As any employer in the consumer goods industry can testify, volume matters wherever you are in the supply chain – from manufacturing to point of sale – and every cent counts. In this environment, absenteeism and below-optimum productivity can quickly erode profits, with a knock-on effect from every man-hour lost.

The Consumer Goods Medical Scheme (CGMS) opens a fresh strategic window for businesses with the foresight to invest in employee well-being now – a time when the country’s sector has demonstrated significant buoyancy in the previous financial period, as indicated in the Corporate Retail Comparative Report by retail research company Trade Intelligence.

While consumer spending has experienced significant dips in recent years, the industry has found a way to strengthen its bottom line. Strategic expansion in non-grocery goods, such as the pet, baby and clothing categories, has rewarded businesses and contributed to a 24.2% increase in store footprint among corporate retailers over the past five years.

Strategic investment in employee health will likewise shore up industry enterprises with a stronger, more productive workforce. CGMS is available only to employers in the consumer goods sector and delivers focused attention and value across the board.

But with so many medical scheme options on the table, what are the markers that identify the most strategic healthcare partner?

Five key questions from the CGMS Health Check highlight the major differentiators between an industry-specific medical scheme and an open medical scheme that you may be considering or to which you might currently belong.

1. Sector-specific expertise

• Question: Does an open medical scheme provide dedicated, sector-specific attention or can absolutely anyone join?
• CGMS advantage: Our industry offering is exclusively designed to meet employee health needs in the consumer goods sector, ensuring your team receives focused and relevant care with values that align with those of your business, unlike anything available in an open scheme.

2. Personalised care and support
   • Question: Does an open scheme provide personalised care, considering each employee’s unique clinical circumstances?
   • CGMS advantage: Our ‘personal banker’ model ensures that our key account managers are on hand to provide focused attention and support to every member.

3. Digital access
   • Question: Has your scheme made the digital leap to further empower your employees on their healthcare journey?
   • CGMS advantage: Our app offers 24/7 access to claims, benefits and support, keeping employees informed and empowered at the touch of a button.

4. Chronic care management
   • Question: How serious is your scheme about supporting employees with chronic conditions?
   • CGMS advantage: We prioritise comprehensive support for chronic care, encouraging early detection and prevention and ensuring ongoing access to treatment to effectively manage conditions and reduce absenteeism.

5. Industry-led governance
• Question: Does your scheme have any board members with experience in the consumer goods industry?
• CGMS advantage: The CGMS Board of Trustees comprises 50% employer-appointed and 50% member-elected representatives attuned to the unique needs of sector employees.

When it comes to the backbone of your business – your employees – ensuring that they and their beneficiaries have access to quality care when they need it is a no-brainer. And, partnering with an industry specific medical scheme is not only strategically wise, it is, quite simply, good for business.