Open enrollment is a season that usually causes immediate stress for HR teams, but with the right preparation, it doesn't have to be. In this episode of Tea with HRT, Chris and Shawn from MMA join Allyns and Brenda to discuss benefits strategy, broker partnerships, and the employee experience as we head into Q4. Leaders and HR professionals will explore how to successfully prepare employers and their teams for open enrollment before the rates even hit everyone's desks. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or HR professional, this episode offers insights into building strong broker partnerships that act as a true extension of your HR team. You'll learn how to make benefits communication clearer by catering to different employee communication styles, where employees struggle the most when picking plans (from HSAs to pet benefits), and how to avoid the biggest strategic traps businesses fall into during this busy season. This Episode's Guests: Chris and Shawn Chris J. Labbate Executive Vice President, Business Strategist | Employee Health & Benefits As Executive Vice President, Business Strategist at Marsh McLennan Agency, Chris works with clients and prospective clients in both the public and private sectors with a focus on delivering innovative solutions for middle market firms. Chris uses his expertise and 30+ years of industry experience to help clients see how innovative Employee Benefits and HR programs can positively affect employee retention, culture, and a company’s bottom line. He is an authority on Employee Benefits, including consumer driven health plans, alternative funding arrangements, acquisition diligence, benefit enrollment and exchange technology, communications, compliance, an wellness. He has published articles, spoken at national forums, and retainsmembership in the National Associate of Health Underwriters. Chris received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and holds an M.B.A. in Marketing and Finance from the Stem School of Business at New York University. Shawn Hill Account Executive | Employee Health & Benefits Shawn has over 20 years of experience in the Employee Health & Benefits arena. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Kean University in Management Science, he began his career at Aetna US Healthcare. After 4 plus years on the carrier side he then moved to the brokerage side with Compain Anderson Azar, a New York based brokerage firm. For the past 13 plus years he has been with Marsh McLennan Agency in various account management roles. Shawn is currently located in Norwalk, CT office in the Account Executive position handling large sized market accounts. Shawn is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Prince Hall Masonry and provides mentorship to youths through these organizations. About Marsh McLennan Agency Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA) provides business insurance, employee health & benefits, retirement, and private client insurance solutions to organizations and individuals seeking limitless possibilities. With 10,000+ colleagues and 180+ offices across North America, MMA combines the personalized service model of a local consultant with the global resources of the world’s leading professional services firm, Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC). Work With Chris and Shawn 🌐 MarshMMA.com 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-labbate-5926656/ 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillshawn/ Links & Resources: 🌐 https://www.hrtransformed.com/ 🌳 https://linktr.ee/hrtransformed 🔗 Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/hr_transformed/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hr-transformed/ https://www.threads.com/@hr_transformed 📧 Contact us: tea@hrtransformed.com ‼️ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or sponsors. This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice.
