Are you a Nomophobe?

Mobile phone addiction, “the newest cigarette” in the world, has perplexed many people’s life quality and the relationship with others. The "I-must-have-my-phone-with-me-at-all-times" mindset has become such a real problem, there's now a name coined for the fear of being without your phone: “Nomophobia” as in no- mo(bile) phone-phobia, that rush of anxiety and fear when you realize you are disconnected- out of the loop with friends, family, work and the world. 

Professionals in India spend 12.5 years in just Commuting --- Is it worth it ??

As per a latest finding, the life expectancy in the cities of India has reached to 74.8 years. These cities would include Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad & Kolkata and it’s indeed a great news on the development bar of India. Besides the life expectancy in India has been increasing by 5 years for every decade with the growing awareness and availability of medical facilities, new inventions in medical sciences & the change in attitude of people towards the phrase “prevention is better than cure”.

Innovation in Benefits to Attract and Retain Talent

The economic progress of any nation is closely linked with the aspirations and capabilities of its corporate sector. That’s why the success of India is inseparable from the success of India Inc. Economic giants like the US and Germany owe their prosperity to a class of companies that, year after year, took the lead in carving out the future which influences millions today and aspires many countries to replicate similar stories.

GE, Ford, Procter & Gamble, Amazon, Apple, Google, Siemens, Airbus, BMW and SAP are just a few of the leading American and European companies that have created enormous wealth for their countries and other stakeholders while addressing global needs. In the developing world Haier and Alibaba in China, along with Hyundai and Samsung in Korea, are other examples of ambitious contenders who build national strengths into global success. India is in line to gear up for major breakthrough in its corporate sector with its ever growing demand in educated workforce, the fury of the startup culture & path breaking innovations in all spheres .

Progressive Lifestyle and its Regressive Perks - CAUTION

In the early 80’s most diseases in India had their root cause attached to poverty. Now after 3 decades when India has clearly advanced from that situation and is amongst the  potentially developing nations in the world, most of the diseases today are linked to prosperity referred to as “Lifestyle Related Diseases(LRD)".

Communicable diseases like malaria, cholera and polio have become manageable due to recent advancements in medicines. However a new breed of diseases have developed called ‘Lifestyle Related Diseases’ like heart diseases, some cancers and diabetes, which are no longer a problem just for the wealthy few. Due to demanding schedules, high stress levels, bad eating habits, inactivity and performance-linked perquisites in private sector, nearly 85% of employees are afflicted to life-style, chronic diseases and acute ailment compared to government employees who are ranging below 8%. (according to a recent survey conducted by ASSOCHAM on the occasion of 'World Health day').

Globally 14.2 million people between the age group of 30-69 years die prematurely from these diseases annually. These diseases have emerged as bigger killers than infectious or hereditary ones. The common risk factors for these diseases include tobacco use, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. 
Let’s have a look at the top 10 lifestyle diseases that corporate India need to take-up seriously for a broader perspective to keep their most valuable assets healthy and productive. Besides savings cost, corporates should focus on building a culture of living & feeling fit within their workplace.

Can I Budget my Employee Benefit’s cost? – YES!!

In today’s time every corporate be it a domestic or a MNC is looking at having the most efficient employee benefit polices in order to recruit & retain the best talent in the industry. Besides to consistently keep growing in the fiercely competitive world corporates have begun to feel the need to identify what’s suits best for their population, work profile & demography on the benefits offerings.

The most important & basic benefit in India happens to be the medical Insurance protection which the employer provides its employees and their dependents. Although its taken by the employee that the medical benefit will be amongst the most basic benefit which he/she would be entitled.However the employee have absolutely no clue about the financial pressure organizations are going through to curtail the ever growing cost every year yet ensuring the benefits are bettered or at least maintained every year. Organizations are grappling with the increasing cost on medical benefits owing to which either they prefer to hop insurers every year (which is surely not a viable option anymore) or ask the employees to share the premium bringing down their own liability or finally start reducing the benefits.

However the fact still lies that organizations can very well budget for their medical benefit cost provided they are open enough to understand viability & sustainability in providing these benefits. Since every risk has a rational and medical benefit is no exception there is a slow transition especially via the MNC’s in India who are spending a lot of time and efforts through their broker in structuring their medical benefit portfolio in line with the organizational requirement and at the same time ensuring long term cost viability .The below two simple & rational principles which can ensure that the cost for group mediclaim is controlled and sustained over a years are: