The Benefits of Coporate Wellness Programs for Employers

Employers who want lower insurance rates and productive, healthy employees should consider the benefits of corporate wellness programs. If you are paying for too many sick days, or you want to increase productivity, or you just want your good employees to live longer, then consider why corporate fitness is right for your company.


Fitness lowers healthcare costs - When employees are encouraged to exercise more and eat less, they will have longer, healthier work periods. They won't get sick as often, and they will have more energy. Women who lift weights are less likely to develop degenerative bone diseases such as osteoporosis, and laborers lifting heavy loads will benefit from resistance training as well. When employees use their lunch breaks to exercise instead of eat, or when coffee breaks are used for a quick walk instead of a quick smoke, everyone's health improves!
Fit employees are more productive - Studies show that exercise boosts brain function. So not only does fitness lower healthcare costs, but healthy employees are smarter, too! When you exercise, your breathe harder and deeper. All that extra oxygen stimulates your brain. Employees on wellness programs will seek out a runner's high instead of other "highs" to make it through their workdays. Healthy employees have more stamina and strength. And don't forget that when a person determines to take care of himself, he is more able to take care of others.
Employees want corporate fitness programs - Employers implementing wellness programs have one more benefit to offer prospective employees. When you offer corporate wellness packages as part of your benefits package, you become a magnet for "well" applicants. If you want healthy applicants and healthy employees, you have to provide a corporate fitness program.

Employees on wellness programs show gratitude - When fitness for employess is readily accessible, unhealthy employees are more likely to turn their lives around. A dispirited, obese office worker who has access to an on-site gym or online nutrition counselor will start making better choices. Not only will your business blossom, so will your employees! You will be responsible for a happier, healthier workforce. Your employees will appreciate you more for providing a safe, healthy environment for them, and they will work harder for you.

Fitness for employees is fun - Giving your employees permission to visit a specific online health site during work hours is not a waste of time! They will enjoy the little breaks and fun, helpful information, and you will enjoy the benefits of corporate wellness on your business quality. Some employers go so far as to install a small workout facility for their employees, and that creates even more fun and fitness!

As an employer, you have a business to run, and you want to turn out quality products. You can't do that without quality employees. When you become one of the growing number of employers implementing wellness programs, you will see why corporate fitness lowers healthcare costs and you will be pleased with how your fit employees are more productive. Just think: If you get one or two more hours of quality work out of each of your employees on wellness programs, that alone will be worth this investment!

The Benefits of Corporate Wellness for Employees

In a down economy the simple act of finding employment is a full-time job, but job seekers should still consider the benefits of corporate wellness programs when looking at any job offer. Consider why corporate fitness is a good benefit as part of your salary. Why should you look for employers implementing wellness programs? And what can a corporate wellness program provide for you?


Employees on wellness programs are more valuable. Exercising improves your mental abilities and focus. Working out will give you more endurance, not just for your job but for your life outside of work, too. Studies show that exercising three times a day for 10 minutes yields similar benefits to exercising just once for 30 minutes. So apply with employers implementing wellness activities and websites, and use your coffee breaks to get healthy!
Fit employees are more productive. You want a job that helps you succeed. You aren't the kind of person to slack off, and you want to earn your keep. With layoffs looming, the most productive employees avoid the pink slip. It may seem counter-intuitive, but taking a walk when you are low on energy will actually release more energy. If you work in a healthful place, then instead of running for that coffee or soda - or falling asleep on your computer - you will be encouraged to grab a healthy snack and do some desk exercises to stay alert.

Fitness lowers healthcare costs. Even if your new job also includes a good insurance package, you may still have to meet deductibles or pay portions of your doctor's office visits. It stands to reason that the less time you spend at the doctor or in the hospital means lower bills. If your employer understands why corporate fitness is crucial to his bottom line, he will encourage your health in any way possible. Corporate fitness programs reduce sick days and boost productivity. That is nothing but good news for you and your boss.

