AlphaStaff Broker Advisory Council Identifies Key Empoyer Issues For 2011

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, March 26, 2011 (Press-News.org) AlphaStaff Group, Inc., one of the nation's largest professional employer organizations (PEO) and the only PEO to work exclusively in partnership with brokers, has created the industry's first-ever Broker Advisory Council. The announcement was made by AlphaStaff executive vice president of Sales for the Small and Medium Business Market, Joseph DeRosa. The Council held their inaugural meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in February to discuss the PEO industry, trends/tactics to better serve clients and to provide insight as AlphaStaff continues its innovative growth strategies to provide better people solutions for businesses.

"This is a critical time in the business world as now, more than ever, companies are faced with the need to improve efficiencies to remain competitive," said DeRosa. "With the leadership of our Advisory Council members, AlphaStaff will continue to pave the way toward supporting business' human resource needs and their bottom lines."

The creation of a Broker Advisory Council is a natural outgrowth for a company whose broker distribution model stands out in an industry where PEOs and insurance brokers are usually competitors. AlphaStaff believes its proprietary model gives broker partners a competitive advantage in their marketplaces.

"The AlphaStaff insurance broker relationship is unique in the industry and it gives my clients significant incremental value as evidenced by an average 97 percent client satisfaction level," commented Advisory Council member, Douglas Megill, president and CEO of McLean Insurance Agency. "We are providing a service beyond just saving money. It's about making things easier for our clients so they can focus their time and money on their business."

One outcome of the inaugural meeting was consensus on top issues for employers to focus on in 2011 and how PEO solutions can support those issues:

1. Health care reform challenges will continue: Successfully navigating the complex nature of health care reform is critical for all businesses. PEOs will continue to be a vital partner by providing expert information in a timely manner on this challenging topic as well as ensuring compliance, minimizing risk and managing cost increases and vendor relationships.

2. Business efficiency must increase: As employers continue to overcome the sluggish economy, they will continue seeking ways to decrease time and money spent on
administrative tasks and to increase business efficiencies. The PEO model allows both clients and their broker partners to spend added time on core business operations while the PEO consultant applies his or her expertise to managing the HR administration and benefit processes.

3. Difficult and changing HR laws will continue to put employers at risk: Along with turbulent economic times, the potential for risk increases dramatically. Businesses need to be prepared for issues such as discrimination and wrongful termination claims as well as ensure compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or Occupational Safety and Health Act, etc. As companies realize the cost of potential complaints and suits are great in terms of dollars, morale and productivity, they should consider a co-employment structure to minimize future risks and leverage the risk by using PEO expertise.

The AlphaStaff Broker Advisory Council will convene two times per year. Current members include:
• Joel Etheridge, assistant vice president at BB&T Insurance Services in Ga.
• Kim Farren, partner and senior vice president of Specialty Markets at Conover Beyer Associates, Inc. in N.J.
• James Hahl, director of operations and human resource division of Van Dyk Group, N.J.
• Carol Hendricksen, an employee benefits consultant at Willis in Fla.
• Michael Martini, founder at AdvantEdge HR in N.J.
• Douglas Megill, president and CEO at McLean Insurance Agency in Va.
• Elena Merino, founder and president at The Meridian Group in Ga.
• Robert Mihm, commercial insurance agent and outsourcing broker at Insurance Office of America (IOA) in Fla.
• Frank Pulcini, vice president at IOA in Fla.
• Douglas Phenix, founder and president at Premier Insurance Agency and Texas Printers Insurance Agency, both in Texas
• Marilyn Scire, president at HR & Health Benefits Solutions in Fla.
• Randolph Screen, chief insurance marketing executive officer and senior vice president at BB&T Insurance Services in N.C.
• Paul Traughber, vice president and partner at Alandale Insurance Agency in Calif.

About AlphaStaff
AlphaStaff Group, Inc., a human resource outsourcing company, offers a fully integrated suite of HR services that produce direct and indirect savings and productivity solutions for businesses. From payroll and workers' compensation insurance to benefits, HR administration and healthcare reform, AlphaStaff assumes and manages employment related risk via shared-employment while delivering innovative new ways to save time, money and make business easier to manage. AlphaStaff's experienced HR professionals deliver personal and flexible service to more than 1,600 client companies in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.alphastaff.com.