The Experience Perspective: An Ipsos Podcast

Ipsos

Join us as we dive deep into the world of CX and Channel Performance with industry experts and practitioners. Each episode of The Experience Perspective offers practical advice and insights for measuring, managing, and designing exceptional customer experiences. Whether you're in mystery shopping, channel optimisation, or passionate about understanding customer journeys, this podcast is your go-to resource for driving business success through customer-centricity. Subscribe now and elevate your game! Questions/Comments: ExperiencePerspective@Ipsos.com www.ipsos.com

  1. APR 16

    Season 9, Episode 7: ESG and Customer Experience: Why It Matters More Than Ever

    In this thought-provoking episode of The Experience Perspective, host Helen Bywater-Smith sits down with Sue Phillips, Ipsos's Global Lead for ESG, and James Bland, Commercial Director for Travel, Hospitality and Leisure, to explore the critical intersection of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and customer experience. Why ESG Matters for CX Despite headlines suggesting companies are retreating from sustainability commitments, the reality tells a different story: 87% of companies actually increased their ESG investment in 2025. Meanwhile, 78% of customers agree we're heading toward environmental disaster without rapid change. The challenge? Customers feel overwhelmed and expect brands to take the lead. This creates a powerful opportunity for CX leaders to differentiate through meaningful ESG integration that enhances, rather than compromises, the customer experience. Three Key Insights 1.Mind the Say-Do Gap While public ESG communication has quietened, private action continues. But be aware: if you promise sustainable practices, you must deliver consistently. Misaligned frontline incentives can break promises and erode trust through cognitive dissonance. 2.ESG is the Tiebreaker That Pays Sustainability won't override core experience factors, but it decides close calls. Research shows that customers, particularly those in luxury tiers, will pay up to 30% more for genuinely sustainable experiences. And the Ipsos CX Force "Belonging”, doing good for people, society, and planet, directly drives advocacy and retention. 3.Shift From Morality to Materiality Move beyond "it's the right thing to do" to "it's a business imperative." Frame sustainability around customer benefits, adopt a service mindset "we'll do it for you" beats "you should do it", and remember: even climate sceptics adopt sustainable behaviours when they save money. On the podcast we discussed our CX paper on ESG https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/embedding-esg-experience If you’d like to reach out and discuss how Ipsos can help to connect your CX strategy with ESG goals, reach out to Helen, Sue and James.

    36 min
  2. FEB 4

    Season 9, Episode 2:- Becoming Insight led while working in partnership with work councils and unions

    In this Employee Experience episode of The Experience Perspective, Bhavna is joined by Albrecht Küfner, Team Lead for Employee Experience at Deutsche Bahn, to explore what it really takes to move from running employee surveys to becoming a genuinely insight-led employee experience professional, while successfully operating in a highly unionised, works-council-led environment. Drawing on his journey from academic psychology into large-scale organisational research, Albrecht reflects on how his role evolved from being highly operational to becoming deeply strategic, political, and people centred. Together, they unpack what “insight-led” means in practice, particularly within a complex, state-owned organisation, where unions and works councils play a critical role in shaping employee experience programmes. The conversation goes beyond theory, offering a candid look at trust-building, stakeholder partnership, and the realities of designing and running employee listening programmes in environments shaped by strong external influence and competing priorities. Albrecht explains why operational excellence is necessary but not sufficient, how letting go of the “survey manager” identity creates space for strategic impact, and why genuine connection (across hierarchy levels, functions, and perspectives) is the foundation of effective employee experience. Key takeaways from the episode: 1. Operational excellence is essential, but impact comes from translating employee data into insight that leaders understand, trust, and act on. 2. Insight-led practitioners must connect shop-floor realities with C-suite priorities, acting as interpreters rather than just analysts. 3. Early involvement, honesty, and shared ownership turn works councils into ambassadors rather than blockers of EX programmes. 4. Long-term success depends on open dialogue, clear boundaries, and the willingness to say no, while maintaining respect and transparency. This episode is essential listening for anyone running employee listening or experience programmes in complex, unionised organisations and for EX professionals looking to elevate their role from execution to strategic influence.

    37 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Join us as we dive deep into the world of CX and Channel Performance with industry experts and practitioners. Each episode of The Experience Perspective offers practical advice and insights for measuring, managing, and designing exceptional customer experiences. Whether you're in mystery shopping, channel optimisation, or passionate about understanding customer journeys, this podcast is your go-to resource for driving business success through customer-centricity. Subscribe now and elevate your game! Questions/Comments: ExperiencePerspective@Ipsos.com www.ipsos.com