Fitness for employees is fun! Total wellness isn't just about exercising and eating nutritious foods. It's also about mental and emotional health. It's been proven that exercise increases happy hormones in the body. Lifting weights or going for a run gives you an endorphin high that lasts for hours. Employees on wellness programs are less likely to suffer from depression, debilitating disease, and relationship problems. When you take advantage of the benefits that corporate wellness programs provide, you will be able to enjoy life and have more fun while on the job.

So if you come across a job opportunity that includes an online corporate wellness program, group fitness program or local club discount, don't turn it down! When you go in for that first interview, and you ask about benefits, don't forget to ask if the company supports fitness for employees. The most ideal situation is an on-site workout room or gym that is staffed with trained personnel and access to an online corporate wellness program. It's just one more way for you to get paid.

What Should Corporate Wellness Programs Provide?

If you are a health-conscious employer, then you know that your fit employees are more productive, that fitness lowers healthcare costs, and that if you could put all of your employees on wellness programs then you would boost your bottom line. As you begin shopping for an on-site or online program, you should first understand why corporate fitness works and what corporate wellness programs should provide.
Here is a simple list that will help you determine what your company needs. On a basic level, the corporate fitness program you choose should offer many incentives to motivate your employees. Employers should look for a program that ...
Offers expert solutions to all health issues - Total wellness is multi-dimensional and includes mental, emotional and spiritual health as well as physical health. Corporate wellness and fitness programs lower healthcare costs because healthy people have less stress and manage what little stress they do have. Workers with high stress have 46% higher medical bills, and the annual economic cost of depression in 1995 was $600 per depressed worker. Employers implementing wellness in the workplace should be sure the program includes a psychosocial component.

Helps employees set personal goals - Employees on wellness programs can be presented with fact after fact, but if they aren't given the means to apply their new knowledge, then it goes in one ear and out the other. If you want to offer your employees online access to health, make sure you choose a program that motivates and encourages them to set attainable and measurable goals. Your wellness program should also include an easy way to track their progress.

Provides fitness plans catering to various individuals - You pride yourself in your company's diversity. Your workers come in all colors, shapes and personalities, and this means they also have different health concerns. The corporate fitness program you purchase needs to meet each of your employees on an individual level. African-American women have different risk factors than Hispanic males. Your Caucasion secretary might be thin but malnourished compared to another, more obese worker. When corporate wellness programs provide personalized attention, your employees are more likely to succeed.

Offers clear and easy to follow nutrition guidelines - Nutrition is a huge part of wellness. You might incite a revolt if you remove the candy and pop machines without warning, but if your employees start understanding why corporate fitness and health are important, perhaps they'll be the ones leaving the junk machines on the loading docks. Educate and raise awareness through access to health recipes, meal planners, and nutrition information and your employees will thank you.

Has a healthy living forum - Of the many benefits of corporate wellness websites, the ability to connect employees to talk and ask questions about their health is vital. When your employees have your permission to utilize online tools in their journey toward wholeness, that gift will come back to you. It is not a waste of time to allow your workers to better themselves. After all, when you have the privilege of managing high quality people, it is infinitely easier to turn out a product of high quality.

Funding a Fitness Business

Starting your own fitness business can definitely be an exciting proposition. However, finding funding for it may not be so. In fact, it can be a very stressful task.

Starting a fitness business, whether opening a gym or a complete fitness center, requires a huge outlay of funds. So, before you start looking for funding, the first thing you need to do is prepare a business plan. The business plan must include all the details of your fitness business, from the type of fitness equipment you intend to have to the place you plan to open or rent your fitness center.

Doing this will give you a clear idea about the kind of funding you will require. However, starting a fitness business is not the only time you require funding. You will also need it if you plan to expand your existing business.

There are many different types of fitness businesses in existence these days such as full-fledged business centers, one on one personal training, cardio, boxing, yoga, aerobics and various others. The kind of funding you require will depend on the type of fitness business you wish to start.

