When competing to attract talent and maximize employee contributions, an employer with flex scheduling has a clear edge,
according to a new study by The Schapiro Group. The firm conducted a nationwide survey of employed adults which showed that
offering a flex workplace has a definite positive impact on hiring and productivity.
"The advantage is strong enough so that it ought to influence how job openings are advertised," says Beth Schapiro, founder
and president of the strategic solutions firm. "Flexible hours and the ability to work from home make a position
significantly more appealing."
The two-part study focused first on how flex scheduling affects happiness with a job. Respondents were grouped according to
whether they were satisfied in their current job or interested in making a change. Those who were satisfied in their current
job were first asked to categorize their own productivity and job satisfaction, and then afterward to describe the degree of
flex scheduling available to them. Respondents in high flex jobs were 24% more likely to say they liked their job, and 17%
more likely to see themselves as productive, than respondents in jobs with no flex scheduling. Even a little flex correlated
with greater job satisfaction (13%) and heightened sense of productivity (17%).
In the second part of the study, respondents who were looking for a new job were asked to make choices between job scenarios A
and B, which differed in size of company, location, work conditions, pay and benefits. When A and B were presented with no
flex scheduling in either job, or with flex in both jobs, there was no significant difference in preference. When flex
scheduling was offered in A but not B, A was preferred by a 25% margin. When B included flex and A did not, preference for B
shot up to 44%.
"Obviously there are some jobs that can’t be flexible about hours and location, but when and where the possibility exists,
employers will benefit by offering and promoting flex scheduling," says Schapiro.
This was the latest in a series of research projects by The Schapiro Group which address questions with broad application for
many clients. "Everyone we work for can derive value from analyzing these findings and applying them to their own
circumstances," Schapiro says.
"Exciting to see the results"
Over 12,000 once-uninsured individuals concentrated in seven communities have obtained health coverage this year, thanks to an
aggressive effort of the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC), with a strong assist from The Schapiro Group.
HLC is a CEO-level coalition representing hospitals, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, biotech
firms, health product distributors and academic institutions. It promotes affordability, innovation and quality of health
care in the U.S.
In 2006 the HLC board approved an initiative to increase health coverage within four population segments: small business
owners, parents with children, Latinos and college students. The concept was two-fold: to educate about options such as
S-CHIP coverage, high-deductibles and other affordable plans, and to trigger actual enrollments. To measure impact, HLC
turned to The Schapiro Group, which two years before had done research for HLC’s highly successful program to educate seniors
about the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.
"This program was a departure for us, and also quite a commitment," says Debbie Witchey, senior vice president of government
relations for HLC. "Outside of our legislative initiatives, we had never before gone beyond educating to seek a specific
decision and a direct action." She credits The Schapiro Group with recognizing the need for a marketing methodology that
differed from HLC’s traditional approach, and for designing the right combination of messages and delivery platforms.
For Senior Strategist Alex Trouteaud of The Schapiro Group, the key challenge was to understand the very different mindsets of
the target groups. "Our research showed that small business owners were easy – they jumped at access to affordable benefits,"
he says. "For parents, the issues were uncertainty and discouragement. With Latinos, there were trust hurdles to overcome.
College students weren’t sure if health insurance was worth the investment."
The Schapiro Group provided insights on how to move past these barriers and instigate an initial enrollment step for each
segment. Based on the findings, HLC launched an intense seven-city program that featured over 900 separate events. Hiring
local coordinators, HLC partnered with more than 500 host groups such as churches, schools, community associations and public
sector agencies, as well as insurance brokers and agents. Various communication tactics were used including direct mail,
op-ed pieces and the web.
Success was quick and decisive, with half of nearly 26,000 attendees actually enrolling for coverage. Also important, HLC now
has a proven, replicable model to promote with policy makers. "Beforehand, we were nervous about whether the new approach
would work," says Witchey. "But The Schapiro Group showed that we could forecast the impact in advance. They were right, and
it has been really exciting to see the results."
We're Proud of Our Clients
American Chamber of Commerce Executives (www.acce.org) recently held a successful convention in
Sacramento. ACCE unveiled the findings of its national survey, conducted by TSG, showing that consumers think more highly of and are more likely
to use the services of a business which is a member of its local chamber of commerce. For full results, click here.
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta (www.unitedwayatlanta.org) welcomes Milton J. Little, Jr. as its new President.
Cambridge Systematics (www.camsys.com) expanded its Atlanta office and welcomes Elizabeth Sanford Stepp as Director of that office.
Business to Business named Atlanta Women’s Foundation (www.atlantawomen.org) CEO Deborah J. Richardson as one of their 2007 Women of Excellence.
TSG Serves the Community
Individually and as a firm, we are involved in the community and use our expertise to make a difference. TSG President Beth
Schapiro recently completed a 6-year term on the board of Cool Girls, Inc. (www.thecoolgirls.org), but will continue to chair
a long-term evaluation of the program. She is also serving on the organization’s Advisory Council.
Project Analyst and harpist Liesl Hagan regularly volunteers her time and musical talents to various organizations. She
recently performed at an event hosted by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta (also a TSG client), and will be entering her
third season as a volunteer musician with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra this fall.
TSG staff spent time recently preparing meals at Project Open Hand (www.projectopenhand.org). Here are Liesl, Rusty, and Suvi
hard at work. And, no, they’re not cooking numbers!
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