“Greatness is a decision. It must be chosen.”

- Joe Calloway, Author of Be The Best At What Matters Most  

Have you ever pursued something “great”? If so, it likely started as a dream you knew would stretch you, your family, or your company beyond what might even seem possible. It developed out of wonder or excitement for the future or maybe just a necessary move to remain relevant. Then the dream evolved into an idea, a concept, or a strategy. Meetings were held, conversations were had, and plans were made. You critiqued it, talked about it, and ultimately decided to go for it.

So where do things sit now? Did you achieve what you wanted to? Too often, the answer is sadly “sort of” or “not entirely”.

It’s no secret the rising costs of employer-sponsored health plans have led to an explosion in workplace wellness programs. For decades, employers have turned to employee health promotion and wellness programs in an attempt to help employees get and stay healthy.

In some cases, the efforts have an impact on individual employees, though I’ll contend the few who make changes are already motivated. In many instances, the results have been mediocre at best. In the world of big wellness incentives and penalties, why do we see little, if any, sustainable behavior change? The answer lies in motivation.

500 million Tweets are sent each day. That’s a lot of conversation. Should you be a part of it?

Twitter can be a useful social network for companies and individuals. It provides opportunities for brand building, brand awareness, customer service, driving website traffic, content sharing, and more. But how do you know if it is the right social media platform for you and/or your company?

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the St. Joseph County (South Bend, IN) Chamber of Commerce. We hope you enjoy Jeff’s wisdom and perspective.

On January 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivered his second State of the Union Address to Congress. Kennedy had taken office just one year prior, and now had the opportunity to address Congress and the country. The address is something that has become an annual review of what’s happening in the country and a look forward to what lies ahead.  

Strategies for managing health care costs are a critical topic for employers…and it won’t be going away anytime soon. There are discussions on the value of transparency in health care pricing, the role of consumer driven health plans, and how to help employees make educated health care decisions. Beyond these techniques, what else can be done to get and keep your employees healthy?

Machines can significantly improve production and efficiency. But they do not come without risks. The moving parts, sharp edges, and hot surfaces are hazards to workers. Many machine-related injuries can be prevented with the proper use of safeguards. It is important to understand what dangers machines present and what elements are needed to implement effective safeguarding practices.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Jory Fitzgerald Kelly, president and CEO of Family & Children's Center, the parent company of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County. We hope you enjoy Jory’s wisdom and perspective.

Last week I had the chance to talk to a couple hundred Boys & Girls Club Members, alumni, volunteers, and supporters at our 40^th Anniversary celebration. My message was simple: Dare to dream and work hard to get there.

Like with anything on the Internet, social media does not come without its risks. We’ve discussed identifying the risks associated with social media use, as well as the risks of your employees on social networking sites. But if you allow these risks to stop you from engaging in social media, what will you be missing out on? Are there risks associated with NOT using social media?

You often hear insurance commercials touting all sorts of discounts – good student discounts, safe driver discounts, multi-policy discounts, and the list goes on. Sometimes it can seem quite overwhelming. Which discounts are you eligible for on your automobile coverage? What about your homeowners policy? Are you missing out on some credits? Would you qualify for additional credits if you added some simple devices to your home or car?

“Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? It took me years to write, will you take a look?”

- The Beatles, Paperback Writer

Over the summer, I took a break from writing my weekly blog. It was a sabbatical of sorts so I could focus my energy and effort on – go figure – writing. In this case, it was to tell a story much bigger and more personal than a few blogs could do. And while it didn’t take years to write, it’s one that certainly developed over a number of years.