Health care is expensive and often confusing. No doubt about it. But it is also immensely important. Benefits offerings are a major factor in employee recruitment and retention. So how do your benefits stack up to others in your industry? Are your offerings competitive? Are they the best option for your team? How do you determine if your benefits measure up?

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Jesse Lyn Stoner, business consultant, coach, former executive, and bestselling author. We hope you enjoy Jesse's wisdom and perspective.

As Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, said “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

OSHA estimates that 5 million U.S. workers are required to wear respirators. These respirators protect workers from cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or even death caused by insufficient oxygen, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. Despite the abundant use of respirators, the standard for respiratory protection has been the fourth most frequently cited OSHA standard from 2011 to 2014.

“CrossFit is a cult,” many say as an accusation to someone they know who is part of the sport. The cult reference has more to do with the community created in the Box, CrossFit lingo for gym. The workouts are designed to forge elite fitness. They are challenging, physically and mentally, pushing you out of your comfort zone and demanding results you think impossible. This is how I start my day, at 5:30am, at least 4 days a week. I love the intensity, irreverence, attitude, and culture.

Have you watched HGTV and been inspired to take on your own home improvement projects? Regardless of whether you are doing the project yourself or hiring a contractor, you probably spent countless hours deciding on the specifics, picking out materials, and turning your vision into a reality. But once the project is complete and you are enjoying your renovated home, many homeowners forget a critical step…to notify their insurance advisor of the upgrades!

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Larry Linne, entrepreneur, advisor, and author. We hope you enjoy Larry's wisdom and perspective.

A business leader exists in a perpetual world of chaos. Issues and pressures from employees, vendors, professional advisors, clients, innovation, strategy, and execution all dance around in the leader’s brain. This chaos can bring a leader to a point of becoming powerless and ineffective. However, this chaos is also what provides the opportunity to do something GREAT, something worth writing about.

Lockout/tagout (LOTO) is #5 on the list of most frequently cited OSHA standards with 2,704 violations. OSHA estimates that compliance with the standard could prevent 500,000 injuries and 120 fatalities a year. What can your company do to meet this standard and properly protect your workforce from the dangers of hazardous energy during the machine inspection and maintenance process?

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Rick Slagle, President and CEO for Majority Builders. We hope you enjoy Rick’s wisdom and perspective. 

Every year we set aside a day to spend time with all our employee-owners talking about our GESOP, our company, how we’re doing, and to have some fun. It’s always a good day. But last week’s meeting was exceptional. It was extraordinary because of our stock valuation results, our recent Best Places To Work award, and best of all – continued camaraderie with all the people who make Gibson great, our employee-owners.