By Janie Pritchett-Clark
SB Howard & Company provides benefits claims processing and adjusting services for self-insured companies. Known in the industry as a third party administrator, S.B Howard & Company has been in service in Northwest Arkansas for nearly 30 years. A third party administrator (TPA) is an organization that processes health claims. TPA’s handle claims processing traditionally handled by an insurance company. A self-funded (self-insured) company acts as its own carrier, undertaking its own risk and controlling its own benefits.
“Self-insuring your benefits is not for every company,” says Leesa Davis, owner of SB Howard & Company in Rogers. “It is good a fit for companies who have an exemplary concern for their employees’ benefits and a tenacious desire to control their expenditure in acquiring them.”
Why consider self-insurance?
“Being self-insured allows you to create benefits that are more suited to your specific group of employees,” explains Davis. “You’ll have a better understanding of what you are paying for – in detail. Your benefits can be specific or general, and reporting on use can be as detailed as needed. You will be able to adapt quickly to the marketplace, economics and staffing, and make changes that reflect those needs with immediacy. Your benefits evolve as your company evolves.
“Self-insurance is a risk,” Davis adds, “but one that can be calculated.” For many CEOs, CFOs or HR Directors considering the self-insured approach, detailing the right solution requires getting down to the nitty gritty of balancing risk with service.
The typical SB Howard client is a company of 150-plus employees and a human resource department continually saddled with the task of cutting health benefit costs. When CFOs realize, for example, that as a fully insured company they leave as much as $1 million on the table in three to five years, they often see how self-funded benefits can move them more adeptly into a secure future.
“That’s often how the conversation begins,” Davis explains. “It’s their money. They want control over how it’s spent and how well it’s spent.”
As a TPA, Davis and her team excel in providing an environment of integrity, accuracy and respect for every individual on their clients’ team. “Service is the only thing we sell,” she says. “Our service must add value to be of value.”
The challenge of employee and health care benefits today is in distilling the myriad of options and variables into a cost effective and care resplendent model both employer and employee can understand. In order for companies to seek and find the right solution, they need solid information and a sound strategy. They need a platform that is relevant and actionable for their employees.
The TPA is instrumental in defining that platform, but there are as many different methods as there are TPAs, Davis warns. To be effective, your TPA methodology needs to merge effortlessly into your accounting, so looking at how accounts are created will be essential – a good question to ask of any prospective firms.
“Be sure to ask about claims turnaround time, the number of dedicated processors and their degree of experience. Who will handle customer service, how and when it is available to your employees? How is the TPA revered among local providers and what relationships do they foster? What training do they provide clients and their employees? How are items reported and how often?” These are all important to the success of the TPA client relationship.
SB Howard & Company handles many aspects of employee benefit plans, including health, dental, vision, and Workers’ Compensation. Most employee benefit plans have highly technical aspects and specialized administration that make a TPA more cost effective than processing in house. At SB Howard & Company, a team of ten is dedicated to this service. Both the VP of Claims and VP of Workers’ Compensation have over 20 years experience in their field.
“The benefits solution doesn’t always have to be a decision of passing on costs or absorbing them,” says Davis. “Self-insuring is a way for employers to have a great deal of flexibility and control at the same time.”
Friday, June 26, 2009
NWA Business Conference & Expo
By Janie Pritchett-Clark
This year’s NWA Business Conference & Expo has morphed into something extraordinary. Combining two events into one – the Business Conference and the Business Expo – the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce has pooled contacts and connections to offer an event they call world-class, August 6.
This year’s event is a partnership with the Arkansas World Trade Center and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, and the Small Business Council at the Rogers-Lowell Chamber, and a number of familiar sponsors -- Sam’s Club, Your Community Phone Book, Cox Communications and Cherokee Casino.
Although still in the works at press time, conference plans call for seminars and presentations that cover three main areas: Small Business, General Business and International Business. The Expo will showcase more than 100 area businesses.The events and scheduling for the event were designed to accommodate busy business people of all industry and company size, with tickets ranging from $20 to $45. Admission to the Expo and After Hours, which is sponsored by Biz2Biz Northwest Arkansas are free.
