If you've ever addressed a large group of people, you know it can be difficult — if not impossible — to connect with everyone in the room. Look over the crowd and you'll see people checking their smartphones, discussing the weather … the potential distractions are limitless.

So, when it comes to benefits enrollment, do group meetings work? Maybe, maybe not. While traditional group enrollment meetings are common, participation in voluntary plans industry wide could be better. Fundamentally, achieving higher participation is a tough nut to crack. That's why I'd like to take another look at one-on-one enrollment options and why they can be more effective when done right. Let's take a closer look.

As employers shift more of the cost of insurance to employees, enrollment in voluntary plans is an increasingly higher priority. But employees may encounter hurdles in making insurance choices. After all, insurance is complex and terminology can be foreign. People are looking for advice — and they don't want a sales pitch. They want specific, relevant details, not generic information geared toward the masses. People want simple.