So its been nearly a month since we did the interview and since then Sim Ilyas and I have been busy.  Not least because we attended the Gloucestershire Business Show at the end of July and took part in a panel with David Avis at AND Digital to discuss the issue further.  Watch this space for a further session. 

We really have had some interesting discussions with people and heard some really good stuff.   A client even contacted me to talk about the benefits changes they had put in after our recent review of pay and benefits; pay increases, introducing a discount card, reviewing the range of benefits from their provider - focussing on what staff really want.  It was all making me feel like the message was getting out there.

One thing that brought the issue home to me at the event, was the individual I met who hadn't accessed their company benefits because they had lost their login details. They were so relieved they had an excuse not to go on there and make any financial decisions.  They had quickly moved on to more exciting stuff.  Engagement was obviously a big issue here.

But then a review of the monthly stats for LinkedIn pulled me up sharp.  For Flips Sake - Its not about me putting people in touch with pensions advisors, or wealth managers.   Its so much bigger than that.  So how come, the majority of the people I have requests to contact from this month are exactly those people?

For me, its about helping our staff understand the value of their benefits, or helping them source advice on good money management, or helping them with access to discounts and services that make a difference.  It's also about the community stuff - getting out there to help people deal with the pressures of life - issues like getting the short term loan without the exorbitant interest rates.

What I really want is to hear from the people who are doing the good stuff for their staff.  What services are out there for companies who don't know where to start with financial wellbeing?  What are employers doing that we don't get to hear about because they don't think its special?  What have you implemented to engage with the people who are just turned off by the thought?  What has your organisation done that made a difference to you?   I'd really be interested to hear from you, and you may event get a mention/invite to the next panel discussion.