Need inspiration in these trying times? Keynote speaker, Clyde Fessler, is not to be missed. Fessler is the former VP Business Development for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. His story is about marketing turning a company on the brink of bankruptcy into what has become one of the most recognized brands in the world.
Also held during lunch is the awarding of the Small Business of the Year, presented by the Small Business Council. This award goes to one of the 10 businesses previously honored as Small Business of the Month. Businesses that show exemplary stewardship in the community or workplace are recognized during the year. Considered for this year’s award are Chick-fil-A, The Job Guide, General Heating & Air, Back to Health Chiropractic, PROClean, Bradford Nursery, Rick McLeod-Farmers Insurance, ARtech PC, World Garden, and Cameron Smith & Associates.
While still under construction, information on tickets, all-access passes, booths, sponsorships and details will be available at www.NWABusiness.org. Or contact the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce at 479-636-1240.
This year’s NWA Business Conference & Expo has morphed into something extraordinary. Combining two events into one – the Business Conference and the Business Expo – the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce has pooled contacts and connections to offer an event they call world-class, August 6.
This year’s event is a partnership with the Arkansas World Trade Center and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, and the Small Business Council at the Rogers-Lowell Chamber, and a number of familiar sponsors -- Sam’s Club, Your Community Phone Book, Cox Communications and Cherokee Casino.
Although still in the works at press time, conference plans call for seminars and presentations that cover three main areas: Small Business, General Business and International Business. The Expo will showcase more than 100 area businesses.The events and scheduling for the event were designed to accommodate busy business people of all industry and company size, with tickets ranging from $20 to $45. Admission to the Expo and After Hours, which is sponsored by Biz2Biz Northwest Arkansas are free.
Need inspiration in these trying times? Keynote speaker, Clyde Fessler, is not to be missed. Fessler is the former VP Business Development for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. His story is about marketing turning a company on the brink of bankruptcy into what has become one of the most recognized brands in the world.
Also held during lunch is the awarding of the Small Business of the Year, presented by the Small Business Council. This award goes to one of the 10 businesses previously honored as Small Business of the Month. Businesses that show exemplary stewardship in the community or workplace are recognized during the year. Considered for this year’s award are Chick-fil-A, The Job Guide, General Heating & Air, Back to Health Chiropractic, PROClean, Bradford Nursery, Rick McLeod-Farmers Insurance, ARtech PC, World Garden, and Cameron Smith & Associates.
While still under construction, information on tickets, all-access passes, booths, sponsorships and details will be available at www.NWABusiness.org. Or contact the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce at 479-636-1240.
Massage Wellness: Give your people a perk of health
By Janie Pritchett-Clark
There’s more to health benefits than Blue Cross Blue Shield. Healthy employees (and bosses) are people who have learned how to juggle work, family and personal demands on their time, energy and patience.
We’ve long accepted the idea that massage therapy moves mountains of stress in all three areas, and yet, nearly three out of five working Americans are not receiving massage on a regular basis.
What are you waiting for? How about a $25 coupon? Read on.
Healthcare providers are increasingly promoting the benefits of massage to their patients. And consumers are in favor of integrating massage into their healthcare. Sounds like win-win that creates a multi-tasking employee benefit – making your employees feel good and feel good about you.
According to Alicia Kerr, therapist-owner at Massage Wellness in Lowell, the use of massage is growing and the reasons people are turning to massage therapy are expanding. Corporations are looking a massage as a regular employee benefit.
“More and more people recognize it as an important element in their overall health and wellness,” says Kerr, a native of Hawaii and proponent of the unique and unusual Lomilomi style of massage. Kerr promotes ten reasons to receive massage – from reliving pain and stress to improving mental and physical health. Her clients says they love massage to “get away from work, the kids, housework, and take an hour or so just for me!”
Massage Wellness employs three licensed massage therapists: Kerr, Shane, and Monica. Shane also lived in Hawaii and apprenticed with practitioners whose healing craft has been passed on through the generations.
