CollaborativeHUB

Be a Partner-Member in CollaborativeHUB

2007-05-04T17:49:00-07:00

This business model is all about the power of like minded people creating synergy through sharing ideas, building technology tools that enhance business and building relationships with others that give you markets in area that you could not have because you are not located in the area.
The opportunity to become a Partner-Member is an investment of some money and time. The time part is up to you, it can be in the background (not much time) or more involved in the process.
Investment of money will vary based on the level you want to participate.
CollaborativeHUB will generate income on different levels. One will be through the BenefitVibes web application that can become an industry leader.
Benefits to you and your firms:
$ Partners in revenue sharing earned through CollaborativeHUB businesses.
$ 'Ownership-Partner' in Benefits Technology Business.
$ BenefitVibes 'ease of use' technology with CRM to run your business smoother and integrating client HR and employee portals with vendors. It will also integrate the CoHUB community platform and industry content and calendaring under a platform that ties it all together creating a 360 view of your business.

Network vs. Networlding

2007-04-17T18:36:00-07:00

We all know that business success is accelerated when you have others that can get you 'in' to a prospective client. There are 2 different ways to go about getting to others to create and build somethings great or speed up the process in getting in front of a prospect

Networlding relationships start when you clearly express your intent in the broad sense of the word. Quickly and convincingly, you communicate your goals and value, and when you do so, people who resonate to your intent will respond. If someone responds positively and you are able to establish a Networlding relationship, you can reap tremendous benefits. Your new partner will not only do more for you in terms of opportunities but in providing an empathetic ear and a source of fresh ideas. In contrast, networking connections are flimsy because they lack support. When networking, people are bound together because one person needs another to do a deal or create a sale. One particular situation binds them together, and as soon as this situation disintegrates or disappears, there's nothing left of the relationship to keep it strong enough to survive.

Check out this site for more on the concept of Networlding!

How the community will enhance your business.

2007-03-07T17:42:00-08:00

The way to understand value of the platform is to use it to your advantage. Post comments to this posting on ways you see or would like to see the community evolve as well as what add ons to the platform that you would like to see. We have added a forum in the community platform(link) entitled 'Ideas to enhance the platform' Please write any suggestions you may have or comments on what you see. Always remember this is your community.

Is Blogging used at your Firm?

2007-02-22T12:27:00-08:00

Ask most Brokers or HR professionals about technology and they will not know what an RSS feed is or how does a Blog work and why do I need one.. Not knowing tools like these will have your business behind the eight ball and those that understand them will have an advantage over your business.

Definition of Blogging ::

A weblog, which is usually shortened to blog, is a type of website where entries are made (such as in a journal or diary), displayed in a reverse chronological order.

Blogs often provide commentary or news and information on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Most blogs are primarily textual although some focus on photographs (photoblog), videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider network of social media.

We use this format on this site because of the nature of blogging gets us communicating more often and more interactive with members. Also it gives the readers of the site a more intimate sense of what we are creating with CollaborativeHUB.

So look at this communications tool to increase the connection to clients.

How are RRS feeds being used in your business?

2007-01-11T10:39:00-08:00

First let me say that if you asked yourself 'what the heck is an RSS feed'?, you are not alone. The term RSS stands for "really simple syndication". Okay so what is it and who will it help me in my business functions? Whether you are in the HR department or a broker or consultant.

What is CollaborativeHUB

2006-12-22T16:16:00-08:00

Hello and Welcome to CollaborativeHUB. This is the development of a Community or the “open source” platform of Independent, Small and Mid-Sized firms of Employee Benefit Brokers, Benefit Consultants, P&C Brokers, Wellness and HR Professionals. We are excited about the possibilities that
technology can play and how it can help to get people together to collaborate for a common good.

Online Community ::
CollaborativeHUB’s online community platform where Members can create media content, “market” products build business relationships with other members in the community and well as developing other ideas. This place is for insiders to go and keep up-to-date with news, ask questions and the most complete industry calendar events both local and national.

BusinessPlace ::
We are also creating a "Businessplace" within the community platform for Member Companies looking for the right professionals for their business needs.

Web Applications ::
The network community is combining the “brain” capital of its members in creating the new generation of Web Applications (Web 2.0) for member firms to manage and improve their business process as well as their clients. The community members are ”partners” in the Web Applications.

Join us and see that Power of the Community!

More detail about CollaborativeHUB;

Online Community ::
CollaborativeHUB’s online community platform for Independent, Small and Mid-Sized firms of Employee Benefit Brokers, Benefit Consultants, P&C Brokers, Wellness and HR Professionals. Members can create media content, market products build business relationships with other members in the community and well as developing a knowledge database for members to access. This will be a very vibrant place for insiders to go and keep up-to-date with news and industry calendar events both local and national.

Web Applications ::
The network community is combining the “brain” capital of its members in creating the new generation of Web Applications (Web 2.0) for companies to manage and improve their business process from the business and HR level. The community ‘”partners” in the Web Applications.

