The Total Experience Score: A New Era in Brand and Customer Engagement

June 25, 2025, 5:43 pm
Forrester
Forrester
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In the bustling marketplace of today, brands are not just names; they are experiences. Forrester's introduction of the Total Experience Score (TES) marks a pivotal shift in how companies measure their impact. This new metric combines brand experience (BX) and customer experience (CX) into a single score, illuminating the path to growth and loyalty.

Imagine a bridge connecting two islands: one represents brand perception, the other customer experience. The Total Experience Score is that bridge, allowing companies to traverse the gap between how they are perceived and how they engage with customers. When these two elements align, businesses can unlock unprecedented revenue growth—up to 3.5 times, according to Forrester's findings.

The Total Experience Score is not just a number; it’s a compass guiding companies toward better strategies. By integrating the BX Index and CX Index, it provides a comprehensive view of how both customers and non-customers perceive a brand. This holistic approach allows businesses to identify specific actions that can drive growth, making it a powerful tool in the competitive landscape.

Key findings from the TES rankings reveal intriguing insights. In Asia Pacific, investment firms are leading the charge, while banks in India and Singapore lag behind. Europe shows a stark contrast between customer and non-customer perceptions, with some brands scoring significantly higher with customers. North America tells a different story, where direct banks shine, but insurers struggle to keep pace.

To calculate the Total Experience Score, Forrester analyzed 413 brands across 10 industries and 13 countries, gathering insights from over 360,000 consumers. This extensive research highlights the interplay between BX and CX, captured in a "growth grid." This grid serves as a diagnostic tool, helping companies understand their performance and competitive standing.

The essence of driving growth lies in a dual focus: shaping brand perceptions that inspire loyalty and delivering consistent, customer-centric experiences. When BX and CX are integrated, they amplify each other, creating a powerful synergy that translates into financial returns. Companies can use the growth grid not only to assess their current standing but also to strategize for the future.

Forrester emphasizes that companies must align their initiatives along two vectors: winning new customers and serving existing ones. This dual approach is crucial for generating revenue through retention and enrichment. The Total Experience Score encapsulates this strategy, providing a clear roadmap for businesses aiming to thrive in a crowded marketplace.

As organizations navigate this new landscape, they must recognize the importance of customer engagement. The Total Experience Score is a reminder that every interaction counts. It’s not just about acquiring customers; it’s about nurturing relationships that foster loyalty. Companies that prioritize this interconnectedness will find themselves better positioned to succeed.

The launch of the Total Experience Score also raises questions about the future of brand and customer engagement. As businesses strive to create meaningful experiences, they must consider how technology can enhance these interactions. The rise of AI and automation presents both opportunities and challenges. Companies must strike a balance between efficiency and authenticity, ensuring that technology serves to enhance human connections rather than replace them.

In this context, the insights from Adit Abhyankar, CEO of Breakthrough, are particularly relevant. His focus on using AI to refine sales communication underscores the need for personalized engagement. Breakthrough aims to elevate the quality of business storytelling, ensuring that sales pitches resonate with potential clients. This approach aligns with the principles of the Total Experience Score, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs and delivering tailored experiences.

As AI continues to evolve, businesses must remain vigilant about ethical considerations. The use of customer data in AI-driven personalization requires transparency and accountability. Companies must prioritize data security and informed consent, fostering trust with their customers. This ethical framework will be essential as organizations navigate the complexities of AI in sales and marketing.

The Total Experience Score serves as a beacon for companies seeking to enhance their brand and customer engagement strategies. It challenges businesses to think beyond traditional metrics and embrace a more holistic view of their impact. By aligning brand perceptions with customer experiences, companies can unlock new avenues for growth and loyalty.

In conclusion, the Total Experience Score is more than just a metric; it’s a transformative tool that can reshape how businesses engage with their customers. As companies strive to create meaningful experiences, they must embrace the interconnectedness of brand and customer experience. The journey ahead will require innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to ethical practices. Those who heed this call will not only survive but thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of customer engagement.