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Laarni Cabanding, Alliant's Global Benefits Consultant, shares how KMH Benefits has become an indispensable local HR ally, offering white-glove service, proactive insights, and cultural guidance for clients in the French market.
Laarni Cabanding, Alliant's Global Benefits Consultant, shares how KMH Benefits has become an indispensable local HR ally, offering white-glove service, proactive insights, and cultural guidance for clients in the French market.
Can you tell us about Alliant and your role?
Alliant is the fifth-largest brokerage firm in the U.S., with over 11,000 employees nationwide. I work within our Global Benefits team, where we support U.S.-based multinational companies in ensuring their local benefit offerings are running smoothly and efficiently. My role as a Global Benefits Consultant is to ensure our clients' global benefits philosophy is consistently applied across all locations while remaining locally compliant and competitive.
What’s the role of a Global Benefits Consultant like yourself?
I serve as a strategic link between corporate HR goals and local benefits teams. More than just compliance—we help clients create benefit programs that support their talent strategy, align globally, and perform effectively in each local market.
How do benefits differ across regions?
Approaches vary widely. Some countries see benefits mainly as legal obligations, while others view them as tools for employee attraction and retention. Cultural norms and statutory requirements shape what employees value. In tech—where most of my clients are—the focus is on richer, more creative benefit programs compared with other industries.
How are tech companies changing the way they offer benefits?
Tech companies want flexibility, innovation, and scalability. They want benefits that support employee well-being and help them stand out in a competitive talent market especially with younger, mobile workforces. These days, tech companies tend to offer benefits that go beyond the traditional offerings. For instance, benefits tend to be more personalized – rather than a one-size fits all package, many tech firms are adopting digital platforms where employees can choose the benefits that matter most to them whether it’s mental health support, family forming benefits, extra time-off, etc.
Tech companies move fast, and they expect their benefits to evolve quickly too. They regularly reassess what is working and often introduce new benefits. They look for scalable solutions that can grow with the company and adapt as their workforce changes.
Ultimately, tech employers see benefits as a strategic tool. They are aligning their offerings with their culture, values and employee experience goals. And this innovation is pushing other industries to rethink their approach to benefits as well.
Do generational differences shape benefit strategies?
Absolutely. Each general brings its own set of values, priorities and expectations to the workforce and employers especially those competing for top talent are increasingly tailoring their offerings to reflect this diversity. For instance, Gen Z and emerging Alpha Gen employees are more selective—they want meaningful, lifestyle-aligned benefits. Gen X, on the other hand, is more focused on traditional benefits like medical and retirement.
Ultimately, designing benefits keeping in mind generational needs is about recognizing that people’s needs evolve, and a one-size fits all approach no longer works.
Is the same true in France?
Yes—France is a highly competitive market. Most companies begin with statutory benefits (medical, life, disability), but more and more are looking for ways to stand out through additional perks. This is where we lean on KMH for local insights to guide our strategy.
What are some specific challenges you face in France?
The French benefits system is structured and heavily regulated, with strong expectations around healthcare and retirement.
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that benefit programs remain fully compliant with French labor law and social security regulations. Regulatory requirements change so often, so staying up to date is critical.
French employees generally have high expectations when it comes to job security, work life balance and quality healthcare. Benefits such as generous paid time off, meal vouchers and strong health coverage are often seen as standard rather than perks. This can make it more difficult for companies to differentiate themselves based solely on benefits particularly in the tech space.
Many of our clients also don’t have a local HR team in France, which makes language and policy renewals challenging so it’s crucial for clients to have a broker partner that would help understand these challenges.
Why is local support like KMH Benefits so important?
KMH is our boots on the ground. They keep us informed of compliance changes, market trends, and cultural shifts. We rely on them to flag key updates so we can help our clients stay competitive and compliant. They’re also great at translating complex French practices into globally relevant advice.
How does KMH Benefits support your clients directly?
KMH consistently delivers white-glove service, no matter the company size. They support clients as if they’re part of the internal HR team—explaining benefits to new hires, guiding employees through their journey, and ensuring a seamless experience, especially for companies with no local HR.
How do they keep you informed of legislative changes?
Their communication is proactive. We receive timely email updates and often have follow-up calls for clarity. When KMH visits the U.S., Nicolas or another representative will personally explain new developments, helping us stay ahead and better advise our clients.
How would you describe KMH’s overall service and impact?
KMH wears many hats—coordinator, technical support, cultural advisor. They are incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and proactive. They don’t just solve problems; they anticipate them. Their ability to align local insights with global strategies makes them indispensable.
How long have you been working with KMH, and what sets them apart?
I’ve worked with Nicolas and the KMH team for many years. It’s a trusted, collaborative partnership. What sets them apart is their consistency, responsiveness, and commitment to excellence. They’ve never let me down, and that reliability is rare. KMH is more than a partner—they are a vital part of how we deliver value to our clients.