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Training for Success: Why Mid-Year OE Prep Starts with Your People 

May 19, 2025

Open Enrollment (OE) isn’t just a logistics project. It’s a live performance, with your HR and admin team as the cast, crew, and director all rolled into one. And just like any great show, success hinges on how well you rehearse. 

Systems might be humming, timelines might be mapped—but if your people aren’t confident in the tools, workflows, and messaging, the season can fall flat. That’s why mid-year isn’t just a checkpoint for planning. It’s your window to train the team. 

In this post, we’re digging into why early OE training matters, what pitfalls to avoid, and how a simple 6-step framework can set your team up for smoother, more successful execution when enrollment season goes live. 

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The Case for Mid-Year Training: Less Chaos, More Confidence

Let’s be honest: training often gets pushed to the bottom of the OE prep list. Teams are busy, calendars are full, and it’s easy to assume everyone remembers how to navigate the platform or answer tricky employee questions. 

But here’s what we’ve seen: even veteran HR teams hit snags when OE rolls around—especially if they’re relying on memory, outdated SOPs, or last-minute help docs. And for new team members or systems? Forget it. 

Mid-year training is your insurance policy. It helps your team: 

  • Get ahead of system changes or compliance updates 
  • Refresh workflows that only happen once a year
  • Troubleshoot common roadblocks before they cause issues 
  • Build confidence and consistency across your team 

    Think of it like a flight crew running pre-checks. You’d rather catch issues on the runway—not at 30,000 feet. 

    Common Pitfalls When Teams Aren’t Trained

    Skipping or shortchanging training may not seem like a big deal—until the calls start rolling in. 

    Here’s what can go wrong: 

    • Employees get conflicting answers from different departments 
    • Admins struggle to navigate new enrollment tools or updated benefits 
    • Errors in eligibility tracking or dependent verification cause compliance risk 
    • Minor tasks balloon into manual workarounds that derail timelines 

          The cost isn’t just operational—it’s cultural. OE becomes something your team dreads instead of something you lead with confidence. 

          The 6-Step OE Training Framework 

          Whether you’re building a formal curriculum or just want to sharpen your internal prep, this framework helps you cover your bases without overcomplicating the process. 

          1.  Assess Training Needs

          Take a pulse check. Where did issues come up last year? What tools or policies have changed? Ask your team where they feel confident—and where they don’t. 

          2. Define Clear Objectives

          Are you aiming for faster enrollments? Fewer IT tickets? Higher employee satisfaction scores? Set a goal, then build your training plan around it. 

          Want help setting the right OE goals? See how top HR teams prepare for OE success.

          3.  Develop a Training Plan

          Break it down by topic and audience. Your comms lead doesn’t need a platform walkthrough—but your admins do. Mix up formats (live sessions, videos, PDFs), and stagger delivery over a few weeks. 

          Need a Checklist to Plan it Out? Download HR and Admin Team OE Training Checklist

          4. Prepare Materials 

          Create the content your team actually needs: platform guides, talking points, FAQ sheets, recorded demos. Partner with vendors (like Selerix) to co-host or deliver technical training. 

          5. Conduct the Training

          Schedule it like you mean it. OE is too important to leave prep optional. Run through real scenarios, test workflows, and include time for Q&A or hands-on practice. 

          6. Evaluate & Follow Up 

          Gather feedback and watch for gaps. If someone’s still unclear on ACA eligibility or system workflows, follow up with micro-training or job aids.

          Bonus tip: Cross-train team members so you’re not caught short if someone’s out during OE.

          Training ROI: Why It Pays Off

          Training may take time upfront, but it saves hours—and headaches—on the backend. A well-trained team: 

          • Answers employee questions faster 
          • Makes fewer errors (and less rework) 
          • Feels more confident and less burned out 
          • Delivers a smoother experience across the board 

                And it’s not just about efficiency. When employees see a well-prepared HR team, their trust in the process (and your benefits program) goes up. 

                The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. And progress starts with preparation. 

                Don’t Just Prep Your Tech—Train Your Team

                You wouldn’t launch new software without onboarding. So why launch OE without preparing the people behind it? 

                The strongest Open Enrollment seasons come from teams that are aligned, trained, and ready. That kind of confidence doesn’t happen overnight—but it can start now. 

                We’re here to help. Whether you need a checklist, a communication guide, or a platform partner to help shoulder the lift, Selerix has your back. 

                Ready to strengthen your team? Let’s Chat!

                Grab our Open Enrollment guide for a detailed outline of a successful year-long open enrollment plan that saves you from scrambling and provides resources and tools to make this the best OE season yet.

                Because OE isn’t just a deadline—it’s a reflection of how well your people, processes, and plans come together. Let’s make sure your team is ready to shine.

                Want to stay ahead of the curve?

                Selerix is here to help you every step of the way. Our team has your back with tools, support, and strategies to turn OE into one of the best-run projects of your year.

                Let’s make this your strongest Open Enrollment season yet.

                Take First Step

                TBX and SyncStream Are Now Part of Selerix.

                Together, we are delivering full benefits enrollment, ACA compliance and employee engagement solution.

                We’re excited to support your next chapter. Learn more about TBX and SyncStream today!

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