{"id":14259,"date":"2025-02-12T08:15:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T15:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/compt.io\/?p=14259"},"modified":"2025-03-31T08:19:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T14:19:53","slug":"why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/","title":{"rendered":"Why People-Driven Benefits Matter: How to Fuel Personalized Programs Through Employee Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-balancing-autonomy-over-benefits-with-mari-sifo-nbsp\">Balancing autonomy over benefits With Mari Sifo&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We all love choices\u2026 when we\u2019re the ones making those choices. For those of us in HR, opening things up is a little harder. How do you loosen the reins give employees the personalized programs they need? It all comes down to how you prioritize driving a people-driven benefits strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I spoke about this topic with Mari Sifo, EVP &amp; CHRO at Host Hotels, on our monthly <a href=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/hr-podcasts\/\">HR podcast<\/a> \u2018Getting Personal,\u2019 where we connect with people leaders who are doing what they can to make the workplace a little more human. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Host Hotels is a publicly owned real estate investment trust (REIT) with 150-200 employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/human-connection-quote.png\" alt=\"I think everything starts at the foundation around that human connection - quote from Mari Sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14351 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/human-connection-quote.png\" alt=\"I think everything starts at the foundation around that human connection - quote from Mari Sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14351 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/human-connection-quote.png 1024w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/human-connection-quote-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/human-connection-quote-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut how do you connect the dots between all of it to say, how am I impacting the organization; people\u2019s lives; and the communities that we work and serve in? How am I making a bigger impact on the whole?,\u201d Mari continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever Sifo landed on, it\u2019s clear her strategy works: The average tenure at Host Hotels &amp; Resorts is <strong>13 years of service<\/strong>. Read on to find out how to mimic Sifo\u2019s benefit strategy and improve your retention rate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on for my favorite parts, or listen to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gMx4T-QN3es\">full podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"Getting Personal Episode 21 | &quot;Go Ask Your People&quot;: Straight Talk on Benefits with CHRO Mari Sifo\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gMx4T-QN3es?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-listen-to-your-employees\">Listen to your employees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First things first: With such a wide range of benefits available to offer, I wanted to know how Sifo and her team figure out what people realistically want to create their people-driven benefits tactics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGoing directly to the people and asking them what\u2019s important to them rather than guessing\u201d was Sifo\u2019s immediate response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mari-Podcast-Repurpose-Blog-Graphics.png\" alt=\"We can pick up all the trends and look at all the surveys and read all of the data that we want, but what\u2019s most important to me is that I understand what\u2019s most important to our people. quote from Mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14396 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mari-Podcast-Repurpose-Blog-Graphics.png\" alt=\"We can pick up all the trends and look at all the surveys and read all of the data that we want, but what\u2019s most important to me is that I understand what\u2019s most important to our people. quote from Mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14396 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mari-Podcast-Repurpose-Blog-Graphics.png 1024w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mari-Podcast-Repurpose-Blog-Graphics-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mari-Podcast-Repurpose-Blog-Graphics-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sifo often does this through a benefit survey, asking employees if they\u2019re getting what they need and what they\u2019re missing as far as benefits are concerned. Last year, this simple curiosity revealed simple needs \u2014 like better coverage for eyeglasses or dental care. It wasn\u2019t a significant cost to the company, Sifo explains \u2014 \u201cit was just how we were packaging.\u201d They were able to address the needs immediately.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Compt, we\u2019re a big fan of employee surveys. Our top tips for <a href=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/create-an-employee-benefits-survey-with-example-questions-template\/\">conducting an employee benefits survey<\/a> that gets you the information you want include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cover everything that\u2019s included in your current benefits program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep business goals in mind as you decide what your survey questions are measuring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capture demographic information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider keeping the survey anonymous so employees feel free to answer honestly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share the survey results (and don\u2019t forget to take actions based on the feedback)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to learn what your employees really want, however, a formal survey isn\u2019t always necessary. Sifo also touts the benefits of the \u201crumor mill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI remember 20 years ago working in manufacturing, and the best source of knowledge was just walking around knowing what\u2019s happening and keeping your pulse on things. You have your internal culture, the internal kind of noise that you may hear, things that are coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-does-age-matter\">When does age matter? