Employee Benefit Makeover: How Growing Companies Can Become More Attractive
Sept. 11, 2006 (Des Moines, Iowa) — In today's business climate, the competition for high-quality employees is tougher than ever. In a recent study by Randstad, 41 percent of small business owners cited hiring the right people with the right job skills as the number one employment issue they face, with retaining and motivating employees as a close second. Employers are increasingly faced with creating attractive benefits packages to recruit and retain employees.
As a dedicated partner to women owners of growing businesses, the Principal Financial Group® will offer a complimentary teleclass Sept. 26 at noon CST. During this class, women business owners will get an edge by learning about trends in benefits options and retention strategies for their company. Key ideas and steps will be defined and detailed by the speaker, Dianna Podmoroff.
"Benefits play an integral role in how businesses retain high-performing employees and need to be part of the strategic planning for any successful business," said Michelle Swanda, advertising officer for The Principal®. "It is crucial for business owners to make sure their benefits fit the needs of their company and their employees."
The teleclass on Sept. 26 is part of The Principal Women in Business Teleclass Series designed to offer business development strategies to women business owners. All classes take place on "Teleclass Tuesdays" and run through December.
Meet the Speaker
Dianna Podmoroff, founder of Arete Business Solutions, is a human resource and organizational development consultant and freelance business writer. As a former HR manager and college instructor, Podmoroff brings a wealth of practical experience to her consulting and writing. She is a regular contributor of articles for various business Web sites and has authored several books including How to Hire, Train and Keep the Best Employees for Your Small Business, 501+ Great Interview Questions for Employers, 365 Ways to Motivate and Reward Your Employees Every Day, and How To Write a Great Business Plan in 60 Minutes or Less.
"Employees are a company's best asset and keeping them on board requires a competitive benefits package and the use of creative strategies to motivate and retain," said Podmoroff. "But maintaining an attractive benefits package has never been more challenging. Business owners find it extremely helpful to hear examples of how successful companies are crafting and maintaining affordable benefits and retaining their top employees."
How to Get Involved
Pre-register for classes at www.principal.com/women. Space is limited. All classes are held at noon CST (1 p.m. EST, 11 a.m. MST and 10 a.m. PST) on the dates scheduled. In-depth information about the 2006 classes, topics and speakers, as well as previously-conducted teleclasses via streaming audio, is available at www.principal.com/women.
About the Principal Financial Group
The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal®)1 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies and national network of financial professionals. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $206 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 16.3 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.
1) "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.
2) As of June 30, 2006.
