You know when you’re packing for a trip and you just feel like you’ve forgotten something? All you need in that moment is someone who can list off the things you’re most likely to forget. That would surely jog your memory!
Well, maintaining a corporate wellness program can be much more difficult than packing a suitcase. The details of various events, reporting and promotion can easily get forgotten or lost in the shuffle.
That’s why we want to help jog your memory and point out five things you might’ve overlooked in planning your corporate wellness program.
Unfortunately, it’s not enough to just talk about your upcoming wellness events one time. You need to promote and explain your materials regularly so they really stick with your employees.
On a similar note, you need to have consistent messages across the board. Make sure all of the details are correct and communicated clearly. This type of consistency can make your corporate program so much more attractive to your employees.
Odds are you have an entire marketing department tasked with branding your company, or even a specific product you sell. It doesn’t have to be on as large a scale, but the same principles definitely apply to your wellness program.
Take the time to give your program an identity. Whether it’s defining a mission, a messaging voice or even a logo, even the slightest branding can make your program more relatable. Essentially, all of your wellness communication should look and feel the same. It should all fall under the brand image you create for your program.
Setting goals is the most fundamental method to ensure your program is moving in the right direction. A goal is most effective when you keep the word SMART in mind.
Goals should be Specific in that each goal consists of one action or outcome you’re aiming for.
Goals should be Measurable in that there is a clear point in which you know you’ve reach the goal.
Goals should be Attainable in that it is possible to reach the goal.
Goals should be Relevant in that the goal helps to further the overall mission of wellness.
Goals should be Time-Bound in that there is an end date or a set time period in which to achieve the goal.
All of these things—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound—are attributes of a strong goal. Set goals for your wellness program and be sure they are SMART.
Not every employee is the same, which means not every employee wants the same thing out of your wellness program. Be sure there is enough customization built into your program that you can segment its benefits into things different employee populations will value.
For example, do you have a clear generation gap at your company? Do you have multiple locations? Multiple shifts? Or maybe you just want to be able to address new hires specifically? No matter the breakdown in your company, be sure to allow the necessary segmentation in your wellness activities and communication.
Using mixed methods is two-fold when it comes to corporate wellness programs. One the one hand, using mixed methods can be applied to wellness communication. Don’t get stuck only communicating wellness via email. Work in the different communication channels your employees use.
On the other hand, there are mixed methods for wellness activities. Whether it’s group activities or individual, self-report or documented, virtual or physical, there are always multiple ways to do each wellness activity. Be sure to appeal to everyone’s interests by switching things up and making yours a multi-faceted corporate wellness program.
Putting together your corporate wellness program can be quite the undertaking. We know that it can be easy to lose track of the details. These five things are essential, but they’re also often overlooked.
Take the time to address these things as you put your wellness program together. Having all the details in place can make or break the success of your program.
How do you take care of these five wellness essentials?