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>For Sifo, this simple piece of ask-your-people advice has proven especially true when it comes to reconciling generational differences. I was curious about her opinion on the accuracy of the articles that flood my social media feeds with headlines like \u2018This Is What Gen Z Wants in The Workplace\u2019<em> <\/em>or \u2018How to Help Boomers Transitioning Out.\u2019<em> <\/em>Sifo says she takes them with a grain of salt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re nice to read. You always get some information,\u201d she begins. \u201cI\u2019ll take it back to that population or group that they\u2019re talking to and I say, what do you think? Is this what you want?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trending articles like these are certainly interesting reads, Sifo says. But you can\u2019t take them as law: \u201cNever take anything for granted. Just go and ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when she does, what has Sifo found out? Well, we&#8217;re getting closer to the individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/flexible-benefits-quote.png\" alt=\"we are now getting into very niche-type benefits. So people who have children with extreme disabilities or people who are dealing with very difficult caretaking situations.\u201d quote from Mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14350 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/flexible-benefits-quote.png\" alt=\"we are now getting into very niche-type benefits. So people who have children with extreme disabilities or people who are dealing with very difficult caretaking situations.\u201d quote from Mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14350 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/flexible-benefits-quote.png 1024w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/flexible-benefits-quote-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/flexible-benefits-quote-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In these cases, she points out, a large, across-the-board program won\u2019t always be the best fit. Her organization has to think outside the box to meet the needs of these employees. At the same time, however, Sifo also recognizes that she can\u2019t realistically create programs for every single individual situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re privileged that our people share. They\u2019ll tell us our stories, their stories, they\u2019ll tell us what they\u2019re facing, and sometimes it\u2019s really, really hard to be able to support them through that even sometimes how you want to as a human being based on your own limitations and restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-evolution-of-benefits\">The evolution of benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sifo has been in the HR industry for over 15 years. I was curious about her take on how the landscape has changed over the years. From her viewpoint, Sifo says, it all boils down to one word: freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/individual-control-benefits-quote.png\" alt=\"\u201cThe control has gone from the corporation\u2026 to those individual people. And so more and more people have more control and more freedom, which is scary because that means that there is greater risk,\u201d she says.\u00a0 quote from mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14348 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/individual-control-benefits-quote.png\" alt=\"\u201cThe control has gone from the corporation\u2026 to those individual people. And so more and more people have more control and more freedom, which is scary because that means that there is greater risk,\u201d she says.\u00a0 quote from mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14348 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/individual-control-benefits-quote.png 1024w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/individual-control-benefits-quote-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/individual-control-benefits-quote-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Is that risk worth it? To Sifo, yes. The more choices people get to make, the better. People want to be safe and secure. They want to be able to take care of themselves, their families, and their homes. And that often requires the ability to pick what\u2019s best for their situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEvery individual has their own story. They have their own priorities in trying to find benefits, programs, [and] cultures that allow the person to thrive based on their current story,\u201d Sifo explains.