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Considerations in Strategic Planning
According to Erica Olsen, the Virtual Strategist, there are 10 Common Pitfalls of strategic planning. These plans often lack: 1) Ownership; 2) Empowerment; 3) Accountability; 4) Communication; and 5) Are Removed from daily operations; 6) Are not aligned to the regular decision making process; 7) Are overwhelming; 8) Lack buy-in; 9) Are only conducted annually and 10) Are viewed as an event! Erica has a great set of short videos that my friend Steve Gladis, Ph.D of Steve Gladis Leadership brought to my attention. You may find them helpful in designing your own strategic planning sessions.
Taking the Pulse of Healthcare Reform
The law was designed with the intention that medical coverage will not only become affordable for every American, but by 2014 each American will be required to have coverage. In addition, employers will be faced with the “Pay or Play” decision in 2014, which simply means that employees will either be provided healthcare by their employer (the Play option) or coverage will have to be purchased through an Exchange on an after tax basis (the Pay option). If employers choose to “Pay” rather than “Play”, employees will be forced to purchase healthcare coverage somewhere else. The most recent changes that took place in 2011 include coverage for children up to the age of 26, removal of lifetime maximums from existing and new medical plans and no cost sharing for preventive healthcare. In addition, the exclusion of over the counter drugs paid by Flexible Spending accounts was enacted.
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Year-end seems to be a typical time when many organizations conduct their strategic planning process. An annual strategic plan sets organizational objectives and priorities for the coming year at a minimum. These plans will ideally address ‘Where are we now? Where are we going? and How are we going to get there?” I have seen executives get so excited about the planning process that they fail to implement an action strategy that is followed up with assignment of individual accountability.
When someone mentions healthcare reform what exactly are they referring to? This term has become synonymous with The Affordable Care Act that was signed into law March 2010 by President Obama. The law, which rolls out over the next few years with most changes occurring in 2014, is a common topic in America’s boardrooms as companies develop their strategic plans for future growth. The decisions made in these boardrooms over the next few years will provide the backdrop for the future of healthcare coverage in the workplace.| Issue 48| December 2011 |
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2012 Helios Apollo Awards Workshop: Innovative Development Practices — Join us for breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Tyson’s Corner on January 10 to hear past winners and judges share innovative practices and considerations in submitting a winning nomination. Helios will be collecting coats until December 31st — Helios is collecting winter coats to benefit those in need, in partnership with Reston Interfaith and the Hunter Mill District of Reston. New or "gently used" winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves in child and adult sizes are needed. Donations are tax deductible. If you would like to make a donation or have a collection bin placed in your office, please contact Natalie Oddenino at 703-860-3882 x102 or noddenino@helioshr.com. Helios will pick up your coats!
Helios provides human capital management consulting, outsourcing and recruiting solutions to attract, retain, develop and engage an organization’s "core" — its people. Additional information is available at www.helioshr.com
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