Peavey Industries LP

Briana Darbyshire

1. Could you please provide a brief overview of your professional background and the roles and responsibilities you have held over your long professional journey?

I am the Director of Payroll, Compensation & Benefits for Peavey Industries LP. I have been working in the Payroll & Benefits field for over 10 years and in Compensation for three years.  In my career, I have also worked in accounting, tax and loans. Currently, in my role, I am a member of the Wellbeing Committee and the DEIB Committee, involved in our Women In Leadership course series as a content developer and presenter. I have a passion for leadership and continuous learning.                                                  

2. In your opinion, what are the most significant challenges facing payroll professionals in today's business landscape, and how do you propose addressing them?

In payroll, the goal is always to have an accurate and timely payroll submission. One of the most significant challenges we face is ensuring that the time data collected from the timesheets is complete and contains no mistakes before payroll submissions. As managers work on it, our objective is to provide training, checklists and follow-ups to confirm they are submitting timesheets error-free. Prior to releasing any payroll, the team also performs audits on the data to check for any discrepancies.

3. Kindly share your perspective on the importance of data analytics and metrics in assessing the effectiveness of payroll and benefits programs. How do you leverage data to drive decision-making in your role?

Data analytics and metrics help us understand if the programs we put in place achieve the intended goals for the organization. We use analytics and metrics to determine if adjustments or changes are needed to make improvements to the programs. 

4. How do you stay updated on changes in payroll legislation, regulations and best practices?

I stay updated on changes in payroll legislation, regulations and best practices by maintaining memberships to the National Payroll Institute (NPI) and World at work. I also regularly attend webinars, perform thorough research and subscribe to and follow credible leaders and experts in the industry.

“ Data analytics and metrics help us understand if the programs we put in place achieve the intended goals for the organization “

5.How do you approach problem-solving and decision-making in high-pressure financial environments?

When approaching problem-solving and decision-making, I include all stakeholders, as most decisions are not made alone. Next, understanding what the problem/decision to be made is and gathering all the important information before weighing all possible options. After seeking feedback from all stakeholders, working together to choose the best alternative will ensure the success of the situation.

6.Looking ahead, what emerging trends or developments in the payroll processing and benefits administration industries do you find particularly exciting or impactful?

At our organization, we have several manual payroll processes, so the world of AI and automation will surely impact and influence how we do our work in the future. Currently, we are being mindful of the available technology and how it can help us create a more efficient work environment while being cautious as we learn more about this field.

7.As an ending note, what is your advice for other senior leaders and CXOs working to maximize their payroll, compensation and benefits management practices?

My advice to other senior leaders in these areas is:

a. Ensure your practices are documented and reviewed regularly to keep the information up-to-date. In case of changes made to any practices, update the documentation immediately.

b. Communication is key. Communicate effectively and clearly so that employees understand what is available to them and how they can learn more and access resources.

c. Monitor and evaluate current programs and practices to determine which components are the most and the least valuable. This information can be used to make changes to programs in the future.

d. Be leaders in Change Management. Follow change management principles when making changes to programs and practices so that employees are aware of the change, understand the why and have all the information on how it may affect them.