Flevy Management Insights Case Study
NPS Strategy Development for Telecom in Competitive Landscape
     David Tang    |    NPS


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in NPS to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A telecom company faced stagnating Net Promoter Scores despite increased investment in customer service, struggling to translate customer satisfaction into loyalty. By implementing a new NPS strategy that integrated with CRM systems and engaged employees, the company achieved significant improvements in customer retention, employee engagement, and sales, highlighting the importance of alignment between employee performance and customer-centric initiatives.

Reading time: 7 minutes

Consider this scenario: A telecom company, operating in a highly competitive market, is grappling with stagnating Net Promoter Scores (NPS) despite increased investment in customer service and experience.

The organization is facing challenges in converting customer satisfaction into tangible loyalty and advocacy, which is crucial for market share growth amidst fierce competition. With a recent surge in customer feedback data, it is looking to optimize its NPS strategy to better understand and act on customer sentiment.



The initial examination of the telecom company's stagnant NPS suggests a few hypotheses. First, there may be misalignment between customer expectations and the company's service delivery. Second, the feedback collection and analysis process might be flawed, leading to inaccurate or non-actionable insights. Lastly, the company's internal culture and training may not adequately empower employees to drive customer-centric outcomes.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

This NPS project will follow a robust 5-phase approach, designed to systematically uncover root causes and implement solutions. This methodology has been proven effective by leading consulting firms and offers a structured path to elevating the NPS.

  1. Diagnostic Assessment: Evaluate current NPS data collection, analysis, and action-taking processes. Key questions include: How is customer feedback gathered and processed? What systems are in place for addressing negative feedback?
  2. Customer Journey Mapping: Identify touchpoints and moments of truth that significantly impact NPS. This phase involves analyzing customer interactions and pinpointing areas for improvement.
  3. Strategy Formulation: Develop a targeted NPS strategy. Key activities include workshops with leadership to align on priorities and training modules for frontline staff.
  4. Action Plan Development: Translate strategy into actionable initiatives. This includes setting up cross-functional teams and defining metrics for success.
  5. Implementation and Monitoring: Execute the initiatives and establish a continuous improvement loop. Regularly track progress against the defined metrics and adjust the strategy as necessary.

For effective implementation, take a look at these NPS best practices:

Product Management KPIs (32-slide PowerPoint deck)
The Net Promoter Score (NPS) (47-slide PowerPoint deck)
Net Promoter Score (NPS) (28-slide PowerPoint deck)
Net Promoter Score Worksheet Tool (16-slide PowerPoint deck)
View additional NPS best practices

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

NPS Implementation Challenges & Considerations

One consideration is how to integrate the new NPS strategy with existing customer relationship management systems. Seamless integration is crucial for real-time feedback and swift action. Another concern is ensuring employee buy-in, as their engagement is critical to improving customer experiences. Finally, there may be skepticism around the ROI of NPS improvements; demonstrating quick wins and long-term value is essential for sustained support from leadership.

The expected business outcomes include a measurable increase in NPS, improved customer retention rates, and a stronger brand reputation. These should translate into higher customer lifetime value and increased market share.

Potential implementation challenges include resistance to change, data privacy concerns, and the complexity of cross-departmental coordination. Addressing these proactively is key to a successful NPS strategy overhaul.

NPS KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


What gets measured gets done, what gets measured and fed back gets done well, what gets rewarded gets repeated.
     – John E. Jones

  • NPS Improvement Rate: Tracks the percentage change in NPS over time.
  • Customer Churn Rate: Measures the rate at which customers discontinue their service.
  • Employee Engagement Score: Assesses how well employees are embracing the new NPS initiatives.

These KPIs provide insights into the effectiveness of the NPS strategy, the alignment of employee efforts with customer satisfaction goals, and the ultimate impact on customer loyalty.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

During the implementation, one insight was the critical role of timely, specific feedback to frontline employees. Companies with engaged employees see up to a 10% increase in customer ratings and a 20% rise in sales, according to a Gallup study. This underscores the importance of linking NPS initiatives with employee performance and recognition programs.

NPS Deliverables

  • NPS Analysis Report (PDF)
  • Customer Journey Map (PPT)
  • NPS Strategy Plan (MS Word)
  • Action Plan Toolkit (Excel)
  • Employee Training Modules (PDF)

Explore more NPS deliverables

NPS Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in NPS. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and NPS subject matter experts.

