Driven to Delight

Target Delight Instead of Satisfaction | How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way

This is the final post in the series, "How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way." 
In my book, Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience the Mercedes-Benz Way, I detail how Mercedes-Benz leaders transformed their customer experience through a clearly defined set of strategic objectives. The goal of those objectives was to transcend customer satisfaction and instead deliver customer delight. So, what are the differences between customer satisfaction and delight and why did Mercedes-Benz set delight as their goal?
Consumer research shows that up to 75 percent of customers who stop doing business with a company were satisfied or even “very satisfied” when they left. Clearly, when Mercedes-Benz dealers dissatisfy customers – those customers are likely to leave. Unfortunately, when Mercedes-Benz satisfies them - that didn’t ensure that they are going to return or recommend the luxury automaker. By contrast, when brands like Mercedes-Benz satisfy and deliver positive emotions, customers report higher engagement levels that predict repeat business and referrals.
Are you measuring customer satisfaction or delight?

Fueling Process and Technological Change | How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way

This is the fourth in the five-part series, "How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way."
In my book, Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience the Mercedes-Benz Way, I detail how Mercedes-Benz leaders transformed their customer experience through a clearly defined set of strategic objectives. One of the target areas pursued by leaders was to fuel process and technological change to enable customer delight.
What process improvement/technology integration programs have you launched in the last six months to a year? What integrations are on your roadmap?

Training for Delight | How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way

This is the third in the five-part series, "How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way."
In my book, Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience the Mercedes-Benz Way, I detail how Mercedes-Benz leaders transformed their customer experience through a clearly defined set of strategic objectives.
One of the target areas pursued by these leaders was to ensure every employee at every dealership was trained and equipped to drive customer delight. Mercedes-Benz approached this training on two levels – an initial orientation and a follow-up immersive training experience. Before developing any training, Mercedes-Benz leaders interviewed and surveyed all stakeholder groups, including 3,000 employees in Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Those inputs served to position the orientation training curriculum. After developing the orientation course, 20 trainers delivered customer experience content to 11,000 people across 24 cities and 355 dealerships within 90 days.
Before developing training programs, do you routinely seek input from your trainees regarding content opportunities?

Examining and Elevating Every Touchpoint | How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way

This is the second in the five-part series, "How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way."
In my book, Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience the Mercedes-Benz Way, I detail how Mercedes-Benz leaders transformed their customer experience through a clearly defined set of strategic objectives. One of their focus areas was exploration and improvement of customer interactions; particularly, at high-value touchpoints. 
Specifically, at Mercedes-Benz, the customer experience team mapped various customer journeys.
Do you have a systematic view of your customers' actions as they move through their journey with your brand?

From Promises to Commitments | How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way

For context and based on requests, I'm in the process of presenting key concepts from my ten McGraw-Hill customer experience and leadership books. This is the first in the five-part series, "How to Drive Delight the Mercedes-Benz Way."
In my book, Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience the Mercedes-Benz Way, I outlined leadership and customer experience strategies that catapulted Mercedes-Benz USA from 22nd on the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Index to the number one position.
As a consultant who worked on the Mercedes-Benz customer experience transformation, I'll offer an inside look at the key leadership actions that pushed Mercedes-Benz to service greatness.
Have you assessed the current state and envisioned your optimal customer experience?

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