Excellence in advising: Lori Power builds partnership into benefits

As a benefit adviser, Lori Power sees herself as a true partner to her clients, bringing guidance and support to their recruiting, onboarding and, of course, benefits processes and utilization. 

"It's not enough to tell somebody they have salary plus competitive benefits," says Power, the founder of MP Benefits who also pulls double duty as the host of online benefits talk show Talking Shift. "I work with the leadership team so they understand what they're really offering an employee."

Power and her team, who work with every type of organization from small founder-led businesses to large teacher unions across North America, the U.K. and Australia, deliver results by making sure their messaging and impact are clear. 

Read more: Announcing 2022's Excellence in Benefits Award winners

What's the trick to bringing true clarity to benefits? 
I challenge employees to use the plan before they need it. If you have an EAP, go out and try it on the app or give them a call to talk about fitness or diet or exercise, or something easy. That way when there's a trauma, you're already familiar with it. 

What's going to challenge you and your team in 2023? 
The biggest challenge is consistency of messaging. Don't get mired down in the rates, which will keep going up as inflation and people's buying habits change. It's about saying: We know we can show you a return on investment. Let's be a benefits consultant, not a rate consultant. 

Aside from supporting your clients, how do you take care of your own well-being?
I write smutty fiction! I'm published, and I'm fortunate to be there. But a lot of stuff — if I get frustrated throughout my day — those stories often find themselves in my novels.