The art of customer service - for seniors

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, has launched a new program that could help business owners and their employees with a core challenge: improving customer service with elderly customers.

The program is called “Senior Sensitivity - Customer Service Excellence,” according to a statement. It's a three-hour, interactive session that allows participants to “walk in the shoes” of older adults, the statement adds.

Activities simulate challenges such as loss of hearing or vision, difficulty walking and dealing with arthritis. Topics include seniors' needs and behaviors, delivering excellent customer service and how assumptions impact employees' attitude and behavior toward older adults.

The class is facilitated by two instructors for up to 30 participants at the business site or one of three SCF locations. For more information on scheduling and pricing for a workshop, contact Lee Kotwicki, director of SCF Workforce Solutions, at 941-363-7218 or {encode="[email protected]" title="[email protected]"}.