Monica is a transplant from Texas, and like most Texans, aims for a bigger than life experience – namely total and complete relaxation. “My intention is to make a difference in my client’s mind, body, and spirit,” she says.
Kerr was born and raised on the island of Oahu, and grew her roots to massage early. Her grandmother and father were proponents of alternative health as a way of life. Her massage center reflects her heritage of the island.
“Imagine a place where indigenous influences and spa practices from around the world come together to deliver calm relief from the everyday,” says Kerr. While some massages centers deliver with an assembly-line technique, Massage Wellness takes a holistic approach. “Before each session, we freshly blend pure raw, organic coconut and kukui oil,” says Kerr. These oils are known for their curative properties in building up the immune system, energy and soothing aches and pains. She recommends clients add Aromatherapy to their sessions for added benefit.
Try it. Massage Wellness in Lowell is offering a special deal to Biz2Biz readers who book any one-hour Specialty Massage. Mention this and get a $25 discount if you are a new client. Book online with code as Biz2Biz-65 and receive a gift certificate for a clay mask and facial massage or a foot scrub and foot massage – a $65 value! Offer expires August 31, 2009.
There’s more to health benefits than Blue Cross Blue Shield. Healthy employees (and bosses) are people who have learned how to juggle work, family and personal demands on their time, energy and patience.
We’ve long accepted the idea that massage therapy moves mountains of stress in all three areas, and yet, nearly three out of five working Americans are not receiving massage on a regular basis.
What are you waiting for? How about a $25 coupon? Read on.
Healthcare providers are increasingly promoting the benefits of massage to their patients. And consumers are in favor of integrating massage into their healthcare. Sounds like win-win that creates a multi-tasking employee benefit – making your employees feel good and feel good about you.
According to Alicia Kerr, therapist-owner at Massage Wellness in Lowell, the use of massage is growing and the reasons people are turning to massage therapy are expanding. Corporations are looking a massage as a regular employee benefit.
“More and more people recognize it as an important element in their overall health and wellness,” says Kerr, a native of Hawaii and proponent of the unique and unusual Lomilomi style of massage. Kerr promotes ten reasons to receive massage – from reliving pain and stress to improving mental and physical health. Her clients says they love massage to “get away from work, the kids, housework, and take an hour or so just for me!”
Massage Wellness employs three licensed massage therapists: Kerr, Shane, and Monica. Shane also lived in Hawaii and apprenticed with practitioners whose healing craft has been passed on through the generations.
Monica is a transplant from Texas, and like most Texans, aims for a bigger than life experience – namely total and complete relaxation. “My intention is to make a difference in my client’s mind, body, and spirit,” she says.
Kerr was born and raised on the island of Oahu, and grew her roots to massage early. Her grandmother and father were proponents of alternative health as a way of life. Her massage center reflects her heritage of the island.
“Imagine a place where indigenous influences and spa practices from around the world come together to deliver calm relief from the everyday,” says Kerr. While some massages centers deliver with an assembly-line technique, Massage Wellness takes a holistic approach. “Before each session, we freshly blend pure raw, organic coconut and kukui oil,” says Kerr. These oils are known for their curative properties in building up the immune system, energy and soothing aches and pains. She recommends clients add Aromatherapy to their sessions for added benefit.
Try it. Massage Wellness in Lowell is offering a special deal to Biz2Biz readers who book any one-hour Specialty Massage. Mention this and get a $25 discount if you are a new client. Book online with code as Biz2Biz-65 and receive a gift certificate for a clay mask and facial massage or a foot scrub and foot massage – a $65 value! Offer expires August 31, 2009.
nwaMotherlode.com: Local Entrepreneur Taps ‘Word of Mom’ for Business
It’s no secret the mom-to-mom conversations that used to take place over the back fence now occur online. Time constraints mean strong connections are being formed online. This might not be remarkable to business owners, until they realize this: when one plugged-in mother “talks” there are many others in cyberspace who are listening.
