Give thanks to the people you work with

This is one of my last blog post before Thanksgiving reaches us. So I got to thinking about the upcoming holiday. Thanksgiving is far and away my favorite holiday. It was such a wonderful time of year up in Northwest Iowa and deep into fall: The leaves have turned and fallen, and the fall clean-up is pretty much completed. Halloween is fully behind us, and the holiday shopping insanity hasn't quite started, yet. But best of all, Thanksgiving is when my daughter comes home, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and a few close friends all gather for an afternoon of eating and reconnecting.

While I do love the eating, it's the reconnecting that makes the day truly special for me. I am truly thankful I have these people in my life. I am... and that's what got me thinking along a different path. Here I am focused on the "thanks" part of Thanksgiving, but what about the "giving" part?

Reflecting on my own feelings of thanks is certainly a worthwhile and healthy endeavor, no one could deny that, of course. But giving as an outward expression of that thanks... that's coming full circle. I say that because one is thankful when one has received (love, support, companionship, etc.)

In my family, we have the tradition of each person at the table saying what they are thankful for before we start to eat. I am sure that is a fairly common tradition since it is a simple way to allow us to communicate to each other and to give each other recognition.

Can this practice be taken to work?

In my company, we are small enough in the territory office that we can have a Thanksgiving party where we all bring in food and have an extended lunch together. However, for most companies that is not realistic, and we do not go around the table offering our thanks to each other. But it is realistic to have a personal mission to give your thanks on an individual scale next week before we take Thursday and Friday off. All it takes is a small gesture. Walk into your direct report's office and tell them something they do that makes your life easier, something you've noticed and value. It doesn't need to be a big thing, nor do you need to offer a spot bonus. Just go out of your way to give a "Thank you for ...... It really makes me happy that you do that because ...." That's it. Offer a compliment and a reason. It's a small token of your appreciation but will mean so much to the recipient.

Appreciate your boss? Go knock on his door and tell him. Too often, people go to the boss to ask for something or for help with a problem. Give your thanks. The change would be most welcome. An extreme example of an employee giving thanks happened just recently in my former company: HR told the managers how much vacation time people have left in 2015, and the managers emailed their people on that list a gentle reminder to schedule their days while they still can. One of those people was told he had five vacation days left, yet he knew he'd used them all up. That employee went to his manager and told her HR made an error in his favor. The manager looked into it and determined the employee was correct. Used to employees asking for time not giving it back, she asked him why he came forward when he so easily could have gotten away with taking an extra week off. He simply said, "I could never cheat you. You treat me with respect, do the best you can for me, and allow me to come and go as I need to for my family. This is just me trying to say thank you for that."

Up the ladder, down the ladder, don't forget to give your thanks to the people you work with. You have so much to be thankful for. You know it's true!

To your next success!

Uncle "D"

9 Questions You and Your Family Can Ask Around the Table

We are almost in the holiday season, and that means a lot of great things: fun memories, good food, and more. But it also means a few challenges. It’s awkward conversations.

You probably know what I mean. With all the parties and get-togethers, there’s almost no way to avoid those dead-end discussions, off-the-wall observations, and random rabbit trails that leave you feeling like you need to leave early, is there?

9 Questions to Try out This Holiday Season

I find these are perfect for getting things going in the right direction. And these are especially effective around the end of the year or getting together with people you haven’t seen in a while.

• How do you define a great holiday experience? What’s the best one you can remember?
• What are your top three strengths—and how do they benefit others?
• If you had one million dollars to give to charity, how would you spend it?
• What is your favorite trait in other people?
• As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up—and how does that relate to what you do now?
• When you look back on the last year what are you most proud of?
• What are the two biggest lessons you learned this last year?

Did you notice the one thing all these questions have in common? People usually find it easy to talk about themselves. The more you let people share about themselves, the simpler the whole situation will be.

Great conversations are like anything. Success is usually not an accident. It’s planned.

Uncle "D"

The Secret To Producer Motivation

Motivation.... Producer Motivation....

As an Iowa farm-boy, I grew up eating fried eggs, bacon, biscuits and cream gravy for breakfast.

If it was up to me, I probably wouldn't stop. I flat-out love breakfast!

But, when my doctor did the cholesterol test and my numbers were high, I admit, I made a decision and changed the way I eat.

I eat more salad, less fried foods and I even exercise more.

All because the doctor showed me the path I was on and the impact it would have on me and my family if I kept up my harmful ways. I am highly motivated to eat better.

I'm guessing you want more motivated producers.

How many of them know exactly how much money they need to save annually to fund their kids' cars, weddings and universities, plus their own retirement?

