE credits, but also no cost, just show up.
Thursday March 2nd @2pm (EST) Tuesday March 14th @2pm (EST) Thursday March 30th @2pm (EST) Tuesday April 11th @2pm (EST) Thursday April 27th @2pm (EST)
CGIB Members may join the meeting at the time above by visiting... ____________________________________________________________ BREAKFAST MEETINGS CGIB supports the volunteers that runs the breakfast meetings below.
Please find the details for your closest location below. Ajax, Atlantic Canada, Cambridge, Edmonton, London, Markham, Oakville, St Catherines, Toronto, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Windsor or the Virtual National Meeting
____________________________________________________________ Upcoming CGIB Events:
The April Plan Admin Checklist workshop is sold out, but if you are interested in attending, we are starting a waitlist that could be used to start a second date in the spring. PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST.
The Fall events will open later into the summer. ____________________________________________________________ |
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GET ON SLACK
The CGIB SLACK channel is a great place to pose questions, share info and learn a ton from your fellow members. The info and discussions that are posted there are unlike anywhere in the industry with documents, videos and information available in MEMBERS ONLY to make your life easier.
NOTE TO ALL SLACK USERS: We now have 75+ channels in Slack to handle different topics. Please take a moment to add these channels to your menu. To do so, just click on the + next to Channels on the top left. Browse the channels and then click JOIN to add each of them. By doing so you won’t be missing really great info. |
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SUGGESTED READING
We think the information contained below is of great value and encourage you to read the articles and check out the events that interest you. In most cases, these articles and events are not run by CGIB, so please contact the organizers for more information. We take no responsibility for the websites, events, organizations or their content. |
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Suggested Reading:
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February 21, 2023 Hybrid Work Here To Stay Among Canadian employees, the debate is settled: hybrid work is here to stay, says a Cisco Canada study. Despite this, the survey, which also included employer perceptions, illustrates a gap between employee and employer expectations on the workplace of the future. It found flexibility is no longer perceived as a ‘perk’ by employees, but an expectation. In fact, flexibility in work arrangements is considered a top priority (23 per cent) for employees when choosing an employer, second only to higher salary (34 per cent) and ranked above work/life balance, benefits, purpose, and office perks. “The future of work is hybrid and global. Organizations that prioritize flexibility and choice as core business imperatives will reap the benefits,” says Shannon Leininger, president of Cisco Canada. “Canada continues to face a tight labour market and a flexible and inclusive hybrid work model that meets people where they are and where they want to be supports recruitment, talent retention, and overall happiness and wellness.” It shows 81 per cent of Canadian employees said that flexible work policies directly affect whether they stay at or leave a job. Still, 61 per cent of employers said that they have or plan to implement a mandatory number of days in the office per week and 54 per cent have asked employees to return to the office more often, or plan to. However, while most employees prefer hybrid work, there is uneasiness that being away from the office will negatively impact career progression with 46 per cent of employees who choose to be in-person more frequently expecting to have more opportunities for engagement in the corporate culture, while 38 per cent say the same for their career growth. Employers do not share the same concerns as 49 per cent think that opportunities for career growth will be equal for employees that are primarily in office versus those that are primarily remote.
February 22, 2023 Total Rewards Certificate Offered The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is offering a certificate course on total rewards prior to its ‘EVOLVE: Benefits and Workforce Strategies Summit.’ It will focus on the essentials of creating an effective and sustainable total rewards strategy. It takes place May 8 and 9 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. Information is at www.ifebp.org/EVOLVE
February 23, 2023 Remote Work Motivates Job Changing Remote jobs are here to stay as greater flexibility to choose where and when to work is a top motivator for professionals changing jobs, says research from Robert Half. It found 85 per cent are interested in hybrid or fully remote positions and they have options as 22.9 per cent of all new job postings in January were advertised as remote, up from 20.6 per cent a year ago. As well, work flexibility can lead to higher happiness as 73 per cent of those who can work where and when they are most productive are putting in more hours now than three years ago. However, despite longer workdays, 43 per cent report higher job satisfaction. A quarter of workers are willing to take an average pay cut of 16 per cent for the ability to work remotely all the time. Still, 65 per cent said they have more effective relationships with colleagues whom they've met face-to-face in the office versus those they have not. And more workers are comfortable collaborating in person (47 per cent) versus virtually (34 per cent). However, employees have equal career opportunities, wherever they are. Most managers (86 per cent) who oversee hybrid teams feel in-office and remote employees have equal opportunities for career advancement. "Flexibility over where and when they work is a major priority for professionals and companies should continue to offer employees a level of autonomy over this, to attract and retain top talent, and boost productivity and employee satisfaction," says David King, senior managing director for Robert Half, Canada and South America. "However, it's important to take into account how relationships with colleagues can benefit from in-person collaboration and team building opportunities and employers should consider implementing in-person with purpose policies to help cultivate these benefits where possible."
