Here are the top five moments from Beam Live: A Benefits Revolution

A first for Beam Benefits as the one-stop-shop employee benefits company wrapped up its inaugural Beam Live: A Benefits Revolution livestream event, exhibiting the latest innovations and exciting possibilities in the world of employee benefits. Other themes that emerged included the evolution of benefits products to forge stronger connections with clients, mastering industry complexity with much-needed simplification via enhanced digital experiences, and leveraging benefits for talent retention in a tight labor market.

Whether you joined the livestream or could not attend, let’s get you up to speed and share the top five moments from Beam Live: A Benefits Revolution that matter for you and your business.

Without further ado…

#1 Groundbreaking partnership

Vice President of Insurance Product Nick Planeta, shared major news when he announced that Beam is partnering with The Hartford to offer its industry-leading short- and long-term disability coverage. Beam Disability powered by The Hartford, as it will be called, will give brokers and their clients access to an array of new plan options and more flexibility when customizing coverage based on an employer’s needs and budget.

With the introduction of Beam Disability powered by The Hartford, Beam takes a significant step forward in evolving its product portfolio and empowering members with simpler, smarter employee benefits. Brokers can anticipate a fall 2023 launch to start quoting with the new disability plans.

#2 Employee benefits have never mattered more

Today’s small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face many challenges, from balancing financial constraints and navigating economic headwinds to having fewer resources available to attract and retain talent, leaving little to no time to focus on employee benefits.

Beam co-founder and CEO, Alex Frommeyer, stressed that employee benefits are evolving and have never mattered more than now; choosing a benefits provider must be treated with more intentionality and purpose.

Over the past 12 months, the organization has evolved to meet the growing need of ancillary benefits critical to small businesses. Beam Dental became Beam Benefits, expanding its product portfolio and delivering instant quoting capabilities and implementing benefits in as little as one business day.*

#3 Brush smarter, not harder

There’s a new smart toothbrush in town: meet the all-new Beam Brush Pro. Frommeyer pulled the curtain back on the company’s latest innovation in oral health. Beam Brush Pro is an enhanced version of the popular Beam Brush, which happened to be the toothbrush that launched Beam on its upward trajectory to where it is today.

What’s unique about the Beam Brush Pro? Here are some of the features unveiled:

• The Beam Brush Pro includes a new gum health setting that delivers optimal comfort and cleaning for gums.
• A 2-minute timer and quadrant buzz lets members know their brushing status in real time.
• Members can connect to the Beam app (yes, it’s Wi-Fi enabled) to track and improve brushing habits, and earn rewards^# that can be used towards toothbrush accessories or gift cards from today’s most popular brands.
• A longer-lasting battery and USB charger to power the Beam Brush Pro for up to 14 days.

The Beam Brush Pro is now available for purchase on the Beam Shop, while the Beam Brush is still free to members upon initial enrollment.

#4 Evolving the user experience

Customer expectations evolve. Frommeyer talked about the organization’s commitment to achieving the ever-changing needs of brokers, groups, providers, and members, through high-quality product plans and digitally-led experiences. Some of the technology highlighted included the Beam Quoting Tool^{^}, or BQT, digital portals and applications such as the Beam App, and Broker Portal.

We got a sneak peek at Beam’s reimagined Broker Portal. Watch the video here. The online platform for brokers includes a new look and fresh features that will roll out in the coming months, designed to simplify and streamline the benefits process. Furthermore, the user interface (UI) makeover coupled with instant quoting data makes the platform more accessible and enhances the overall user experience.

Beam by the numbers

According to a recent survey**:

_{**2023 Beam Broker Survey}

#5 The state of employee benefits

What are the biggest challenges in employee benefits that brokers face today? A panel featuring leaders from Beam and industry professionals spoke about the current and future state of employee benefits, and how brokers can overcome the unique challenges facing businesses and their employees.

Beam Live: A Benefits Revolution panelists included:

Tim Jander – Moderator
Senior Vice President of Sales
Beam Benefits

Hailey Major
Senior Sales Director
Beam Benefits

Angie Dowdy
President
Dowdy Insurance LLC

Lyal Stephen
President
Treeline Insurance LLC

Sandra Moody Gresham
Principal
‍Dehan Enterprises Insurance

The conversation started with healthcare costs and the challenge brokers face in finding cost-effective solutions that balance an employee’s needs and meet an employer’s budget. Dowdy Insurance LLC President Angie Dowdy mentioned brokers can get creative with building a benefits package by moving employees to a different tier and adding secondary coverage to help lower costs for employees and employers.

Other topics the panel discussed included cultivating the next generation of brokers, taking a holistic approach to health and wellness benefits, and HR technology integrations.

Beam Live: A Benefits Revolution featured groundbreaking advancements, insightful conversations, and got us thinking about the potential in employee benefits. As the workplace evolves, so too will the needs of its employees, with benefits playing a critical role among small businesses.

You can watch the full replay of Beam Live: A Benefits Revolution by clicking here.