The DSB Journey Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do. Walt Disney
The DSB Journey From A to Z with DSB A three-year customer-driven strategy, delivering a unique customer experience from A to Z by leveraging real time information, accelerating the travel experience and establishing a closer relationship with customers Situation "A healthy DSB" has established a promising foundation for growth: Long heritage, producing the first railway in Denmark A large and stable home market that has not yet been fully captured Future large investments in renovation of Danish public infrastructure DSB as the most punctual European train operator Tactic evaluation km growth Internationalize operations focus Research Real time data Lower prices Pricing strategy Journey Loyalty Collaborations Program Acquire Arriva Feasibility Complication However, DSB is facing a number of challenges: demands are increasing and perceived customer experience is declining Negative reputation is mainly due to issues DSB cannot control Future implications such as delays and rescheduling due to infrastructure upgrades Easier substitution for other means of transportation By evaluating several tactics based on customer focus, customer km growth and feasibility we found that DSB should develop Strong positive impact on all three dimensions Strong positive impact on two of three dimensions Strong positive impact on only one dimensions Question So the question is: How can DSB increase the amount of passenger kilometres by 7,5% from 2015-2017 while maintaining their profit margin? Answer The DSB Journey A holistic three -step strategy ensuring a unique journey from A to Z driven by information, acceleration of the customer experience and relation for future growth 1. 2. 3. Informing customers by leveraging on real time data will ensure transparency, reduced uncertainty and change the perceived performance of DSB Acceleration Accelerating the customer experience by introducing "+Time for all", mitigating future issues regarding disruptions and increasing the customer journey at stations and within trains Relation By creating an online 'DSB Society' DSB is able to establish a closer relationship with its customers and further encourage their loyalty by implementing a rewarding loyalty program
The DSB Dilemma DSB has managed to turn their business around, but their reputation and customers perceptions are still negative mainly due to things DSB cannot control DSB is showing solid financial performance across various financial parameters... where the routes East-West and Greater Copenhagen generates most revenue and km... with the main five drivers for customer satisfaction and experience being: CAGR: 5.5% 4.469 2011 4.972 2013 2011 9.7 2013 (6.3) Passenger revenues (in DKK m) Net profit margin Passenger kilometers (in millions) CAGR: 1.5% 6,063 6,246 2011 2013 West East-west Oresund Greater Copenhagen East Revenue Travels Kilometres 13% 13,8% 8% 13% 9,1% 16% 38% 4,9% 38% 29,9 59% 28,9% 12,7% 12,8% 18% Area that drives revenue for DSB Area that drives kilometers for DSB Product, Price & Service 15%c Safety, Stations & Cleaning 17% Comfort 20% Punctuality & Frequency 27% Traffic 21% DSB is actually highly punctual and operates the most satisfying railway system in Europe Punctuality of DSB Satisfaction with the domestic railway system Denmark Netherlands France UK EU 97% 94% 90% 91% 2010 2011 2012 2013 F&R S-Trains Positive 64% 64% 59% 55% 46% 94% 95% 96% 97% 2010 2011 2012 2013 21% 23% 22% 36% 34% Negative... but delays within F&R and S-trains, which are not DSB's responsibility, impact consumer satisfaction Consumer satisfaction (scale from 1-10) 9 8 7 6 1 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Responsibility for delays, F&R Trains 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 DSB BaneDanmark External Factors On Time Delayed which has created negative consumer perceptions and a reputation score among Danish companies of only 49 17%: Delays and waiting time 3,6%: Bad image 5,6%: Poor quality experience Reputation score (scale from 0-100) 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 0 perceptions of DSB Reference: http://www.casecompetition.com/sites/default/files/cbs_case_competition_-_case_company_2015.pdf Reference:
DSB needs to capture growth DSB should mainly focus their efforts on the East-West fairs and S-trains, since they provide both exposure and increase the amount of passenger kilometres, while simultaneously changing the customers perception of DSB's performance We see that the most profitable fairs are F&R and S-trains, especially in terms of km Aggregate km travelled (in billion)... and from a strategic perspective focus should be on the following major cities across country 108 104 29 29 26 24 23 23 23 21 20 19... while keeping in mind that train customers value real-time information, comfort and loyalty rewards CAGR: 2.0% CAGR: 4.7% 4.5 4.2 4.3 4.