PrincetonOne Ranked No. 1 on Indianapolis-Area Employment Agencies List

PrincetonOne Ranked No. 1 on Indianapolis-Area Employment Agencies List

Skillman, New Jersey – November 17, 2009 – PrincetonOne, a total recruitment services provider based in Skillman, NJ, announced today that it has been named the No. 1 ranked Indianapolis-area employment agency by the Indianapolis Business Journal. The ranking, based on the number of local, full-time recruitment professionals, was published in the journal’s November 2-8, 2009, issue and in its 2009 Book of Lists, which is the single most comprehensive resource publication on Indiana businesses. This marks the eighth consecutive year PrincetonOne has occupied the list’s No. 1 spot.

PrincetonOne’s Indianapolis location houses both executive search and the company’s recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) division. Indianapolis Managing Partner Bill Kuntz heads the office’s executive search team. He stated, “We are deeply grateful to our clients and candidates for the confidence they place in us. With the economy now on the rebound, we are uniquely positioned and very focused on helping companies rebuild and reload with highly qualified talent, as well as working with many skilled professionals to advance their careers after weathering the economic storm of 2007 and 2008.”

In addition to PrincetonOne’s clients’ loyalty and continued confidence, “the flexibility of our service offerings has enabled us to continue to impact our clients’ recruiting initiatives during the tough economic times and into the future,” added Michelle Gillin, Vice President of HirePursuit, PrincetonOne’s RPO division.

About PrincetonOne
Headquartered in Skillman, New Jersey, PrincetonOne is a talent services company that creates and implements innovative solutions for unmet recruitment and retention needs. PrincetonOne provides clients with a cohesive strategy for recruiting, retention, staffing assessment, training and organizational development. With 30 years of experience, PrincetonOne delivers unified recruitment solutions and measurable results for more than 600 clients around the world. For more information, visit http://www.PrincetonOne.com.

IHRIM Offers HRIP Certification Exam Preparation Course Delivered Online

IHRIM Offers HRIP Certification Exam Preparation Course Delivered Online

Six-part Webinar Series to be held in December

Burlington, Massachusetts – The International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM), is hosting a six-part webinar series to prepare practitioners, consultants and information technology specialists for taking its new Professional of Human Resources Information (HRIP) certification exam.

“The online workshops will cover the material in the certification course,” said Lynne Mealy, IHRIM president and CEO. “While registering for the entire series will bring you the most benefit, attendees are able to register for individual sessions as well.”

All webinars will be held from:
• 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Pacific
• 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Central
• 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Eastern

Tues., Dec. 1 Part 1 – The HR technology strategy, solutions assessment and identification
Thurs., Dec. 3 Part 2 – Technology support of HR business processes
Tues., Dec. 8 Part 3 – Project management
Thurs., Dec. 10 Part 4 – Systems selection
Tues., Dec. 15 Part 5 – Systems implementation
Thurs., Dec. 17 Part 6 – HR system operations, system maintenance and upgrades

All online webinars – which is $395 for IHRIM members and $525 for non-members – include a link to recordings of all webinars as well as an electronic copy of the HRIP Examination Study Guide. Individual sessions are $80 for IHRIM members and $105 for non-members, and include a link to the recording. For more information, visit http://www.IHRIM.org.

About IHRIM
Since 1980, the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM), the world’s leading HRIM clearinghouse, has been uniting a dynamic group of practitioners, vendors, consultants, students and faculty to share best practices and the latest technological trends. Through membership, educational programming, listservs, CORE, certification, networking forums and IHRIM’s annual conference, HRIM professionals can receive valuable knowledge that will enhance both their own careers and their companies’ success.

Poor Employee Financial Health Is Hurting Performance and Organizational Productivity, says GuideSpark

Poor Employee Financial Health Is Hurting Performance and Organizational Productivity, says GuideSpark

LOS ALTOS, Calif. / Nov. 11, 2009 – Employee financial health issues are negatively impacting key organizational objectives and should be a key priority among employers, advises GuideSpark.

Forward-thinking companies that implement financial wellness initiatives can expect a return on investment of over 3:1, according to recent studies.

