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Supporting Associate Resources and Benefits

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California International Business Alliance
A Global Economic and Workforce Development Industry Coalition Alliance

 

Supporting Associate Resources and Benefits

Support Networks:  CIBA is a nonprofit business support organization working closely with the growing network of business & trade organizations including the Global Economic & Workforce Development Coalition (GEWDC).  The following organizations provide a cooperative interdependent network of resources and support:

  • National Association of Manufacturers
  • National Council for Advanced Manufacturing
  • Global Economic & Workforce Development Coalition
  • Alliance of Service Providers and Manufacturers
  • California Trade Information Network
  • Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • Barstow Chamber of Commerce
  • Global Manufacturing Industry Alliance
  • Global Health Science Industry Alliance
  • Inland Valleys Employer Advisory Council
  • The Valley Economic Development Corporation
  • Coachella Family and Business Resource Center
  • American – Chinese  CEO Society
  • Asia Pacific – USA Chamber of Commerce
  • Gateway Cities Partnership
  • South Bay Economic Development Partnership
  • Economic Resources Corporation
  • Manufacturing Alliance of the Inland Empire
  • Global Health Sciences Industry Alliances
  • Global Hospitality Industry Alliance

Advocacy: CIBA is an active participant in several growing business coalitions working with elected officials and staff at local, regional, state and national levels. Supporting associates of the various coalitions work diligently to educate politicians and bureaucrats to the special needs of the industry clusters like the manufacturing and healthcare sectors due to the powerful economic impact that these sectors have on the economy. Manufacturing has one of the highest employment multipliers thus creating many additional jobs in the community. Other issues communicated include the impact of increasing and burdensome regulations on the cost of operating all businesses.

CIBA members also have full membership privileges in the California Employer Advisory Council (CEAC) which includes the Management Hotline and Legislative Advocacy resources. The CEAC has over 50 local chapters throughout the state. A monthly Legislative Action Report provides members with information on pending legislation. The Management Hotline provides access to human resource legal counsel on how pending and existing laws and regulations affect the employer. Special email notices are sent to members to alert them of significant legislative and regulatory issues and how to best prepare for their potential impact.

Insurance and Benefits:

Workers Compensation - The excessive costs of mandated workers compensation insurance through legislative intervention has produced substantial cost increases for California business in excess of double the national average. Special industry specific programs are in development to tailor the programs to the unique needs of the industry alliance organization. Aggressive claims and case management activities are designed to reduce the cost and economic impact of claims. The resources of a qualified Medical Provider Network (MPN) will provide participating firms with control claim with proactive case and claims management. The California Labor Code permits this practice so that everything can be done to assist the injured worker to make an optimum recovery and return to work. A proactive "return-to-work" system helps employee return to active employment in appropriate activities while treatment continues.  A comprehensive education program for associate firm employees and management will increase awareness and the procedures for claim fraud and abuse prevention and abatement. Special legislative advocacy programs will be implemented to encourage the legislature to correct the current system which drives excessive claims and litigation. Upon completion of the California program exploration of the needs in other states with active GEWDC activities will be investigated.  Programs are coordinated by industry leaders: Aspen Reinsurance Group, Global Insurance Advisory Services, Benefit Technologies International, Quaestor Risk Management and The Risk Advisory Council.

Liability & Property Insurance - Utilizing a national risk retention group (RRG) and Purchasing Group system, the alliance associates will have the opportunity to participant in a proactive risk management system designed to reduce the costs for this vital coverage.  Aggressive claims and case management activities are designed to reduce the cost and economic impact of claims.  A comprehensive education program for associate firm employees and management will increase awareness and the procedures for claim prevention and abatement thus reducing both claim frequency and severity.  Programs are coordinated by industry leader Benefit Technologies International, Global Insurance Advisory Services and Aspen Reinsurance Group.  Full commercial insurance services are available through The Risk Advisory Council which currently serves hundreds of California firms and Casualty and Surety of New York, Inc.

Consumer Directed Health Plans - The cost of employer-sponsored healthcare programs is rising at double digit levels.  Cost increases are putting employers into a position of reducing benefits, increasing employee cost participation or even terminating healthcare benefits all together.  The defeat of Proposition 72 gives employers a much need break to be able to implement the significant benefits of Consumer Directed Health Plans (CDHP) which creates lower costs and increased proactive participation by employee and dependents in acquiring needed healthcare services.  Special programs have been developed by California Choice, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente and The Risk Advisory Council. Special rating programs have been developed so that associates will save money over rates available on the open market.  The unique www.CashDoctor.com program will provide educational support for healthcare professionals, employers and consumers.  Programs provide multiple plan options and multiple carrier participation.  A full range of other benefit plans including HSA/HRA/FSA plans, life insurance, disability income, dental, vision, specialty care, prevention and resource network programs are also available.  Program services are coordinated by Benefit Technologies International, CashDoctor.com, The National Alliance of Consumer and Healthcare Professionals, Global Insurance Advisory Services and The Risk Advisory Council.

