Burr and Forman LLP implemented its first wellness initiative in 2008. In 2012, the company was recognized as an award winner in the large company category of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Healthiest Employer Awards. Burr and Forman’s, (www.burr.com), success lies in its commitment to wellness through a variety of programming aimed at physical fitness, nutrition and reducing stress.

“Over 75 percent of our workforce participates in one or more of our wellness programs on an annual basis,” stated Cathy Ogletree, Director of Human Resources. “We offer many wellness programs to meet our employees’ different needs and to make them fun, easy to participate, and competitive, where appropriate.”

On this week’s show, we interviewed Cathy Ogletree, HR Director and David Elliott, Attorney, of Burr & Forman LLP for the details behind their successful wellness initiative. To hear all about their programming, incentive strategy, program results, and more; click on this link: Burr & Forman HBR Interview.

We also asked Cathy and David what they thought was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs. Their combined responses identified that it’s not just one simple answer: Successful Engagement Strategy – Burr & Forman.

Finally, on the show’s health tip segment, co-host Steve Cherniak shared a recent article by Larry Chapman in which he revealed the Top 10 mistakes made by wellness professionals. Steve reviewed half the list. To avoid falling victim to these miscues, listen hear: HBR Health Tip – Mistakes to Avoid.

Article source: Health Promotion Practitioner, March-April, 2012

On our show, we spend a lot of time talking about organizational success. But, what about the “nuts and bolts” level of programming success? What are some of the real world solutions for health promotion programming.

Dean Witherspoon is the President of Health Enhancement Systems (HES). He is also the managing editor of HES’ publication – “The Health Promotion Practitioner”. This bi-monthly magazine provides cutting edge ideas, trends and resources for the worksite wellness professional. Great information focused on helping the practitioner: increase participation, add creativity to promotions, build support, find quality resources, devise evaluation strategies, and stay on top of industry development. We asked Dean to reveal some of these practical solutions; as well as get his thoughts on the direction of the health promotion industry is going in terms of incentives, programming and evaluation. To hear this informative and insightful interview, click on this link: Dean Witherspoon HBR Interview.

We also asked Dean what he felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs. Dean’s unique respose stands out from all other guest responses: Dean Witherspoon – Successful Engagement Strategy.

Rod Reasen II is the Chief Executive Officer of Healthiest Employer, LLC. His company is a research and analytic firm focused on behavioral health and wellness. They work directly with wellness vendors, brokers and insurers to assist with analytics in the workplace. Healthiest Employer has created an awards program to identify and recognize which employers are conducting successful wellness program. We asked Rod what makes a healthiest employer. To hear this informative and insightful interview, click on this link: Rod Reasen Healthiest Employer Interview.

We also asked Mr. Reasen what he felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs. Rod’s unique response identified that it’s not as simple as one thinks: Successful Engagement Strategy – Rod Reasen.

Finally, in the show’s health tip segment, co-host Steve Cherniak shared the recent completion of an online certificate course for Worksite Health Promotion. Steve was one of five professionals sponsored by the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion to create the online course designed to provide practitioners with a “road map” for implementing successful evidence-based health promotion programs in the workplace. To hear Steve’s explanation click on this link: IAWHP Online Certificate Course, or go to the course site.

What makes some companies more successful with their wellness initiatives than others? We imagine that since no two people are alike in their approach to lifestyle change; then the same must apply with organizations. Is their wellness strategy the same as their business strategy?

Chick-fil-A is a highly respected and successful business with a successful wellness program. Elizabeth David Dixon, Chick-fil-A’s director of wellness, joined the show to highlight their approach in improving the health of their workforce. We discussed with Elizabeth the reasons for the successes they are achieving through their wellness initiative. To hear this informative and insightful interview, click on this link: Elizabeth David Dixon Interview.

We also asked Elizabeth what she felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs. Click here for her unique response: Successful Engagement Strategy – Elizabeth Dixon.

