One top advisormentioned that she told her clients that reaching their goals wouldrequire a five-year plan, rather than an instant fix. For the mostpart, we've become an instant fix type of society. We can quicklyscan texts, emails, and instant messages or quickly drive thru toaccomplish most of our needs and desires. But that has an inherentproblem: the easiest and quickest solution is not usually rightway. You can force a square peg into a round hole with a mallet,but there will be damage.Everything that is worth something requirestime, preparation, commitment and oftentimes, some pain—whetherphysical, emotional or financial.If a company wants to make a significantdifference in the resources they use towards their human capital inregards to employee benefits, there is a very simple question thatneeds to be asked: Why do you offer benefits to you youremployees?The outlay peremployee is typically already a source of pain in the budget forcompanies, but the value is not realized until there is completeunderstanding of why that investment is being made. As the advisorI heard said, “Initially, there will be pain to reach the goalsthey want to reach.”Oncebusiness partners fully understand these goals, a plan can beconstructed to design more of a straight line path towards thecompany's specific long term objectives for their human capital andbottom line. There are very simple steps to follow:

• Ascertain why benefits are offered and whatthey currently like about their plan design
• Change the plan design to fit the employer'slong-term goals with specific steps and guidelines
• Trustthat you are the expert in this; it is why you werehired
• Staycurrent on new benefits trends and adjust plans asneeded

There is a lot of unrest in thebenefits industry, which is causing many employers and employees tobecome more educated and to look for consultants who are willing tomove out of the norm and disrupt what they have typically done inorder to have a better outcome in the future. It is vitallyimportant to properly equip yourself with the right consultants andpartners to ensure your success.The pain brought about by the escalating costsof health care, pharmacy, and insurance leads to disruption asthe only true path to change. Plan design is the answer; it is anupward climb, it is not an easy path, it requires an expert withexperience, it is not going to be an instant fix, and the climb tothe top may require training and muscle memory, but it isbeautiful. And your clients need a little help to reach thepeak.