Description: In this first part of a powerful two-part conversation, Jessica Tietjen sits down with Jeff Ilko, VP of People + Performance at Switch, to explore the evolving landscape of compensation and benefits in today’s workplace.
They dive into the real-world challenges HR leaders face in staying competitive while honoring employee needs, including:
Why market studies matter—and how often to do them
How to align compensation strategy with business goals and talent retention
Common pitfalls of flat annual raises vs. performance-based increases
How to communicate total compensation more effectively to employees
Why meaningful data—not assumptions—is the foundation for fair pay
The limitations of traditional approaches and where technology can simplify processes
Jeff also shares how he's navigating a full market study in his current organization, the nuances of hard-to-benchmark roles, and the tools he's using to gather accurate compensation data.
Whether you're an HR leader, business owner, or people-first executive, this episode offers timely insights for designing smarter, more sustainable compensation practices.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where Jessica and Jeff explore how compensation connects with culture, generational shifts, and the future of work.
Jeff's Bio: My name is Jeff Ilko and I’m the Vice President, People & Performance at Switch, a nationally recognized leader in experiential marketing and event production. I hold a dual MA in Human Resource Management and Human Resource Development and hold PHR and SHRM-CP certifications. I have over 26 years of experience in Human Resources, from small local companies to large, global organizations in multiple industries. I’ve had the opportunity to be a MQA Examiner for the Excellence in Missouri Foundation; design and teach Human Resource courses; and lead process improvement initiatives, influence change, and strategically support organizations for success. Some of my proudest accomplishments have been helping managers navigate the chaos that COVID brought to the workforce; implementing processes to take full advantage of the technology at our disposal; and navigating (what seems to be the ever changing) regulatory landscape around employment law.
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