In its new white paper, “The Need for Financial Wellness,” available to download at http://www.guidespark.com/financial-wellness-learning/resources/whitepapers/whitepapers_financial_wellness.php, experts from GuideSpark (formerly ThriveOn) discuss the advantages available to companies that take ownership of the financial health and wellness of their employees.

A faltering U.S. economy has brought to the surface a key issue that has been building for some time – the average American lacks a basic understanding of money and responsible financial behavior. This lack of financial knowledge and the distress that has resulted is leading to employee productivity drains, turnover and increased benefits cost. Nearly 80 percent of financially distressed employees spend time at work dealing with financial issues. Over 92 percent of employees report losing sleep over money issues and financial stress is leading to illness, absenteeism and increased health care costs.

“Employees are bringing their personal financial issues into the workplace and affecting company goals,” said John Wolff, vice president of http://www.guidespark.com/financial-wellness-learning/solutions/corporations/ [financial education]. “Financial distress can drain 12 to 20 hours of an employee’s productive time at work—each month. It is definitely a problem for employers.”

Financial education in the workplace has been largely limited to employee http://www.guidespark.com/financial-wellness-learning/solutions/benefits-open-enrollment-solutions/ [benefits communications] programs with lackluster results. A recent Colonial Life survey of HR managers shows only 21 percent think their employees have a good understanding of their benefits; 5 percent think their employees don’t know anything about them. To improve the financial well-being of employees, employers must implement much more effective programs that not only address workplace benefits but effectively tackle the broader issue of personal financial security and planning.

A successful financial wellness approach must provide a one-stop location for employees to learn, plan and initiate financial action and success. This involves a range of resources to accommodate varied situations, issues, learning styles and levels of commitment. Therefore, core components of a successful solution must include personal assessments, comprehensive and engaging Web-based education and tools, live seminars, personalized one-on-one financial coaching, among others.

GuideSpark, formerly ThriveOn Inc., delivers Web-based HR software for educating employees on important HR topics like employee compensation, benefits and http://www.guidespark.com/financial-wellness-learning/solutions/benefits-open-enrollment-solutions/ [open enrollment] and financial wellness. By leveraging the latest Web technologies and trends, GuideSpark delivers cost-effective, multimedia education and tools designed for today’s workforce. GuideSpark’s customized training solutions improve company performance by managing benefits costs while reducing employee turnover, productivity drains and financial stress; http://www.guidespark.com.

Contact:

Gail DeLano
Fisher Vista/HRmarketer
(831) 685-9700
gdelano(at)fishervista.com

Joseph A. Larocque
GuideSpark, Inc.
(650) 469-1317
jlarocque(at)guidespark.com

ThriveOn Changes its Name to GuideSpark

ThriveOn Changes its Name to GuideSpark

Reflects broad market for Web 2.0 training applications

LOS ALTOS, Calif. / Nov. 10, 2009 – ThriveOn has changed its name to GuideSpark, reflecting increasing market applications for its online training beyond its initial financial wellness focus.

GuideSpark echoes the company’s roots in facilitating improved employee financial health and workplace benefits communications. Beyond these core opportunities, GuideSpark enables cost effective Web 2.0 training for many customized applications within corporations and organizations.

Leveraging the latest ideas, trends and technologies, GuideSpark provides a modern online destination for workforce learning and development. Moving away from static Web pages, GuideSpark delivers engaging multimedia content and aims to facilitate interaction, information sharing and collaboration.

“The innovation that has occurred on the consumer Web has fundamentally changed the way employees learn today. GuideSpark was founded to provide organizations with a modern approach that speaks to the shrinking attention spans and increasingly distributed nature of today’s workforce,” said Keith Kitani, founder and chief executive officer.

GuideSpark, formerly ThriveOn, delivers Web-based software for educating employees on important topics like employee benefits and open enrollment, financial wellness, sales training, continuing education and others. By leveraging the latest Web technologies and trends, GuideSpark delivers cost-effective, multimedia education and tools designed for today’s workforce. GuideSpark’s customized training offerings improve company performance by managing benefits costs while reducing employee turnover, productivity drains and financial stress; http://www.guidespark.com.

