Years ago, I remember venting to a boss about something that felt absurd at the time. I had trained experienced consultants on the same topic more than once, and they were still asking the same questions months later.

Her response stuck with me. She said most people need to hear something seven times before they truly understand it, retain it, and know how to apply it. Seven times.

At the time, I thought, Who has time for that?

Fast forward many years, and I see it everywhere. Recently, at a vendor event for a system many of us rely on, the same theme kept coming up. Questions about features people didn’t realize existed. Confusion about what had changed versus what hadn’t. Frustration when expectations didn’t match reality.

The common thread wasn’t lack of intelligence or understanding. It was communication, or more accurately, the need for ongoing, reinforced communication, not one-time explanations.

And honestly, this shows up at home too. I still remind my 15-year-old to study, daily. Somehow, this never sticks, ever.

This was also the first Christmas in a while that we hadn’t vacationed, and it was surprisingly nice to just be home and do all the usual Christmas traditions. Even though my kids are older now, I still pulled out the elves, staging them around the house with little reminders to clean up and study. They don’t believe anymore, but they still love the magic, and the reminders still work.

That’s why January is such an important moment, especially when it comes to benefits. Employees have made their elections, but real understanding doesn’t magically happen during open enrollment. It happens after, when life starts again and people actually try to use what they selected.

Which is why repeating, reinforcing, and simplifying benefits communication in Q1 matters.

What I’m seeing more broadly is a shift in how benefits communication is starting to evolve. The work today is still about clarity, repetition, and reinforcement. But with the thoughtful use of AI, it’s becoming easier to support more ongoing, dynamic communication that isn’t static or one-size-fits-all. Over time, that kind of reinforcement helps employees move from simply enrolling in benefits to actually understanding and using them.

To Clarity and Reinforcement,
Leah ❤️

Our latest blog builds on this idea of repetition and reinforcement by looking at the benefits literacy gap. Even thoughtfully designed benefits programs can fall short when employees don’t fully understand what they’ve enrolled in or how to use their benefits throughout the year. We share why this gap exists and a few practical ways organizations can start closing it.

To explore this further, read the full blog.

Explore Our Latest Insights

The Benefits X AI: Solving for the Human Variable series is an exploration of how benefits actually work, long before AI ever enters the picture. I started this series after noticing how little conversation there was around benefits and AI at HR Tech, which led me to step back and ask why.

This series walks through the foundations of benefits, from their origins to the systems, regulations, and stakeholders involved today. The goal is to build shared understanding first, so that when AI does become more meaningfully integrated into benefits, we’re asking the right questions and solving the right problems.

I’ll continue sharing this thinking on LinkedIn as the series evolves and the picture becomes clearer.

Upcoming Events & Community

_{HCM Tech Advisory HR Roundtable}

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Catch Up on Our Latest Blogs

Featured Webinar

Reflections from HR Tech on the trends that matter most for HR leaders heading into the year.

Here to Help 

At HCM Tech Advisory, we combine deep HR, benefits, and technology expertise with the analytical rigor that comes from an actuarial background. We help leaders solve complex people and system challenges, whether that means selecting the right HR tech vendor, implementing a new platform, or optimizing benefits administration.

Our goal is to help you build a sustainable, successful business. We tailor every engagement to ensure your HR technology decisions align with your organization’s goals and culture. With HCM Tech Advisory by your side, you can confidently tackle your biggest challenges and make decisions that drive long-term success.

Let’s work together to find solutions that empower your organization to thrive.