Ilume

What's your new office or facility normal? Businesses are not going back to anything. Businesses are going forward to a new way of working which includes a new use of space. The role of the architect in physical space planning had started to evolve prior to 2020, but is now seeing a rapid transformation. Architects are certainly responsible for designs and specifications, but often, the architect is now the chief asker of the 'why' and 'how' questions. Jon Buggy, a partner and director at RSP Architects, is one of the leading voices in architectural strategic thinking. Please join us this month and hear directly from Jon about the changing role of the architect and his vision for the positive impact that architecture can have on a business.

For over 25 years, the ACE Mentor Program has been living the mission to engage, excite, and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and continued support for their advancement into the industry. Join us this month on ilume to listen to a few stories of success from students, mentors, and business leaders. Our guests are Monica Worheide, Khalil Berryhill, and Saura Jost. Monica is the National Director of Affiliates for ACE. Khalil is currently Director, Regional Programs (Central); and has experiences as both a former mentor and student in the ACE program. Saura is a Structural Engineer with Meyer Borgman Johnson, a current a board member of the Twin Cities affiliate, and long-time mentor in the program.

The construction industry is the latest example of an industry that is amid a digital transformation. Out of the need for improved collaboration, improved data evaluation, and process consistency to reduce project risk, many in the industry have already experienced the benefits of this transformation. Change is always hard, but also imperative to continue to thrive in a rapidly evolving and complex industry.

In our ilume podcast discussion this month, we spoke with Brian Moore, President of Kahua; a leading software platform to provide improved process management and collaboration for all partners in the construction process. Brian and his business partner, Scott Unger have founded several construction software companies. Join us and learn ways to think about increasing innovation, decreasing risk, and improving profits in your business through digital processes, data analytics, and improved collaboration.

After decades of skyrocketing insurance premiums and protracted litigation over injured worker benefits, construction trade unions and their employers persuaded Minnesota's legislature to pass legislation in 1995 allowing for an alternative workers compensation system. The goals of the program were simple: focus attention on a safe and immediate return to light-duty work, ensure the best medical treatment protocols are followed, and achieve a return to pre-injury wages and benefits as soon as possible. The results or 24 years have exceeded expectations. This month we had a chance to visit with two experts from the Union Construction Workers' Compensation Program - Kevin Gregerson and Sandy Stoddard. Kevin and Sandy shared their perspectives on the history, benefits, achievements, and future of the ADR program in Minnesota.

Virtual healthcare has significantly evolved over the past several years, and has emerged from the pandemic as a core component of our healthcare system. Employers can capitalize on these changes to improve the health of their employees and improve the efficiency and cost of delivering healthcare. These opportunities exist as part of employee benefit programs, wellness programs, and workers compensation programs. In addition, virtual healthcare is playing a big role in addressing the challenges of healthcare equity. On ilume this month, we caught up with Mike King and Corey Cushing from Teledoc, a leading provider of virtual solutions to share the most current advances and emerging opportunities.

Vaccines are the single best tool that we have to bring this pandemic to a close. Complex equity issues remain around vaccine distribution, and employers can play an important role in addressing these issues by focusing on the health and wellness of employees; which will help to return the business to a more normal environment. Learn more about the most current vaccine information and the role of the employer, in this engaging discussion with Dr. Kevin Ronneberg, Vice President and Associate Medical Director of Health Initiatives at HeathPartners, and Daniel Rehrauer, Senior Manager, Medication Therapy Management Program and Quality at HealthPartners. Emma Willcox also shares her KA story and thoughts on telemedicine.

The first auto insurance policy in the US was purchased less than 125 years ago. The pace of change is accelerating. Learn about the short term changes including data driven underwriting, as well as longer term changes resulting from driverless vehicles, that are expected to impact fleet owners in the coming years. Jay Williams from The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research and Matt Akin from Kraus-Anderson share their perspectives on the past, present, and future.

Your company's brand is a hugely important asset and can be impacted in a second, by any given decision or action. Claims with high frequency don't tend to rise to the level of brand impact, however less frequent, but more severe claims often can have a lasting impact on both the health of the business and the impacted employee. Examples are multiplying in the areas of employment practices, directors and officers liability, and cyber security. Jeanine Loomis, SVP of RT Specialty, LLC joins us this month for a discussion of trends in these areas and practical risk management techniques.

Jonathan Halloran has followed a fascinating journey from underwriter to founder and CEO of American Homebuilders of West Africa. He brings a unique perspective for business leaders related to embedding culture and risk in daily decision making. Jonathan shares his insights that can help any business harness the opportunity of risk. In our employee profile, Jenny Pine, shares her perspectives as a former business owner and current employee benefits advisor. Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon Music!

American Homebuilders of West Africa

The only thing we know for sure about the pending new normal is that it will be different from the old normal. Business transformation and innovation have never been more important factors in the long term success of a business. In some ways this brings new risks to the strategy, however, expecting to remain the same brings even greater risks. In this episode, Justin Gress from AXA XL joins us to discuss strategies for transformation and innovation. Listen and learn from his experience in identifying opportunities, managing the risks and implementing change.