Contact:

Gail DeLano
Fisher Vista/HRmarketer
(831) 685-9700
gdelano@fishervista.com

Joseph A. Larocque
GuideSpark, Inc.
(650) 469-1317
jlarocque@guidespark.com

Erin Krehbiel Joins ACI Specialty Benefits as SVP Marketing and Product Development

Erin Krehbiel Joins ACI Specialty Benefits as SVP Marketing and Product Development

SAN DIEGO / November 10, 2009 — ACI Specialty Benefits, a Top Ten provider of employee assistance programs, wellness, student assistance and work/life benefits—announced today that Ms. Erin Krehbiel has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. Krehbiel will oversee global marketing initiatives, corporate branding, and product development, primarily focusing on ACI’s new student assistance program, SOAR: Student Outreach, Assistance, Resources.

“Following ACI’s recent launch of SOAR and major acquisition of Leverage Life—a national work/life and concierge services provider—Erin Krehbiel’s creative vision, leadership, and benefits expertise will be invaluable in advancing ACI’s delivery of new specialty benefit solutions to clients facing unique challenges in today’s economy,” said Dr. Ann D. Clark, CEO and founder of ACI Specialty Benefits.

With over 10 years of executive experience in the behavioral health industry, Krehbiel (nee Judy) spent the first seven years of her career with ACI Specialty Benefits as Sales Director streamlining marketing and sales initiatives and developing new products. During her tenure at ACI, Krehbiel produced record-breaking new sales that launched ACI Specialty Benefits into the Top Ten national employee assistance benefit providers. Prior to rejoining ACI, Krehbiel was responsible for overseeing large-scale medical staff for a national behavioral health firm.

“I look forward to a multi-faceted role at ACI Specialty Benefits, where I plan to invigorate ACI’s long established specialty benefits product line, and leverage new mediums of marketing and communication to reach a dynamic array of new clients,” said Erin Krehbiel.

About ACI Specialty Benefits
ACI Specialty Benefits is a Top Ten provider of employee assistance programs, wellness, student assistance, and work/life services to corporations worldwide. ACI Specialty Benefits consistently ranks in the nation’s Top Ten EAPs by Business Insurance. Founded in 1983, ACI has grown to international prominence, servicing nearly five million people worldwide with a network of over 40,000 providers. ACI remains a privately-owned specialty benefits corporation, headquartered in San Diego. For more information, visit http://www.acispecialtybenefits.com.

Media Contact:
Laura McDermott
858-452-1254
lmcdermott@acispecialtybenefits.com

The Switch to SaaS: How Chiquita is Taking a Global View of its Workforce

The Switch to SaaS: How Chiquita is Taking a Global View of its Workforce

Interested in learning firsthand the experience of one large company that went live with Workday’s on-demand Human Capital Management solution to gather a global view of its people and processes?

During the Nov. 18 webinar held by the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM) and sponsored by Workday – The Switch to SaaS: How Chiquita is Transforming HR with a Global View of its Workforce – you can learn more about how Chiquita Brands achieved this transition successfully and the benefits already being realized.

Chiquita’s Director of Talent Management, Jennifer Fitzpatrick, will discuss her company’s experiences installing Workday’s SaaS system. She will specifically share:

• Best practices and lessons from the global rollout.
• The benefits of using SaaS.
• How using Workday is enabling the Chiquita HR team to be a more strategic part of the organization.

Complimentary to members, IHRIM is conducting the webinar to allow member companies to educate a large number of employees at once, reduce travel expenses and maintain consistent levels of productivity by eliminating time out of the office. Non-members pay $135 per site. This program has been approved for 1.0 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute.

When:
Wed., Nov. 18
9-10 a.m. PST
11-12 p.m. CST
12-1 p.m. EST

Register today at by visiting http://www.IHRIM.org and clicking on the “Education” link.

About IHRIM
Since 1980, the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM), the world’s leading HRIM clearinghouse, has been uniting a dynamic group of practitioners, vendors, consultants, students and faculty to share best practices and the latest technological trends. Through membership, educational programming, listservs, CORE, certification, networking forums and IHRIM’s annual conference, HRIM professionals can receive valuable knowledge that will enhance both their own careers and their companies’ success.

