Here are a couple of simple ways we have assisted employers with communication, not just during enrollment, but throughout the year.

Text messaging: Text is an easy way for employers to get simple and direct messages out. Clients that use a text platform can communicate with their team instantly, no matter their location, about topics like enrollment, deadlines, and even site closures or other challenges. According to a recent industry study, text message open rates are as high as 98%, compared to an open rate of 20% for email. The average person takes less than 90 seconds to respond to a text, as opposed to more than 90 minutes for email, if they read it and respond at all.Michael Hart, employee benefits specialist at Dillingham Insurance, says, "We must communicate the same way we prefer to be communicated with. When my wife needs me to pick something up from the grocery store on the way home, she doesn't send me an email; these days, she doesn't even call me. Isn't our smartphone just an expensive text messaging device?"
Video: Employer clients who provide custom videos for their benefits program have seen a noticeable increase in employee engagement. "Video allows employers to provide information about their benefits program in a preferred, on-demand format," says Jim Blachek, CEO of Dynamic Benefit Solutions. "Clients who make use of on-demand video marketing can embed videos on their intranet and use them throughout the year for new hires."

These two formats are incredibly impactful and something you can easily start using right away. Other trending ways to communicate include virtual group meetings, virtual one-on-one meetings, virtual benefit fairs, and even using your clients' business social media presence. All indicators point to them continuing to grow and become the norm.

Instant Insights /

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