I've got a bet for you and I'm throwing five dollars in the pot and will give you 2:1 odds.

Go ask your producers how much money they have to save every year to accomplish funding all of that. I'm betting that 80% of them do not know.

What if they did? What impact would that have on their new business production and their desire to grow their books?

Uncle "D"

1099 vs W2: the employee perspective

Many of us get to choose how we want to work, as an employee, a contractor, or freelancer. If you're mulling over leaving the salaried life for a little more independence and flexibility, or are considering giving up some independence and flexibility for a salaried life, here are some factors to consider:

Taxes: The self-employed pay twice as much Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes, because employers normally pay half. Self-employed folks will typically pay all 15.3%, a not-insignificant sum. On the other hand, work-related expenses such as postage, travel, Internet access, and home-office maintenance can be deducted on your tax return. Taxes are more complicated for the self-employed, as they often have to make quarterly estimated tax payments throughout the year.

Insurance: Many employees get access to discounted health insurance, often along with life insurance, disability insurance, and other benefits. Self-employed people have to pay for their own -- though health insurance premiums can be deductible.

Work expenses: As an employee, you're provided with your work needs, such as a desk, computer, etc. If you're self-employed, you must provide them yourself.

Retirement: Many employers help their workers save for retirement by providing 401(k) plans or similar plans, often offering matching funds. Freelancers and contractors get none of this and must save on their own. There are several tax-advantaged accounts that can help with that, such as SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs.

If you check in and out of work at certain times, there's a good chance you're an employee. Photo: Alan Cleaver, Flickr.

As a worker, it's worth giving some thought to 1099 vs W2 forms, and the distinction between employees and contractors.

Uncle "D"

Overcoming Disappointment

Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way we want. Plain and simple.

 

In fact, I found myself disappointed earlier this week. Though the situation wasn’t a big letdown (a “first world problem” if you will), it still had me a little wound up inside.

 

So, I decided to stop in the moment and actively reflect back on other times in my life when things did not go according to my plan and times when my expectations weren’t met.

 

We’ve all been there. That promotion didn’t go through as hoped … your kid didn’t get accepted into the college of their dreams … sales aren’t matching up with your goals and the year is running out. I get it.

 

This introspection got me thinking even more, and I asked myself,

 

“How have I dealt with disappointments in the past, and how I have overcome
 those disappointments and behaved proactively to gain new perspective?”

 

I grabbed my notebook and wrote down a few things that popped into my mind quickly; things that that have helped me bounce back from disappointment easily and look to the future with optimism and rejuvenated motivation. I wanted to share my little list with you …

1. Trust the Process - If you look back over past disappointments, you may find that when something didn’t work out, it usually led to something better happening in your life.  That promotion didn’t go through, because there was an even better opportunity a month later, OR the lack of sales in your business gave you the motivation to restructure, which led to an increase in profit all around.  Hindsight really is 20/20!
   
   
2. Release Expectations - Someone very wise once told me, “You can make plans, but you can’t plan outcomes.”  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made plans with the expectation of everything going according to them … only to find out that they didn’t work out at all.  Of course, it’s crucial to your success to have goals and vision in your life.  The key is to not place too much emphasis on the outcome. Broaden your expectations and just enjoy the journey! 
   
   
3. Just Say “No” to Tunnel Vision - If you are uber-focused on a goal, a very close-minded approach can develop which can stifle your motivation and creativity.  Expand your horizons!  If something doesn’t work out as you had hoped or planned, ask yourself “What else is possible?”  Let it percolate.  The answers will come right on time!

If you look back over past disappointments, some of them probably turned out to be gifts in disguise.  Keeping yourself open to new discoveries and possibilities after disappointment can only lead to better outcomes for you and your agency!

 

To Your Success,

Uncle "D" 

7 Advantages To Offering Voluntary Benefits

Remember Tony the Tiger? He has been promoting the same cereal for decades, and both he and Frosted Flakes are still around.

Adults and kids love the flavor—and the sugar. Why does this phenomenon stay popular year after year? Because it’s a winning combination, and chances are, neither Tony nor the cereal are going away anytime soon.