Accero (formerly Cyborg Systems) Adds Sales Veteran Phillip Cunningham as Senior VP of Sales

Accero (formerly Cyborg Systems) Adds Sales Veteran Phillip Cunningham as Senior VP of Sales

Portland, OR – November 9, 2009 – Accero, a leading HR and Payroll solutions provider with blue chip clients in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, announced today the appointment of Phillip Cunningham as senior vice president of sales.

Cunningham, a veteran sales leader with more than 20 years of experience working for Fortune 500 companies, brings extensive industry experience to his position with Accero, where he will own responsibility for developing and executing sales strategies that will enable the company to aggressively pursue growth plans in 2010 and beyond.

Before joining Accero, Cunningham served as the vice president of sales and business development at Fidelity HR services, where he created a sales and distribution strategy for the company that led to double digit, year-after-year growth. Prior to that role, Cunningham held multiple senior leadership positions for ADP including area vice president of sales in Chicago, Illinois, and vice president of sales operations where he was responsible for strategic planning, sales goal development and incentives for a thousand member U.S. sales force.

“I am most impressed with the investment, vision and innovation the Accero management has brought to the Cyborg software platform in such a short time,” said Cunningham. “Accero’s new and enhanced offerings show extraordinary promise and I am excited to be a part of this new chapter for the company.”

Accero is a leading provider of flexible, cost-effective human resources, payroll, self service and benefits management software solutions that streamline and improve internal processes, human capital management and business intelligence, resulting in a rapid ROI. The company has been providing business software to clients for more than 35 years, including Fortune 500 companies, local governments, healthcare, retail, manufacturing and service providers with complex financial and personnel needs, such as compliance with local and federal regulations and tax laws.

For more information about Accero, please visit http://www.accero.com.

About Accero
Accero is a trusted Human Resources Management and Payroll Service vendor with over 35 years of success in the industry. The company provides solutions that seamlessly integrate and streamline human resources and payroll processes with a customizable suite of products designed to empower users to efficiently and securely manage mission-critical HR and payroll functions. With operations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Accero serves over 200 customers across multiple verticals. For more information about the company and its products, please visit http://www.accero.com.

pan to Host Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal for Renown Leadership Assessment—Campbell™ Leadership Index (CLI®)

pan to Host Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal for Renown Leadership Assessment—Campbell™ Leadership Index (CLI®)

Chicago, IL, November 9, 2009 – Vangent, Inc., a leading provider of results-oriented human capital and talent management solutions, and pan, the assessment division of TALX and state-of-the-art provider of secure automated systems for the administration and delivery of professional assessment and testing instruments, announced an agreement for pan to host the Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal featuring the Campbell™ Leadership Index (CLI®).

The Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal provides certified consultants, coaches, and practitioners a highly efficient and effective way to manage their leadership assessment engagements with clients. The Portal leverages pan’s patented technology system, which has exceeded the security and performance audit requirements of some of the most demanding, security-conscious users in operation.

The Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal simplifies and streamlines the way the CLI is used in client engagements through the easy ordering and set-up of end users as well as customization of key program elements. It also enables affiliates to generate reports in as little as five minutes, a critical feature for busy consultants with tight schedules. The Portal, designed for ease of use, has a short learning curve allowing consultants to ramp up quickly while minimizing time requirements to perform the necessary functions.

The CLI is a comprehensive 360° leadership feedback tool that helps measure personal characteristics directly related to the nature and demands of leadership. Developed by the well-known psychologist, Dr. David Campbell, the CLI survey can be used for individual development and coaching or as part of organization-wide efforts to assess and benchmark leadership talent as a collective resource.

By utilizing the CLI through the Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal, affiliates can seamlessly and effectively implement an assessment-based coaching model into their practice—a key differentiator as competition intensifies for limited consulting dollars. The Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal is available to all Vangent Leadership and Organizational Development Affiliates who complete the certification requirements.

