AmyK Hutchens at Accelerent Breakfast -- LIFE. HAPPENS. ONE. CONVERSATION. AT. A. TIME.

Want to know how to confidently lead tough conversations at work and at home without saying something you regret?

It’s called the power of profitable conversations, and that’s what AmyK Hutchens taught attendees at the Accelerent Breakfast on June 10th.

The Phoenix division of Accelerent is the area’s leading business development organization. Through breakfast events throughout the year, guests invited by members of Accelerent hear from nationally-recognized speakers and experts like AmyK.

Through her compelling and energetic presentation, business leaders were inspired and equipped to raise performance and productivity levels in an era of unprecedented change. Those leaders who hone their communication skills and learn how to turn a tough conversation into a highly profitable one WIN.

“We all say things we regret, and we all have things we wanted to say after the fact but didn’t have a chance. Master your communication, master your life.  Life happens one conversation at a time, one relationship at a time. That’s how you connect with each other and build relationships -- professional, personal, individual.”

“The quality of your life is directly related to the quality of your conversations. The life you desire is on the other side of a tough conversation. We often dread it and avoid it, but when it’s over, there’s relief.”

AmyK has over 20 years of experience training and consulting with clients such as The Home Depot, Starbucks Canada, Comerica Bank, Expedia, Lockheed Martin, Securian Financial, Walmart, John Paul Mitchell Systems and hundreds more. AmyK travels the globe, physically and virtually, sharing with executives, influencers and go-getters HOW to confidently and competently navigate their toughest conversations.

With humor and wisdom, AmyK shared practical tools for choosing and crafting conversations that:

• fuel top performers
• expand partner relationships
• drive profitable results

AmyK said that “EQ” is your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others.  We need to focus on feelings, even at work, because work involves people. You, as the leader, can respond to somebody empathically so your words actually hit home and help someone.

At the Accelerent event, she shared several “magical” phrases and questions that can help you have profitable conversations:

• “How might we…?” -- “How might we set up this project for success?”  “How might we close this deal?”
• “Would you be willing to…?” Adults love to be asked.  You also can provide guided choices: “Would you be willing to feed the dog, do the dishes, or set the table?”
• “A part of me feels….” Great way to diffuse tension.  A part of me is frustrated.  A part of me is concerned.  It makes the other person realize that you’re not 100% enraged; there’s room for conversation and grace.  Example in your personal life: You son or daughter comes home late.  “A part of me is angry, but a part of me is really glad to see you’re home.”
• “What do you need most from me right now?” If someone in your office is struggling, this is great way to connect with them, to find out what they are looking for and what they need.
• “What’s the thought behind…?” Asking “Why” can make people defensive; it sounds accusatory.  “What was the thought behind that comment/behavior/action?”
• ”How can you help me understand?”

For more information on AmyK Hutchens, her methods and insights, go to: https://amyk.com/. Free resources from AmyK are also available at www.amyk.com/gift, including:

• Aligning Brilliance Tool - The #1 Conversation Framework for Increasing Buy-in and Engagement
• List of Magical Phrases - Be Brilliant in Your Next Tough Conversation
• 5 Ways to Win the Burnout Battle – Practical Tips to Re-Energize You & the People You Lead!

Scott Wood: Employee benefits benchmarking & increasing healthcare costs      

In introductory remarks at the event, Scott Wood, Managing Partner and Principal of Benefit Commerce Group (BCG), addressed the tough conversation about employee benefits and rising healthcare costs.

Scott pointed out that, with data to inspire discussion and solutions, employers can take charge of their healthcare costs and achieve the balancing act of budget control and employee satisfaction and engagement.

“It begins with benchmarking,” Scott said. “You first have to know how your employee benefits compare to other employers, so you can plan a strategy to become or remain competitive in attracting and retaining employees.”

Benefit Commerce Group recently announced the results of our 9th Annual Arizona Employee Benefits Benchmarking Survey. Scott shared some of the highlights of those results at the Accelerent event.

He also explained that:

• Employer premiums and deductibles have risen much faster than wages since 2010.
• Annual average healthcare cost for a family of four rose to $28,932 in 2021 and is expected to increase to over $30,000 in 2022.
• Healthcare costs are also impacted by new gene and cellular therapies, new high-cost specialty drugs and the 40-year-high inflation.

“The important thing to know is that there are new programs and new strategies to control healthcare costs and focus on quality care,” Scott said. “For example, accessing top doctors to provide better outcomes at lower costs saves money, reduces recovery time and increases employee satisfaction.”

For more information on the Benchmarking Results Event, go to the insights page of our website: https://benefitcommerce.aleragroup.com/insights/?t=1654779434.

If you would like your organization to participate in the Benchmarking survey, go to the Benchmarking page of our website: https://benefitcommerce.aleragroup.com/az-benchmarking-survey/