The Producers

Cartwheels Anyone? How to find that one program that will get your audience truly excited about your benefit package.

tims — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 22:02:55 +0000

By Eric Glickstein

If you’re like me, you probably give a variety of gifts to your family during the holidays. Your bundle of gifts probably includes some old favorites: the warm wool sweater, a new scarf, maybe a book, a DVD, a video game for the kids. Without these traditional gifts it just wouldn’t seem like the holidays, would it?

But if it stopped there, and that’s all you gave, you might disappoint. Why? Because even though your gifts were surely appreciated, in the end, the traditional gifts are just what they were meant to be: routine, matter of fact, ho-hum. Sure, they’re nice to have, but let’s face it, another sweater, scarf or video game is not going to exactly inspire your loved one into doing cartwheels across the living room.

To avoid this “let down” what I do is buy that one gift that will surely be an eye popper (an IPAD maybe?) and make the rest of the gifts seem perfectly acceptable – even necessary. That’s all I need – just that one gift with enough WOW factor to make my audience truly excited. It always does the trick.

It’s a strategy that would bode well for brokers providing benefit packages to their clients and for employers providing benefits to their employees. Sure, most benefit packages are perfectly fine. They’re the kind of packages that include the traditional favorites:medical, dental, life, disability, and retirement. You know, the reliable workhorses –like the fuddy duddy wool sweater.

But if that’s all you provide, you may set yourself up for disappointment again. Only this time it will be coming directly from the face of an HR Benefits manager – or a potential top talent. And that could be costly to say the least.

Instead, what you need is to include that one eye-popper that will get your audience doing cartwheels across the office. Voluntary benefits, especially the ancillary non-insurance kind, can provide just the answer.

By including an exciting non-traditional benefit in your portfolio, you will not only separate yourself from others, you’ll light a spark in your audience, and that could make all the difference.

Today, according to some studies, the most popular voluntary benefits among employees are the kind that offer affordable payment plans on retail products, travel opportunities, and health and wellness. This is not surprising. As you can imagine, employees get pretty excited with employee purchase programs, because unlike the traditional benefits, they offer tangible benefits with immediate gratification.

These types of programs are not merely a candy-coated distraction either. They can truly benefit employer and employee alike. For example, according to the Better Sleep Council Organization, sleep deprivation and workplace stress costs US employers an estimated $200 billion per year in absenteeism, lower productivity, staff turnover, worker’s compensation, medical insurance and other stress related expenses. Armed with this information benefit managers should seriously ask themselves: what is the impact a brand new mattress may have on boosting employee production? Hence, the need for an employee purchase program that offers mattresses.

Similarly, what is the impact on an employee’s production when a work-related benefit provides them with the opportunity to purchase products to fix up their home, or enjoy a cruise vacation? With a new living room or kitchen to come home to every night – not to mention a few days spent cruising the Caribbean — might your employee show up to work with a smile, less stressed, feeling better about themselves than ever before?

Clearly there is a lot to think about when choosing that additional program that will make a difference. Here are some basic guidelines for looking for that one eye-popping program that will make your benefit packages scream “WOW.”

PROVIDE A TANGIBLE BENEFIT

Most employee benefits, especially insurance related ones, do not provide immediate gratification. Furthermore, they are intended to protect the employee against “bad” events occurring. Obviously necessary but not always exciting. Maybe even downright depressing. Instead, an employee purchase program can provide the employee with immediate tangible products designed to improve their lives. It’s a “feel good ” benefit that makes employees excited right away.

PAYROLL DEDUCTION MAKES EMPLOYEES FEEL SECURE

According to a MetLife study, 65% of employers believe employees are less productive at work when they are worried about personal financial issues. This is an alarming statistic especially when you consider the current economic slump. But the fact is employees still need to purchase products, take vacations, and entertain themselves. That’s why employers that offer payroll deduction would be providing a great service to their employees. Payroll deduction can provide a safety net because it gives employees a disciplined purchasing option. That means they can purchase products they need while managing their budget wisely. It also gives them a responsible alternative to using credit cards.

MAKE IT ALL INCLUSIVE, NOT EXCLUSIVE

If only a few employees can participate, it’s not a benefit. It’s a country club. Make sure, for example, if you bring aboard an employee purchase program, the company offers opportunities for all employees to purchase products on terms they can afford. When marketing the program, be sure you find a way to reach out to all your employees from the board room to the mail room.

ROI – RETURN ON THE INDIVIDUAL

The best news about many of these types of voluntary benefits is that usually they are free to implement. They also provide free marketing tools and materials. In other words, they don’t cost the employer a thing. They can even provide strong commission incentives to brokers. So, instead of worrying and focusing on the ROI – Return on Investment, you can focus on the ROI – Return on the Individual.

