Philippines
#SmallBusinessAdvice
Why is the experience economy key for MSMEs?
5 Mins Read
Share
facebook sharing button
twitter sharing button
linkedin sharing button
Smart Share Buttons Icon Share

Today's world has changed considerably from how it was 30 years ago. We are constantly connected to the internet; we interact on social media, engage with online advertisements and purchase items online. COVID-19 has also accelerated the pace of which organisations adopt digitalisation efforts to adapt to changing consumer behavior.  Gone are the days when businesses would run solely from brick-and-mortar stores and use traditional marketing techniques. This applies to both large enterprises as well as MSMEs. Hence, digital transformation is crucial for businesses if they want to stay on top of their game and their competitors.

This digital transformation has also defined new avenues of how consumers interact with brands. While customer satisfaction was derived from the actual product a few years ago, it is not the case now. Today, when a customer buys a product, they are not simply buying a product. They are buying the experience that comes along with the product. This is where experience economy comes in.

So what exactly is experience economy, and how can MSMEs integrate this into their strategies to satisfy consumers? Read on to find out more. 

Understanding The Experience Economy

Experience economy is the concept where customers are treated to an experience whenever they purchase a product or service. In today's competitive world, where customers have many options to choose from during shopping and many products have become commodities, they prefer to pay even more for an experience that makes them feel good. 

They expect to be heard and offered services beyond what they had paid. According to collaborative study on American adults by Eventbrite, Ipsos and CrowdDNA, 75% of millenials say that they value experiences over material things. They would prefer to share their travel adventures in exotic destinations on Instagram rather than show off luxury couture or jewelry. This thinking calls for a digital transformation of businesses that do not wish  to fall behind and become obsolete.

The experience economy is a digital transformation strategy that helps you create loyal customers and enjoy a competitive advantage. Primarily, there are two aspects of experiences involved:

  1. Customer Participation — involves the customers participating actively or passively in the experience. 

  2. Connection — this aspect signifies the consumer's relationship with the product or brand during the experience. 

Some experience economy examples where companies adopted this digital transformation strategy and turned them into opportunities are discussed below:

Airbnb

Airbnb was the pioneer of online couch surfing. They now also provide people with the option of hosting experiences. You can host virtual experiences like cooking classes or physical experiences such as guided tours, sporting activities, and wine tastings.

Fortnite

Fortnite is an online game that offers a virtual experience to its players. However, the owners decided to offer an even more immersive involvement by bringing the game to life during the Paris Games Week 2018. They created a complete Fortnite scene where people could interact with the characters and play games.

Image showing discover app on a mobile screen

Subscribe to the Discover newsletter

  • Fortnightly insights, tips and free assets
  • We never share your data
  • Shape a global audience for your business
  • Unsubscribe any time
Image showing discover app on a mobile screen

McDonald’s started giving out Monopoly stickers with their meals. When people get enough property stickers, they get the opportunity to win exciting prizes. This customer involvement created a lot of buzz on social media, with more and more people wanting to be part of it.

Why is the Experience Economy Important in Marketing?

The experience economy has changed the way companies market. Today, customers do not want to be bombarded by ads; instead, they want you to show them that your brand cares for them and that it creates authentic experiences for them. The digital transformation roadmap now contains immersive experiences as a notable feature of marketing techniques. If we analyse the strategies of businesses in the past, we see that those that adopted experience economy strategies in their marketing approach, creating immersive experiences for their customers – stood out amongst their competitors. 

Walt Disney World is a prime example of such a marketing strategy. Firstly, they provide an immersive experience in their theme parks by bringing beloved Disney cartoon characters to life. Next, having more engaging and immersive rides, bigger theme parks and shorter wait times. As a result, customers are willing to pay for the higher ticket prices because they value the experience at Walt Disney World.

How the experience economy can be beneficial for Filipino MSMEs

There are several market opportunities that MSMEs in the Philippines can capitalize on. Organizations must consider the customer experience economy as part of their business strategies to compete with larger, more established businesses and show their presence in an experience-based economy. Understand the market and find out what customers want. By answering their needs, the experience turns into something memorable. Here are some ways businesses have implemented using technology to improve customer experience: 

  • Omnichannel Shopping – Multiple channels are used for businesses that incorporate omnichannel shopping. Customers are able to browse products on their laptops, and visit the physical store to make purchases using apps on their phones.

  • In-Store Interactive Maps: Interactive maps help level up a customer’s experience by assisting customers to locate stores without asking for help. This allows relief from navigating around the area and provides a pleasant shopping experience for consumers.

  • VR/AR Incorporation: AR technology creates a replica of the product and assists consumers in visualizing the product. A clothing store can use AR to make versions of their products. Consumers can then use AR to ‘try on’ the product. VR technology replaces the environment in real-life with a simulated one. Nike uses VR to create a simulation of their physical stores. 

How DHL Express helps MSMEs

DHL Express is a reliable international delivery partner for MSMEs that offers several delivery options, services, and preferential rates. With fast deliveries, such as within the same day, MSMEs like yourself can provide customers with an enhanced shopping experience like never before. Sign up for a business account with us today to enjoy up to 40% discount on international shipping and more.