Employee Engagement a Critical Component to Bottom Line at OneAmerica

2019 APR 09 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- OneAmerica® attributes another double-digit sales growth year from its employee benefits (EB) division to an improved office culture that emphasizes shared success and celebration. The resulting increase in job satisfaction has benefited the bottom line while also producing better results for brokers and policyholders.

“Our internal studies show you can’t truly enjoy success by paying mere lip service to employee engagement,” said Nathan Queen, regional vice president, Southern Region, Employee Benefits, based in Charlotte, N.C. “Performance and job satisfaction go hand in hand, so at OneAmerica we are intentional about boosting our employee engagement even as our workload has been the highest it has been compared to previous years. This is reflected in our engagement survey scores, in addition to our fantastic results.”

OneAmerica employee benefits division sales in 2018 were 38 percent above goal, as the company’s philosophy of workplace-based foundational group disability and life insurance products has resonated in the market. EB has recorded double-digit sales growth for five consecutive years, and in 2017 was named by Eastbridge as the fastest-growing company (small category) based on voluntary sales.1 A commitment to sales and service starts with relationship-building that begins at the home office and extends outward. EB provides monthly and quarterly celebratory events for its teams, coordinated by rank-and-file associates on an official engagement committee. The events, often featuring fun and games, bring together employees from sales, underwriting, operations, claims, finance and marketing. Not uncommon are spot bonuses, free lunches and perks like a prize wheel that allows employees to spin for a chance at rewards.

According to a 2018 study by LIMRA, company culture and relationships with supervisors and co-workers are two key factors that go into employees’ overall satisfaction with their jobs, which also include salary, benefits, length of commute and job responsibilities.2 Current and prospective customers are often invited to be a part of OneAmerica milestones, such as when two employees, Charles Ibrahim and Mary Peete, were surprised by Scott Davison, chairman, president and CEO of OneAmerica, as 2019 ASPIRE winners. ASPIRE honors individual associates for exemplary work in five categories: Excellence in Execution, Outstanding Leadership, Excellence in Partnership, Outstanding Team Impact and Distinguished Achievement, and annually recognizes only 10 of our more than 2,000 associates.

In addition, OneAmerica personnel who support EB sales and service join together at their national sales meeting in Indianapolis to work on a community service project to benefit Central Indiana nonprofits, then carry that spirit with them when they return to their hometowns.

“It is healthy for our business be growing at this pace, and moving together, whether in Indianapolis or nationally,” said Dan Aiello, regional vice president, Northern Region, Employee Benefits, based in Milwaukee, Wis. “Getting on the same page is crucial to support brokers, employers and policyholders, so doing these fun events together is purposely intertwined.”

OneAmerica is currently hiring nationally for sales professionals. Start your journey by visiting http://bit.ly/WorkatOA for more information. About OneAmerica® A national leader in the insurance and financial services marketplace for more than 140 years, the companies of OneAmerica help customers build and protect their financial futures. OneAmerica offers a variety of products and services to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and customers. These products include retirement plan products and recordkeeping services, individual life insurance, annuities, asset-based long-term care solutions and employee benefit plan products. Products are issued and underwritten by the companies of OneAmerica and distributed through a nationwide network of employees, agents, brokers and other sources who are committed to providing value to our customers. To learn more about our products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit http://oneamerica.com/about-us/companies-of-oneamerica OneAmerica® is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica. Products issued and underwritten by American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL), Indianapolis, IN, a OneAmerica company. 1 https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170517005581/en/Eastbridge-Recognizes-OneAmerica-2016-Voluntary-Sales-Growth 2 LIMRA report, “The Talent Magnet.” Accessed at: https://www.limra.com/Research/Abstracts/PDF/2018/181113-01.pdf?research_id=10737459970 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190327005412/en/

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