Differentiating between Predecessor and Prior Service
As a Chicago Cubs fan, September is usually a dreary time. Instead of focusing on the impending postseason, Cubs fans know the drill of their ‘lovable losers’ already being eliminated from contention...
View ArticleFour key concepts to communicate to retirement plan participants during...
Change is good! Without change, there is no adventure in life. It gives people the opportunity to learn and grow. In today’s ever-changing work environment, status quo gets you nowhere. But, change...
View ArticleHow can you avoid or fix 3 common retirement plan issues within corporate...
The greatest time of the year is upon us – fantasy football! Part of being a fantasy football “owner” is acquiring players and making trades. This involves careful due diligence of players by looking...
View ArticleThe Ultimate Sales Tool
How well do you know your clients? While you can know everything there is to know about the products and services you market, it all means very little if you don’t know your clients – their wants,...
View Article5 ways The Principal® can assist with a corporate acquisition or disposition
As parents of a junior in high school, we’ve recently kicked up the process of planning for college. Those that have been through the process know the importance of multiple meetings with school...
View ArticleMerger & Acquisition: Top 10 Takeaways
Not since before the economic crisis in 2008 has merger and acquisition activity been so active¹. Worldwide, 2014 M&A activity increased 47% from 2013, making it the largest increase since 2007¹....
View ArticleThe Tip of the Iceberg
Recommending employee benefit plans that speak to your clients’ needs doesn’t have to be difficult. But it does require insight that can enlighten and clarify. And it needs to satisfy their key...
View ArticleWhat is your route to a corporate transaction?
My thirteen year old son who is an avid runner once gave me the best advice. That advice was everything we do in life is like a 5K. It has a starting line and a finish line. If you get off to a bad...
View ArticleAs Families Shift, So Do Benefit Needs
How do you define family? In this day and age, the definition often involves dynamics that are anything but “traditional.” For many reasons – including delayed adulthood, blended families and boomerang...
View ArticleShape up your retirement program in 2016
Many of us start off every new year with the resolution of getting in better shape. For some, that can mean physical shape. For others, it could mean financial, intellectual, emotional, spiritual,...
View ArticleShow Me the Money!
If you’re like me and you hear the word “compensation,” you picture Cuba Gooding Jr. jumping up and down screaming “Show Me the Money” to Tom Cruise. 20 years has passed since that famous quote from...
View ArticleThe case for carrier scalability
Just like their large-company counterparts, small employers know the advantages of offering flexible employee benefit options to their workforce. But for advisors, it’s becoming more difficult to find...
View ArticleBusiness is Booming in Des Moines
Earlier this month the Democratic and Republican caucuses took place in Iowa with each of the 99 counties in Iowa hosting its own convention. Since 1972, the Iowa caucuses have been the first major...
View ArticleWho’s in your Company’s Family Tree?
A family reunion is a great way to reconnect with family, catch-up with a long lost cousin and maybe even find relatives you didn’t even know about. Whether it is a weekend picnic or a vacation...
View ArticleMillennial business owners are changing the game
Millennials have become a vital force in the world of small business. More so than older generations, millennials are confident and optimistic about their business financials for the upcoming year. And...
View ArticleWho’s in Your Company’s Family Tree – but Not in Your Plan?
My dad just turned 90 years old. We had many discussions prior to his big day about how to celebrate his milestone. We went back and forth on how big he wanted this party to be. In the end, my dad...
View ArticleThe Art of Prioritizing
With a 6 month old son I’ve noticed I’ve had to start to prioritize how I spend my time much different than in the past. It’s amazing the changes that my little guy has gone through in just the first...
View ArticleSpring has arrived…..what’s on your “to do” list?
As the calendar changes to April and the snow clears from the ground I’m again reminded of all the home improvement projects that I put off over the last year (maybe 2). Whether it’s cleaning the...
View ArticleKeeping baby boomers on your radar
We spend a lot of time considering how to appeal to up-and-coming millennials, whether they’re employees or business owners. But have we lost sight of the other generations? Take baby boomers, for...
View ArticleHow will the 2016 election impact employers?
It’s been a whirlwind year for presidential politics. And while elections can get personal, the end result – after the nominee gets elected and takes office – can also have a substantial impact on...
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