Voluntary benefits likely won’t be going away anytime soon either, especially with U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and health reform presenting a challenging healthcare environment. Voluntary benefits are popular because they work, and people like them. The difference is that there’s no sugar rush like you get with coated cereal flakes. According to Colonial Life in South Carolina, here are some advantages to offering voluntary benefits:

1. No employer costs. Voluntary benefits are a great way to provide employees with the benefits they want and desire with little or no cost to the company. Any additional administrative costs can be offset by the payroll tax savings the employer gains from Section 125.
2. Highly desired benefits. How many times have employees or prospective employees asked about benefits like dental, disability or additional life coverage? 
3. Employee retention/attraction. Companies with strong employee benefits packages have lower employee turnover and find it easier to attract prospects looking for employment. This is critical when the employment pool is reduced due to high levels of employment. 
4. Group rates. By utilizing the purchasing power of your group, the employees get access to benefits at low group rates. 
5. Favorable underwriting. Disability coverage and life insurance are extremely difficult to find on an individual basis if the insured has a less-than-favorable medical history. These products have simplified underwriting requirements, or in many cases are guaranteed issue (no health questions!). 
6. No secondary market. Some programs (ie. indemnity dental plans) are only available through employer-sponsored plans. Employees can't simply go home and contact their local insurance agent to purchase coverage. 
7. Promotes goodwill. Employees love the chance to choose from options that fit their individual healthcare situation.

In the past, employers have offered voluntary worksite benefits to boost morale, attract strong candidates and retain employees, according to LIMRA, the worldwide association of insurance and financial services companies. Now, due to growing economic pressures, nearly 80 percent of employers say they are interested in using voluntary worksite benefits because these plans carry no direct costs to the business.

Employers’ costs are not the only motivating factor for offering voluntary benefits. Two-thirds of employers said they offer voluntary benefits because it's more affordable for their employees than if they purchased coverage on their own, and it provides them with a wider array of benefits.

Many small business owners and their employees are looking for more flexible benefits options as they seek ways to manage rising healthcare expenses. Making voluntary insurance policies available to employees has no direct cost to the employer and may reduce corporate taxes by cutting FICA tax contributions. Adding voluntary plans to a company's benefits offerings can help to satisfy the biggest benefit challenge for six out of 10 small businesses—offering robust benefits while staying within budget constraints.

Voluntary benefits, including policies for accident, cancer/specified-disease, dental, life, short-term disability and vision, help employees cope with out-of-pocket costs associated with serious accidents or illnesses—costs major medical insurance is not designed to cover.

In the event of a serious accident or illness, policyholders receive cash benefits that can be used to help pay for daily living expenses, such as rent, gas, groceries, travel expenses and babysitting, as well as unreimbursed medical expenses.

Voluntary benefits can not only enhance a company's benefits package, allowing it to better compete with larger organizations' benefits programs, but can also demonstrate to employees that they matter. With no direct cost to the company, adding voluntary benefits as an option for employees may go a long way in helping to avoid the high price tag of turnover.

Whether your offerings are insurance, discount, indemnity or self-funded, voluntary benefits are the way to go to increase employee retention, attract new employees, save money and keep your company healthier for both the short and long term. Business owners and smart HR directors know that the best way to improve company performance is to keep your primary assets (your employees) in good shape.

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 This is a personal comment, reflecting my personal opinions and thoughts. It does not represent the views or policies of Colonial Life.

4 Things to Keep You Going When Stress Strikes

With the holidays approaching fast, I look forward to spending quality time with family and friends.  However, the holiday season can be stressful at times, too.  I know, for me, when I am feeling stressed in any area of my life, it is nearly impossible for that stress to not affect my motivation at work. 

 

What I DO know, is that people are always watching to how you respond and react in difficult situations.  Your true character reveals itself when dealing with stress. 

 

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” ~Charles Swindoll

 

Here are 4 things to keep you going when stress strikes:

1.    Shift gears with positive thoughts.  You may not be able to control your thoughts, but you can monitor them.  If you find yourself feeling irritated or thinking negatively, change it something positive!  Instead of “I don’t want to be here today”, tell yourself “How can I be an inspiration for others today?

2.    Meditate!  Waking up 10 minutes earlier in the morning and having some quiet time before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, makes a REVOLUTIONARY difference in the rest of the day.  A prepared mind doesn’t sway easily in its reaction to stress.

3.    Get PUMPED!  Listen to something that makes you feel good on your way to work…perhaps a song that motivates you or an inspirational CD.

4.    It is what it is.  Acceptance is key here.  If there are situations at work that are too demanding or unrealistically expected, take responsibility and BE the change!  Start seeking out positive solutions to seemingly negative situations. 

 

You can be an encouraging, supportive, and motivational force at work no matter how stressful life gets.  Don’t forget to laugh at it all!  People will pick up on your positive response to stress and, in turn, the entire energy of the office can change. 

 

After all, you never know WHO is watching!  Be the change.

 

Have an amazing week!  Unless, of course, you have other plans.

Uncle "D"