February 23, 2023 Canadians Experiencing Strain The TELUS Health Mental Health Index has found that workers in Canada are experiencing increasing strain. The index score for January is 64.8 points out of 100, a slight increase from December 2022 and inflation and financial pressures are impacting the personal relationships of workers and their ability to seek healthcare. It found 20 per cent of those surveyed have reduced spending on health-related expenses, such as prescription medication. Further, 19 per cent claimed financial pressure as the reason for a decline in relationships. As well, 19 per cent of working people cite financial pressure as the reason for their marital/partner relationship decline. Michael Dingle, TELUS Health chief operating officer, says, “The current economic environment is leading many employees to feel pressure to prioritize finances over their health and wellbeing. This is an impossible choice as one is not mutually exclusive from the other – in fact, financial wellbeing is a fundamental contributor to overall health. Employers play a critical role in supporting the wellbeing of their employees and can do so successfully by offering comprehensive employee assistance programs (EAPs) that include health benefits and financial counselling.”
February 24, 2023 Culture Matters With Mental Health What matters in terms of culture and manager relationships is also significant when it comes to mental health in the workplace, says Paula Allen, global leader, research and total wellbeing, at TELUS Health. Speaking at its 12th annual ‘Employers Connect Mental Health Summit,’ she said its data has shown big differences between management styles and traits and the mental health of their teams. “Very fundamentally, being inclusive, being team-oriented, and being kind are important,” she said. It also found those who are inspirational and those who can make decisions without necessarily going through a whole lot of red tape also help people feel better, safer, and more comfortable in the workplace. “And that positively impacts their mental health,” she said. In terms of overall culture, being respectful and not being hostile and making employees feel safe are important because when you're feeling unsafe and disrespected, when you're experiencing hostility, there's so much energy that is taken away that you can't have energy for anything else,” said Allen. “You can't be productive, without good well-being.” To get more out of people, they need to feel inspired and included. Employees in have workplaces without positive traits are twice as likely to experience burnout, feel unsettled, and develop problems with alcohol. |
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Hustle harder. Run more ads. Spam people. Interrupt. Make the logo bigger. Post again. Post again. Add more blurbs. Push the press release to irrelevant people. Do one more ad. Use AI to create faux intimacy. Get the word out. Burn trust. Get more attention.
In the last forty years, the amount of promotion has gone up exponentially. At the same time, the success of promoted content, products and services hasn’t increased at all.
That’s because the secret isn’t to focus on your promo. The secret is to create something that those you serve want to tell others about.
When other people do your promo, it’s not promo. It’s passion and sharing and generosity in community.
Better is better than louder.
My Take on Seths Post
Put another way... If you set yourself apart, and love and care about what you do, then word travels. We have lots of examples of this. Do you see ads for Lamborghini's? (or Rivian's for that matter?)
They don't really need the ads or promotion. When we get one, we tell everyone about it.. (if I ever get mine :-) |
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EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
ONLINE CE CREDITS
Looking for benefits dedicated online CE courses? Want to provide your admin and support staff with basic knowledge? Want to dig into something more detailed for your benefits/insurance business? Business Career College (BCC) has an extensive catalogue of online CE courses with a number of group benefits specific courses covering topics ranging from contractual concerns, plan designs, and underwriting requirements, to product specifics and integration with government benefits. Courses consist of narrated videos with short, online quizzes. The full catalogue includes over 60 courses, podcasts, and videos covering topics from the world of insurance, investments, financial planning, taxation, and ethics with a focus on technical content and real-world application. Courses are accredited for the maximum categories of credits and can include provincial Life and A&S credits, FP Canada, Advocis, and more! Use code CGIB on registration for your first three months free! |
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Know Your Corporate Client
This series will focus on what advisors must know about clients including a needs analysis and understanding the risks and how to manage them. We will also provide insights into clients of various sizes based on number of employees and include a special focus on companies in the underserved building, trades, and construction Industry.
