Overheard @: EBN's Contributing Editors take on benefits' 'biggest challenge'

In a special extended episode of EBN's podcast series "Five Minutes With ...", our eight featured columnists draw on their unique expertise to answer, “What is the most important challenge currently facing benefits professionals and how can they best meet that challenge?”

Click here to download the podcast, and click below to read more from and about EBN's columnists:

* Karrie Andes
* Nancy Bolton
* Jill Hudgins
* Jerry Kalish
* Betty Long
* Mark Nadler
* Frank Palmieri
* Michael Puck

Tip of the Day: Get a 'whole lotta cannoli'

I'm not a fan of cannoli myself, but EBN Contributing Editor Karrie Andes sure is, and wants to share it -- so to speak -- with you, her benefits peers.

In her "View from the Andes" column this month, she makes the case for self-insuring (an easier sell in the current economy, to be sure), stating the potential savings from being exempt from state mandates alone can be 20% to 45%, and add up to a 'whole lotta cannoli.'

Is your company self-insured? If so, are you as strong an advocate as Andes? Comment and let me know.

Tip of the Day: Take some time to enjoy the 'View'

No, not the daily chatfest on tv, EBN's new "View from the Andes" column from Karrie Andes, director of HR for Deffenbaugh Industries in Kansas City, and EBN's newest contributing editor. Andes will be running monthly in EBN this year. This month, she details her experience with mandating employee health risk assessments, and the Mr. Grumpy that was a thorn in her side throughout. Click here to read her debut column.