TOP 3 TRENDS IN GUIDING THE STATE OF THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES INDUSTRY
By Chris McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School Franchising
The children’s services industry is constantly evolving, with new trends shaping the way businesses operate and interact with their customers.
T he three key trends that have been guiding the industry in recent years are automation and AI-driven solutions, a focus on customer experience and the talent challenge to hire the right people in today’s society.
Automation and AI-Driven Solutions
Automation and AI-driven solutions have been transforming the children’s services industry by providing a quicker and more efficient way to communicate with customers. In an industry where customers want results quickly and easily, automation and AI can help businesses to provide a seamless experience from sign-up to the learn-to-swim process, in addition to our outstanding human experience. By utilizing automation and AI, businesses can also gather valuable data to continually improve and make sound decisions that impact both the organization and customer experience. For Goldfish and others in the industry, this trend has become essential to meet the needs of their customers and maintain their competitive edge. We know we need to continuously evolve to make sure our customers have a seamless experience with us.
Focus on Customer Experience at All Levels
The focus on customer experience has become increasingly important in the children’s services industry. Goldfish and others in the industry have realized that the customer experience needs to be felt throughout the business, both in-person and online. At Goldfish, this means that the Golden Experience needs to be felt throughout the customer journey. The experience has become a key factor in driving customer loyalty and retention, making it a top priority for businesses in the industry. To stay a leader in the learn-to-swim space, we need to ensure that everyone has an experience like none other, which is something Disney has taught the world about magical experiences throughout their journey.
Challenging Factors in Identifying Quality Talent
The talent challenge has also been a significant trend in the children’s services industry, with the cost of hiring and retaining top talent on the rise. Finding and training the right talent has become a crucial aspect of remaining competitive in the industry, especially in light of the pandemic. As businesses like Goldfish work diligently to find the right talent, they have had to adapt by hiring and training more people to produce the same amount of swim lessons as before. Finding and retaining the best talent is a must to ensure that the business can continue to grow, compete and excel in the industry.
Overall, the children’s services industry is expected to continue growing as parents continue to seek out the best services, education and experiences for their children that mirror their own memories of being a kid and growing up. Swimming is a timeless activity that will never go out of fashion, meaning that the demand for quality swim lessons will always be there.
However, as the competition in the industry grows, businesses need to continually adapt to meet and exceed their customers’ expectations to maintain their positioning as leaders in their respective spaces. These are just a few examples of how the industry is evolving and changing to meet the needs of its customers.
Chris McCuiston is co-founder and CEO of Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC. For more information about IFA franchisor member Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC, please visit franchise.org/ franchise-opportunities/goldfish-swim-school.