9 Signs Your Organisation Could Benefit from an Employee Experience Partner Like scarlettabbott

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Employee expectations are evolving, new technologies are reshaping how we collaborate, and the link between engagement and performance has never been clearer. Yet, despite this awareness, many organisations still struggle to translate good intentions into meaningful, measurable impact.

According to World Changers 2025, scarlettabbott’s latest insight report, 78% of HR leaders say poor employee experience (EX) directly harms business outcomes, while 43% cite a lack of leadership buy-in as the biggest barrier to improvement.

Here are 9 signs your organisation could benefit from an employee experience partner like scarlettabbott in 2025.

1. Your Employee Surveys Don’t Translate Into Real Change

Annual engagement surveys used to be the gold standard. Today, they’re often seen as box-ticking exercises. The data rolls in, dashboards are updated, but little changes on the ground.

In the World Changers 2025 report, one in five HR leaders admitted they struggle to turn employee feedback into actionable insights. The problem isn’t collecting opinions - it’s knowing how to interpret and activate them.

An EX partner can help you bridge that gap. scarlettabbott works with organisations to move from data to dialogue - turning insights into stories, stories into strategies, and strategies into results.

2. There’s a Disconnect Between Leadership and Employees

When communication breaks down between the boardroom and the front line, engagement inevitably suffers. The report found a persistent misalignment between leadership priorities and employee needs, leading to frustration, confusion, and disconnection.

A strong EX strategy closes that gap. An experienced partner helps align leadership messaging, establish authentic two-way communication channels, and build leadership capability that inspires trust and credibility.

3. Your Company Values Feel Out of Touch

Values are the backbone of organisational culture. Yet, only one in three respondents in World Changers 2025 felt their values were truly embedded in strategy. When values are listed on posters but rarely lived, cynicism creeps in.

An EX partner can help translate those words into lived experiences. scarlettabbott’s team works with clients to test, refine, and activate values in ways that connect emotionally and practically - through storytelling, leadership behaviours, recognition frameworks, and everyday communication.

Embedding values authentically builds integrity, strengthens culture, and creates a shared sense of purpose that drives performance.

4. You’re Struggling with Return-to-Office Mandates

The return-to-office (RTO) debate continues to divide organisations. The report reveals that 59% of HR decision-makers believe RTO mandates have harmed morale, even though many businesses are pushing for more in-office time.

This tension reflects a broader need for empathy and evidence-based decision-making. A skilled EX consultancy can help organisations gather employee sentiment data, assess the cultural impact of hybrid models, and co-create solutions that balance flexibility with collaboration.

5. You’re Unsure How to Integrate AI and Technology Without Losing the Human Touch

AI is transforming workplaces, but it’s also generating anxiety. In World Changers 2025, 84% foresee AI becoming part of their role within six months, while 93% have concerns about its impact - from data privacy to job security.

Technology should enhance the employee experience, not diminish it. scarlettabbott helps clients introduce AI and automation responsibly, ensuring transparency, trust, and alignment with company values. Their people-first approach ensures that digital tools empower employees rather than replace the human connection that drives engagement.

6. Your Reward and Recognition Systems Don’t Reflect Reality

Reward strategies often lag behind employee expectations. The report identifies misaligned pay, benefits, and recognition as major barriers to effective EX. When people feel undervalued, their motivation wanes - no matter how inspiring the mission statement sounds.

An EX partner can help you redesign your recognition ecosystem to reflect what truly matters to your workforce. That might include peer-to-peer appreciation, transparent reward communication, or tailored benefits aligned with evolving lifestyles. Recognition, when done right, amplifies belonging and reinforces desired behaviours.

7. Your Middle Managers Are Feeling the Strain

Middle managers are the linchpin of culture - and often the most over-stretched. Many know what great EX looks like but lack the tools, time, or authority to deliver it. This “frozen middle” is a recurring theme in scarlettabbott’s research.

Through leadership enablement programmes, storytelling workshops, and communication support, an EX partner can help unfreeze that layer. Empowered managers cascade clarity and confidence, translating strategy into meaningful everyday experiences for their teams.

8. You’re Struggling to Keep Up with Generational Shifts

Today’s workforce spans five generations - each with unique priorities, communication styles, and career expectations. The World Changers 2025 data shows 75% of organisations are already adapting for incoming generations, but many are unsure how to make those changes stick.

An experienced EX consultancy helps design inclusive experiences that work for everyone - from Gen Z’s desire for purpose and learning to Baby Boomers’ emphasis on stability and recognition. This isn’t about catering to stereotypes; it’s about designing a workplace that values difference and adapts to the needs of all.

9. You Know Employee Experience Matters – You Just Don’t Know Where to Start

Perhaps you’ve recognised the value of EX but feel overwhelmed by where to begin. That’s completely normal. As the World Changers 2025 report makes clear, even seasoned HR leaders can struggle to build a coherent strategy that aligns leadership, culture, and technology.

An EX partner brings clarity. scarlettabbott’s ecosystem approach helps organisations map the interconnected parts of their culture - from onboarding and recognition to leadership and offboarding - ensuring everything works in harmony.

With external expertise, you move beyond surface-level initiatives to create experiences that are data-driven, values-led, and measurable in impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an employee experience partner actually do?

An EX partner works alongside HR and internal comms teams to design, activate, and measure cultural strategies. They help organisations connect values, behaviours, leadership, and communication to create cohesive, high-performing cultures.

How is employee experience different from employee engagement?

Engagement measures how employees feel. Experience shapes how they feel - through every interaction, system, and behaviour across the employee lifecycle.

Why can’t we handle EX internally?

You can - but many organisations benefit from an external perspective to spot blind spots, align leadership, and bring in best-practice frameworks proven across industries.

How long does an EX transformation take?

It varies. Quick wins can happen in weeks, but cultural transformation typically unfolds over months or years. The goal is to embed sustainable change, not short-term fixes.

Is employee experience measurable?

Yes. Metrics can include engagement scores, retention rates, productivity levels, and even customer satisfaction. An EX partner helps you define KPIs that link people performance with business outcomes.

What industries can benefit most from EX consultancy?

Any organisation with people - but particularly those undergoing transformation, growth, or rebranding, where alignment and communication are critical.