Leadership Perspectives

Turning Over Rocks with Executive Benefits

by Joe Carpenter
President, NFP Executive Benefits

When I was a kid growing up in the small town of Belton, TX, my parents used to tell us to “go out and turn over rocks.” You never know what you might find. There’s almost always something interesting underneath a rock. Executive Benefits is like that and it’s what keeps me here.

“It is more important to focus on the consequences of an event than on the probabilities of an event occurring.” – Peter Bernstein

Everything we do is about finding solutions to risks. It truly is more important to focus on the consequences when it comes to executive benefits. They may not happen, but if they do … well, that’s why we’re here — to make sure that there’s a solution in place for any unpleasant surprise. In addition to our local sales reps throughout the country, our executive benefits service teams are located in Atlanta, GA, Jamison, PA and Nashville, TN. We also have beneficial connections in New York.

In New York, NFP office Lenox Advisors has a complimentary executive benefits practice. While Lenox has both personal and corporate offerings, they offer a solution for clients looking for an advisor to work one-on-one with key senior level executives. We often work with Lenox Advisors to provide a full-service solution for our clients.

Problem Solvers Extraordinaire
When it comes to executive benefits or compensation planning, we solve problems for companies with highly compensated employees. Essentially, you can break executive benefits down into those three segments:

Living too long and not having a sufficient retirement
Dying too soon and not being able to fulfill what they feel like is their legacy to their family
Being sick and unable to work

Everything we design is centered on overcoming those issues. We help companies take care of key executives from hire to retire, finding the right tailored solutions for each situation.

Well-Suited Solutions
Working with executive benefits is always interesting in that each situation is different. Every company has a personality all its own and we have to recognize very quickly what their unique likes and dislikes are, and then adjust on the fly. There’s no such thing as pre-packaged solutions in executive benefits. That’s why it’s important that we get to know our clients and their unique needs. We customize everything.

Understanding > Selling
We deal with a company’s decision-makers and rather than “selling,” we ask questions so that we can understand what their objectives are. The most significant issue that we see lately is the inability to retain key employees. It’s expensive to lose strong talent. Companies need good people in order to maintain their level of growth in the marketplace. We help them focus on what they can do to keep their top talent with them and not their competition. It’s that simple. This is where we use our expertise to start to educate our clients.

Once their short-term and long-term goals are understood, we break it down into a customized plan of action that helps them determine the amount of money they’ll need, and how much they want to spend, etc. When it’s all said and done, the client’s employees stay, which makes the company grow, and this makes everyone – including us – happy and satisfied.

The Trust Is Built-In
It all starts with trust. Our relationships within our NFP offices and member firms enable advisors to send us their clients with executive benefits planning needs. The solid relationships they have with their clients allows us to inherit that well-established trust ourselves. So when we come in, the table’s already set.

We’re here to enhance these client relationships, to continue to grow the trust that they’ve built up. At the end of the day, we want that customer to turn around to their advisor and say “thank you so much for bringing in executive benefits to help us solve this problem.” We also send clients to other NFP offices that provide specialized services that we don’t offer. This circle of consulting benefits everybody — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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HR

Show Off Your Kids’ Talents with Our Holiday Artwork Card Contest

Does your child’s art belong on more than just your refrigerator? We’re always looking for new ways to recognize you and your families. This year, we’d like to showcase your child’s artwork on our company’s holiday cards. Be on the lookout for an email from Human Resources for contest guidelines and instructions for submitting your creative kiddo’s original art. Top winners will have bragging rights and their drawing featured on annual NFP holiday cards that can be ordered for your office. We can’t wait to see what your kids and their creativity produce!

Save Time with the PeopleFirst Portal Shortcut

Can’t remember the link to sign onto the PeopleFirst Portal? Don’t have it saved as a bookmark? We’ve got a quick-click solution for you, courtesy of Technology. They’ve uploaded a new shortcut to your desktop! If you don’t see the shortcut, but would like it, contact HR at humanresources@nfp.com. You’ll enjoy easier access to your employee information – such as pay stubs, tax information and time management – in addition to employee resources, company news and other useful links.