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While employees do crave guidance from organizations, ultimately, she believes benefits will continue to be about choice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-simplify-the-choices\">Simplify the choices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Giving employees autonomy over their benefits can feel scary. But remember, you\u2019re giving them the opportunity to make <em>a <\/em>choice \u2014 not a thousand choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of it like this. Maybe you\u2019re at a really nice restaurant and you\u2019re looking forward to a delicious dinner \u2014 something savory and flavorful with high-quality ingredients, a relaxing evening of conversation with somebody you love. But when the menu comes out, it\u2019s the length of a novel you would have skimmed through in high school English class. Everything looks great\u2026 but honestly, you almost wish the restaurant just served steak and fish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sifo encourages HR leaders to think about people-driven benefits in the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/choice-benefits-quote.png\" alt=\"\u201cThe freedom isn\u2019t having all the choices. No one likes having to choose between 20 options\u2026 you don\u2019t want to overwhelm them too much with too many choices at one time.\u201d\u00a0 quote from mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14349 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/choice-benefits-quote.png\" alt=\"\u201cThe freedom isn\u2019t having all the choices. No one likes having to choose between 20 options\u2026 you don\u2019t want to overwhelm them too much with too many choices at one time.\u201d\u00a0 quote from mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14349 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/choice-benefits-quote.png 1024w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/choice-benefits-quote-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/choice-benefits-quote-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve heard this from countless people myself. It doesn\u2019t feel like a true benefit if I have to put work into figuring out what the benefit is. And science backs it up. Just look at <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2006\/06\/more-isnt-always-better\">The Jam Experiment<\/a>, a well-known study from 2000 where consumers were offered either six varieties of jam or 24. People who were given 24 choices of jam were only one-tenth as likely to make a purchase as people who saw the smaller display.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sifo says that for people-driven benefits, it\u2019s all about balance \u2014 allowing employees to choose the one option that\u2019s most important to them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tips-to-boost-retention.png\" alt=\"tips to boost employee retention from mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14352 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tips-to-boost-retention.png\" alt=\"tips to boost employee retention from mari sifo\" class=\"wp-image-14352 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tips-to-boost-retention.png 1024w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tips-to-boost-retention-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tips-to-boost-retention-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-consider-your-retention\">Consider your retention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the day, how can you tell whether you\u2019re serving your people the best way that you can? Sifo told me it\u2019s all about <a href=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/build-effective-employee-retention-programs-with-examples\/\">employee retention<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This impact is always going to be broken out into both tangibles and intangibles. Tangible, measurable elements of your ROI might include things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Higher rates of productivity and efficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved processes and workflow&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better employee engagement&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quicker hires&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other aspects of your return might be harder to translate into value. For managers, these elements might be based around productivity. For department heads, they could be about overall engagement and culture. Whatever the case, these intangibles are just as crucial for stakeholders to understand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDo people stay?\u201d she asks. \u201cOur average year of service is 13. I think that says a lot about people wanting to be here and people being dedicated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;d say so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for more stories from inspiring HR leaders? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"hs-cta-embed hs-cta-simple-placeholder hs-cta-embed-184894482227\"\n  style=\"max-width:100%; max-height:100%; width:800px;height:480px\" data-hubspot-wrapper-cta-id=\"184894482227\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com\/web-interactives\/public\/v1\/track\/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIrlmyEYnOul%2BuZ5eN28Nv59YObmlWkucrfrlU2YEBZJlrkc63PHEWwedDYfSYiHNPfLNpIQc5%2B6JScLR1aeTrhpfhLyUpeDCRMgF8o2dWxgTqubqQ%2BeqpZpNpMlk3FPIehuA0MccSIbs6hC9eU%2FsbNJg0aF%2FH8p5%2B%2FvnvWr7H%2Fv0pCKWVXpwRLb45bMsRsMehjc94lmuq%2B0S6%2FspZTxYJ9OkTYTOH0Wm8SJtbpkqL3dyxgnDXhLxuvZO80fQ%3D%3D&#038;webInteractiveContentId=184894482227&#038;portalId=3919194\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" alt=\"getting-personal-subscribe\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/3919194\/interactive-184894482227.png\" style=\"height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: fill\"\n      onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-make-your-benefits-more-human-with-compt-nbsp\">Make your benefits more human with Compt&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>At Compt, we\u2019re all about making benefits more human. And Sifo\u2019s final words to me echoed the same \u2014 that she views employee benefits as more of a human-to-human exchange, where it\u2019s her responsibility to find the best situation for both the company and the employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you think about it from a basic human element\u2026 if I have access to information or knowledge and or tools that can help you solve a problem, then why wouldn\u2019t I share those tools? Why wouldn\u2019t I give you that knowledge?