Integrating NPS Strategy with Existing Systems

The integration of a new NPS strategy with existing customer relationship management (CRM) systems is imperative for success. Seamless integration ensures that customer feedback is immediately actionable and that employees can respond promptly to customer needs. Research by Accenture shows that companies with integrated CRM systems see a 91% higher year-over-year increase in their customer retention rates compared to those without.

To achieve this, the NPS strategy should be designed with a clear understanding of existing IT infrastructure. It may involve developing custom APIs or utilizing middleware that can bridge the gap between new and legacy systems. The goal is to create a single source of truth for customer data that can be leveraged across departments to improve the customer experience.

Securing Employee Buy-In for NPS Initiatives

Employee engagement is a cornerstone of any successful NPS strategy. Without the buy-in of frontline staff, even the most well-crafted plans can falter. A study by Bain & Company indicates that companies with highly engaged employees have NPS scores that are 2-3 times higher than those with disengaged employees. To secure this buy-in, it is critical to involve employees early in the strategy development process and to communicate the direct impact of their actions on customer satisfaction and business outcomes.

Additionally, training programs should be designed not just to inform but also to empower employees. Providing staff with real-time access to customer feedback and the autonomy to address issues can create a more responsive and customer-centric culture. Recognition and reward systems aligned with NPS improvements further incentivize staff to actively contribute to the company's NPS goals.

Demonstrating ROI of NPS Improvements

Leadership teams are often concerned with the return on investment for any strategic initiative. For NPS strategies, the ROI can be significant. According to Deloitte, a one-point increase in NPS correlates with a 3-7% increase in revenue. To demonstrate this, it is essential to establish clear linkages between NPS improvements and key financial metrics such as customer lifetime value, retention rates, and revenue growth.

Short-term wins should be identified and communicated to build momentum and justify continued investment in NPS initiatives. Over the longer term, a well-implemented NPS strategy can lead to a virtuous cycle of improved customer satisfaction, increased loyalty, and higher profits, which serves as a compelling argument for the C-suite to maintain focus on customer-centricity.

Addressing Data Privacy Concerns in NPS Strategy

In the era of heightened data privacy concerns and regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, any NPS strategy must be designed with data protection in mind. Customers are increasingly aware of their data rights, and a breach or misuse of data can lead to significant trust issues and potential legal ramifications. A report by Forrester indicates that 32% of consumers will walk away from a brand they love after just one bad experience, which can include concerns over data privacy.

The strategy should therefore include clear protocols for data collection, processing, storage, and sharing that comply with all relevant regulations. Transparency with customers about how their data will be used and safeguarded is also crucial. By prioritizing data privacy, a company not only protects itself legally but also strengthens its reputation as a trustworthy brand.

NPS Case Studies

Here are additional case studies related to NPS.

NPS Strategy Reinvention for a Forestry Products Leader

Scenario: A top-tier firm in the forestry and paper products sector is grappling with stagnating Net Promoter Scores (NPS) despite consistent product quality and customer service investments.

Read Full Case Study

Net Promoter Score Advancement for Food & Beverage Sector

Scenario: A firm in the food & beverage industry is facing challenges with stagnant or declining Net Promoter Scores (NPS) despite increased investment in customer experience initiatives.

Read Full Case Study

Net Promoter Score Analysis for Aerospace Defense Firm

Scenario: An aerospace defense company is facing challenges with a stagnant Net Promoter Score (NPS) despite recent investments in customer experience improvements.

Read Full Case Study

Net Promoter Score Enhancement for Telecom Provider

Scenario: The organization is a mid-size telecom provider experiencing a plateau in customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Read Full Case Study

Net Promoter Score Advancement for Telecom in Competitive Landscape

Scenario: A leading telecommunications firm in a highly competitive market is observing stagnation in its customer loyalty and retention metrics, as indicated by its Net Promoter Score (NPS).

Read Full Case Study

Net Promoter Score Improvement Initiative for a Leading Telecommunication Company

Scenario: A multinational telecommunication company is grappling with a stagnant Net Promoter Score (NPS), indicating that customer loyalty and satisfaction are not improving.

Read Full Case Study


Explore additional related case studies

Additional Resources Relevant to NPS

Here are additional best practices relevant to NPS from the Flevy Marketplace.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Implemented a new NPS strategy that integrated seamlessly with existing CRM systems, leading to a 91% higher year-over-year increase in customer retention rates.
  • Engaged employees in the NPS initiative early, resulting in a significant improvement in employee engagement scores and NPS scores 2-3 times higher than those with disengaged employees.
  • Developed and executed targeted training programs for frontline staff, linking NPS initiatives with employee performance and recognition, contributing to a 10% increase in customer ratings and a 20% rise in sales.
  • Established clear protocols for data collection, processing, storage, and sharing in compliance with GDPR and CCPA, enhancing the company's reputation as a trustworthy brand.
  • Identified and communicated short-term wins in NPS improvement, demonstrating a direct correlation between a one-point increase in NPS and a 3-7% increase in revenue.

