Your benefits plan is one of your business' largest expenses, and finding an effective solution to improve it isn't likely to happen the first time you meet with your advisor.(Photo: Shutterstock)

The journey to a more cost-effective benefits plan can be a long one, and if you're working with a broker who's a poor fit for your business, that journey can become even longer (and more expensive). Finding an advisor who suits your company's individual needs, however, can be a whole challenge of its own. You don't want to waste thousands of dollars working with a broker who ultimately fails to create savings within your benefits plan, but determining whether or not an advisor is a good fit for your business during your first few conversations isn't always easy.

Before you sign that contract and welcome a new benefits advisor onto your team, ask yourself if they seem willing and able to provide these crucial components to a great relationship between a benefits advisor and a business owner:

The right solution, not a quick fix

Your benefits plan is one of your business' largest expenses, and finding an effective solution to improve it isn't likely to happen the first time you meet with your advisor. Still, many brokers try this approach: they have a product or strategy that they feel is perfect for your business, and they may try to push you into accepting it before they've even gotten to know your company's unique situation. No matter how they try to convince you, though, a one-size-fits-all method will rarely take you on the best path to optimal savings for your plan.