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RECOGNITION

Unsung Hero, Rosa Soria

Rosa Soria is a heavy-hitting account manager in San Jose, CA, who steps up to the plate regardless of the workload. When two producers left the company, Rosa was charged with renewing clients who required a change in stop-loss carrier and handling the renewals and open enrollment materials for hundreds of employees. Challenge accepted. Rosa worked hard to retain existing business and promote the sale of new business, all in addition to her usual duties. This is just one of many examples of Rosa’s proactivity and commitment to Team NFP.

When she’s not cheering on the San Francisco Giants at a baseball game, you can find Rosa relaxing with her family on the beach.

Unsung Hero, Amanda Humphries

Quick to lend a hand, Amanda Humphries consistently goes above and beyond for coworkers in every department in our Aliso Viejo, CA, office. As a systems development manager, she works closely with programmers in India and Texas, the RPAG support team, Operations, financial advisors, senior leaders, Marketing, the investment team and our flexPATH team — you know, basically everyone. A great manager leads by example, and Amanda is one of the best. Her hard work to make sure that everything’s done right is what makes her an unsung hero.

Amanda is an avid sports fan. She loves to vacation with her husband, and they attend many sporting events together.

Know an Unsung Hero? Submit a nomination form to humanresources@nfp.com.

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COMMUNITY

Peter Houston Represents the U.S. at Foreign Leadership Seminar

Congratulations to our system engineer Peter Houston, a kendo enthusiast, for being invited to represent the U.S. at this year’s Kitamoto Foreign Leadership Seminar in Kitamoto City, Japan. Kendo is a Japanese martial art in which practitioners use two-handed bamboo swords. Peter, a member of our Austin office, was chosen for this honor because of his skills and his efforts toward expanding the knowledge of kendo to those around him by volunteering to teach kendo skills to youth and adults.

Pictured: Peter Houston (second from left) and his students

Must Ministries Lunch Program Fills Hearts and Tummies

Employees in our Atlanta office made 300 lunches in June and another 300 in July for children who don’t have access to school lunches during the summer months. Almost 8,000 lunches were delivered on distribution day in Fulton County alone. That’s a lot of bread!

Must Ministries
L to R: Elizabeth Trenary, Donna Daniels, Sharon Morris, Glenda Morris, Cindy Dayton, Lucia Harper and Debbie Gilleland

Front Row (L to R): Kim Clarke, Glenda Morris and Beth Erwin.
Middle Row (L to R): Sharon Morris and Cindy McCollum
Back Row (L to R): Cindy Dayton, Elizabeth Trenary, Donna Daniels, Debbie Gilleland, Lucia Harper, Donna Davis, Heather Gerard and Wanda Leonard

Benefits Invitational Gives Education Grant to the Laguna Playhouse

Our company supported the arts with a $5,000 grant for Laguna Playhouse and its year-round education programs in Laguna Beach, CA. Founded as a community theatre in 1920, the playhouse is one of the oldest continuously operating, not-for-profit theaters on the West Coast. This grant will help provide innovative, high-quality arts education for approximately 5,000 youth in 2016.

Education Grant Laguna
L to R: Laguna Playhouse Chair Karyn Philippsen, NFP’s John Hohman, Director of Youth Theater Donna Inglima and NFP’s Nick Della Vedova

NFP and Group Force Benefits Host Charity Golf Classic

NFP collaborated with Group Force Benefits in Canada to host a charity golf event for Autism Speaks. The group enjoyed a round at the Copper Creek Golf Club in Vaughan, ON. More than 130 Canadian brokers and carrier representatives were in attendance, and we raised over $25,000 for Autism Speaks Canada!

Charity Golf Classic
L to R: Adam Favale, Carl Nelson, Marty Shaw and Sally Hagan

All Aces and Smiles at CORA for Kids Golf Classic

NFP was a proud sponsor of the CORA for Kids Golf classic, held at the Philmont Country Club in Huntington Valley, PA, this June. Company executives Doug Hammond, Ed O’Malley, Tim Robb, Jim Rowley, Jared Solomon and Elliot Weiss celebrated CORA’s 45 years of strengthening resiliency and building relationships with children and families. Attendees enjoyed a round of golf followed by a cocktail reception and dinner program led by Rob McElhenney, creator and writer of the television show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The evening concluded with a live auction, emceed by Rob’s wife and costar Kaitlin Olson. Sounds like they hit this once-in-a-lifetime experience just right.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Emergency Homeless Shelter Supply Drive Delivers

Employees from our Fort Washington, Jamison and Warrington, PA, offices donated cash and 12 boxes of supplies to the Family Services Association’s Emergency Homeless Shelter Supply Drive. The shelter provides emergency housing in Bucks County for individuals and families who have lost safe and stable housing.

