The Data Dilemma: Why Employers Struggle to Turn Workforce Insights into Action

Data has never been more abundant for HR and benefits leaders.

Employers collect workforce census data, industry benchmarks, employee survey results, and years of utilization data on their plans. Yet, despite having access to this wealth of information, many organizations struggle to translate it into meaningful action. Why? Because having data is one thing—understanding and applying it effectively is another.

The Challenges of Acting on Workforce Data

Employers face three primary roadblocks when trying to leverage workforce insights:

• Siloed Systems – Workforce data is often scattered across multiple platforms, from benefits administration tools to compensation databases, employee surveys, and third-party benchmarking reports. Without a way to integrate these insights, employers are left with fragmented information that makes strategic decision-making nearly impossible.
• Lack of Expertise – While large enterprises may have dedicated teams for data analytics, mid-sized employers often lack the internal resources needed to analyze workforce data holistically. Sifting through complex reports and attempting to identify trends can take hours—without guaranteeing that the insights will lead to impactful strategy shifts.
• Too Much Raw Data, Too Few Insights – Data alone doesn’t drive results—interpretation does. Employers need a way to connect raw numbers to real-world business decisions, yet many lack the tools or expertise to extract actionable intelligence from their workforce investments.

Common Pitfalls: Why Businesses Fail to Act

Even when employers attempt to use workforce data, they often make mistakes that hinder their ability to drive meaningful change:

• Focusing on the Wrong Metrics – It’s easy to track engagement numbers or healthcare claims, but without context, these metrics can lead employers astray. For example, an employer may prioritize expanding healthcare offerings without realizing that financial stress is a more pressing issue for employees. When benefits strategies don’t align with actual employee needs, engagement and ROI suffer.
• Not Connecting Data to Business Outcomes – Workforce planning isn’t just an HR function—it’s a business strategy. Employers who fail to link workforce insights to larger company objectives (such as retention, productivity, and long-term financial sustainability) often find themselves reacting to problems instead of proactively shaping their workforce strategy.

How Impact Studio Bridges the Gap

Many platforms provide visibility into plan data, but OneDigital’s Impact Studio goes further by integrating traditionally separate programs—employee benefits, retirement, compensation, and total rewards—into a single, streamlined platform. Employees experience these as a comprehensive package, and now, employers can manage them the same way. Instead of making siloed decisions, Impact Studio helps employers optimize their full wallet of investible workforce dollars by offering:

• A Unified View of Workforce Investments – Impact Studio consolidates benefits, retirement, compensation, and total rewards data in one place, breaking down barriers between different programs.
• AI-Driven Insights – Instead of simply presenting raw data, Impact Studio’s AI-powered storytelling and data visualization tools translate workforce trends into clear, strategic action steps.
• Long-Term Strategic Planning – Employers can forecast workforce investment impacts over a five-year horizon, allowing them to proactively align benefits, compensation, and total rewards with evolving business goals and employee needs.

For employers who struggle to act on workforce data, Impact Studio provides the missing link—a consultant-led platform that combines expert guidance with a centralized system to track and manage total workforce spending across health and benefits, retirement, wages, and salaries. By leveraging AI-driven insights and strategic consulting, businesses can make smarter, more forward-looking decisions that align workforce investments with long-term business objectives—leading to better outcomes for both employees and the organization.

From Data to Decisions—Faster Than Ever

The challenge for many employers isn’t a lack of data—it’s turning that data into a cohesive strategy. Workforce inefficiency isn’t just an administrative headache—it’s a costly problem that directly impacts both employee well-being and an organization’s bottom line. Employers who take a data-driven, unified approach to benefits and workforce planning can break the cycle of misaligned investments and rising costs.

With Impact Studio, businesses can finally close the gap between workforce insights and action. It’s not just about gathering data; it’s about using it to shape a smarter, more strategic approach to workforce planning. Ready to turn your workforce data into a game plan that drives business success? Let’s start the conversation.