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re an SMB or an enterprise, we know that personalized lifestyle benefits designed by people who care are the fastest way to get you to a happier team <em>and <\/em>a better bottom line. And that\u2019s exactly what we provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"hs-cta-embed hs-cta-simple-placeholder hs-cta-embed-182042453609\"\n  style=\"max-width:100%; max-height:100%; width:1000px;height:250px\" data-hubspot-wrapper-cta-id=\"182042453609\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com\/web-interactives\/public\/v1\/track\/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLITvqgXk9NSwrza3wTRiqtR2zq78hFgwlUtGYzOiGijdBOhVWtIt%2Fjw%2FnPANyrnWEJXJ40OleXmqz4N4rwUrmZaAnePo1LmSmLZ16a8uwNm4wJ91DYmjr98IZiMKMWcZHoS3NvzfD7QFsRe2m%2BCJOEAvPDW0ObB15TgI%2BSuPIK9Z4mWzBrx8at2l6rIhJeqkHK5%2B3wVPhmSsD1%2B3VGkfVNhyr28kUpyYky4ieZnITAzgLpOc8ZHdiqnZ7j1QlK65Mop&#038;webInteractiveContentId=182042453609&#038;portalId=3919194\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload\" alt=\"generic-guides-demo-cta\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/3919194\/interactive-182042453609.png\" style=\"height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: fill\"\n      onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" \/>\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compt\u2019s 100% tax-compliant employee stipend software empowers HR teams to focus on that human element that we believe is key to people-driven benefits. Want to see how it works for yourself? <a href=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/request-a-demo\/?_gl=1*1ue83qh*_gcl_au*MjA1MTI2OTQyMS4xNzMzOTU2MTI5*_ga*MTIwNzk3MzkyNi4xNzMyMzE5MzY0*_ga_7MB9C4BG6Q*MTczNDcyNzQyMC45LjEuMTczNDcyNzg5OS4yMy4wLjA.\">Request a demo<\/a> today.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Balancing autonomy over benefits With Mari Sifo&nbsp; We all love choices\u2026 when we\u2019re the ones making those choices. For those of us in HR, opening things up is a little harder. How do you loosen the reins give employees the personalized programs they need? It all comes down to how you prioritize driving a people-driven [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":14398,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[50,28,31,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hr-leadership","category-lifestyle-benefits","category-strategic-hr","category-workforce-trends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Unlocking the Power of People-Driven Benefits in HR<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to improve retention rates with a people-driven benefits strategy. Discover tips from Mari Sifo, EVP &amp; CHRO at Host Hotels.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why People-Driven Benefits Matter: How to Fuel Personalized Programs Through Employee Insights\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to improve retention rates with a people-driven benefits strategy. Discover tips from Mari Sifo, EVP &amp; CHRO at Host Hotels.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"COMPT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ComptHQ\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-12T15:15:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-31T14:19:53+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"480\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lauren Schneider\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@compthq\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@compthq\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lauren Schneider\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Lauren Schneider\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/person\/4517003d21ec1c5e166dd3cc05414960\"},\"headline\":\"Why People-Driven Benefits Matter: How to Fuel Personalized Programs Through Employee Insights\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-12T15:15:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-31T14:19:53+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/\"},\"wordCount\":1485,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"HR Leadership\",\"Lifestyle Benefits\",\"Strategic HR\",\"Workforce Trends\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/\",\"name\":\"Unlocking the Power of People-Driven Benefits in HR\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-12T15:15:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-31T14:19:53+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how to improve retention rates with a people-driven benefits strategy. Discover tips from Mari Sifo, EVP & CHRO at Host Hotels.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png\",\"width\":800,\"height\":480,\"caption\":\"mari sifo featured image on people-driven benefits\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lifestyle Benefits\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/category\/lifestyle-benefits\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Why People-Driven Benefits Matter: How to Fuel Personalized Programs Through Employee Insights\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/\",\"name\":\"COMPT\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#organization\",\"name\":\"COMPT\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Compt_Logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Compt_Logo.svg\",\"width\":133,\"height\":40,\"caption\":\"COMPT\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ComptHQ\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/compthq\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/compt\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCEAwTCFBR0FVK9uZmg728AA\/featured\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/person\/4517003d21ec1c5e166dd3cc05414960\",\"name\":\"Lauren Schneider\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bafd5d028dc0d2e70981f54d940d875c72d9eab668720766c261320c0537f90d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bafd5d028dc0d2e70981f54d940d875c72d9eab668720766c261320c0537f90d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Lauren Schneider\"},\"description\":\"Lauren Schneider is the Head of Brand and Communications at Compt, where she channels her passion for people-centric storytelling into shaping the future of employee benefits. With a knack for blending creativity and strategy, Lauren is dedicated to making workplaces more human and impactful. When she's not crafting content, you can find her making connections on LinkedIn, honing her improv skills, or enjoying time with family.