BIS Benefits? client, NIOXIN Research Laboratories, Inc., named Benergy Employer of the Month

Benergy Product Suite Detangles Communication Web for Employees

In 2005 BIS Benefits and Online Benefits teamed up to provide Benergy to metro-Atlanta businesses. NIOXIN Research Laboratories, Inc. was one of the first BIS Benefits? clients to take advantage of this new technology available to assist HR directors and benefit managers in communicating benefit information to their employees. In October 2006 NIOXIN Research Laboratories, Inc. was named the Benergy Employer of the Month.

For nearly twenty years, NIOXIN has been creating healthy solutions for the millions of people who struggle with the challenge of thin-looking hair. Their team of researchers has developed the most advanced system to improve the appearance of fine and thinning hair. In doing so, they have evolved from a small niche-category business to become the industry leader. NIOXIN has approximately 250 employees throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and South America who count on Benergy?, Real Value Statements? (total compensation statements) and Ready?Enroll? for their benefits. Art Hansen, Vice President, Human Capital explains why.

Online Benefits, Inc. (OBI): Did you have anything in place before Benergy?

NIOXIN: No, we were sending out a lot of individual pieces to communicate with employees that required frequent updating. With Benergy, we liked the ability to capture more detailed information about the employee and publish employee statements upon request. This type of ?real time? response was quite appealing and had measurable value for both the Company as well as each employee.

OBI: What prompted you to incorporate the Real Value Statement into your communication strategy?

NIOXIN: One of our targets for this year was to explain to employees the value of their benefits ? the hidden paycheck approach. We instituted this through the Benergy site. We conduct an annual attitude and opinion survey and recorded an increase of 30 points over the previous year regarding the ?perceived value? of the benefits offered. It was a tremendous turnaround and was very satisfying to see. We took the time to print statements and explain them to the employees and it really worked.

OBI: Do you find a difference in how much time you devote to employee communication now versus pre-Benergy?

Nioxin: Yes, I would say that there is a lot less administrative work since we can direct people towards Benergy for information. In fact, we had a national sales meeting where we handed out promotional cards from the Benergy site with the web address. We?ll also be doing another demonstration of Benergy with our field employees so they?ll be able to use the site more effectively. Overall, I am doing a lot less busy work; although benefits are somewhat my bugaboo if you would. I try to stay on top of it as much as possible because I want people to understand the value.

OBI: How have your employees reacted to Benergy?

Nioxin: You can see the positive reaction because they have 24/7 access and can look at their benefits from home or anywhere. And our survey has revealed that our employees view our benefits with more value. It certainly gives us the impression that they appreciate the total site.

OBI: How did you announce Benergy to your employees?

Nioxin: We did the statements first and then we met with employees in small groups. At the time we introduced the Benergy site to them with a number of general announcements before communicating it in our newsletter.

OBI: Do you have any other plans for the next generation of Benergy?

Nioxin: We?ve put a lot of information on Benergy ? our handbook, Manager?s Guide and corporate philosophy. We?ve included several benefit policies and procedures in addition to internal company contact information. We?re planning to send our newsletter via PDF. We?ll continue to expand the functionality as ideas and issues arise. It?s an evolving site and we?ll see it grow as more people recognize it as a dynamic experience.

OBI: Would you recommend Benergy to another HR person, and if so, what would you say?

Nioxin: Most assuredly. I would recommend it just from the stand point of being able to give your employees continuous access to a host of information allowing companies to eliminate a lot of paperwork and books. Everything is right on the site and it is tailored to your specific company?s needs. With our site, we?ve customized it using all sorts of neat stuff including the function of audio-guided tours. It?s a very user-friendly site for even those that are not computer savvy.

If you would like to know more about Benergy and to see if Benergy is right for your company, contact BIS Benefits at 770 645-6908 or at BIS@BISbenefits.com