ISS 2020 Vision Future of Service Management | Page 93

communication skills, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and several other personal attributes. Soft skills are the new hard skills and will become a cornerstone for the future service workforce and are particularly important for the classic consumer. Implications for FM Service providers faced with the classic consumer must ensure that services being delivered involve a human presence. The quality of the relationship with service employees is an important aspect of the service experience for the classic consumer. The challenge with the classic consumer is keeping them in the building beyond office hours, as many companies strive to do in a 24/7 work beat. While the classic consumer views the office space as a space for working, FM service providers should work with client organizations to identify the amenities and facility features that will encourage these users to be more active in the social and recreational aspects of work in the 21st century, particularly when it comes to creative knowledge work. 6.4 The value creator High The value creator is a user who says, “guide me” to service providers. They are innovative, resourceful, and enjoy collaborating with others in order to meet objectives. This group engages in more complex service transactions and takes greater responsibility in the design and delivery of full service experiences, placing an emphasis on tailored solutions. The value creator is a creative and imaginative problem solver, dedicated to challenging existing norms and putting new ideas into action within the scope of their abilities. The empowered explorer The value creator The classic consumer Low The premium patron Service landscape & strategy High Human Touch Service automation The value creator is an eccentric and curious character with a dynamic personality and a unique flare for ideation and innovation. The value creator is a collaborative employee who thrives off the energy of others and prefers working in open and unstructured social environments. They expect service providers to guide their transformations with the necessary tools, resources, knowledge and guidance to create value-added experiences. For the value creator, excellent service involves actively participating in the design around challenges and implementing the outcomes in concert with providers and various other stakeholders. Accordingly, users “are now more involved in imagining and conceptualizing the product or service they are looking for. Businesses that make it as easy as possible for [users] to refine a need or an idea while inspiring them will get one step closer to making the sale.” 115 Creating the spaces necessary for collaborative engagement and co-creation are important for this user, who values having influence and control in developing personalized outcome and solutions. 115 Deloitte, The growing power of consumers, 2014. 91