Women are making most of the purchasing decisions–not just for themselves or their families, but in business, too. As a current study notes, when women talk to each other, they put a lot of stock in each other’s recommendations. And that can mean financial gains for businesses that earn a positive “word of mom” endorsement.
Recently, Mom Central Consulting, which works with over 100 national brands, surveyed mom bloggers on, among other things, the influence they have over corporate America.
The conversation just keeps grow¬ing. So-called “mom blogs” and Web sites catering to women– like locally-owned nwaMotherlode.com– are part of a growing trend.
A recent New York Times article reported that women-centered Web sites grew faster than every other category on the Web except politics.
“I wanted to start Motherlode because it combined my two passions: motherhood and the Internet,” said Shannon Magsam, co-founder of nwaMotherlode.com, a site based in Northwest Arkansas.
“I was burning the midnight oil reading my favorite bloggers and women-centered Web sites, but there wasn’t a site like Motherlode that catered to women in my community. I wanted to connect women in Northwest Arkansas in a social media setting.”
Magsam, and her business partner, Gwen Rockwood, offer more than an avenue for advertising. NWAMotherlode.com affords businesses a foray into social media through advertising and that coveted mom-to-mom recommendation. The two entrepreneurs discuss local businesses, products and non-profits on the site and all advertisers receive a “welcome to the website” article.
With time a precious commodity, moms enjoy being able to research products and services on the Web and they especially like hearing about the merits from someone like them – another busy business mom.
Women are making most of the purchasing decisions–not just for themselves or their families, but in business, too. As a current study notes, when women talk to each other, they put a lot of stock in each other’s recommendations. And that can mean financial gains for businesses that earn a positive “word of mom” endorsement.
Recently, Mom Central Consulting, which works with over 100 national brands, surveyed mom bloggers on, among other things, the influence they have over corporate America.
The conversation just keeps grow¬ing. So-called “mom blogs” and Web sites catering to women– like locally-owned nwaMotherlode.com– are part of a growing trend.
A recent New York Times article reported that women-centered Web sites grew faster than every other category on the Web except politics.
“I wanted to start Motherlode because it combined my two passions: motherhood and the Internet,” said Shannon Magsam, co-founder of nwaMotherlode.com, a site based in Northwest Arkansas.
“I was burning the midnight oil reading my favorite bloggers and women-centered Web sites, but there wasn’t a site like Motherlode that catered to women in my community. I wanted to connect women in Northwest Arkansas in a social media setting.”
Magsam, and her business partner, Gwen Rockwood, offer more than an avenue for advertising. NWAMotherlode.com affords businesses a foray into social media through advertising and that coveted mom-to-mom recommendation. The two entrepreneurs discuss local businesses, products and non-profits on the site and all advertisers receive a “welcome to the website” article.
With time a precious commodity, moms enjoy being able to research products and services on the Web and they especially like hearing about the merits from someone like them – another busy business mom.
Moxie/Clark Marketing: Putting your best foot forward
“It always amazes me how many businesses step off the curb without ever looking at what’s coming straight at them,” says Janie Clark, a 27-year veteran of the advertising and marketing industry. “I’m convinced they don’t do it out of spite. They do it because they’re deer caught in the headlights on a dark and winding road.”
“That’s more melodrama than anyone needs to deal with,” says Jacqueline Wolven, who partners with Clark on special marketing projects and assignments. Their latest is a strategic marketing plan for small business. “We hope to show small business owners there is another way to approach their marketing that’s smart, strategic, easy to understand and easy to implement.”
Billed as Moxie/Cark Marketing, the two are pairing up to create customized 12-month marketing plans that blueprint marketing activity, sales, budgeting, branding, community relations and web PR.
“The idea has really been a long time coming,” admits Wolven, who works with clients throughout the United States and Canada. “I see smart business owners struggling to make sense of marketing options. They’re too small to be served by traditional advertising agencies and too precious to leave on the side of the road. They are the backbone of our economy, and some of the best-run businesses in the world.”
Jacqueline Wolven brings her corporate skills down to earth for small businesses. With 15 years of experience she is dedicated to the success and economic development capabilities of small businesses by empowering them with smart marketing.
