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Company: Delta Dental of Kansas, Wichita, KS
Company Description: Delta Dental of Kansas is the largest, most experienced dental benefits company in Kansas. We are passionate about providing benefits that meet the needs of our customers and educating Kansans about the importance of good oral health.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Achievement in Management - Insurance
 Nomination Title: We Dream Big
- Which will you provide for your nomination in this category, an essay of up to 650 words describing the achievements of the nominated management team, group, or individual since January 1 2020, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length describing the same? CHOOSE ONE:
An essay of up to 650 words
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video:
- If you are providing an essay of up to 650 words, place it in this space:
Total 614 words used.
CORE VALUES
Our CEO Dean Newton, along with DDKS’ management team, have transformed our company into a collaborative innovation and technology hub that creates value and produces successful outcomes for clients through a focus on operational and innovation excellence, transformative technology, best-in-class service and culture transformation. Our company is guided by six core values that are the foundation of our success:
- We dream big.
- We strive for excellence in everything we do.
- We earn customer trust and loyalty every single day.
- We put the user first – their needs drive our innovative solutions.
- We strive to be inclusive, curious and collaborative.
- We care about and support our community.
EXCEPTIONAL BUSINESS RESULTS
The management team generated record growth, organizational best practices and profitable expansion into 32 states by revamping the strategy and organization, modernizing technology, upgrading IT systems, introducing new digital solutions and streamlining operations. This tripled profits and led to national recognition for outstanding company results. The management team also created a dedicated Innovation Lab1 to bring differentiated products to market, enhance technology and data analytics, and improve the user experience2. The team received an Innovation Award and AM Best “Excellent” rating for “driving efficiencies and innovation.”
In addition, the management team designed and executed a strategic plan that significantly increased B2B, B2C and e-commerce sales via enhanced sales strategies and processes as well as improved automation, user experience and mobile and digital services. They further enhanced talent development and training, business analytics, sales processes and technology solutions resulting in a significant increase in new market sales. Finally, the team launched new and simplified products and services, negotiated strategic partnerships, opened new distribution channels, and revamped digital and user services leading to the largest sales growth in 14 years. We have grown our provider network3 into the largest in our 50-year company history.
Finally, the management team implemented a Voice of the Customer and Predictive Analytics initiatives to drive product and service innovation. They further implemented technology, operations and analytics solutions that improved customer experience, reduced risks and costs, improved productivity and enhanced growth. The innovations resulted in 99.8% client retention and superior 98.4% customer satisfaction4. The team further revamped the performance management system to align corporate strategy and goals with human capital and resources to far exceed KPIs.
CULTURE TRANSFORMATION
The DDKS leadership team believes that a strong culture and employee engagement drives innovation and success. The team has prioritized providing a positive company culture through employee empowerment, transparent communication, encouraged collaboration and connection opportunities by creating and following a 10-point culture engagement plan5. DDKS leadership has created a culture that emphasizes winning and fun by celebrating success, encouraging all ideas, input and views to achieve the best result through weekly employee surveys, learning from our mistakes, and offering an environment where people enjoy their jobs. DDKS leadership created a dedicated Culture Committee that provides resources, educational workshops and activities around diversity equity & inclusion, team building and wellness. Our efforts transformed company culture, growing the employee Net Promoter Score (NPS) to double the national average6. The company was also recognized as a Best Place to Work nationally and locally.
RECOGNITION
DDKS has recently been recognized as: a Best Place to Work by the Wichita Business Journal; as a national Best Place to Work in insurance; Company of the Year for insurance by the American Business Awards; Top Employers in the US for our "exemplary" COVID-19 response; Recipient of the 2021 Innovation Award by the Wichita Business Journal; Top Healthiest Employer for excellence in employee engagement, wellness and community service; and AM Best "Excellent" Rating among over 16,000 insurances companies for business management, innovation, operating performance and risk management.
- In bullet-list form, provide a brief summary of up to ten (10) of the chief accomplishments of the nominee(s) since January 1 2020. This is required whether you are submitting a video or an essay:
- DDKS leadership created a dedicated Innovation Lab to bring differentiated products to market, enhance technology and data analytics, and improve user experience.
- The management team generated record growth, organizational best practices and profitable expansion into 32 states by revamping the strategy and organization, modernizing technology, upgrading IT systems, introducing new digital solutions and streamlining operations.
- DDKS had the best Sales year since 2008.
- DDKS has experienced industry leading client retention at 99.8%.
- DDKS group and broker customer industry-leading satisfaction of 98%+.
- The management team implemented a Voice of the Customer and Predictive Analytics initiatives to drive product and service innovation.
- DDKS leadership established a mechanism for continuous feedback through weekly employee surveys.
- Employee feedback has resulted in the implementation of employee-generated and transformative innovations in every area of our company (technology, operations, data analytics, sales solutions, digital solutions, user experience, product development).
- DDKS’ Employee Net Promoter Score (NPS) is nearly double the national benchmarking average. DDKS’ Employee Engagement Scores well exceed the national benchmarking average on every measure. These measures include overall engagement, employee satisfaction, employee happiness, frequency and quality of recognition and feedback and relationship with managers and peers.
- Over the past two years DDKS has been recognized on both a national and local level as a top company and best place to work.
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