I’ve talked about how wellness programs aren’t one size fits all. Wellness programs need to be personalized for each company, just as weight loss programs should be personalized for each individual, which is emphasized at The Center for Medical Weight Loss. A combination of factors can help you determine what type of program will be most effective. Castlight Health recently published “Six Drivers of Engagement,” which outlines factors to help you maximize your benefits program. As I go through the list, ask yourself, “How does this reflect my company’s culture?”

Gender: Females register for benefits at a 7.2 percent higher rate than males do. This doesn’t mean you should assume women will sign up without any incentives, but the gender demographic of your company can help you determine how to spread the word. If your company is dominated by men, for example, it may be wise to offer additional incentives or make the healthcare benefits more prominent. You may want to consider holding healthcare-focused meetings to educate and reiterate its importance.

Email: The survey found email is the most effective way to reach employees. Those with direct email access registered at a rate of 17.7 percent higher than those without access. Many jobs give employees instant access to email—it’s hard to miss one. It’s a simple way to grab attention and encourage an employee to take action. If you have the time, sending a weekly newsletter can also be beneficial. Make sure you highlight how a wellness program can be a fun and effective way to manage health. It’s a low-cost way to raise awareness and encourages employees to interact.

Plan Design: When the money is coming out of the employees’ pockets, they’re more conscious about their healthcare decisions. High-deductible plans bring money to the forefront of employees’ minds. Your workers are more likely to take steps to lower the cost of healthcare if it means keeping money in their wallets. This is where wellness programs come in. Present them as a way to lower costs. Emphasize that the healthier you are, the less medical attention you will need.

Incentives: In terms of engagement, the survey found incentives are very effective, with a high incentive seeing a 30.4 percent increase in registration compared with no incentive. Simply, incentives provide motivation if it doesn’t come from within. They can come in the form of monetary rewards, additional time off, gift cards, or company recognition.

Print Promotion: For those who do not have a desk job, digital promotion may not be the best option, which is where print promotion comes in. Hang posters around the office, send mail to the employee’s home address, and give away stickers, pens, or refrigerator magnets. Besides drilling it in employees’ heads, it also brings the conversation outside the office and into the home. Healthcare becomes a discussion about the family, which is a priority in many people’s lives. If healthcare is not a priority for your employee, it may be for his or her spouse, who can provide the nudge to make a change.