The Broker section in the May issue of Origination News has a feature article on balancing your life and your work. But if you are the owner of the business, you have the responsibility for teaching and implementing a wellness program for your staff as well.
According to Laura Brown, who is a certified health counselor have a wellness program gives the small business owner a powerful way to attract and retain the best talent.
She provides six tips on how a small business can get started in creating its own wellness program.
Her first tip is to start at the top, with the company's owner or chief executive.
"As an employee wellness coach, my job starts with engaging the top management, and if he or she is willing, I like to enroll the CEO in a six-month individual program to improve (his or her) own health. What better way to demonstrate commitment to wellness in a small business?" Ms. Brown asks rhetorically.
Her second tip is for the small business to appoint a "wellness leader" to keep the focus on the program.
The CEO or owner needs to get the employees involved early on, according to the third tip. "Take time to assess their interests and concerns and be sure to build those into the program," she says.
The fourth tip is to offer health screenings to employees. These can offer helpful measurements to workers for prevention. "You can't improve what you don't measure. And often, just the act of paying attention to measurement will result in changes," Ms. Brown explains.
Businesses need to offer incentives for physical activity, according to the fifth tip. "Some companies pay employees to walk, exercise or lose weight. My local YMCA runs a 'biggest loser' campaign with cash prizes for the winners," she notes.
Finally, she suggests holding "lunch and learn" seminars with nutrition and cooking coaching. "You can even offer cooking classes or demonstrations, says Ms. Brown.
Laura Brown is president of Health Synergies in Atlanta, Ga. To learn more about her views on wellness in the work place, visit
