A note from our CEO: How we’re operating under COVID-19.

These are difficult and unusual times. As Risk Advisors, this is when our commitment to helping our clients DE-RISK gets put to the test.

We are as committed as ever to your success, and are working extra diligently to help you prepare and answer questions about things like health care, insurance, and risk.

Everything about running a transportation company is a little more complicated now – from hiring great drivers, to improving safety performance, to preparing the next generation of leaders. 

In our work with hundreds of different transportation companies, what we've found is that this increased complexity has led to two key things happening: 

1) there are more hidden risks in your business than ever before, and 

2) the companies that address these hidden risks are outperforming everyone else. 

THE OPPORTUNITY:

If there's one thing we know about our clients, it's that if there’s any way to improve their business, they want in. So, for the past 6 months, we’ve been working on a way for high-performing transportation companies to come together and face these challenges head on.

It’s called The DE-RISKING Network. And here’s what it’s all about: 

1. Bumping elbows with other high-performers. It's amazing what happens when you get a group of high-performers in the same room to tackle really difficult challenges.

2. Focusing on what actually makes an impact. We believe that focusing on Leadership, Culture, and Operations has the greatest potential to increase the value of your company, so that’s where we’ll spend our time.

3. Hearing from the country’s best experts. We’re bringing in the country’s leading experts to deliver content both digitally and in-person at events like the annual DE-RISKATHON member retreat (i.e. US Navy SEALS).

4. Preparing the next generation of leaders. The future performance of your company rests in the hands of the next generation of leaders. This program will be a way for current and future leaders to share a common learning experience and refine their skills.

If you’re interested, you can learn more about The DE-RISKING Network here.

Now through May 1^st, you can join for a reduced membership fee, which includes the annual DE-RISKATHON member retreat on June 11^th and 12^th in Milwaukee.

It’s a pretty simple set of questions. As professionals (and organizations), it seems like we ought to have thought about this before.

The first question (what do you do?) can be answered in a very straightforward way (a trucking company, a roofing company, a risk advisor).

The second question (why does it matter?) is where it gets a little trickier. Why do you matter to: 1) your clients, 2) your employees, 3) your community?  

HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE RISING 4X FASTER THAN WAGES

Over the last 18 years, the cost of family premiums and worker contributions have risen by a total of 270% and 224%, respectively. That compares to worker earnings growth of 64% and inflation of 47%.  The result: every year health care is consumes a larger percentage of Americans' paychecks. 

Over the past few years, we've all witnessed the unchecked rise of health care costs in America. 

Some employers have been sitting back hoping things will get better. Others have been desperately trying everything to regain control. 

But one thing is clear: we aren't winning.

THE SYSTEM KEEPS WINNING

Every incentive in the health care system has been built to work against you: the employer.

Insurance companies make more when the cost of claims goes up.

Hospitals are buying primary care centers and referring patients to treatment options with higher profit margins.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers get paid more when drug costs increase.

Insurance Brokers have delivered ideas and tactics. But they often fail to deliver their clients a multi-year strategy that can move the needle. 

Last week HNI announced the addition of six new principals – increasing the total number of owners to 28. 

“This is the highest recognition we can offer someone at HNI – and it is purely a performance-based nomination.  We are thrilled to formally recognize their achievements in helping our clients DE-RISK.” 

- Mike Natalizio, CEO

One year ago, we began a project to get unbiased and anonymous feedback from our clients about their opportunities for growth and what holds them back. 

250 CEOs, CFOs, HR Directors, and Safety Managers from 50 different companies responded to questions on the topics of Leadership, People, Brand, Risk & Employee Benefits. This is what they said.

LEADERSHIP

Almost 80% of respondents stated that they were optimistic about the future of their company. There is a lot of opportunity out there for companies with the capabilities to act on it.

It's the most overused word in business. 

Everyone claims to have one, and every salesperson has one to sell you. Yet for every 100 'strategies' created, you'd be lucky to find a single one that has been executed all the way to the finish line. 

Strategy has lost its meaning. But it is more important than ever. In a world that tempts you with short-term fixes, it's the only thing that can guarantee long-term progress.