As we move into 2011, individuals and organizations will thinking about resolutions for the upcoming year. This year many companies will be looking into wellness programs for their workforce. With the rising cost of healthcare, fostering a healthy workforce becomes even more important. However, a wellness program goes far beyond reducing a company's healthcare costs. Encouraging a healthy workforce yields happier and more productive employees, increases overall morale, and leads to a more successful organization. It's no wonder these programs are popping up all over the United States in organizations both huge and small.

Following five key steps will help any company starting a wellness program to ensure success!

1. Get support from senior level management. Embracing a wellness initiative from the top down demonstrates to an organization that wellness is a corporate goal versus an HR initiative. Ongoing management support and participation encourages employee involvement in the initiative.

2. Create a core cross-functional team to invent programs and spearhead them throughout the company. By involving members at different levels of the organization and in different departments, a company can have suggests of the program to help motivate their peers to become involved.

3. Start Small. Make sure you program goals and initiatives are realistic. It is superior create a few successful initiatives to jumpstart your program than to try to take on more than your team can handle.

4. Set goals and evaluate often. Create a mission and goals for your wellness initiative. Revisit these monthly with your cross-functional team to make sure you stay on track and can make changes the program as necessary.

5. Promote it within your organization. Create signage in key areas of the company keeping employees updated in programs and upcoming events. Give out promotional products to employees to keep the program top of mind. There are many products out there to help promote a wellness program. Visit http://www.bestpromotions.com/products/browsecategory/369/ for creative ideas to help jump begin your wellness initiative.