Homeless Supply Drive
L to R: Susan Elliott, Nicole Flores, Kristina Marsten, Lisa Pascoe, Karen Dodd and Mary Bowser

L to R: Diane Reed, Charlene Gumkowski, Linda Mettler, Keli Hanley and Beth Loubet

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WELL-BEING

Two Ways to Step Out and Stomp Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious chronic condition that affects 25.8 million adults and children in the U.S. And one in four Americans has prediabetes. If uncontrolled, this condition will worsen into diabetes over time. As rates of obesity have risen over the last several decades, diabetes prevalence has also risen at alarming rates. In fact, what was once called “adult-onset” diabetes is now just called type 2 diabetes because so many children now have the disease. So what can you do about it?

One way to make a difference is to join our summer well-being challenge. The Vitality Step Out Walking Challenge is going on now through Aug. 19, and it’s not too late to join. If you haven’t already registered, sign into Vitality, go to the “Community” tab and click on “My Challenges.” Let’s get up and moving this summer while we raise awareness about diabetes. Not yet enrolled in Vitality? Sign up today and start your path to a healthier you!

Whether you’re enrolled in Vitality or not, another way to make an impact is to participate in Step Out Walk, an interactive event hosted by the American Diabetes Association that encourages participants to walk for their health. Events across the country offer fully supported routes (typically two to six miles) to give you a fun and safe experience. Register by visiting www.diabetes.org/stepout-nfp. Click on “Join a Team” to see if there’s an NFP team near you. No team in your area? Click “Create a Team” to start one. Check out this full list of events to see if there’s an event near you. If not, you can always register as a virtual walker online. Let’s get to stepping!

Questions about Step Out activities? Contact your local Vitality champ or Human Resources.

Festivities Galore at Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race

Employees from our Atlanta office participated in this year’s AJC Peachtree Road Race, one of the area’s premier Fourth of July traditions. Organized by Atlanta Track Club, this event – with its festive atmosphere, scenic city course and beloved finisher’s T-shirt – attracts 60,000 runners and walkers of all ages and abilities each year.

Atlanta Employees
L to R: Julie Alvis, Wanda Leonard, David Brown, Harold Jackson, Greg Justice, Donna Dravis and Erica Camp

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DEVELOPMENT

Mandatory Compliance Training Deadline Draws Near

We’re committed to conducting business ethically and to protecting the confidential data and privacy of our clients, partners and vendors. The 2016 compliance training is available through the NFP Compliance Education Center now through Aug. 15. The training is required for all employees and long-term contractors (90 days or more) and includes Cybersecurity Basics and Workplace Harassment training.

How to Access the Training

Training website: NFP Compliance Education Center
Username: Your six-digit NFP Employee ID number, which you can find on the PeopleFirst Portal under the Employee Summary section of the “Myself” tab; if you don’t have an Employee ID because you’re in our Puerto Rico, Canada or England offices, or because you’re a temporary employee or long-term contractor (90 days or more), log in using the email address on file with NFP as your username.
Password: Training

Don’t forget — you have until the end of day on Aug. 15 to complete your training. Thank you for your support of this important initiative.

Questions? Contact Human Resources.

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Regional Office & Platform News

CHRO Leadership Summit in the Windy City

NFP was a sponsor at the Evanta CHRO Leadership Summit in Chicago, which included some of Chicago’s leading employers. This unique event is held throughout many major U.S. cities by and for chief human resources officers (CHROs) of mid-to-large companies. Managing director Mike Schneider and SVP of HR Technologies and Benefit Administration Services Mark Rieder spoke with attendees about our benefits brokerage and benefits technology consulting practices. Our participation in this summit showcases NFP’s knowledge and skills to leading employers in this market, including many of our own clients.

CHRO Leadership Summit
Pictured: Mike Schneider and Mark Rieder

P&C Corporate Clients Get a Personal Umbrella Program

NFP has developed a new personal umbrella program for use with our P&C corporate clients that offers extremely competitive pricing and a simple online application process. With Ironshore as the primary insurance carrier, and several benefits, including its limits and ease, this highly competitive program is a significant value add that P&C can offer to a group of executives or partners, or to a firm’s clients.