“Through the Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal hosted by pan, users can expect dependable performance in an easy-to-use self-managed environment,” stated Douglas Cole, Chief Operating Officer, pan, a TALX company. “All of the critical CLI use elements, from ordering and set-up through final reporting are managed through a single portal.” “In a nutshell, we wanted to provide certified affiliates with a streamlined, reliable, and effective way to use the CLI in an assessment-based coaching model,” added John Correll, Vangent’s Vice President of Organizational Development. “The Vangent Certified Affiliate Portal offers that plus the convenience and end-to-end engagement management sought after by on-the-go consultants.”

The next Vangent Affiliate Certification dates are November 10-11, 2009 in Chicago, IL; December 8-9, 2009 in the metro D.C. area; and January 12-13, 2010 in the metro D.C. area. To register please contact John Correll at john.correll@vangent.com or by phone at 972-292-1556.

About Vangent, Inc.
With over 7,000 employees worldwide, Vangent, Inc. is a leading global provider of Consulting, Systems Integration, Human Capital Management, and Business Process Outsourcing services to the U.S. federal and international governments, higher education institutions, and corporations. Through Vangent’s Human Capital products and services, thousands of clients have successfully improved their workforce acquisition, development, and advancement. From industry-leading selection and hiring solutions, to best-of-breed learning, organizational development, and talent management solutions, Vangent helps clients achieve the greatest return from their human capital. For more information, please visit http://www.vangent-hcm.com.

About pan – A TALX Company
pan, a TALX company, works with over 50 of the world’s leading test developers to offer hundreds of assessments through a unique Web-based testing platform. With corporate and government users internationally, pan administers thousands of assessments each year via the Internet and through a network of proctored testing center locations. TALX, a subsidiary of Equifax Inc., is a leader in human resource and payroll-related services, based in St. Louis. TALX provides over 9,000 clients, including three-fourths of Fortune 500 companies, with Web-based services focused in three employment-related areas: hiring, pay reporting, and compliance. For more information, please visit http://www.panpowered.com or http://www.talx.com.

Most States See Increase in Entry Level Jobs and Internships Posted on CollegeRecruiter.com in November

Most States See Increase in Entry Level Jobs and Internships Posted on CollegeRecruiter.com in November

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, November 6, 2009 – There\’s been an increase in the number of internships and entry level jobs now actively being recruited for in most states, according to a recent study of employers conducted by CollegeRecuiter.com, the nation\’s leading job board for college students and new graduates. Some states, particularly those with smaller populations, haven\’t been faring as well.

Although states like Wyoming (56% fewer internship postings and 24% fewer entry level jobs) and Alaska (24% fewer internship postings and 30% fewer entry level jobs), have seen significant decreases in the number of internships and entry level jobs posted on CollegeRecruiter.com at the beginning of November, most others, like Maine (110% more internship postings and 12% more entry level jobs) and Hawaii (20% more internship postings and 20% more entry level jobs), have significantly higher numbers than this time in October.

\”We were quite happy but not surprised to see the significantly higher number of job openings advertised on CollegeRecruiter.com,\” said Steven Rothberg, President and Founder. \”Many of our employer clients have been telling us that they are or soon will be hiring again and not just one person here and there but dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of people. Our clients and job seeker users have endured a terrible recession but we\’re now all emerging from it together. We\’re all a bit battered and bruised, but we\’re also stronger and wiser. The labor market will likely take months and perhaps years to return to being robust, but we\’re on the way up rather than down and that\’s encouraging for all.\”

In an effort to aid job seekers struggling to find employment, CollegeRecruiter.com earlier this year initiated a monthly survey of their site to identify the states with the most, and the fewest, internships and entry level jobs posted by employers. The data, which is updated at the beginning of each month, is gathered through a review of recruitment trends from each state and the District of Columbia, with opportunities on CollegeRecruiter.com. The monthly review is intended to serve as a guide to help job seekers estimate the status of the job market in the states in which they live.

Of the five states with the most opportunities, New York is the only state to have suffered a loss, with a 14% decrease in internships and a 7% decrease in entry level jobs. Of the five states with the lowest number of entry level job and internship postings, Vermont was the only state to have an increase in the number of internship postings with 38%, while Wyoming was the only state to have a decrease in the number of entry level job postings with 24%.

