Serving Different Generations – Guest Blog by Anna Liotta

Do you ever deliver customer service that makes every generation feel delighted or dismayed?

Most companies claim, “What makes us different is how we serve our clients and customers.” But all too often, what is really happening is they are treating each generation of customers EXACTLY the same. Without knowing it, they are ticking them off and pushing them away!

One size fits all is NOT a pattern for success, when it comes to multi-generational customer service.

Delivering extraordinary customer service must be done with the customer’s GENERATIONAL CODES™ in mind. What may APPEAR to one generation as superior service, may be a smack of smothering or pressure to another.

 

For example, a Traditionalist customer walks into a department store to purchase a new pair of shoes. The Millennial service professional shouts out across the store, “Let me know if you need anything!” The Traditionalist mutters to herself, “How rude!” In her Generational Code™, a shout across the store is not professional or respectful customer service. She wants the service team member to at least walk across the store to greet her, and then stay close by. She doesn’t want to have to shout or hunt for them when she has a question.

 

Here’s a seemingly similar scenario, but entirely different Generationally Savvy™ answer. A Gen Xer walks into a boutique clothing store. An older service professional walks right up and greets her by saying, “It’s such nice weather we are having! What brings you in today? Is this a special occasion? Are you celebrating?”

 

The Gen Xer gives the service team member a deliberate blank look and says, “No, I’m just looking,” hoping the service person will just go away. It takes EVERYTHING in the Xer’s power not to rush out of the store. Meanwhile, the Boomer team member hovers close by, ready to jump in at the slightest opening. The Gen Xer is thinking to herself, “Seriously! I know where to find you, if I need you, please leave me alone!”

 

What we have here is a GENERATIONAL CODES™  collision. Neither approach to customer service was inherently right or wrong. BOTH service professionals weren’t taking into account was the GENERATIONAL CODES™ of each customer.

 

Exceptional customer service means something DIFFERENT to each generation, and our mission is to see the world from EACH generation’s perspective. We need to seek to serve in their GENERATIONAL CODES™.

 

Why Do We Serve? We serve to make our customer’s experience of using our products and services effortless, exceptional and to make our customer’s day.

 

This original post can be found on Anna Liotta’s website at www.resultance.com. For more information on how you and your company can better understand how you can focus on generationally specific customer service and culture. Visit Anna Liotta.

 

Anna Liotta, creator of Generationally Savvy™ Communication Solutions, is an award-winning speaker, consultant and author who engages and energizes national audiences with her practical strategies for attracting, growing and retaining top talent and loyal clients from every generation.

Her unique inter-disciplinary approach integrates the crucial elements of communications, sociology, business psychology, and demography. Her expertise and approach have helped such companies as Pike Place Fish, Intel, Wells Fargo, Office Max, United Way and Merrill Lynch.

 

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