Mercer Marsh Benefits

Driving efficiency and engagement: The power of consistency and consolidation

It’s no surprise that in our hyper-connected world, providing a globally consistent employee experience is more important than ever for hiring and keeping top talent, meeting your DEI goals and getting a handle on your benefits spend across your employee population.

In our hyper-connected world, providing a globally consistent employee experience is more important than ever for hiring and keeping top talent.

In a follow-up to our 2023 employee benefits and technology report, 400+ HR professionals – in mostly regional and global roles from across 11 markets – took part in a pulse survey to share the most significant trends impacting employee benefits and technology in 2024.

An overwhelming 84% said that delivering a globally consistent employee experience was a top priority – a continuation on last year’s findings. Consistency brings with it a more efficient approach to data, administration, communications and technology, which in turn provides a higher-quality, more personalized approach to benefits, along with a huge potential for savings.

A centralized approach also allows organizations to respond to change as and when needed. Technology is the ultimate agility enabler, with 82% of employers stating that it is vital to their ability to respond quickly to change. As we have seen living through the polycrisis of the past few years, an agile approach to benefits provision is integral to delivering more equitable and demonstrably valuable benefits to your people.

When asked, 57% of employers shared that they already use centralized specialist benefits software to manage and administer their benefits, while 85% have centralized their benefits operations, or plan to within the next 1-3 years. Yet we still see 65% of organizations managing their benefits at a regional or local level, reinforcing the importance of an overarching global approach hand in hand with local and regional expertise – one cannot thrive without the other.

In response to this, 88% of the employers surveyed said they were likely to consolidate their benefits technology and brokerage with a single adviser within the next five years. This focus on consolidation to drive efficiency and positively impact the employee experience is paying off.

Organizations who have taken steps to centralize are feeling the benefits through a knock-on effect on their ability to respond to change, and their employee engagement targets: 88% of employers who have centralized benefits software say they can respond quickly to change, while 73% have more engaged employees – they are on track or above their employee engagement targets.

If you’re operating in more than one market, cost competitiveness and a desire for a consistent EX will continue to drive a trend toward digitalization and centralization. Consistency will naturally lead to reduced risk and a more effective return on investment. It also allows for access to data to make more informed benefits decisions and supports the global mobility agenda. Consistency in communications, messaging and delivery options, targeted to specific workforce segments, also helps foster a consistent organizational culture and experience.

To succeed in the benefits industry of tomorrow, organizations must prioritize consistency and consolidation. By adopting a consistent approach globally, while allowing for customization across regions, the uptick in operational efficiency, increased employee engagement, and cost savings are undeniable. With an agile mindset enabled by technology, organizations can navigate the challenges of benefits provision, delivering a globally consistent employee experience that fuels success.

Article

Driving efficiency and engagement: The power of consistency and consolidation

In our hyper-connected world, providing a globally consistent employee experience is more important than ever for hiring and keeping top talent.

About the authors

Guy Clarkson

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Driving efficiency and engagement: The power of consistency and consolidation

In our hyper-connected world, providing a globally consistent employee experience is more important than ever for hiring and keeping top talent.

Speak with a Mercer Marsh Benefits consultant

Employee benefits and technology trends report

About the authors

Guy Clarkson

Related insights

HR technology spend driven by centralization, AI, analytics

AI: A new frontier for benefits management

Tackling the cardiovascular and metabolic health crisis

Top health trends for 2025