Women's Corner July 2007
FIT and POWERFUL Executive Women
Is your team FIT to Work? Corporate America’s Dirty Little Secret
The restaurant industry is astutely on a consistent search for ways to become more efficient and improve profit
margins. With increasing costs in all arenas, this objective presents greater challenges to all of corporate America as
each year passes. And even the best-of-the-best, those most proficient in the restaurant world, recognize you can never
be too profitable or too fiscally fit. In an effort to create a competitive team of professionals, often overlooked is the
very foundation upon which we build our value in the marketplace, Human Capital!
Stressed, tired and out of shape executives, consistently demonstrate compromised productivity; adversely affecting
your bottom line. Consider examining your these four (4) major operating costs, that are impacted when your
professional team is unhealthy.
1. Health Care. The outrageous expenses of health care demonstrate no end in sight. Health care costs have doubled in private business from 1990 to 2001 and it is estimated they will double again by the year 2012. These costs are threatening the ability of US businesses to compete in today’s corporate arena. Determine how much money you will save in operating costs if your team falls into the low risk pool versus the high risk pool when calculating heath care costs.
2. Absenteeism. Evaluate what cost to your company is incurred when members of your team are absent or disabled due to poor health issues.
3. Presenteeism.
Many diligent and conscientious executives will not miss work; none-the-less they function daily in a diminished
capacity regardless of compromised health. Presenteeism and lost productivity cost corporate America over $250
Billion in 2003. Remember, the higher the level of presentee in your organization, the higher the cost to your
organization. What is your annual presenteeism cost?
4. Attrition. Retaining talented top level professionals will clearly minimize turn over and maximize your Return on Investment (ROI) on training expenses.
Diagnostically obese or overweight executives can cripple a business and its profit margin. This health issue is no
longer just a personal issue of priorities and discipline. According to the Institute on the costs of Health Effects of
Obesity, “Obesity costs employers more than $13 BILLION annually and adversely affects the quality of life and
health of their workers.”
ANNUAL MEETINGS & CONFERENCES ARE THE PERFECT CATALYST FOR MAXIMIZING
CORPORATE WELLNESS INITIATIVES! Addressing these issues at the conference level can enable
organizations to have much greater impact, reaching out to large numbers of professionals at one time. The outcome:
Progressive and increased success in developing business support strategies for health productivity management.
Based on all the quality evidence available, there is absolutely no doubt that it is time for health productivity initiatives
to be pursued aggressively. Let us examine the many potential benefits to investing in a workplace wellness culture.
The Benefits:
Fortunately you can join forces with many proactive players in the restaurant industry and join in their efforts to control
these costs through health promotion and education; which will posture your team for peak performance. In addition to
minimizing the four critical cost factors listed above, two additional benefits to be recognized when you invest in
workplace wellness initiatives are:
1. Return on Investment.
The good news is that prevention yields a great ROI. According to several recognized sources sited through the
Wellness Council of America, corporate wellness is now documenting a 3-5 X return on each $1 invested. This
investment is performance driven not cost driven. It enables businesses to invest in protecting, supporting and
enhancing their human capital.
2. Moral.
Statistics prove that happy and vital executives maximize their professional contributions. Healthy people tend to be
happier people, contributing to a more positive moral in the workplace. Positive energy is contagious and this healthy
spirit once assimilated into corporate culture is very powerful.
3. Substantial ROI.
Research has shown that targeted and effective health/fitness workplace programs decreasing individual health
risks over time, produce ROI estimates ranging from an average of $3-$4 per year in dollars spent on Health
Management Programs (HMP).
4. Lower Attrition Rate.
Healthier employees are happier employees and their attitudes at work are more positive, thereby creating
improved positive moral in the workplace and less turnover. A healthy, vibrant energy level is contagious – yielding
commensurate results.
5. Maximize Payroll Efficiency.
The national average demonstrates that most employees actually work only 4 hours out of the total day thereby
affecting payroll efficiency. Unhealthy employees are not as focused and effective on a daily basis. You may be
paying for an eight hour work day, but most likely not getting your money’s worth.
6. Lower Health Care Costs.
Healthier people = Lower health care costs = Greater profits on the bottom line!
7. Weakest Links.
Improving your Weakest Links = Maximizing Revenue Growth. Your businesses can increase its performance
averages by targeting the most critical health and productivity issue of your team. Assess your losses and concentrate
HMP on your weakest link.
8. Create Competitive Employment Profiles:
With baby boomers retiring in droves, there is clearly a shrinking talent pool. An innovative healthy corporate
culture will posture leading businesses to recruit higher quality professionals. That progressive company becomes the
place to work in the industry.
9. Maximize return on other training investments:
HPM will improve the ROI from Sales Training, Leadership Training, In-House Product Training and
Organizational/Time Management Training, by maximizing the physical and mental capabilities of its employees. Can
your road warriors produce to the best of their potential when they are 60 pounds overweight and suffer from acute
lower back pain?
10. Corporate Wellness Cultures create positive community profiles:
A fully engaged wellness culture will reach out to the local (or national) community to raise money and support
health and disease prevention campaigns. Community outreach investments and good will generally translate into a
healthier revenue base and an improved your corporate image profile.
There has never been a better time to educate and influence your organization members on the cost benefits of
maximized productivity, lowered health care costs and improved employee retention.
• Build fiscal fitness.
• Build a competitive and dynamic business in today’s global marketplace,
• Provide a progressive support system for a ‘healthy team’.
Ilene Gershberg a former NBC executive that transformed from FAT to FIT, is author of the 2007 book release of “FIT and
POWERFUL Professionals”. Visit http://www.IleneonHealth.com to view Ilene’s before and after pictures or register for free Health Smart
e-Tips. Ilene provides results-oriented solutions for fiscally fit businesses through powerful keynote addresses, corporate seminars
and management retreats for C-Teams, VP’s and high level executives.