By creating a low-risk offer, Moxie/Clark hope to help business owners cut through the clutter and focus on the things that really matter to their business and customers. Opportunities to stand out from the crowd exist everywhere, and with proper planning, any good business can fill the void between smart business and smart marketing.
“That’s more melodrama than anyone needs to deal with,” says Jacqueline Wolven, who partners with Clark on special marketing projects and assignments. Their latest is a strategic marketing plan for small business. “We hope to show small business owners there is another way to approach their marketing that’s smart, strategic, easy to understand and easy to implement.”
Billed as Moxie/Cark Marketing, the two are pairing up to create customized 12-month marketing plans that blueprint marketing activity, sales, budgeting, branding, community relations and web PR.
“The idea has really been a long time coming,” admits Wolven, who works with clients throughout the United States and Canada. “I see smart business owners struggling to make sense of marketing options. They’re too small to be served by traditional advertising agencies and too precious to leave on the side of the road. They are the backbone of our economy, and some of the best-run businesses in the world.”
Jacqueline Wolven brings her corporate skills down to earth for small businesses. With 15 years of experience she is dedicated to the success and economic development capabilities of small businesses by empowering them with smart marketing.
By creating a low-risk offer, Moxie/Clark hope to help business owners cut through the clutter and focus on the things that really matter to their business and customers. Opportunities to stand out from the crowd exist everywhere, and with proper planning, any good business can fill the void between smart business and smart marketing.
IGS: Awareness Creates Knowledge and Knowledge Creates Change
By CD White
Michael Padurano, Founder and CEO of the International Green Summit, is committed to the principle that Awareness Creates Knowledge and Knowledge Creates Change.
“I like to use capitals for Awareness, Create and Change in that slogan,” Padurano says, “because they are such important words when you stop to think about what needs to happen on a global level. People want to help, but without knowing what they can do and what’s out there, how can we expect anyone to really make a change?”
The philosophy that education should be the driving force behind advancing the Green Movement is in turn the driving force behind Padurano’s concept for the International Green Summit (IGS).
The goal of IGS is to bring together companies, inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs to showcase the products and technology being developed and introduced today to help create a better tomorrow. The five-day event will be held in Europe, but exact dates, speakers and location will be made known only when all contracts are finalized. Nonetheless, the event already has support from 25 countries and will be simulcast on television and the Internet.
Speakers have been chosen who are charismatic and forward-thinking, and likely to deliver a keynote that will leave an impact. Leaders in the environmental issues sector such as Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens, and others, are possibles.
The IGS project has been a long time dream for Padurano, who has worked tirelessly to build a team with decades of “real world” experience to bring it into fruition.
The International Green Summit is not just a platform for products and services from progressive companies throughout the world. Its underlying, and most important, purpose is to educate the average global consumer about the benefits of joining the “Green Movement” in terms he/she can understand, and help consumers realize how a simple decision to buy environmentally-safe products and services can have a much larger impact than they previously realized.
“Going Green” is more than just a movement; it is a responsibility of every single human being, and every single company worldwide.
Michael Padurano, Founder and CEO of the International Green Summit, is committed to the principle that Awareness Creates Knowledge and Knowledge Creates Change.
“I like to use capitals for Awareness, Create and Change in that slogan,” Padurano says, “because they are such important words when you stop to think about what needs to happen on a global level. People want to help, but without knowing what they can do and what’s out there, how can we expect anyone to really make a change?”
The philosophy that education should be the driving force behind advancing the Green Movement is in turn the driving force behind Padurano’s concept for the International Green Summit (IGS).
The goal of IGS is to bring together companies, inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs to showcase the products and technology being developed and introduced today to help create a better tomorrow. The five-day event will be held in Europe, but exact dates, speakers and location will be made known only when all contracts are finalized. Nonetheless, the event already has support from 25 countries and will be simulcast on television and the Internet.
Speakers have been chosen who are charismatic and forward-thinking, and likely to deliver a keynote that will leave an impact. Leaders in the environmental issues sector such as Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens, and others, are possibles.
