Sequoia

In 2025, merit cycles are still essential and still complex. Last year, we shared why a well-run merit cycle is a strategic moment to align pay with performance, reinforce company values, and strengthen engagement. That hasn’t changed. As companies navigate tighter budgets and shifting priorities, the merit cycle remains one of the most powerful tools in the compensation toolbox. When done right, it can: • Recognize and reward top performers • Boost morale and retention after challenging periods • Align individual goals with business outcomes However, when a merit cycle is done poorly, it has risks associated with fairness, trust, and financial stability. If you missed our original merit cycle guide, 'Merit Cycle Essentials: How to Drive Business Goals While Engaging Employees,' you can find it here: https://lnkd.in/grFygGuy As you plan your next merit cycle, Sequoia can help you simplify the process with expert advisory and technology that makes collaboration seamless. #TotalCompensation #MeritCycle #CompensationStrategy #EmployeeEngagement

This holiday season, Sequoia is hosting a series of free, virtual volunteer experiences for clients and their teams around the world. These professionally led activities are easy to join and designed to bring people together while giving back. There's no prep needed...just show up and make a difference! Happening December 9–12 Register here: https://bit.ly/49LxInq Here’s a quick look at what’s planned: - Play trivia to support emergency relief - Record audiobooks for children in hospitals - Create flashcards to help youth learn about responsible AI use - Color a virtual mandala to support teen mental wellbeing We hope these moments of connection and impact bring something meaningful to your team this season. If you have any questions, please reach out anytime at impact@sequoia.com. Happy holidays from all of us at Sequoia. #SeasonOfGiving #SequoiaImpact #VirtualVolunteering #EmployeeExperience

Your people are feeling the impact of inflation and quietly (or maybe not so quietly) wondering if the next merit cycle will bring some relief. As you head into merit planning, it’s the right moment to think through how you’ll communicate pay decisions with clarity and care. Our latest article shares practical ways to support your team through the merit cycle, with transparency, empathy, and a clear strategy. Read the article here: https://bit.ly/3WSF015 #MeritPlanning #CompensationStrategy #TotalRewards

Our 2026 Wellbeing Pulse Survey is now open! We're gathering insights from the people shaping the future of workplace wellbeing, including those leading benefits, wellbeing, and people operations. The survey is open until November 21, and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. By participating, you'll get exclusive and complimentary early access to the full 2026 report, packed with forward-looking strategies and trends, including: 🔹 How companies are managing GLP-1 demand and cost 🔹 Proactive approaches to mitigate soaring medical costs 🔹 How HR and benefits leaders are using AI to boost wellbeing and engagement If you're driving wellbeing strategy at your company, we want to hear from you! Your insights will help shape the future of employee support. Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/47TZKL2 #WorkplaceWellbeing #HRLeadership #BenefitsStrategy

As you wrap up 2025, don’t miss this chance to get ahead of the compliance curve for 2026. Join Sequoia’s Compliance & Leave Advisory Team for our live webinar, Compliance Outlook: Learning from 2025, Planning for 2026 on Wednesday, November 12 from 11:00–11:45 AM PT | 2:00–2:45 PM ET. We’ll cover: - What to keep in mind as you close out the year - Key regulatory changes from 2025 and what they mean for next year - What’s coming in 2026—paid family leave mandates, fiduciary responsibilities, and more - Practical ways to reduce risk and keep your programs running smoothly Attendees earn 0.75 SHRM and HRCI continuing education credits. Register now before the session fills up: https://bit.ly/3WHLxLM #ComplianceStrategy #HRLeadership #RegulatoryUpdates #SequoiaInsights #FutureReady

Don’t miss your chance to get ahead of 2026 compliance changes. From HIPAA privacy updates to IVF coverage mandates, the regulatory landscape is evolving and the stakes for employers are high. Join Sequoia’s Compliance & Leave Advisory Team for a live webinar, 'Compliance Outlook: Learning from 2025, Planning for 2026' on Wednesday, November 12 from 11:00–11:45 AM PT | 2:00–2:45 PM ET. We’ll cover: ✔ Key regulatory changes from 2025 and what they mean for next year ✔ What’s coming in 2026, including paid family leave mandates and fiduciary responsibilities ✔ Practical ways to reduce risk and keep your programs running smoothly Attendees earn 0.75 SHRM and HRCI continuing education credits. Register now: https://bit.ly/3WHLxLM #ComplianceStrategy #HRLeadership #RegulatoryUpdates #SequoiaInsights

