Welcome to CFOcus, Grizzaffi Darby’s monthly newsletter created specifically for CFOs dealing with the challenges of benefits management. This newsletter will offer you industry trends, best practices and an expert perspective on current issues that are relevant to you.

We’d like to kick off this issue by taking a position in direct opposition to the current (depressing) perspective on employee benefits. CFO Magazine recently published an article entitled “Benefits in 2020” which posited that employee benefits has been a “lose-lose situation for years.” It points out that the rising costs of benefits and their increasing (negative) impression on the bottom line. However, this article and others like it ignore the growing positive impact of first-class benefits on a company as a whole.

CFOs who go against the grain and work with the experts to develop the best benefits plan for their employees are more likely to attract top talent with a quality employment brand and retain top performers who positively impact the bottom line. According to the MetLife Study of Employee Benefits Trends in 2005, employees said they were more likely to stay with a company that offers desirable benefits than to leave for more pay. Companies that value performance can elevate their benefits while cutting costs if they work with experts who can find the best services, provide the documentation that protects them from legal costs and negotiate optimal rates.

For those CFOs who believe that their job is to increase the value of their company rather than just watch the bottom line, Grizzaffi Darby will continue to provide industry updates and solutions.

Sincerely,

James “Trey” Darby
President/CEO
Grizzaffi Darby,

• Benefits in 2020: The future of health and retirement plans presents big challenges for employers and employees. More...
• A delicate balance: One of the toughest jobs for CFOs is building a quality benefits package that won't collapse under its own weight. More...
• Pension Act Tilts to Cash-Balance Plans: But employers still might want to shun old-style defined-benefit plans for the comfort of a 401(k). More...
• Wal-Mart Could Spark Wider Drug Saving: The retail giant's cost slashing might prompt employers to squeeze savings out of the healthy profits of pharmacy benefit managers. More...

Grizzaffi Darby is one of the largest benefit consultant teams in Texas. Our strong carrier relationships and more than three decades of experience mean benefits at a lower cost for your company. Grizzaffi Darby creates every benefits package from the “inside out,” going beyond just the basics to gain a deeper understanding of your company’s specific requirements. From conducting employee satisfaction surveys to compiling an in-depth analysis of your claims history, we look at your business from every point of view, especially the most important one – yours.

For more information, contact Trey Darby via e mail at trey.darby@grizzaffidarby.com or visit our website at http://www.grizzaffidarby.com.