the difference between knowledge and fear: preparing ... · the difference between knowledge and...
TRANSCRIPT
The opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the speaker. The International Foundationdisclaims responsibility for views expressed and statements made by the program speakers.
The Difference Between Knowledge and Fear:Preparing Participants for Bad News
Ellen T. AnrederPresident and Chief Executive OfficerBleiweiss Communications Incorporated (BCI)Calabasas, California
Wendell W. Young IVPresidentUnited Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
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Cheers
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Compassion is Crucial . . . But Usually Not Enough
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Guidelines for Hard Times
1. Prepare your participants and staff
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Guidelines for Hard Times
2. Time your communications
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Guidelines for Hard Times
3. Guide your participants
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Prepare Your Audience
• Help them understand they are lucky to have a plan.
• Help them understand thedangers undermining all pensions and health plans.
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Prepare Your Audience
• 401Ks replacing defined-benefit pensions
• Aging of population• ERISA and PPA• Efforts to shore up PBGC• Reform efforts
– CORPaTH International Pension Alliance
Pension Fund Crisis
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Prepare Your Audience
• ACA and unfair treatment of multi-employer funds
• Skyrocketing medical costs• Aging of population• Decline of private-sector unions• Uninsured population still exists after ACA
(was 44 million, now 29 million)
Health Care Crisis
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Prepare Your Audience
• When participants are informed and educated, they are more likely to accept change and cooperate.
• Participants also will be better prepared psychologically when and if disaster strikes.
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Time Your Communications
Use the many arrows in your quiver.
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Time Your Communications
Meetings/Information Fairs
Pros: Best possible way to command attention of the participants who attend; provides opportunities for in-depth education.
Cons: Difficult and costly to arrange, especially for plans in large regions.
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Time Your Communications
Magazines and Newsletters
Pros: Great for explaining complex subjects; durable resource for reference.
Cons: Longer lead time, more expensive than other media.
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Time Your Communications
Websites
Pros: Great resource for reference; can be updated quickly.
Cons: People rarely read beyond the home page.
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Time Your Communications
Social Media
Pros: Excellent for quick dissemination of news and calls to action.
Cons: Not good for comprehensive information; messages disappear quickly.
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Time Your Communications
Pros: Excellent for quick dissemination of news and calls to action; attachments can provide more comprehensive information that can be printed out.
Cons: Relatively few readers will open.
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Time Your Communications
Phone Messages/Voicemail
Pros: Quick and attention-grabbing.
Cons: Only the most blunt messages get through.
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Guide Your Participants
Real Examples From the Trenches
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Session #G12 The Difference Between Knowledge and Fear: Preparing Participants for Bad News
• Prepare your audience• Time your communications• Guide your participants
Website Resourceshttps://www.ifebp.org/inforequest/ifebp/0165819.pdf
62nd Annual Employee Benefits ConferenceNovember 13-16, 2016Orlando, Florida
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2017 Educational ProgramsGeneral Topics
63rd Annual Employee Benefits Conference October 22-25, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevadawww.ifebp.org/usannual
Trustees and Administrators InstitutesFebruary 20-22, 2017 Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), FloridaJune 26-28, 2017 San Diego, Californiawww.ifebp.org/trusteesadministrators
Fraud Prevention Institute for Employee Benefit PlansJuly 17-18, 2017Chicago, Illinoiswww.ifebp.org/fraudprevention
Construction Industry Benefits ConferenceNovember 13-14, 2017 Santa Monica, Californiawww.ifebp.org/construction
Collection Procedures InstituteNovember 15-16, 2017 Santa Monica, Californiawww.ifebp.org/collections
Related ReadingVisit one of the on-site Bookstore locations or see www.ifebp.org/bookstore for more books.
Employee Benefits Glossary, 13th EditionItem #7570www.ifebp.org/glossary
816
NEW!
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