The marketplace is littered with companies that create HR apps that are over priced and over written. We are building the next Business Web Applications with the most current technologies and with the idea that “less” is better. We found that a high percentage of an application is never used because is requires the end user to learn more than they want to, and ultimately the technology is to assist and not hinder your firms and your clients effectiveness.

BusinessPlace ::
It will allow for Companies and Organizations that are searching for and hire an Employee Benefit Professional, Wellness, HR, PC firm(Business Insurance), Independent life agents, Retirement Specialist, etc… that is the right fit for their needs. Currently companies have no place other than a referral or most likely some firm had called on them to really get the firms that “fit”. With the HUB, the company’s HR or CFO will get a better snapshot of who they might be interested in by the platforms preference choices. Once chosen, they will see all the right people within the “people map” to choose from and then the company can request an introduction online to start the communications. Only the companies can initiate the introduction.

Click here and sign up for free today!

Tilthing throughout the year...good for health.

2006-12-12T09:49:48-08:00

We see them in front of the stores ringing the bell, thoses dedicated people helping others for the Salvation Army. When I see them I will put some money it them and it feels good everytime. I saw a show I think it was 20/20 talking about the health benefits of giving money and or time to help others.

Announcing CollaborativeHUB "WebShows"

2006-12-08T16:34:00-08:00

We are announcing another way of communicating great content and value to the community with the CollaborativeHUB "Web Talk Show" channels. It will consist of different channels that will have it's own show. Shows include the Wellness Show, Employee Benefits Show, Human Resources Show, Financial Planning Show and others. It works like a radio talk show except it's over the web. We will be having guests from around the America talking about the issues of the day in each area of interest. As listener, you will be able to "call-in' to ask questions as well and ask questions through the chat feature all from your computer, or you can listen from your phone. If you miss an episode, no worry, will will have it recorded and you can listen anytime.

An example from the Employee Benefits Show, we will be having reps from carriers talking about their company news, changes and new ideas. They will answer questions from the audience and a great way to have your staff listen and learn more about what's going on so that you can communicate more effectively with clients and propects.

All shows will be on the community calendar so you will be able to search for shows that interest you and then be sent an email and or cellphone text message reminder.

We will be looking for hosts within the community to help with the shows so if anyone is interested in hosting a show please contact us. Also if you want to be involved in other area of putting on the show such as being a guest or finding great guest aslo contact us.

Look for a post when the first show is going to "aire" Please click this link for the for more information about the show format and FAQ.

Setting your firm up for future sale.

2006-11-03T12:25:00-08:00

In the October issue of Benefit Adviser, I read an article about setting up your firm for future sale and the need for using the 'right' technology to increase the value as well as running your current business. Here is some exerts;

• Enhance your ability to cross and up-sell to existing clients.

• Service customers efficiently and effectively.

• Improve interaction with your clients, customers, vendors and other important relationships.

• Enable your management to see 360 view of firms business.

Sharing within the Community

2006-10-25T19:19:57-07:00

I just read the latest issue of Employee Benefits News and noticed the article written by the Editor and he talks about the need to share.

What'd you learn in school today? Sharing!

By: David Albertson, Editor

To borrow from the title of a book that was popular some years ago: All I Ever Really Needed to Know about Benefits Management I Learned in Kindergarten.

Aside from the parts about not running with scissors and the value of naps, I would submit that the most valuable lesson for us to retain is sharing. It's a concept even the federal government seems able to grasp, as witnessed by the executive order recently signed by President Bush. It instructs four federal agencies that oversee large health care programs to gather information about the quality and price of care, then share it with one another and program beneficiaries.

Specifically, this enlists administrators of the military health care system, Medicare and Medicaid, the federal employee health benefits program and the Veterans Affairs health system. They are tasked - among other things - with showing beneficiaries the prices agencies pay for comparable procedures, developing compatible computer systems and electronic health records and devising a way to measure quality of care.

Together, those four agencies pick up about 40% of the nation's health care tab. Most of the rest, of course, is paid for in the private sector, where employer-sponsored plans have been hit by cost increases of more than 70% since 2000. The government took a good first step with its initiative, and employers should support it and collaborate wherever possible. As National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler said of the effort, "A transparent health care system is essential to reducing spending and increasing quality."

In other words, to take the mystery of health care costs out of the black box, we all have to play nice in the sandbox. But there is nothing juvenile about it: Working together requires a mature sense of community in both the public and private sector. Along those lines, it was encouraging to spend time at last month's Benefits Management Forum & Expo in Chicago, where benefit professionals gathered to find out what everyone else is doing about common problems. The answers came as often from networking conversations as PowerPoint presentations. You had to be there to truly understand.

Certainly, there are many other opportunities for benefit professionals to build this sense of community, learn from the experiences of others and stand on one another's shoulders to reach their goals. Meetings are one, electronic media and their communication exchanges are another, as of course are your industry publications. We'd like to be as interactive as possible as we all try to learn what "everyone else" is doing. Next month's EBN will contain more coverage on the federal government's health transparency initiative, and on solutions from BMF&E.

There's a lot of important information coming out, and we're happy to share it with you. - D.A