Individual Benefit Plans - A full range of individual medical, dental, vision, life, disability, long term care plans are available to associate organizations and staff.

Retirement Savings Plans - with the virtual elimination of pension plans and the primary focus on defined contribution, 401k type, plans, it is imperative that employees take a proactive role in the development a retirement saving resources that will help them provide for their economic needs after their working years are over.  A comprehensive system of plans is available to associates with high levels of personal financial literacy education included.  Low administrative costs have been arranged through E-Solutions, Inc. of Colorado.  Plans provide wide variety of investment accounts options including stock, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, real estate, collectibles and other qualifying assets.   

BTI-ServPointe - Online Human Resources, Regulatory Compliance, Employee Benefits and Payroll Services Business Resource Center - a unique specially priced internet-based system of support services including human resource information system, risk management, employee benefits enrollment & management and payroll services are available to associates.  Connect your informational resources, end to end, with one dynamic system making it easy for you to track and easy for employees and their dependents to get the information they want.  BTI-ServPointe has an end-to-end solution for all of your firm's business processes:

Employee applicant management:
Background checks
Hiring and firing practices
Performance reviews
Employee handbooks and policies
Drug Free Workplace System
EEOC Reporting
Fair Credit Act Reporting Compliance
Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (SB 198)
Harassment Prevention Training and Certification
Online Application

Benefits Enrollment & Administration:
Consolidated billing
Online Benefit Display for Employees
Online Benefit Enrollment
Section 125 Dependent Care and Medical Flexible Spending Accounts
Section 125 Premium Conversion Plan
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Transportation & Qualified Parking (Section 132 Plans)

Risk Management Support Services:
Workers Compensation
Liability
Property
Health 

Compliance Management (State and Federal):
OSHA and Cal-OSHA
COBRA
ERISA
HIPAA
FMLA

Human Resources:
Online Forms Center
Online Personnel Files & Records
Vacation & PTO tracking

Payroll Services:
Full tax records and filing
New hire reporting and records integration
Online Time Clock

Education & Training: One of the most significant methods of reducing costs and improving worker and system productivity is through skill development and technology integration.  Comprehensive training and education system resources are coordinated to assist associate organizations to maximize their efficiency and cost effectiveness.  Programs include instructor-based workshops and seminars, online and computer based educational system and integration of special government programs for workforce development including the California Employment Training Panel. Specialty training programs include Lean-Six Sigma Green, Black and Master Black Belt; ISO; Total Quality Management, OSHA and Baldrige Performance Excellence. Current inventory of available courses includes over 6,000 online and self-directed industrial training programs with 20,000+ hours of educational content. A team of over 50 training specialists with over 300 instructor-led course curriculums is available for onsite training and staff development. Training programs are provided through a network of public and private educational resource organizations including: Breakthrough Educational Systems & Technologies, Global Education Systems, Ocean Consulting Group, Thomson Direct, public & private schools and more. Special pricing arrangements have been negotiated for GEWDC coalition and alliance associates. You can get more details by visiting www.GEWDC.org .

  • Manufacturing and Healthcare Skill Standards Certification - in cooperation with the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, Lightspeed University, University of Healthcare, Thomson Direct and The SAM Group, supporting organizations will have access to a comprehensive system to help train and certify current workforce personnel in wide variety of needed skills.
  • California Employment Training Panel - More and more enlightened business decision makers are looking at education and development as a strategic weapon to enhance their competitive position. Just as a company should have a strategic plan for the business, a company should also have a long range Strategic Employee Development Plan linked to, and in support of, the company business plan. Its purpose is to provide the competencies needed by the managers and employees of the business in order to make it successful. In many cases this Strategic Employee Development Plan can be completely funded, in California, by a state agency which has funds set aside to provide grants for funding such company training plans.

This agency is called the California State Employment Training Panel. This panel exists to fund training proposals submitted by companies in California that meet the following criteria:

  • Have a strong comprehensive training need and out-of-state competition
  • Employ a 25 or more people in the state
  • Have a critical, comprehensive and strategic training need that is substantial and necessary to grow or improve company performance.
  • Need assistance to fund the training plan because of its cost impact on the organization

This agency currently has approximately $90 Million available for the 2005-2006 fiscal year to grant to companies and is looking for proposals to fund.  One of the active members of GEWDC Executive Council has completed over 45 projects in the last seven years bringing over $25 million in training support funding to these firms.

  • Staff Development & Training - GEWDC provides a comprehensive resource directory of training and skill building providers to aid associates in the development of their Strategic Staff Development and Training Plans. These programs will also focus on the teaching of mastery in the national manufacturing or other industry cluster skill standards leading to various industry certifications.
  • School-To-Career through Smaller Learning Communities -CIBA is actively supporting the creation of a network of Manufacturing/Engineering/Technology academies in the high schools to provide resources to students who wish to explore a career in the interesting and high paid fields.
  • Forums/seminars/workshops - GEWDC and its partner alliances and coalitions present a wide range of educational programs to aid associates in maximizing productivity and efficiency while positively impacting on productivity.  These programs are also designed to help lower or remove the current Barriers to Profitability which include: Workers Compensation, Liability Insurance, Healthcare & Employee Benefits, Training & Staff Development, Global Economic Competition, Regulations & Taxes and Energy.

