Cover Story
Leading through innovation
Forward-thinking organizations leverage assets and connect with customers
By Denise Tomechko
Smart Business Cleveland | September 2009
This is Anthem’s 11th year partnering with Smart Business to present the Innovation in Business conference. We are proud to be part of an event that recognizes forward-thinking leaders who are able to successfully leverage their innovative services, products and technologies.
Anthem has spent many years developing leading health and wellness products and innovative online tools. And now, we are leveraging new opportunities to reach and better serve our members and to improve the health of our communities.
Using new tools like Twitter, for example, we are addressing our members’ concerns more effectively than through an automated toll-free customer service line. There is no hold time, no canned responses — just connecting with our customers on their terms. We benefit from instant feedback, and we are able to approach consumers who are venting online, rather than waiting until they become so frustrated that they feel compelled to call us.
In addition, we’ve teamed up with Bob Harper, fitness trainer from “The Biggest Loser,” to educate people about how their health and lifestyle choices affect the people around them. We’ve developed an online Health Footprint calculator tool that lets both individuals and companies measure the impact that their behavior has on their friends and family or employees. Check it out at www.anthem.com/connects2.
And in partnership with Radio Disney, we’re taking the “Move It!” program to YMCAs and schools throughout Ohio to encourage kids to make healthy choices as they have fun and compete against other schools for new gym equipment and Radio Disney Dance Parties at their school. Getting kids to adopt healthy habits will go a long way toward improving our nation’s health and reducing current and future health care costs.
Congratulations and many thanks to the Rising Stars and Visionaries recognized by Anthem and Smart Business. You inspire us all to press on toward our goals. We’d also like to thank the Master Innovators for sharing their stories and imparting valuable advice. We at Anthem are honored to be a part of both this event and this community.
Denise Tomechko is Central Region vice president for Anthem National Accounts. She can be reached at (216) 573-4442 or denise.tomechko@anthem.com.
