EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan West (pictured), client development director at Let's Connect, will be discussing how to gain leadership buy-in, create an appealing benefits package and ensure engagement at Employee Benefits Connect 2019.
West's presentation, titled 'Building the business case for better benefits', will form part of the technology conference stream on Wednesday 27 February 2019.
The session will cover the full journey of building an effective benefits package. For example, West will be providing delegates with the tools to get initial approval, including discussing how to use the correct metrics in a pitch; this might be engagement scores, anecdotal feedback, retention rates, or other methods of demonstrating return on investment.
"What I'm trying to explain is how [delegates] can use some of those metrics that might be extremely relevant to [their] organisation, and feed them straight into the business case, as part of that 'why' justification," said West.
He will go on to outline how to ensure a package fits with a wider people strategy and appeals to employees, and finally will discuss methods of boosting take-up and adoption in order to make these efforts a success.
West plans to share personal insights, as well as research and client testimony, and intends to show that it is important to use effective communications, be willing to rework, and embrace technology. When it comes to the future of reward in general, West stated that the industry is likely to become increasingly dependent on technology-led solutions.
"[These topics] are extremely relevant; these are some of the challenges that reward and benefits professionals are facing week in, week out," West explained.
In terms of what delegates should be able to take away from the session, West said: "The key thing is being exceptionally clear on what benefits will appeal to their audience. There are so many options out there now, you have to cut through the different choices and have a very clear understanding about what's going to work in that environment. The other element is [about asking] for support, help and expertise.
"If [delegates are] in a role that requires them to produce, prepare and submit a business case to bring about any form of change, then this is going to provide some genuine insight, practical tips and some theory as to a tried and tested way of doing it."
Employee Benefits Connect 2019 is open to all senior in-house HR professionals and will take place on Wednesday 27 February 2019 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
