In this episode, Sean Luitjens and Paul Reiman sit down with Nicole Long, an experienced HR leader, to unpack her extensive background in compensation and human resources. They discuss the building blocks of successful compensation programs, the need for flexibility and stakeholder engagement, and the challenges tied to performance management systems. Nicole also shares insights from her work with the Atlanta Area Comp Association, offers perspectives on the growing role of technology in compensation, and brings humor to the conversation—including a light-hearted detour into lemoncello.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Nicole Long

04:18 Speed Round: Getting to Know Nicole

06:45 Key Elements of Successful Compensation Programs

09:14 Flexibility in Compensation Structures

11:37 The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement

12:54 Common Pitfalls in Compensation Programs

15:14 Building Relationships with Stakeholders

16:46 Communication Strategies in Hybrid Environments

18:38 Effective Communication in Compensation

19:42 Engaging Stakeholders Early

22:54 Diverse Approaches to Merit Processes

27:28 Evaluating Success in Compensation Strategies

32:16 Technology's Role in Compensation Management

35:14 Revolutionizing Performance Management Systems