Here are some of the states that have the most and fewest internships and entry level jobs available for October:

States With the Largest Number of Internships

State	Internships – November	Internships – October	% + (-)
California	1,899	1,763	8
New York	1,258	1,460	(14)
Texas	1,111	1,029	8
Florida	840	769	9
Washington, D.C.	826	781	6

States With the Largest Number of Entry Level Jobs

State	Total Entry Level Jobs – November	Total Entry Level Jobs – October	% + (-)
California	13,760	13,508	2
Texas	8,550	8,153	5
New York	6,824	6,869	(7)
Florida	6,053	5,814	4
Pennsylvania	5,149	5,137	.2

 

States With the Smallest Number of Internships

State	Internships – November	Internships – October	% + (-)
Mississippi	21	25	(16)
Montana	19	24	(21)
Vermont	18	13	38
North Dakota	15	25	(40)
Wyoming	7	16	(56)

 

States With the Smallest Number of Entry Level Jobs

State	Total Entry Level Jobs – November	Total Entry Level Jobs – October	% + (-)
Wyoming	185	244	(24)
Vermont	262	231	13
Montana	182	155	17
South Dakota	170	141	21
North Dakota	157	140	12

Take a look at these states that also saw an increase in the number of internships and entry level jobs posted to CollegeRecruiter.com in November:

• Georgia – 476 internships (up 49 % from 320 in October)
• Wisconsin – 362 internships (up 39% from 261 in October)
• Arizona – 251 internships (up 37% from 183 in October)
• North Carolina – 3,039 entry level jobs (up 11% from 2,730 in October)
• Washington – 2,482 entry level jobs (up 12% from 2,224 in October)
• New Mexico – 538 entry level jobs (up 14% from 470 in October)

The Washington, D.C. area, including Maryland and Virginia, has seen increases \”across the board,\” enjoying a combined total of over 12,000 internship and entry level job postings for November.

• Washington, D.C. – 826 internships (up 6% from 721 in October) and 3,242 entry level jobs (up 11% from 2,913 in October)
• Maryland – 409 internships (up 46% from 281 in October) and 3,076 entry level jobs (up 21% from 2,538 in October)
• Virginia – 538 internships (up 13% from 477 in October) and 4,188 entry level jobs (up 8% from 3,860 in October)

More than just a job board, CollegeRecruiter.com has several blogs where employers, job seekers and students can find articles with helpful tips on how to manage their careers or job searches, how to write winning resumes and cover letters, or how to prepare and pay for college. Site visitors can also find great resources like ebooks, Webinars and a salary calculator.

Remember: These lists will be updated at the beginning of each month, so please keep checking back at our Press Room page.

About CollegeRecruiter.com

CollegeRecruiter.com is the leading job board for college students hunting for internships and recent graduates looking for entry level jobs and other career opportunities. CollegeRecruiter.com features hundreds of thousands of job openings and tens of thousands of pages of employment-related blogs, articles, podcasts, and videos. For more information, please visit http://www.CollegeRecruiter.com.

Contact Information for CollegeRecruiter.com: Steven Rothberg Steven@CollegeRecruiter.com 800-835-4989 x704

Key Influencers Convene in Chicago to Advance Behavioral Economics in Healthcare and Improve Health Outcomes and Lower Costs

Key Influencers Convene in Chicago to Advance Behavioral Economics in Healthcare and Improve Health Outcomes and Lower Costs

Hunt Valley, November 3, 2009 – ConnectYourCare, in conjunction with parent company Express Scripts (Nasdaq: ESRX) and the Center for Cost-Effective Consumerism, the American Benefits Council and Hewitt Associates, and 10 other leading health and policy organizations, convened in Chicago for a groundbreaking symposium on the convergence of behavioral economics and healthcare. This invitation-only event was held October 28th and 29th at the University of Chicago and united key decision makers and innovators in healthcare; top academics in business, medicine and economics; HR executives from leading companies in the food industry, healthcare and other industries; and government leaders.

