Benefits Administration Business Plan

The principals of EBA, Diane Davis and Cindy Wells, have over 25 years of experience in corporate benefits administration, employee relations and communications, and legal compliance. They have sat at the Employee Benefits Manager’s desk, and know the tasks that these HR professionals face everyday. In order to be successful, human resources professionals need to not only know the laws governing their employer’s plans, but also how to communicate with both management and employees.

Cindy Wells has been involved in Human Resources for over 18 years. During the past 15 years, she held several positions with one employer, most recently as Director of Benefits and Payroll. She led the development of the Human Resources Department and was responsible for a wide range of activities including employee benefits, payroll, employee relations and legal compliance. She has designed and implemented benefit programs in numerous areas, including medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts and 401(k) plans.

Ms. Wells has extensive experience in contract negotiations with benefit providers, as well as the transition of coverage to new carriers. Her background includes supporting employees in multiple domestic locations as well as in an international environment.

She is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in Fine Arts with continued studies on the graduate level. She is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the Chester County Human Resources Association (CCHRA), as well as the Greater Valley Forge Human Resources Association (GVFHRA).

Diane Davis was most recently employed as a Senior Employee Benefits Manager. She has held diverse HR positions since her career began in 1989. She began her HR career as an Employee Benefits Manager and was responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of all employee benefit plans. She has also held senior employee benefits positions at another high-tech firm, with very similar duties from 1992 through 1996.

In 1995, Ms. Davis obtained her PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification and expanded her HR focus to include generalist duties, compensation plan research, development and consulting, employee relations and diversity, as well as executive search.

She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Greater Valley Forge Human Resources Association (GVFHRA), and the Chester County Human Resources Association(CCHRA).

Ms. Wells and Ms. Davis bring into this business venture a vast knowledge of not only the employee benefits field but also a focus on customer service and communication. This is a key factor for not only are the clients their customers, but also the clients’ employees. They understand this and are committed to providing the highest level of customer support to both.

6.1 Management Team Gaps

The present management team, consisting of the two principals, Diane Davis and Cindy Wells, requires professional support for accounting functions with an emphasis on filing company taxes. To date, an accounting firm has not yet been contracted.

The team is aware that as the company attains clients, they will need administrative and marketing support, and have planned for that in the personnel plan. In order to compensate for this lack, both principals are doing their own administrative work and are attending coaching sessions on marketing and sales with The Enterprise Business Center which offers entrepreneurial training, and SCORE, which is the Service Corps of Retired Executives, which is affiliated with the Small Business Association and offers mentoring of new businesses.

6.2 Personnel Plan

The two principals will initially staff EBA. In 2002, an administrative assistant will be hired in January, a marketer in July 2002, and a benefits administrator in October.

It should be noted that both Ms. Davis and Ms. Wells are committed to staffing their business with qualified people who have a background in Human Resources and/or Customer Service.