When you think of starting your own fitness business, you should be ready to spend your own money. If you can't put up your own money, try to convince friends and family to invest in your fitness business venture. If you are unable to do that also, don't worry. Today, there are various options available to those who need funding for their fitness business ventures:

1. Banks: Banks usually approve large business loans. Simple loans are an excellent source of funding if you have the appropriate security to borrow against. Normally, banks look for a good business plan, great credit rating score and security. Once the risk of your venture is assessed, the terms and conditions are laid down. With the current popularity of fitness and health centers, it should not be difficult to procure a loan through a bank for a fitness business.
2. Mortgage: You can also raise funds for your fitness business through your mortgage. The advantage of obtaining funding through a mortgage is that they offer flexible repayment options as per your business needs.
3. Minority Business Grants: You can obtain as much as $50,000 for your fitness business using minority business grants. The main advantage of funding your fitness business venture using these grants is that they don't need to be paid back like conventional loans. Grants are provided by certain government agencies as tax-free cash awards. However, you must have a foolproof business plan to get approved for these grants. To increase your chance of receiving the grant, get them written professionally.
4. Administrations: There are various administrations and agencies that either work under the federal government or privately. They are dedicated to providing loans to people who are interested in starting their own fitness business.
5. Private lenders: If everything else fails, you can approach private moneylender to fund your fitness business.

Wellness and fitness industries have the fastest growing markets today. Thus, funding a fitness business start up should not be difficult.

Finding the Right People

There comes a point in the life or our business that we find oursleves needing to hire staff. Typically, that is a good thing because it signals that our business is growing. However, finding, hiring and keeping qualified employees and/or independant contractors is no walk in the park as many business owners will tell you. It requires a lot of research and planning because of how crucial your employees and or I.C.'s will be to the success of your business.



Putting together a team that has the right skills provides your business with an opportunity to grow and to meet its challenges head on. It's not an exaggeration to say that the right people in the right jobs can provide your with a distinct competitive advantage. Which brings us back to the point we just made--hiring the right people takes time and effort.



To increase your chances of hiring the right people, consider following these steps:

1. Take a good hard look at your business structure and budget before you decide to hire someone. Ask yourself some objective questions such as" do you really need additional personnel for the long term? Are you experiencing an increase in work load that will only last for a short period of time or do you expect it to continue? Can you afford to hire additional staff? This includes not just the salary aspect, but also fringe benefits and federal, state and local taxes assoicate with hiring someone.


2. Develop a clear idea of what you want that person to do and the job qualifications they should have. From this, you will be able to create a concreate job description that can guide you through the interview process.


3. Create an advertising and recruiting strategy that will allow you to find the right person for the job. This means you need to determine which advertising avenues will yield the best candidates. For example, if you are perateing on a limited budget are you more likely to find qualifiied candidates for the position of a certified personal trainer in your local newspaper classifieds or through the web?


4. Confirm that you have selected the right person for the job. Often overlooked but extremely important is the need to perform those all important reference and education checks.


5. Ensure that all parties understand the terms of employment. Draft a letter of employment that outlines any terms and conditions of employment to avoid any misunderstandings that may occur down the line.


6. Finally, orientate your new employee and provide ongoing training and support. Again, this is another often overlooked area. Do not stop with a simple walk around your facility or an introduction to other employees. Providing ongoing educational opportunities is not just an investment in your employee, but an investment in your business.

While it may sound corny, it holds true...our employees/I.C.'s are our greatest assets. Treating them with respect and providing guidance and assistance so that they can grow both professionally and personally contributes to our own business success. And, that's something we can all appreciate.