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/laurenthandley\/\"],\"jobTitle\":\"Head of Brand and Comms\",\"worksFor\":\"COMPT\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/author\/lauren\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Unlocking the Power of People-Driven Benefits in HR","description":"Learn how to improve retention rates with a people-driven benefits strategy. Discover tips from Mari Sifo, EVP & CHRO at Host Hotels.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why People-Driven Benefits Matter: How to Fuel Personalized Programs Through Employee Insights","og_description":"Learn how to improve retention rates with a people-driven benefits strategy. Discover tips from Mari Sifo, EVP & CHRO at Host Hotels.","og_url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/","og_site_name":"COMPT","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ComptHQ\/","article_published_time":"2025-02-12T15:15:28+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-31T14:19:53+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":480,"url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Lauren Schneider","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@compthq","twitter_site":"@compthq","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Lauren Schneider","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/"},"author":{"name":"Lauren Schneider","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/person\/4517003d21ec1c5e166dd3cc05414960"},"headline":"Why People-Driven Benefits Matter: How to Fuel Personalized Programs Through Employee Insights","datePublished":"2025-02-12T15:15:28+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-31T14:19:53+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/"},"wordCount":1485,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png","articleSection":["HR Leadership","Lifestyle Benefits","Strategic HR","Workforce Trends"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/","url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/","name":"Unlocking the Power of People-Driven Benefits in HR","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png","datePublished":"2025-02-12T15:15:28+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-31T14:19:53+00:00","description":"Learn how to improve retention rates with a people-driven benefits strategy. Discover tips from Mari Sifo, EVP & CHRO at Host Hotels.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Why-People-Driven-Benefits-Matter-How-to-Fuel-Personalized-Programs-Through-Employee-Insights.png","width":800,"height":480,"caption":"mari sifo featured image on people-driven benefits"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/why-people-driven-benefits-matter-how-to-fuel-personalized-programs-through-employee-insights\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/compt.io\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Lifestyle Benefits","item":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/category\/lifestyle-benefits\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why People-Driven Benefits Matter: How to Fuel Personalized Programs Through Employee Insights"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#website","url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/","name":"COMPT","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/compt.io\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#organization","name":"COMPT","url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Compt_Logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Compt_Logo.svg","width":133,"height":40,"caption":"COMPT"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ComptHQ\/","https:\/\/x.com\/compthq","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/compt\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCEAwTCFBR0FVK9uZmg728AA\/featured"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/person\/4517003d21ec1c5e166dd3cc05414960","name":"Lauren Schneider","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/compt.io\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bafd5d028dc0d2e70981f54d940d875c72d9eab668720766c261320c0537f90d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bafd5d028dc0d2e70981f54d940d875c72d9eab668720766c261320c0537f90d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Lauren Schneider"},"description":"Lauren Schneider is the Head of Brand and Communications at Compt, where she channels her passion for people-centric storytelling into shaping the future of employee benefits. With a knack for blending creativity and strategy, Lauren is dedicated to making workplaces more human and impactful. When she's not crafting content, you can find her making connections on LinkedIn, honing her improv skills, or enjoying time with family.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/laurenthandley\/"],"jobTitle":"Head of Brand and Comms","worksFor":"COMPT","url":"https:\/\/compt.io\/blog\/author\/lauren\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14259"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14259\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16119,"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14259\/revisions\/16119"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/compt.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}