Our world of benefits is in a perfect storm, and it's about to get worse. I think the wheels are about to come off the benefits wagon, and we're not paying attention to the warning signals. My cynicism is coming from the combined effects of a diverse workforce, a talent shortage, politicians with personal agendas, work/life balance issues and really, really, really complex benefits issues.

Why so glum, bucky? We are less than half a year from the actual launch of the insurance marketplaces in each of our states, and we need to get better at summarizing everything in 6 seconds or less. 

I just did a very interesting review of what Massachusetts did a few years back at the launch of their Health Connector. Very cool. When they launched, they treated it like a new product introduction for a complex new product or service (which it was …)  launching it with a sophisticated media push and lots of press releases, info-laced commercials, trade show giveaways like shopping bags, pens, refrigerator magnets, stress balls, and even the paid endorsement of the Boston Red Sox. Big stuff.