There’s never a bad time to re-evaluate your Total Rewards strategy, but right now is the best time.

Why? Because you’re about to lock in your benefits for 2026, finalize your budgets, and set the tone for next year’s workforce experience. Plus, if your Q4 is anything like everyone else’s, you’re already reflecting on what worked (and what didn’t) in 2025.

Let’s be honest: if your Total Rewards package isn’t compelling, clearly communicated, and tailored to your workforce, you’re not just falling short… you’re falling behind.

What the Data Says: Expectations Are Sky-High

According to Gartner, 82% of employees say it’s important for their organization to see them as a whole person, not just a worker. Harvard Business Review emphasizes that companies offering holistic, flexible benefits drive stronger engagement and retention. Gallup research consistently finds that employees who feel their needs are being met at work are significantly more likely to stay and perform.

So, let’s spell it out: Total Rewards is not a checkbox. It’s a strategic lever. And it matters whether you’re sitting in the boardroom or on the plant floor.

What We’re Seeing from the Frontlines

At Advanced Resources, we work every day with companies struggling to attract and retain top HR, Finance, and Accounting talent. The best-performing organizations (including our clients that consistently outperform their peers) have one thing in common: they don’t just offer more; they offer what matters most to their people.

That includes:

  • Flexibility that supports life beyond work.
  • Transparent pay structures that build trust.
  • Customizable benefits that reflect modern life stages.
  • Incentives tied to outcomes versus just hours worked.

You can’t just offer a one-size-fits-all package and expect rave reviews. Cookie-cutter doesn’t cut it anymore.

In fact, just yesterday I had lunch with two CEOs and during our conversation we touched on employee motivation.  Keep in mind, both CEOs lead companies with sizable workforces. They shared what we’ve all seen: too often, large organizations default to a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to leading and motivating people. However here’s the truth, we all know employees are driven by different things. Motivation is personal.

Is it easy to design a rewards strategy that speaks to individual drivers? Not at all. But that’s the art of thoughtful design and the mark of great leadership.

The Missed Opportunity Most Companies Overlook

It’s not just about what you offer. It’s how you communicate it.

Companies pour millions into Total Rewards programs but drop the ball when it comes to helping employees understand their full value. The result? Confusion, disengagement, and ultimately attrition.

That’s a fixable problem. And it’s a now problem.

Want to Stand Out in 2026? Start Today.

Total Rewards is where culture meets compensation. When done right, it boosts morale, enhances performance, and aligns everyone from the C-suite to the shop floor around what matters most: feeling valued.

So, ask yourself:

  • Is your Total Rewards package truly competitive or just standard?
  • Are you prepared to personalize benefits to different workforce segments?
  • Have you built a communication strategy that reinforces your value proposition?

If not, don’t wait for open enrollment to come and go.

Let’s design a strategy that works for your people and your bottom line.

Advanced Resources helps companies rethink their workforce strategies from the inside out. Whether it’s developing stronger compensation programs, advising on HR tech, or delivering interim experts to drive execution we bring practical solutions backed by real-world insight.

Let’s talk Total Rewards. Because retaining top talent doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design.

About Advanced Resources

Advanced Resources partners with leading organizations providing solutions and staffing services to address specific challenges directly impacting human resources and accounting & finance.

Over the past 30+ years, Advanced Resources has been recognized as a perennial Top Workplace while helping clients secure the best talent to meet their strategic goals.

The team of Advanced Resources is comprised of accomplished industry professionals that understand people are the heart of all organizations. Advanced Resources offers a personalized approach and proven processes to help with strategy execution.

To learn more, visit www.advancedresources.com, subscribe at Advanced Insights, or follow us at Advanced Resources LinkedIn.