And In the end, isn’t that what you were aiming for in the first place? Providing that one gift – that one benefit – that will make your employee happy and productive and so excited they will want to do cartwheels across the office.

Non-Insurance Benefits: Poised For a Powerful Place in the Voluntary Benefit Arena

tims — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:20:41 +0000

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By Eric Glickstein

Brokers and other benefit insiders should take heart as healthcare reform legislation shakes up the benefits industry. As I see it, these reforms pave the way for a whole slew of new and exciting opportunities to develop. New opportunities for business growth will appear before you know it.

Right now, nearly everyone agrees the voluntary benefits arena is where true growth will happen first. Why? Because lower commissions from insurance carriers will create wide gaps left by lost revenue. New products will be created to fill those gaps and voluntary benefits will take the lead.

Under the voluntary benefit umbrella, one segment that doesn’t nearly get the attention it deserves is the non-insurance benefit arena. Non-insurance benefits include perks for employees such as affordable payment plans on home furnishings, electronics, appliances, auto and home buying services, travel services, legal services, pet services, and even such prosaic items as discounted movie tickets.

First, on a purely visceral level, it’s a lot easier for an employee to get excited about discounted travel package than long term disability. Especially in today’s economy where employee where employees have tightened their spending and cautious about everything they purchase.

Second, the troubled economy has caused major erosion in the traditional way consumers spend money. Individual purchasing power has fallen to new lows. Cash flow has tightened and credit has stymied.

Sponsored Payroll Deduction is the perfect antidote to credit and cash flow fears. Payroll deduction provides an easy, responsible and affordable payment option for employees looking to purchase products without utilizing credit or dipping into their savings

Payroll deduction also allows for inclusiveness. In other words, because payments are deducted directly from a paycheck, employees with less than perfect credit, or lack of immediate cash savings, are not shut out of participating and purchasing. This is an extremely powerful point that many people forget. Imagine the embarrassment you can spare the employee who goes into a store to purchase an item only to be turned down for poor credit.

Finally, non-insurance voluntary benefits offer employees convenience, choice, and a way to save time. How nice would it be if employees could spend their weekends doing fun or educational things with their kids instead of shopping?

By providing tangible services and offering their employees the opportunity to purchase products through payroll deduction they are saying: “We care about you and want to help you get services you may not be able to get if you worked somewhere else. We also want to help you purchase responsibly by having an affordable payment option without having to rely on your credit cards.”

Bundling up some truly excellent non-insurance benefits with traditional voluntary benefits would go a far way in reminding a client just how valuable a broker can be.

You want to be certain that any company offering a non-insurance benefit can provide excellent customer service, cares about the employee’s best interest, and makes any transaction as seamless as possible. The last thing you want is an unhappy benefits manager – a situation that can put a hard won relationship on notice.

As healthcare reform takes hold, brokers will be scrambling to find a new pot of gold. The
non-insurance benefits market may be the answer.

Eric D Glickstein,

VP LutherSales Furniture & Appliances

60 Plant Avenue #2 Hauppauge, NY 11788

1-800-358-6466 x123

Since 1967, LutherSales Furniture & Appliances has been providing Fine Furniture, Mattresses, Computers, Appliances, Electronics and more through the ease of affordable low monthly payment plans or aggressive pre-payment discount programs. With over 2000 different products to choose from there is never a need to compromise your buying decisions.

Our 2nd generation family business was originally founded by Harvey Glickstein and ran successfully through 1992 when the Company was taken over by his two sons Scott Glickstein, President and Eric Glickstein, VP. Under the guidance of present ownership the company continues to build upon its roots of World Class Customer Service and its trademark “Luxury Made Easy”.

Today, in addition to our rich history as a premier retailer, LutherSales.com has developed the Ultimate Voluntary Employee Purchase Program in the Marketplace. Featuring name brands you know and trust like Broyhill Furniture, Ashley Home Furnishings, Stanley Furniture, American Drew, Lea, Simmons Mattress Company, Spring Air, Sony, Samsung, Apple, HP, GE, Whirlpool and more. At Luther, we empower the customer to purchase what they want on terms they can afford. Convenient extended payment plans through sponsored payroll deduction or customers may elect up to 1-year absolutely interest free with a 25% discount. Luther even offers additional discounts for customers who elect to pay in advance of delivery!

Tired of offering the same old voluntary benefits to your clients? Then we have the answer for you! Your Clients will truly embrace “Luxury Made Easy®”. Why wouldn’t they?

