Whether it’s time for a new wellness initiative or an overhaul of your 401(k) plan, getting the top brass on board requires HR and benefits pros to speak the language of finance — and deliver the message quickly.
Members of the executive suite rarely have much time to spare, making it critical that you make your point fast.
Here’s a three-step strategy you can use to consistently grab execs’ attention quickly and garner a budgetary thumbs up:
Step 1: Stress the big-picture strategy
It’s essential to begin by showing the top brass that you’re thinking strategically about adding to the company’s bottom line.
One way: Research wellness programs companies similar to yours have used, and provide actual figures on how much they’ve saved on health care as a result of their wellness initiatives.
Step 2: Focus on the quick returns
The bottom-line concern of the top brass is just that: the bottom line.
So make sure you have solid numbers on when your new program will start to see a return on the company’s investment.
Example: If you’re proposing an investment in smoking cessation, provide research showing how companies with similar programs are seeing fewer medical claims in year one.
Step 3: Keep their attention
C-level execs usually aren’t all that interested in the small details of the program — plan design, administration issues, etc.
To keep their interest, only tell them the highlights of your plans.
Example: Tell them that you’ll reward wellness participants — but leave out details like who’ll keep track of those who participate.