Financial Resource Center

The CIBA-GEWDC Financial Resource Center is designed to aggregate the programs and services of leading financial organizations that can assist associates and alliance organizations to maximize their available capital and acquire the needed additional resources and services necessary to achieve maximum profitability and ROI on all capital elements of the enterprise.  These services include:

Banking - Several banks and credit unions are offering comprehensive business support services for business organization, the management and employees and families

Organizational development - Assistance with the preparation of comprehensive business plans is available for organizations seeking to expand while improving efficiency and effectiveness

Public and private financial development - whether it is a simple line of credit or a sophisticated financing development plan, resources are available to assist. Investment capital funding is available up to $25,000,000.

A/R financing - factoring can expedite cashflow and improve financial position.

Equipment leasing - complete assessment services are available to determine whether purchase or equipment leasing is the most cost effective.

International trade financing - letters of credit and other trade financing systems are available to help facilitate expansion of business operations through international business project expansion.

SBA Financing & SCORE Counseling - Several SBA Preferred lenders are available.

Tax and legal planning - Cost effective access for business or personal needs are available through network of over 22,000 attorneys, tax consultants and financial advisors.

International Trade & Business Development:  It is becoming a necessity for manufacturing sector firms to be knowledgeable and proactive in the rapidly changing world of international trade and commerce. Business is growing on a global basis. Profitability and even survival can depend on a firm's ability to be an active participant in global commerce. Special education programs and trade missions will assist associates to find their niche in this dynamic arena.

  •  The California Trade Information Network - a highly proactive and cost effective program is available to associates through the California Trade Information Network. This comprehensive support resource provides information, trade project matching, education and project coordination. System uses the resources of the United Nations Tradepoint System, U.S. Departments of State and Commerce. The ability for associate organizations to become active participants in the rapidly expanding global economy may be critical to long term success. Special discounts on unique program services are available to associates.
  •  The California International Trade Partnership Council – a coalition of numerous entities, public and private sector organizations that are involved with global trade activities. Having the State of California participating in trade promotion in an official capacity is a strong indicator to the world that California is "open for business" and part of the global economy. Official participation also assists organizations identify an officials point of contact for issues regarding business growth, opportunities and investments in California. Directly involved in the Council are the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH), California Travel and Tourism Commission, California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth, U.S. Commercial Service – Department of Commerce, California International Trade Development Centers and various other organizations.

 Business Services & Support:  Through the increased purchasing power of the network of associate supporting organizations, discounts and special benefits are available.  Some of these programs also provide administrative allowances to GEWDC to help expand services and support to the industry.

  • Freight Management - a special freight management and audit service is available to help reduce operational costs.
  • Office Supplies & Equipment - all supporting associate organizations and individuals are automatically enrolled in the largest and most successful online shopping system with special pricing is available on an inventory of over 2,000,000 brand-named goods and services.
  • Legal Services - Special business and personal legal resource programs are available to associate organizations and their workers and families.  A network of over 22,000 of skilled legal professionals brings the specialized services and support needed.  These programs cover personal and business legal services, tax consulting, financial counseling and identity theft services.
  • Financial - Several credit union organizations are available to all organizations with their employees and families.  Other benefits include SBA loans, SCORE Counseling, corporate and individual financial counseling and payroll services.
  • Technical - Risk and performance assessments and audits will be available to help associates fine-tune their operations to achieve maximum productivity and profitability.  Other programs include:
    • Computer networks/hardware/software system discounts are available.
    • Website design and maintenance
    • Lean-Six Sigma, APICS, ISO training and registration and certification
    • Facility upgrades & plant relocation
  • Administrative - enterprise fleet leasing and rental, travel, employee background screening, internet/telephone conferencing, human resource and risk management counseling, payroll services, technical and customer service outsourcing.

Communications: a special program for long distance, wireless and internet services has been negotiated with GTC Telecom of Costa Mesa.  Business and personal long distance costs of $.039/ minute are provided.   In addition, special IT training systems and support services are available to associates through ABLE Technologies and Training.

  •  The CalTrade Report, TradePort and Global California are comprehensive   programs bringing powerful knowledge resources with the reach of every business in California.
  • Newsletters - A series of electronic newsletters provide a wide scope of information useful to associates in the operation of their facilities.  Special email notices are sent when significant issues are occurring that can affect the operations of associates.
  • SKYPE Audio and Video - a free service allowing business managers and staff from around the globe to voice communicate and video conference over the Internet one-on-one or with small conference groups.

 

If you have questions or other comments, please contact:

William Prouty CLU RHU CBC CEC MBA PhD, Managing Director
California International Business Alliance (CIBA)
Global Economic & Workforce Development Coalition (GEWDC)

PO Box 989, Sun City, CA 92586-0989 
Phone: 951-301-0605  FAX: 951-301-0606
email: GEWDCinfo@aol.com 

www.gewdc.org   www.benefitstech.com