Summer 2010
Sign Up for The Tillmar Connection e-Mail Newsletter |
If your company has fewer than 100 employees, a provision in the federal health care reform act is worth watching. The act calls for grants to small businesses that adopt meaningful wellness programs for their employees. It’s a step in the right direction.
Read more about wellness provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
The value of health care coverage must be reported on W-2 income tax forms starting with the 2011 tax year. The requirement is included in Section 9002 of the federal health care reform formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
The provision "requires employers to include in the W-2 form of each employee the aggregate cost of applicable employer sponsored group health coverage that is excludable from the employees gross income."
The exact method to determine the “aggregate cost” has not yet been determined, but the calculation likely will be similar to that used for COBRA.
While the new rule does not take effect until the 2011 tax year, and thus would not affect W-2s distributed until January 2012, employers should be prepared earlier, because an employee who is terminated before the end of 2011 could request a W-2; that request must be fulfilled within 30 days.
Amid the debate on health care costs, not enough light is shining on utilization and how wellness and better management of chronic disease can significantly reduce costs. Employees and employers both see big benefits from wellness. I honestly believe that a focus on wellness can be the sword of Alexander that cuts the Gordian Knot of health care costs.
Read more on why utilization is such a big factor in health care costs.
What are you going to do to be successful in the recessionary economy and have some fun along the way? You can only save your way to a profit so long before you cut into your core competencies. The top line is the way out; nothing happens until something is sold.
When do you start to say, "Yes," by getting in a positive mode and making things happen? This is not a time for laggards. As Peter Drucker once said: "The only things that happen in an organization are friction, confusion and malperformance. Everything else is leadership."
If you want some motivation to make things happen, read more in our guest column from Joe Kaylor, owner of Risk and Growth Solutions in Cedarburg.
In light of Joe Kaylor’s take on leadership, we asked several other business people we respect for a one-sentence take on what leaders should be focusing on these days. Here’s what they said in completing the sentence: “If only leaders would …”
“… create and support a work culture that helps employees achieve health and high performance.”
-- Connie Roethel, Core Health Group
“… do the right things and accept accountability publicly for what they do and fail to do.”
-- Dave Kliber, SF Analytics
“… follow the enlightened experience of others, rather than stumble in the darkness of their own selfish logic.”
-- Joe Tucker, Victory Personnel Services
“… learn how to positively delegate.”
-- Cary Silverstein, Strategic Management Associates
Did you ever ask someone for his or her insights on what you are really good at? The feedback can be interesting. In my case, the feedback led to a career change — which most of you know about.
That career change was highlighted in a recent issue of Biz Times Milwaukee, in an article entitled “Lessons Learned from the Great Recession.” Reporter Alysha Schertz spoke with several business leaders on how they are adapting in these tough economic conditions.
I’m honored that Alysha included my transition from the insurance industry to owner of Tillmar Connect.
Read Alysha's story at BizTimes.com and scroll down to “Know Your Strengths.”
When an organization with whom you work does "it" right, shouldn't others be told of the positive outcome? The answer is a big “yes."
Too often, we only address the issue when "it" goes wrong. Personally, I really enjoy the role of being a positive interrupt-er. The act of showing regard for others is a business and professional courtesy! So here goes!
When I started Tillmar Connect LLC, I needed help. Some say, "professional help" <grin>.
Well, "they" were correct. I had pages of ideas but I needed assistance in just getting started. The assistance came from David Niles and Jim Weiss of Productive Knowledge Inc. in Brookfield. They listened and simply said, they "got it." So, my calling cards, sales sheets and website all began to appear. A few have said in my quest to get things done, that I have an irrational impatience. Well, David and Jim provide “rational patience." They’ve done great branding, public relations and marketing work for other companies, too. Check out their website to learn more.
Finally, thanks for all your support these last several months since I launched Tillmar Connect. Let’s stay connected!