Can This Be a 2025 Issue?

The December blahs are real right now. Between closing out the books, locking in budget, wrapping up AE, and the holi-daze of it all… We’re so ready to be back on the couch with the TV remote in one hand and a snack in the other.??

But January is oh-so-close and we’d much rather be Focused and Busy now than Scrambling and Overloaded (shout-out to two-word check ins) come 1/1. So, as we optimize the time we have left in the year, let’s stay ready by taking a look at what’s ahead.?

Here’s what we’re covering in our second-to-last newsletter of 2025:??

1. ?? What lies ahead in benefits for 2025???
2. 4 reasons AI can help you transform benefits and spend less time doing it?
3. The future of cost management lies in… investing in better technology (tell your CFO we said hello ??)?

Plus, what’s on our reading list for the rest of the year?

Let’s dive in.

?The future of X

No, not the future of the platform formerly known as Twitter. We’re taking an eye to the horizon and looking at the future of work, HR, benefits, technology, and much more.?

We sat down with Jon Shanahan , Chief Executive Officer, and Marcy Klipfel (she/her/hers) , Chief Engagement Officer, to take a pulse on what lies ahead in the benefits landscape for 2025.

Here are the 3 things they recommend keeping an eye on:??

1. Adaptive intelligence is the new AI: There’s nothing artificial about how intelligence can super-charge your HR strategy. From driving more administrative efficiencies to supporting a better employee experience, we all know this tech is a game-changer. But not all AI is created equal. Here are 7 questions you should be asking about AI.?
2. Measuring ROI from your benefits: Healthcare costs are slated to go up again (who’s surprised ??), but investing in the right benefits and administration technology can help you maximize spend by creating a workplace where employees can thrive. Why having the right technology can make or break your budget in 2025.?
3. Activating empathy in the workplace: Our 2024 Empathy report found that employees who view their workplace as toxic are 47% more likely to experience a mental health issue. But when workplaces are more intentional and take action with empathy, employee satisfaction and wellbeing trends upward. Not sure where to start? Try digging into employee feedback.?

?? We want to hear from you, too! What topics and trends are you watching in 2025? Let us know in the comments!???

UX, AI, HR

It’s soup season, baby! But let’s ditch the alphabet soup and get down to the real meaning behind those initialisms.?

In a recent survey, Kimberly Dunwoody, MA, Ed.D. , VP of UX at Businessolver, ranked as the #1 person you all want to hear from the most. So why is Dr. Dunwoody second in this newsletter? Because good things are worth the wait.??

“I think it’s really important for everyone to understand the role that benefits play in an employee’s life and then being able to step empathetically into that lived experience of the employee. AI and user experience are indispensable to the success of a benefits program because they work hand-in-hand to simplify complexity, drive engagement, and create meaningful, personalized interactions for employees.”?- Dr. Dunwoody

Here are four reasons AI can help HR drive a better UX:?

1. Making benefits meaningful for each employee in each moment?
2. Driving year-round engagement (at scale)?
3. Faster resolutions (often in real-time)?
4. Real-time insights for HR?(without being overloaded!)?

Want more from Dr. Dunwoody???

Read her blog on how analytics can supercharge the employee benefits experience.?

You're worth the budget

Sick of hearing about how HR is the cost center of the business???

Here are three things on your CFO’s wish list:??

1. Get ROI out of your HR spend?
2. Optimize costs for 2025?
3. Drive more productivity for the organization?

Good news: This is all actually possible and we’re gearing up to arm you with even more actionable strategies in 2025 to make this dream list a reality. While we crunch the numbers for our 2025 Benefits Insights report (due out in Feb… keep your eyes peeled), check out some of these case studies where we’ve helped our clients make their CFO super happy.??

KeHE Distributors saw $2.9M in cost avoidance by using AI tools to drive more efficiencies

Waste Pro USA boosted productivity across the board by optimizing the benefits experience for everyone

Our reading list for the rest of the year (plus some snack pairings)

Why Rae Shanahan says empathy is your best workplace superpower?( Rae Shanahan recommends a sweet treat, like strawberry toaster strudels, to pair with this read)

A few tricks to help you get through the holi-daze (water is probably your best bet here)

Marcy Klipfel’s advice for getting DEIB buy-in with your CEO?(Marcy's go-to is chips n' dip)

Bruce Gillis breaks down the finalized mental health parity rule?( Bruce Gillis keeps it real with chocolate. Perfect for comforting yourself while reading legalese.)

Kelli Thompson's "Closing the Confidence Gap" for a boost into the new year?(We love a good cup of tea for a Kelli Thompson moment)