Archive for August 19th, 2010

Bending the healthcare cost curve (up) … expect 2011 premiums to increase 9% … or more

August 19, 2010

You know the drill: ObamaCare is going to bend the cost curve. Just wait and see…

Well, not so fast.

Why?

First, nothing substantially  “structural” is being done to the system … unless you count bagging Medicare Advantage everyplace but vote-sensitive Florida .. in essence, money is just being shifted around

Second, tens of millions of folks are getting new coverage … with taxpayers and “insureds” picking up the tab … on top of what they’re already paying.

Third, existing plans are forced to adversely select (i.e. add people with known high cost preconditions to their plans), to cover “adult children” under their parents plans, and to eliminate lifetime caps on payouts.

Somebody has to pay for all those adders … and that somebody is you … both through higher taxes and higher insurance premiums.

Employers are forecasting a 9% increase in total healthcare costs in 2011 – up from 7% in 2010.

Much of the increase is attributable to – you guessed it – ObamaCare.

Many employers say that they’ll pass the increases on to employees … 63 percent say they’ll ask workers to pay a higher portion of the premiums … others will be taking money out of the pay increase bucket … some plan to slash prescription and retiree coverage.

Just wait until the full weight of ObamaCare kicks in.

Get out your wallet.

* * * * *

For more, see “Large Companies Faced With Uncertainty Over Effects of New Health Care Law”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/18/large-companies-faced-uncertainty-effects-new-health-care-law/?test=latestnews

Posted in Health Care / Medical Insurance | Leave a Comment »

What to do if your speech is bombing …

August 19, 2010

When speaking …

Here are the things you don’t want to do if you sense your audience is losing interest:

1. Speak faster to end the ordeal sooner.
2. Speak softer so they can’t hear how boring you are.
3. Ask “May I Have Your Attention Please”
4. Look pissed off, as if it’s the audience’s fault that you are boring.

The easiest way to regain the audience members’ interest is to address them by name, and ask simple questions:

• Shane, has that ever happened to you?
• Roberta, how have you handled these situations in your business?
• Sanjay, are the financial markets affecting the industry as much in your country as they are here in London?

Audience members for business presentations are no different than people in other social interactions. The more you get your date to talk at dinner, the more charming you will be perceived.

So it is with your presentations.

Source: How to Give a Pretty Good Presentation by T. J. Walker

Posted in Powerpoint pitches, Presentations | 1 Comment »