The Impact of Healthcare

During the business training for Achieve Fitness USA Licensing Program we talk about a variety of topics and programs. One of the programs available is a corporate wellness program. In our discussions about corporate wellness we discuss this from three aspects:

1) The company
2) The employee
3) The potential employee

The Company Aspect

Companies are looking for additional ways to cut cost and reduce expenses. In regards to health care the average cost has more than doubled from $4,793 in 2001 to $11,058 in 2010. This is a huge expense for companies. Many companies who have 50 or more employees now offer some sort of wellness program. Companies are seeing a huge return on investment by implementing a wellness program. For every dollar spent they save three dollars. With this sort of incentive companies are putting pressure on their employees to activity participate in the wellness programs being made available. In fact some companies are even penalizing employees who are participating in the wellness programs. Some companies are penalizing through increased premium rates or an annual surcharge.

The Employee

Employees are feeling the pressure to pursue a healthier lifestyle and manage their chronic health conditions. The pursuit of a healthier lifestyle includes losing weight and quitting smoking. Managing chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc is strongly encouraged. The message is clear many companies are not accepting the lazy attitude many of today’s work force has towards their health.

The Potential Employee

Today the job market is more competitive than ever and whether we want to admit it or not the entire process of finding a job is based on discrimination. It’s true that traits such as color and gender are suppose to be set aside there still are many other factors. The price of health care has most certainly added another factor to be discriminated against when looking for a job. Employers are certainly more aware about the long term costs to the company if they hire someone who is in poor health and/or has poor lifestyle choices. If you have doubts here is evidence.

In 2007 The Cleveland Clinic stopped hiring smokers. It tests newly hired workers fro nicotine and rescinds the job offers for those who test positive. The person can participate in smoking-cessation programs and reapply for the job in 90 days.

Taking responsibility for one’s own health is going to become a reality.

Sources:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/get-healthy-or-else-2010-05-15

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060401/handson-human.html

Discovering Your Target Market

Target market is a phrase that is thrown around frequently. In simple terms, it is a segment of the market that is the strategic focus of your business. Being able to effectively identify who is part of you target market is important if you are developing a marketing strategy and campaign and you want it to be successful.

Prior to creating your marketing plan, you need to be able to answer two essential questions: (1) what is your target market and (2) what does your target market want and/or need that you can provide? If you are able to answer both these questions in great detail, then you can begin drafting your marketing plan. If you have doubts or lack details, you need to back up and do a little homework.

Who Is My Customer?
You need to recognize who your customer is because of the objective of your marketing efforts is to concentrate on those customers most likely to buy your products and services. Therefore, you need to start by describing exactly who your customer is. Are there certain characteristics that your target market shares? Do they fall into a particular age category? Gender" Socioeconomic class? Occupation? Do you know which customers spend the most time and money with you? Why do they do that?

Be Precise
When creating your prospective list of customers, you need to be as precise as possible. Make sure that you are able to identify them in specific demographic or geographic terms. If you can't you will have a hard time in determining which channels will be the most effective in reaching them, i.e. twitter, facebook, youtube, website, blog, etc.

Give Them What They Want
This is often a difficult area. We think we know what our customers want, but unfortunately we often fail at finding out what they really want and/or need. You need to be able to give them exactly what they want or need in a convenient and affordable way if you expect them to buy what you are selling.

Quality versus Quantity
More is not always better when it comes to developing prospects. Buying leads lists is one prime example of this. If you haven't taken the time to truly identify who your customer is, buying expensive marketing lists are often a major waste of money. Most of these lists are outdated to begin with and are typically only as good as the information you put into them when generating. Having a quality list of leads increases your ability to convert them into sales tenfold. So, shift your thinking from quantity and focus on the quality angle of building your list.

Use a Sounding Board
Finally, before running with that marketing plan you've created, test it out. One of the most common mistakes made is failing to test out your assumptions on a sampling of your target market. By taking a little extra time to conduct a survey or questionnaire of a small portion of your target market, you can avoid wasting your time and money. It may take a little longer to kick off your campaign, but it will be well worth it in the long run.