With changing generations, perspectives and outlooks various business concepts takes new twists and turns. Some for the good and some leading to even more diverse twists. In the direct selling context, every aspects ranging from lead generation, distributor training, sales prospecting, distributor onboarding etc has numerous ways of handling it by millennials, generation z, baby boomers and other generational categories.
Here, let us take plunge into understanding the variations in distributor training according to changing generational perspectives. How can generation-based distributor training help direct selling companies?
Help increase distributor engagement
Improve learning outcomes
Improves distributor satisfaction
With boosting sales
Reducing training costs
Strengthening competitive advantages
While conventional traning methods did bring in results, diversifying learning techniques based on generational interests yielded improved results. Let us try and understand what were the preferences of each generations and how diverse are their perspectives.
Generation Z, from mid to late 1990s untill 2010 also called as zoomers preferred visual, auditory and kinesthetic mode of learning which comprised of easily digestable content, interactive course modules, gamified content and learning, social media and support applications. These are the elements they were comfortable with and helped them yield better results.
Younger millenials, ranging from 1980 to 1996 also preferred visual and auditory mode of learning. With their improved intelligence in digitality and technology, they preferred being trained or learning with elearning modules, through micro videos, gamified inputs, webinars, online communities and interactive activities.
Older millenials, differing from younger millenials, they preferred kinesthetic and auditory mode of learning through one-on-one or in-person workshops, webinars, gamified elements, virtual classrooms or online classes, ebooks, podcasts and interactive activities in groups.
Generation X, ranging between 1965 and 1980, had similar interests compared to older millennials preferring kinesthetic and auditory mode of learning preferring hands-on training, group activities, direct or in-person workshops, webinars, ebooks and podcasts.
These indicators are pointing towards how it could be easy to yield better results by categorizing distributors based on their preferences, choice of acquiring training and knowledge. There are proven results of how these age-specific training lets distributors enhance themselves and bring out maximum results.
In a Gallup survey to find out the primary cause of concerns of distributors in a direct selling set-up, 41% distributors expressed that they are looking for opportunities to improve interms of engagement and collaborative business culture. 28% distributors has concerns regarding compensation and the last 16% on the need for a better wellbeing.
This being the case, direct selling brands focued on empowering distributors by
- Fostering a growth mindset inculcating interests in continued learning and achieving growth
- Empower personal grooming by incorporating network marketing training tools that can help enhance learning experience
- Foster leadership- and collaboration that encourages efficient learning paving way for individuals to turn into successful distributors
- Encourage distributors to set realistic goals and maintain motivation
- Integrate effective prospecting techniques and strategies
- Utilize data driven tools to derive informed decisions
Provide comprehensive training to sharpen sales skills.