Last night, Sequoia’s Leader Connect series unfolded across San Francisco, Santa Monica, and New York City, bringing together senior leaders for an evening of great dialogue and community. In SF, Benjamin Encz, CEO & Co-Founder of Ashby sat down with Michele Floriani to unpack the future of AI and what it means for leadership. In NYC, Patrick Nelli, CEO & Founder of Aligned Marketplace, joined Amanda Hahn for a fireside chat that sparked a wave of audience questions. And in Santa Monica, Mahima Chawla, CEO & Co-Founder of Cocoon, shared her journey in conversation with Hall Kesmodel. Across all three cities, the format brought honest reflections, thoughtful questions, and an energy that reminds us why these rooms matter. Thank you to the speakers and clients who joined us last night. Your presence made these conversations real, relevant, and unforgettable. #LeaderConnect #SequoiaCommunity #SequoiaEvents

We’re excited to share this year’s Season of Giving — created for Sequoia clients and their teams around the world. It’s a collection of simple, meaningful ways to celebrate the season and uplift others together. Share with your team here: https://bit.ly/4oRE7Su Here’s a quick look at what’s included: ▪️ Send holiday greetings to residents in a neurodiverse community ▪️ Uplift teenage students with words of encouragement ▪️ Win a donation to a nonprofit of your choice ▪️ Join a live, virtual volunteering event We hope these activities bring joy to your team and spark connection during the holidays. Questions? Reach out to us at impact@sequoia.com!

When your workforce data is scattered, clarity takes a hit. HR and finance leaders know the drill. You need a quick answer about headcount, turnover, or pay equity, but the numbers live in different systems, and reporting slows to a crawl. That’s why Sequoia built the Executive Workforce Insights Dashboard. It brings your most important people data into one place, so you can stop chasing spreadsheets and start making decisions. With the dashboard, you can: ▪️ Track headcount growth and manager ratios ▪️ Spot retention risks early ▪️ Visualize pay equity ▪️ Understand how comp and benefits investments are distributed It’s built from feedback from HR teams, CFOs, partners, and Sequoia advisors who helped shape it. And, it’s already helping leaders move faster, with more confidence. As Bob Lawson said at The Grove Conference: “It all starts with our expertise and our advisory capability, and then the platform which enables you to get the most out of what we do.” If you’re ready to see your workforce in a whole new light, reach out to your Sequoia team. Read the blog: https://bit.ly/4oiK4ru Explore the platform: https://bit.ly/4oiShMB #SequoiaInnovation #HRStrategy #WorkforceInsights #TotalCompAndBenefits #SequoiaOS

Compensation planning has always been about balancing data with judgment. Now, AI is changing the equation, but not by removing the human element. It’s amplifying it. AI can automate the administrative work, surface insights faster, and model scenarios with precision. That efficiency matters. But the real value comes when leaders use AI thoughtfully to create space for what only humans can do: align pay with purpose, navigate sensitive conversations, and make decisions that reflect company values. As you prepare for 2026 merit cycles, consider: ▪️ How will AI streamline your process without sacrificing strategy? ▪️ What’s your plan for upskilling teams to use AI responsibly? ▪️ How will you define your company’s stance on pay transparency and AI’s role in decision-making? When paired with human judgment and empathy, AI can make organizations more resilient for the long run. Kyle Holm, VP of Compensation Advisory at Sequoia, shares why the companies getting this right aren’t choosing between technology and people; they’re combining both. Platforms that deliver real-time insights, paired with expert guidance, help leaders plan with confidence and keep people at the center of every decision. Read Kyle’s full perspective on what’s ahead for 2026: https://bit.ly/3Ja8BQv