Satisfaction is no longer enough! Customer Satisfaction—or “CSAT”—is a commonly accepted measure of success for CX (Customer Experience) leaders around the world. However, CSAT is losing its relevancy. A recent Qualtrics study found that excited and emotionally connected customers spend an average of 52% more than a merely satisfied customer. In today’s market landscape, companies must go beyond customer satisfaction, which has long been the target. To thrive, businesses must exceed—not just meet—customer expectations. That is: putting the human at the center of all business decisions, and finding ways to excite and emotionally connect with customers, in turn, forging lasting bonds that are worthy of loyalty and growth.

X4: The Key Themes

Bond helps our clients build long-lasting relationships at scale. Our team of CX practitioners stay on top of the latest advancements in CX—from insights to strategy, to measurement, execution, and sustainment. During the Qualtrics Experience Management X4 Summit, we engaged in thought leadership conversations with some of the world's greatest CX leaders from leading global brands, all focused on revolutionizing CX. Confirming what several of our own CX practitioners have been heedful of, here are some prominent themes throughout the event:

There is no easy way to predict what’s next in this pseudo post-pandemic world but, when it comes to events, the future is already here…and there.

When you work in corporate event production and live brand experiences, you’re always in motion.

This blog was written in response to the article "Aeroplan, it’s time to stop grabbing back the miles of your inactive customers" by Rob Carrick, that was published on January 14, 2020 on https://www.theglobeandmail.com/ 

Hard truth: if you’re designing your employee experience (EX) strategies around segmentation by age group, you’re doing it wrong.  

Customer experience (CX) has become a critical focus area for businesses seeking to connect with their customers in meaningful ways and differentiate themselves from their competitors. So popular is the topic of CX, it has its own global day (“CX Day”) to celebrate brands that create great customer experiences.

Employees are the face of your brand. They are the difference between a “good experience” and a “great or differentiated experience”—they are the ones that form emotional bonds, and bring the brand promises to life. Numerous studies, have shown that a positive interaction between a customer and an employee results in enhanced brand perception, likelihood to increase spend and more willingness to forgive brand missteps—small and large.

Bottom line: employees can’t be replicated.

 As featured in Loyalty 360

Keep up with an innovative mobile loyalty strategy

Loyalty—it’s in your customers’ pockets and at their fingertips. Smart brands are acquiring, engaging, and retaining customers with a loyalty strategy that harnesses the simplicity and readily-adopted nature of mobile. Here are some ideas on how leverage new integrations in mobile technology to personalize and enrich your customers’ journey.