Improve Employee Lifestyle

Improve Morale in the Workplace

No Employer/Broker Liability

Absolutely No Costs

Absolutely No Enrollment Periods

FREE National In-Home Delivery and Set-up on All Furniture & Mattress Sets

Special Pricing & Terms not available to the general public

Extremely High Value Proposition

Perhaps the greatest benefit to you the broker is the flexibility and agility that comes with working and partnering with a 43-year old family business. For example, you get to the finish line and the employer loves the program but is not interested in sponsored payroll deduction? No problem, as a company specializing in the extension of easy in-house financing; we also accept voluntary direct deposit. That’s right! We have the answers to your most common objections.

Think outside of the box and add LutherSales.com, “The Ultimate Voluntary Employee Purchase Program” to your product mix! Provide the Good Life to the Employees of your Clients….Now that’s a Benefit.

See Us @ Worldat Work Total Reward Conference

Luther — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:30:34 +0000

LutherSales is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at the 2010 WorldatWork Total Rewards Conference from May 16-19 in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. Visit our virtual exhibit at www.worldatwork.org/waw/texas2010/attendee/virtual/html/v-luther.html

As we all know, 2010 will be like no other year. Benefits experts, HR professionals and work-life specialists are looking for bold, new ways to help their organizations recover from the global economic challenges of 2009. LutherSales’ Voluntary Employee Purchase Program can assist with some of those hardships! Our value added benefit is offered with no cost or liability, making it a great benefit for everyone – the Employee, the HR Department AND the Broker!

Employees will appreciate Luxury Made Easy with access to purchase fine furniture, appliances, mattresses, computers and more through direct deposit or payroll deduction. In today’s economy, many people are facing financial hardships and lack of credit worthiness. With our program, Employees are able to improve their lifestyle based on their employment status, not their credit. Employers are able to offer this benefit to their employees without any cost to them. Brokers are able to present new opportunities to their existing clients and generate new commissions.

Please come visit us at Booth #909. If you are unable to make it, shoot me an email – Ryann@LutherSales.com – and I will answer any questions you may have! See you there!

2010 SDVSHO ANNUAL CONFERENCE VENDOR SHOW

Luther — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:24:53 +0000

We are pleased to announce that
Luther Appliance & Furniture Sales (LutherSales.com)
will be exhibiting at the 2010 SDVSHO ANNUAL CONFERENCE VENDOR SHOW
Booth #201
Thursday April 29th
2PM – 7:30PM
at the AmericasMart
240 Peachtree Street, adjacent to the Westin Peachtree Hotel, Atlanta, GA

Ever heard of a fundraiser that gives you a check BEFORE the event? Now it’s easier than ever to meet your fundraising goals. Luthersales offers your employees a chance to purchase a vast array of name brand products with amazing discounts and affordable payment plans. This fundraiser is the only event of its kind in the nation.

Stop by Booth #201 and learn more about this exciting opportunity!

Come visit us at Booth #201 for your chance to win a
Nikon CoolPix Digital Camera! See you In Atlanta!

Contact Terry Weiss
www.luthersales.com

Terry Weiss, National Account Manager, Hospital Division

Luther — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:58:26 +0000

Luther Sales is excited to announce the hiring of Terry Weiss. Terry will be primarily responsible for adding new work-sites for our on-site fundraiser program focusing primarily on Hospitals and select Corporations as well as distribution of LutherSales.com to employer intranets. With the addition of Terry Weiss, we are committed to the supporting Employee Benefits Programs like Voluntary Employee Purchase Program using Luther Charge.

There is a great need in the marketplace for a comprehensive voluntary employee purchase program. Our program offers the customer multiple pricing options none more powerful than our easy credit and convenient payroll deduction program.

Ryann Smith, National Account Manager, Broker Division

Luther — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:46:46 +0000
Luthersales.com is excited to announce the hiring of Ryann Smith. Ryann will be primarily responsible for developing our producer program through the broker, HR, Employer, Union & Association marketplace. With the addition of Ryann Smith, we are committed to the … Continue reading →

Welcome to the Ultimate Nationwide Voluntary Employee Benefit Program

Luther — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:42:03 +0000

Welcome to the ultimate Nationwide voluntary employee benefit program that offers Luxury Made Easy with name brand furniture, appliances, electronics, computers and much more through payroll deduction or cash discounts. Generate passive income 365 days a year with no start-up costs.

Partner with LutherSales and become part of a dynamic team that will help build your business.

Generous commission program on every new sale

Earn residual income through our repurchase program

Promote a new and unique “door opening” voluntary benefit

Generate additional revenue on existing accounts

Full commission paid within 30 days of delivery

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… I: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… Dir: wait… I: wait… Robo: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…