“Applying behavioral economics to healthcare decision making is a fundamental ingredient to CYC’s efforts to improve health outcomes and eliminate waste in the healthcare system. Improving outcomes and eliminating waste are the most powerful levers for lowering healthcare costs,” Jamie Spriggs, Chief Marketing Officer at ConnectYourCare. “We are very excited to be a part of the ignite09 conference and excited about continued utilization of behavioral economic principles in our products and services.”

“We believe it is very important to continue the ignite09 symposium conversation series here in Chicago, especially since a recent report highlighted that a typical family of four in Chicago is spending an average of $19,008 a year on healthcare, which is the third-highest in the country,” Bob Nease, Chief Scientist, Express Scripts. “Attendees at the ignite09 symposium will continue the dialogue that began in the nation’s capitol and then moved to San Francisco about America’s existing and emerging healthcare problems and discuss real solutions made possible by applying the principles of behavioral economics to healthcare.”

This solution-oriented symposium drew on the insights of behavioral economics experts and focused on providing attendees with the knowledge and tools needed to improve health outcomes and lower costs, focusing specifically on the health care issues and organizations in the Chicago area.

“While it has been determined that monetary incentives alone won’t improve employees’ health decisions, they do have the desire and confidence to play an active role in managing their health,” said Cheryl Larson, Vice President, Midwest Business Group on Health, an ignite09 symposium strategic partner. “The value of applying behavioral economics to healthcare is being heard all across the country and analyzing this concept specific to Chicago employers will have an unquestionable benefit for all.”

“Interest in behavioral economics is growing tremendously across the country and it intersects with the critical national debate now underway in Washington, D.C. on reforming the health care system,” said James Klein, President, American Benefits Council. “Over the course of the previous two symposia, we explored strategies for guiding individuals to make informed and cost-effective healthcare choices that we will further develop here in Chicago.”

Classical economics assumes that people are rational and act in their own self interest; behavioral economics looks at the real world, focusing not on how people ought to act but instead on how they do act. Behavioral economics draws heavily from the principles of social and cognitive psychology to analyze the way people make decisions. A deeper understanding of why people do what they do empowers individuals and organizations to more effectively promote positive change in healthcare to improve outcomes while lowering cost.

“The ignite09 symposia focus on strategies that help to overcome many of the cost issues employers and individuals face today. These behavioral strategies are essential to lowering costs and ensuring better health outcomes,” said Jeff Munn, Principal, Health Management Practice, Hewitt Associates.

Symposium speakers included:

— Dan Ariely, PhD James B. Duke Professor of Behavioral Economics; Duke
University
— Alan Garber, MD, PhD Henry J. Kaiser Jr. Professor; Professor of
Medicine; Director, Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research;
Director, Center for Health Policy; Stanford University
— Bob Ihrie, MBA Senior Vice President, Employee Rewards and Services;
Lowe’s
— James A. Klein President; American Benefits Council
— David Laibson, PhD Harvard College Professor and Robert I. Goldman
Professor of Economics; Harvard University
— Cheryl Larson Vice President; Midwest Business Group on Health
— Jeff Munn Principal, Health Management Consulting Practice; Hewitt
Associates
— Bob Nease, PhD Chief Scientist; Express Scripts
— Larry Zarin Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate
Communications; Express Scripts

Strategic partners for the symposium included Midwest Business Group on Health, Buyers Health Care Action Group, The Mid-Atlantic Business Group on Health, National Business Coalition on Health, Network to Improve Community Health, Pacific Business Group on Health, Silicon Valley Employers Forum, St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition, Stanford University Center for Health Policy and The Leapfrog Group. For more information about the ignite09 symposium, please visit http://www.ignitesymposium.com.

About ConnectYourCare:
ConnectYourCare’s consumer-directed healthcare (CDH) benefit delivery platform provides a pathway for migration to account-based health plans, supplying tools for consumers to better manage their healthcare dollars. ConnectYourCare’s core strategy is based upon providing stewardship to its customers by helping them simplify complex health benefit concepts, motivate individuals to act, and execute a successful solution, resulting in long-term health benefit cost containment. Please visit http://www.ConnectYourCare.com for more information or call 1-877-495-3341.