Read a quick Q&A about the program’s benefits, how it’s administered and how the process works. The Q&A also outlines the program premiums, as compared to a typical individual policy premium, and details the enhanced coverage for all liability policy limits. In addition, you’ll learn about the program’s optional coverages and the target group size. This program is a true differentiator and opportunity to provide clients with a program they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

Questions? Contact Mike Carmody.

New Player on the Revenue Opportunity Field

The Corporate Development team just gained a new talented player. Please join us in welcoming Harris Tsangaris into his new role. Harris will be working with Eric Boester and Kyle Healy and will be responsible for driving integrated-selling initiatives in order to maximize revenue opportunities across our diverse offerings. In his new position, he’ll continue to support relationships within all divisions of our company. He’ll also assist our offices in developing strategic client relationships across all lines of business, with a focus on Property & Casualty.

Harris has been recognized by Business Insurance Magazine as one of the top 40 brokers under 40 and by Reactions Magazine as one of the top 50 risings stars in the insurance industry and has been quoted in USA Today, Bloomberg Business, PropertyCasualty360 and more.

He joined our family as part of the P&C division and has deep experience in directors and officers liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance, employment practices liability insurance, fiduciary liability insurance, crime insurance, cyberliability and privacy insurance, and was a key player in driving organic growth with placement and sales of new business P&C products. We can’t wait to see what kind of success Harris scores in his new role with us!

Say Hello to Our NFP Health Marketplace Manager

The Health Marketplace Manager currently provides public exchange services for Washington DC, the State of Rhode Island and the federal exchange out of our Braintree, MA office. When it comes to private exchanges, we handle everything for the health insurance carriers, such as a web portal for consumers and brokers, billing services, call center, live chat, renewals and paying broker commissions. We can definitely say that we have one of the best health benefits exchange platforms in the country.

So how does this help other offices within our company? Promoting and selling the platform allows us to work together on both the public and private exchange fronts. When we partner up together, other offices can benefit with sales revenue of products through the SHOP exchange in their particular state or through a private exchange offering for a small or midsized health insurance carrier. Envision a “shop now” button on a carrier’s website that sends all leads to you. There’s opportunity here for all of us — and to that we say “to our health!”

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Procurement

Travel in Style with Ovation Vacations

The travel season is upon us! As you make your vacation plans, we encourage you to take advantage of Ovation Vacations, the luxury travel division of Ovation Corporate Travel, which is dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences and insider access with incredible values. As a benefit of working with Ovation Corporate Travel, all NFP employees have access to Ovation’s best in-class services, including:

Leisure flight, car and hotel reservations
Cruise and vacation packages with discounts and amenities
Custom vacation planning
VIP concierge services
A dedicated vacation specialist
Travel insurance
Frequent flyer facilitation
24/7 trip monitoring

Ovation’s preferred partner status gives you access to exclusive benefits with its partners, including the Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood Elite, The Four Seasons, The Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, The Peninsula and more.

Explore the Ovation Vacations collection at ovationvacations.com. Book your vacation by contacting vacations@ovationtravel.com or 800-977-5893.

Happy travels!

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Marketing

Take Another Look at Our Company Fact Sheet

Our updated NFP Fact Sheet, a one-pager that tells a clear story of our company’s expertise and scale, is available in the Marketing Resource Library (MRL). Redesigned and updated with the latest information, the fact sheet is easy to download and print or send electronically to your clients. More than just the facts, it’s a fresh, new, colorful look at our company.

NFP Logo Shop’s August Sale Is Sizzling Hot

Mark your calendar and visit the NFP Logo Shop in August to stock up on NFP-branded apparel. All orders for select polos, T-shirts, pullovers, golf shirts and hats will be 15 percent off throughout August. Use the coupon code NFPAUG15 at checkout to score your summer savings.

Questions? Contact Matt Colombo.

Social Media

Get the word out on your office events, charitable efforts and employees’ professional achievements. Submit them to our rapidly growing Facebook and Twitter accounts:

Fill out the brief NFP Social Media Post Submission Form. The form is located on NFP Brand Central, where you’ll find tools and support you need for NFP-related branding, compliance, marketing and public relations.
Email the completed form and any related photos to communications@nfp.com.

Make sure you’re fully connected to NFP. Follow, friend and connect with us on social media!