Here we are in October, and while it seems 2017 has flown by, our time is now dedicated to open enrollment and final 2018 planning. There's no time for details—just the essence of ideas. So this month, I'm sharing a litany of tweet-sized benefits-related info bites, any of which could be a full column in a normal month. Themes covered include voluntary products, enrollment, customer services, sales ideas and planning.

• Football games are great times to think about business. Use the timeouts as planning opportunities!

• Record your business elevator speech in a short video and send it to your customers for their critique.

• Life insurance is such a basic protection that it's easily taken for granted. Don't let that happen.

• Practice your customer message with your team every week. This will help all of you fine-tune the story.

• People think disability income protection is for someone else. That is, until they are that “someone.”

• When talking to your prospects, imagine they are Jim Rome. You'd better have a take and it had better be good.

• Make sure your wellness services include mental and financial health.

• Urge enrolling employees to cover their basic protection needs: health, life, income, retirement. Then think of other needs.

• Remind customers how important an EAP can be to employee well-being.

• Never stop asking your customers “what else can we do to help you?”

• Employees love benefit plans that are relevant, affordable and understandable. Employers love them, too.

• Use your phone contacts proactively. Text a customer or key business partner each day, just reminding them you are ready to help.

• Customers are never upset when you make life easier.

• Creativity and solving customers' problems both begin with curiosity.

• If you want to change, it's not a matter of willpower. It's a decision. Can you make one?

• “Never off phone.” Don't waste slow times—use them for calling, tweeting, texting or emailing customers. Ask how you can help them.

• What's the best contact method? Always ask customers whether they prefer calls, texts or emails. This helps avoid wasted contact time.

• Many times, the best contact is the assistant rather than the leader.

• Keep a log of discussions with customers so you don't miss any details. A little discipline makes a big difference.

• When traveling to a customer, reach out to prospects in the area. Some may want to meet, and you could discover a new opportunity.

• Profile your case successes and send them out to customers with similar needs.

• At least once a quarter, reach out to customers to ask for feedback on your services. You are a resource for them.

• When a prospect chooses your organization, say thanks! Thank existing customers, too. It is amazing how this builds customer loyalty.

• Disability coverage is strongly tied to benefit planning because both the employer and employee are customers.

• Medical coverage leaves gaps. We provide savings account people may not have via voluntary options.

Finally, I hope at least a few of these ideas are useful to you in building your business success during this busy time of the year!