Check out our full CE Zoomcast schedule below!
Knowing Your Corporate Client in the Building, Trades, and Construction Industry (1.0 CE Credit) ______________________________________________________ Join us for a groundbreaking event as we delve into the crucial topic of vaccines in Canada. Our expert panel will explore equity and barriers to access, efficient distribution, and how we can improve the administration of vaccines now and in the future. Register now to be a part of the vibrant and solutions-focused discussion. _ Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. EST Fairmont Royal York -Lunch will be served- Ticket Pricing: Individual Ticket - $125 + HST Table (Seats 10) - $1125 + HST _____________________________________________________ ClaimSecure WEBINAR INVITATION: Fraud Prevention Month - March 8, 2023 @11am EST
_____________________________________________________ Cancer In Workplace Examined CPBI’s national webinar will discuss ‘Cancer in the workplace: New work and new urgency.’ Allan Smofsky, principal strategist of Smofsky Strategic Planning, and Chris Bonnett, founder of H3 Consulting, will outline the growing burden of cancer on the physical, mental, and financial health of Canadian workplaces; developing and aligning policies and practices to better support plan members with cancer when they stay at or return to work; and co-ordinating and ensuring timely access to workplace resources to help plan members prevent and manage cancer and better address comorbid conditions. It takes place March 30. Information is at: _____________________________________________________ TELUS Health Annual Conference The wait is over. Gain new insights and deepen your knowledge at the TELUS Health Annual Conference, April 26 and May 3, 2023.
For the past 19 years, TELUS Health Annual Conference has been a leading industry event offering an exceptional attendee experience. This year’s virtual event agenda has been thoughtfully curated with topical content and inspiring speakers. Join us to expand your expertise in employee benefits and health insurance with a fully accredited* conference program. Space is limited. Register today!
______________________________________________________ Join us for Benefits Together 2023 In person: April 26, 2023, 8:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET Islington Golf Club, 45 Riverbank Drive Toronto, ON OR Virtually via livestream: English - April 26, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET French - May 3, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET This year’s agenda will shine a spotlight on the most pressing issues impacting employers and their employees, with a focus on access to care, mental health and diversity and inclusion. We are thrilled to be hosting you in person this year as well as providing the option to take in the sessions virtually. So, mark your calendars for our first Benefits Together hybrid event and watch your inbox for your official invitation. ________________________________________________________ GIPC 2023 SPRING VIRTUAL EVENT
Wednesday May 3rd, 2013 - 1-2pm EST What’s Happening Now and What’s Next? Join us for an update from GIPC on developments and trends impacting the group insurance and pharmaceutical industries.
________________________________________________________ Total Rewards Certificate Offered The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is offering a certificate course on total rewards prior to its ‘EVOLVE: Benefits and Workforce Strategies Summit.’ It will focus on the essentials of creating an effective and sustainable total rewards strategy. It takes place May 8 and 9 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. Information is at www.ifebp.org/EVOLVE
Benefits Trends Examined The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ ‘EVOLVE: Benefits and Workforce Strategies Summit’ covers the latest trends and strategies to attract, retain and support an ever-changing workforce. Sessions will be led by industry experts on mental health, leadership, cybersecurity, inclusivity, well-being, and more. It takes place May 10 and 11 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. Information is at www.ifebp.org/EVOLVE ______________________________________________________ Canadian Benefits Examined
The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ ‘Annual Canadian Employee Benefits Conference’ will examine the latest tools, ideas, and strategies for making effective decisions on behalf of plan members. Featured sessions include ‘Decumulation in a Low-to-Rising (Inflationary) Interest Rate Environment,’ ‘Prescribing Wellness ‒ Integrating Healthy Habits Into Virtual Care,’ and the ‘Aging Workforce and Its Impact on Benefit Plans.’
It takes place September 10 to 13 in Montreal, QC. Information is at |
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Need help? Have questions? Looking for something?
Reach out to CGIB - Dave Patriarche - dave@cgib.ca - 905-886-9203 |
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