Over the past several months, I've shared the foundational building blocks of creating successful corporate wellness programs. We've talked about: why you should care about corporate wellness; the types of programs that work best; creating a wellness-centered culture; soliciting and utilizing feedback; and the importance of sustainability.  

My hope is that by now you have come up with some great ideas and plans to implement your own wellness programs, and your employees are ready to reap the benefits of your hard work.

But what if it hasn't all come together just yet? What if you've had some really great ideas but are concerned about sustainability or participation? Or maybe you were ready to implement your first program but something else came up that required immediate attention?

Let's face it - for many of you, corporate wellness probably isn't your first or only priority. It is easy for “optional programming” to take a back seat when you are balancing all your other responsibilities. Even the most enthusiastic champions find themselves in situations in which they recognize the importance of wellness programs but simply don't have the time or resources to do it all themselves.

Let us take it off your plate. Unlike you, wellness actually is our first priority and we have the resources and expertise to make it come alive.  All organizations are different, so we take a customized approach to finding the best solutions for your employees. If you are interested in working with us, here is what you can expect.

Start with a Needs Assessment

What are your company's wellness needs? Maybe you already know, or maybe you just think you know. You shouldn't begin a program without a deep understanding. We start by gathering information about your organization to determine your goals and resources. We also learn about your employees to determine their needs, concerns, expectations, challenges, preferences and commitment. 

Create a Strategic Plan

We take all this information and develop a plan that balances your company's goals with your employees’ desires. We present you with initial recommendations and then encourage your feedback. We continue to customize until the strategy and schedule aligns best for both parties.

Implementation and Program Management

This is where we really start doing the heavy lifting! We work with you to promote and recruit participants and launch the programming. We handle the majority of the day-to-day logistics, and partner with you to ensure a smooth and successful delivery.

The Eternal Feedback Loop

Throughout the process, we are looking for feedback. Of course, everyone loves to hear the success stories, but we are also looking for constructive criticism. From day one, we are looking for honest opinions because they lead to the best solutions.

Assess, Adjust, Advance

There are always opportunities for improvement. Assessment of the feedback will help us understand what is or is not working well. The real magic happens when we can take that feedback and apply it in meaningful ways. We will adjust accordingly throughout the cycle, which advances your wellness initiatives to a higher level.  

Many employers are surprised to learn that customized solutions aren't necessarily costly ones. In fact, our process begins with an entirely free consultation to determine if our businesses are a good match.

We look forward to talking with you about your wellness programs. Let us take it off your plate!

Laura Greenhow is the founder of Summerfield Custom Wellness, a Wilmington-based nutrition firm counseling employees toward a shift in health-consciousness.She and her team facilitate programs wherein healthy choices begin to come automatically and are aligned with what the body needs.They see individuals and also work with companies ranging from five to 5,000 employees as they strive for a healthier workforce and a healthier Wilmington.Laura holds a master’s degree in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill, with clinical rotations that included New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Learn more at www.summerfieldcustomwellness.com or call (910) 663-5166.