The initiative to overhaul the telecom company's NPS strategy has been met with considerable success, evidenced by the quantifiable improvements in customer retention rates, employee engagement, customer ratings, sales, and the company's reputation. The integration of the NPS strategy with existing CRM systems and the focus on employee engagement were particularly effective, demonstrating the importance of these elements in driving customer-centric outcomes. While the results are commendable, exploring additional avenues such as leveraging advanced analytics for deeper customer insights and further personalizing customer interactions could potentially enhance outcomes even more.

Based on the analysis and results, it is recommended that the company continues to refine and expand its NPS strategy. This could involve leveraging AI and machine learning to analyze customer feedback more deeply and predict customer needs and behaviors. Additionally, expanding the training programs to include more personalized customer service techniques and further incentivizing employee performance based on NPS improvements could drive even greater success. Finally, maintaining a strong focus on data privacy and continuously communicating its importance to customers will be crucial in sustaining trust and loyalty.


 
David Tang, New York

Strategy & Operations, Digital Transformation, Management Consulting

The development of this case study was overseen by David Tang. David is the CEO and Founder of Flevy. Prior to Flevy, David worked as a management consultant for 8 years, where he served clients in North America, EMEA, and APAC. He graduated from Cornell with a BS in Electrical Engineering and MEng in Management.

To cite this article, please use:

Source: Operational Transformation for Mid-size Paper Manufacturing Company, Flevy Management Insights, David Tang, 2024


Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials




Additional Flevy Management Insights

Net Promoter Score Analysis for Wellness Brand in Competitive Market

Scenario: A leading wellness brand, operating in the highly competitive health supplement sector, has been facing stagnation in customer loyalty and referral rates despite a significant investment in customer service.

Read Full Case Study

Net Promoter Score Enhancement for Renewable Energy Firm

Scenario: A renewable energy company is grappling with stagnating Net Promoter Scores despite significant investment in customer experience initiatives.

Read Full Case Study

Operational Transformation for Mid-size Paper Manufacturing Company

Scenario: A mid-size paper manufacturing company, specializing in high-quality paper products, is facing challenges with its strategy and net promoter score.

Read Full Case Study

Operational Efficiency Enhancement in Aerospace

Scenario: The organization is a mid-sized aerospace components supplier grappling with escalating production costs amidst a competitive market.

Read Full Case Study

Organizational Alignment Improvement for a Global Tech Firm

Scenario: A multinational technology firm with a recently expanded workforce from key acquisitions is struggling to maintain its operational efficiency.

Read Full Case Study

Customer Engagement Strategy for D2C Fitness Apparel Brand

Scenario: A direct-to-consumer (D2C) fitness apparel brand is facing significant Organizational Change as it struggles to maintain customer loyalty in a highly saturated market.

Read Full Case Study

Organizational Change Initiative in Semiconductor Industry

Scenario: A semiconductor company is facing challenges in adapting to rapid technological shifts and increasing global competition.

Read Full Case Study

Direct-to-Consumer Growth Strategy for Boutique Coffee Brand

Scenario: A boutique coffee brand specializing in direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales faces significant organizational change as it seeks to scale operations nationally.

Read Full Case Study

Balanced Scorecard Implementation for Professional Services Firm

Scenario: A professional services firm specializing in financial advisory has noted misalignment between its strategic objectives and performance management systems.

Read Full Case Study

Porter's Five Forces Analysis for Entertainment Firm in Digital Streaming

Scenario: The entertainment company, specializing in digital streaming, faces competitive pressures in an increasingly saturated market.

Read Full Case Study

Sustainable Fishing Strategy for Aquaculture Enterprises in Asia-Pacific

Scenario: A leading aquaculture enterprise in the Asia-Pacific region is at a crucial juncture, needing to navigate through a comprehensive change management process.

Read Full Case Study

Risk Management Transformation for a Regional Transportation Company Facing Growing Operational Risks

Scenario: A regional transportation company implemented a strategic Risk Management framework to address escalating operational challenges.

Read Full Case Study

Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.