With a research-based program for better health, e-health company LifePulse has gone from idea to established company. Now founder Pernilla Zsaludek Viklund is aiming to become the obvious choice for employers who want to help their employees feel better.
LifePulse AB was founded in 2020 by Pernilla Zsaludek Viklund out of a strong desire to help people achieve better health. As a trained public health scientist and health coach, she was well aware of the great needs, but also the challenges.
- Unfortunately, it is not enough to just offer various wellness activities today. The physically inactive group needs more active support. That's where we come in," she says.
LifePulse is aimed at employers, but has major benefits for all parties. First and foremost for the individual, who can prevent many of the major public health diseases through healthier habits and exercise. These include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and up to 30 percent of cancers.
Better health and, above all, more equal health has a major impact on the team or staff group, because it helps us to enjoy and work better together.
- Many health initiatives benefit mostly those who are already in good health, who may use a gym card anyway. If you don't succeed in motivating the physically inactive, the health gaps in the company increase, and that's definitely not good," says Pernilla Zsaludek Viklund.
And last but not least, the benefits for the company are many. Employees with poor health have an average of 10 more sick days per year and are not always fit enough to deliver a full working day.
The program combines a digital service with personal health coaches. The approach allows for a personal relationship and follow-up that simplifies and maintains motivation for the lifestyle change.
- We do quite a lot of work even before it's time to start moving, for the physically inactive group. It is an important change process that prepares and motivates employees for the activities.
The program runs for nine months. During an initial PulseCheck, LifePulse looks at 12 different areas of health - everything from diet and exercise to stress factors at work or outside of work. Employees are then divided into three groups based on need, and support is individualized for the remainder of the program. At the end, there is a strong focus on maintenance, keeping the good habits over time. Finally, a new PulseCheck is done with each employee.
- It is magical to see the employee's reaction to their behavioral change. Knowing that we are making a real difference to health is great. I usually think about that on days when it feels like I'm just plodding along," says Pernilla Zsaludek Viklund.
During its development journey, LifePulse has participated in BizMaker's incubator, where startups in Västernorrland get help with business development and meet other entrepreneurs. Now Pernilla Zsaludek Viklund and LifePulse are leaving the incubator with invaluable knowledge about running and developing businesses.
- As a new entrepreneur, you are a specialist in your field, but running a business requires so much more. From pitches to IP strategies and how best to take on new customers. Now all the pieces are in place and we're ready to take the next step.
LifePulse has grown to about ten in the company, and the client companies are in a wide range of industries.
- This week we have a company in the construction industry starting up, and then one in marketing. In five years? At least there will be no exit where I sell the company," laughs Pernilla Zsaludek Viklund, and continues:
- "I have really found my calling in life, and hope that we can make a big difference and help create health-promoting companies. Investing in health and taking care of your most important resource, your employees, is so incredibly rewarding.
