64. Breaking Free from the Broker Trap with Lori Kleiman

In this HR Special, host Chelsea Ryckis sits down with friend and industry leader Lori Kleiman to talk about what it takes to level up from HR department-of-one to strategic business partner, without losing sight of day-to-day realities.We cover how small to mid-size employers can decide when to hire fractional or in-house HR, why headcount matters more than revenue, and the rising complexity of multi-state compliance. We also unpack the hidden opportunity for HR to lead on healthcare and benefits strategy.Chelsea explains renewal “stall” tactics, fiduciary responsibility on health plans, and practical steps HR can take to earn a seat at the table with data and action.What you’ll learn:When a company truly needs fractional HR vs its first in-house generalistWhy certifications like PHR and SHRM-CP help smaller employers hire confidentlyHow tech can increase HR workload and employee questions, not reduce themA simple path to move from tactical HR to strategic HR that drives ROIThe fiduciary duty HR has on health plans, what to ask from brokers, and how to escape the 60-day renewal crunchPractical ideas HR can implement now: communications, data access, compliance checklists, and off-cycle planningTime Stamps00:00 – Welcome to The Business of Benefits01:08 – Meet Lori Kleiman04:45 – Building an HR Business from the Basement07:15 – When Small Businesses Really Need HR10:02 – Technology’s Impact on HR Workloads12:18 – Tactical vs. Strategic HR15:26 – What to Look For When Hiring HR18:41 – How Much HR Certifications Cost21:10 – Using ExamEdge and Affordable Prep Options23:20 – Moving from Tactical to Strategic HR27:00 – Understanding Fiduciary Duty in Health Plans30:36 – How HR Can Drive Benefits Strategy33:22 – Why Benefit Renewals Feel Impossible36:10 – Taking Back Control of Your Renewal38:28 – Shaking Up Your Broker Relationship40:12 – Giving Back to the HR Community41:25 – Final Thoughts and Where to Find Lori Get more on our Guest at:Website: https://www.hrtopics.comYouTube: @lorikleimanhrtopics7385Whether you're an HR professional, CFO, CEO, or just tired of rising healthcare costs, this is your call to rethink benefits strategy and finally take control.Connect with Chelsea and Donovan:Website: https://businessofbenefitspodcast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethoseffectpodcast/Chelsea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-ryckis-8508a192/Donovan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/--------------------------------Finished with the content? Claim your CE credit here: https://ideas.ethosbenefits.com/continuing-educationSHRM: Ethos Benefits is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.HRCI: Ethos Benefits is approved to offer HRCI® recertification credits for this program. This program has been approved for 0.5 - 1 HR (General) recertification credit(s) toward aPHR®, PHR®, SPHR®, and GPHR® certification.