Finally, co-host Steve Cherniak shared this week’s health tip on how to put in place a “Healthy Vending Machine Policy” for a workplace, This Week’s Health Tip – Vending Machines.

We discussed with Arlene and Ramon a variety of topics, including: social networking and behavior change; how wellness coaches are successful when no two people are alike; and how incentives fit with a company’s business strategy. To hear this very informative and insightful interview, click on this link: WellCall Interview.

We also asked our guests what they felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs. Click here for their unique responses: WellCall Successful Engagement Strategies.

Finally, host Steve Cherniak shared this week’s health tip on how wellness practitioners can incorporate some tried-and-true techniques to get new program participants: The Week’s Health Tip.

Since 1978, StayWell Health Management, www.staywellhealthmanagement.com, has been making a difference in implementing corporate wellness programs. With our most recent interview, we found out how StayWell works; what they offer; and how they’re different from other health promotion companies.

Joining the show was Sue Willette, senior vice president and chief growth officer. Sue establishes organizational capabilities to develop and execute a pipeline of new growth platforms. Sue also aligns the company with future health care trends, and leverages core capabilities to exceed client expectations.

We discussed with Sue a variety of current trends and topics; including how companies could and shoul champion their health management initiatives as a part of their core business strategy. To hear this very informative and insightful interview, click on this link: Interview with Sue Willette.

In addition, the hosts asked Sue what she file was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs. She responded by citing three necessary pillars of success. Click here for her unique response: S. Willette Engagement Strategy.

Social networking is now the latest wellness approach to driving engagement and behavior change. Is it working?

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of ShapeUp, www.shapeup.com, joined the show to discuss these issure and describe the successes his company has achieved in applying social networking to the corporate wellness environment. ShapeUp has been able to deliver a model approach that uses social networking, social games, and social incentives to help people lead healthier lives. To here this very informative and insightful interview, click on this link: Dr. Kumar Interview – ShapeUp.

In addition, the hosts asked Dr. Kumar what he felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs. He responded by citing the phenomenon of “crowd-sourcing” as a key factor to success. Click hear for his unique response: Dr. Kumar Engagement Strategy.

Dr. Rearick also identifed his Top Ten list of critical events that took place in the population health management field in 2011.  To keep your program from fallling behind, make sure you listen to this important and impactful list:  Dr. Dave’s Top Ten List. 

The hosts also asked her what she felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get members to participate in health and wellness programs.  Here’s the link to Katie’s new and unique response:  K. Bell’s Engaement Strategy.

Finally, the hosts shared their health tip of the week which included and explanation on how companies can incorporate “green exercise” intoe their programming.  Click on this link to hear “How to put greeen exercise to work“.

Tom Richards is Senior Manager of Public Policy with the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), www.ihrsa.org.  Tom coordinates IHRSA’s outreach to leading organizations and government agencies – such as the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, and the Campaign to End Obesity – to highlight the importance of physical activity to America’s health.

Tom highlighted how such initiatives are going much further than encouraging individuals to exercise more, it involves a recognition that communities and the worksites are important partners and change agents if a national culture of physical activity is going to be achieved.  Our discussion with Mr. Richards revealed such key initiatives as the WHIP Act (legislation for Workplace Health Improvement Programs); IHRSA’s Get Active America campaign to involve community health & fitness facilities; and the National Physical Activity Plan that represents a national strategy to integrate the eight sectors of business, education, health care, mass media, parks & recreation, transportation, public health, and non-profits into its mission to support physically active lifestyles.  To hear all of Tom’s insights, click on this link, Tom Richards Interview.

The hosts also asked Tom what he felt was the most successful engagement strategy to get individuals to participate in health and wellness programs.  Here’s the link to hear his informative response, T. Richard’s Engagement Strategy.

Finally, Steve Cherniak shared his weekly health tip which revealed the five barriers that limit the success worksite health promotion programs.  To hear Steve’s tip, click on this link, Weekly Health Tip.