The IGS project has been a long time dream for Padurano, who has worked tirelessly to build a team with decades of “real world” experience to bring it into fruition.
The International Green Summit is not just a platform for products and services from progressive companies throughout the world. Its underlying, and most important, purpose is to educate the average global consumer about the benefits of joining the “Green Movement” in terms he/she can understand, and help consumers realize how a simple decision to buy environmentally-safe products and services can have a much larger impact than they previously realized.
“Going Green” is more than just a movement; it is a responsibility of every single human being, and every single company worldwide.
Applied Ecological Services: Reinvest, Reassemble, Restore
By Janie Pritchett-Clark
“There is a better way,” says Steven Apfelbaum, internationally renowned leader in ecological system restoration and conservation development. “We have to change the way we behave. We have to make better decisions. It’s not more expensive, or more difficult, but it is more complex.”
Making progress in today’s world doesn’t require war with nature, or its domination. It doesn’t necessarily require more money, resources or time. With planning and applied technology, ecological and conservation design principles, the developments we make in our communities can be places of the heart. They can be environments that actually increase ecological functionality, improve public perception and generate award-winning outcomes – all while saving money in the short and long term.
These places of the heart are real. “If you gave the people of your community a heart sticker and a map of the area and asked them to mark their favorite places – their places of the heart – you would see them drawn to parks, open spaces, town squares, rivers and reservoirs,” Apfelbaum says. “You wouldn’t see hearts at buildings, commercial areas or retail centers. These nature places are the glue of our communities.”
As founder, president, and senior ecologist of Applied Ecological Services based in Wisconsin, Apfelbaum has conducted ecological research, designed award-winning projects, navigated regulatory programs and contributed his unique scientific expertise to over 1,500 projects throughout North America and beyond. He has been involved in the industry for over 30 years.
“Back then,” he says, “‘tree hugger’ was the nicest thing people called you.” Today he is a leading ecological consultant who provides technical restoration advice where ecological and land-development conflicts arise.
Apfelbaum, a sought after speaker in environmental event circles, is a featured speaker at the NWA Green Expo. His recently published book, Nature’s Second Chance, is available at Sam’s Club and Walmart. He will be at Sam’s Club in Fayetteville, Thursday, May 7, to autograph copies of the book Publishers Weekly calls a “page-turner for nature lovers.”
“There is a better way,” says Steven Apfelbaum, internationally renowned leader in ecological system restoration and conservation development. “We have to change the way we behave. We have to make better decisions. It’s not more expensive, or more difficult, but it is more complex.”
Making progress in today’s world doesn’t require war with nature, or its domination. It doesn’t necessarily require more money, resources or time. With planning and applied technology, ecological and conservation design principles, the developments we make in our communities can be places of the heart. They can be environments that actually increase ecological functionality, improve public perception and generate award-winning outcomes – all while saving money in the short and long term.
These places of the heart are real. “If you gave the people of your community a heart sticker and a map of the area and asked them to mark their favorite places – their places of the heart – you would see them drawn to parks, open spaces, town squares, rivers and reservoirs,” Apfelbaum says. “You wouldn’t see hearts at buildings, commercial areas or retail centers. These nature places are the glue of our communities.”
As founder, president, and senior ecologist of Applied Ecological Services based in Wisconsin, Apfelbaum has conducted ecological research, designed award-winning projects, navigated regulatory programs and contributed his unique scientific expertise to over 1,500 projects throughout North America and beyond. He has been involved in the industry for over 30 years.
“Back then,” he says, “‘tree hugger’ was the nicest thing people called you.” Today he is a leading ecological consultant who provides technical restoration advice where ecological and land-development conflicts arise.
Apfelbaum, a sought after speaker in environmental event circles, is a featured speaker at the NWA Green Expo. His recently published book, Nature’s Second Chance, is available at Sam’s Club and Walmart. He will be at Sam’s Club in Fayetteville, Thursday, May 7, to autograph copies of the book Publishers Weekly calls a “page-turner for nature lovers.”
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