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3 2010 2011 2012 2013 F&R S-Trains 2010 2011 2012 2013 9 8 7 7 6 6 6 Travellers in thousands pr day There is a large gap between perception of DSB's performance and their actual performance Frequency of trains Punctuality sharing Travel experience service appreciation 1 2 3 4 5 Key take-aways from analysis perception DSB's actual performance Gap between customer perception and DSB's actual performance... which affects DSB, since many purchase choices are affected by word-of-mouth and past experiences Agent interactions 12% Word-of-mouth 26% -driven Online research 21% marketing Offline/print reviews 43% 37% Past experience 28% 31% 10% Company-driven Traditional marketing 5% 39% marketing Direct marketing 26% 22% Salesperson contact while also hurting DSB's brand, which is a key factor when trying to develop loyal customers "Brands in the initial-consideration phase are up to three times more likely to be purchased eventually than brands that are not in it" Awareness Familiarity Consideration Purchase Loyalty Solid financial position DSB is in a stable financial position, with especially the East-West and Greater Copenhagen routes generating revenue and km Negative reputation However, DSB is still facing a negative customer reputation, mainly due to external factors outside DSB s control Changing demands s demand real-time information, high level of comfort and rewards for loyalty Significant performan. gap s perception of DSB is extremely low compared to actual performance, which may challenge attracting and retaining customers Reference: Accenture, 2013 Reference: http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/marketing_sales/the_consumer_decision_journey
Improving the customer experience from A to Z DSB must improve its performance on all parts of the customer journey starting already form the planning of the journey, and not ending until the consumers have left the station and evaluated the experience 1. My DSB 2. Acceleration +Time 3. Relation DSB Loyalty Find destination with Rejseplanen Purchase ticket online or station Get to station Take train Next step transport Post arrival Emotions throughout journey Emotions towards vendor feelings & thoughts Where to buy tickets, and what is cheapest? Will there be free seats on the train? Ire there free parking spaces for bikes/cars? Opportunity to improve performance Deliver real time data on delays and capacity Easiness of buying tickets, finding information 1. My DSB Leverage big data: check-ins, purchases, and consumer driven updates on real-time occurrences Personal account with REAL TIME DATA MY MY Capacity of bike/car parking Door to door real time Expected and real delays Expected seat availability Report reasons for delay Will ensure transparency, reduce uncertainty and adjust expectations feelings & thoughts Is it too crowded to sit? Evaluation of service: value creation Are there queue at station or delay? Opportunity to improve performance Reduce hysteria by excellent service in disruption Interactive stations and "+time for everyone" in trains will impact Traffic and Product, Price & Service which accounts for 36% of satisfaction We need to be better at giving fast and correct information to our customers when unforeseen events occur Susanne M. Koch, Ex. VP, Commercial & HR Product, Price & Service: 15% Traffic information: 21% feelings & thoughts Satisfaction with overall experience Evaluation of DSB vs. alternative means of transportation? Discussions with family and friends? Opportunity to improve performance Leverage on CRM system Emphasize relations through loyalty program Aligning customers perception with DSB's actual performance reduces perceived performance gap Frequency of trains Punctuality sharing Travel experience service appreciation 1 2 3 4 5 perception DSB's actual performance Gap between customer perception and DSB's actual performance Reference: Source: Source: Accenture, 2013
2. Acceleration +Time for everyone The following years will be challenging in terms of interruptions and delays. This needs to be mitigated by SUPERIOR customer service and communication to not deteriorate the brand further. At the stations: Virtual grocery shopping and e-books with QR codes Danes value personal and family time Grocery is time consuming Reading is soothing Renovation of infrastructure "The Reputation team" Will reduce negative emotions during severe interruptions Distributes information on how improvements in the railway system will benefit the society In the trains: Fold-up tables and headphones from the ceiling Efficient use of time and ability to work Explore while traveling will increase customer experience significantly Outsource coffee & snacks: Run by sales to Hus Forbi which increases CSR Coffee & snack serving will increase quality of +-time Will generate a positive emotion of giving and improve brand image + supported by an extensive marketing campaign Let people get their facts straight! Communicate how DSB is one of the most punctual railways in Europe Educate consumers on how they contribute to the reaching the political 2030 goal and how much CO2 emissions they are reducing every ride 1. Go big on social media engagement easily traceable 2. Promote on screens in trains and at stations Target initiatives on most important physical stations and in the East-West and S-trains Stations in Greater Copenhagen and East-West Drives the most kilometres, people & revenue Best reach: 300k out of 500k daily travels are within Greater Copenhagen affects both motivated and unmotivated users positively segments Motivated users: 37% of customers Positive toward train & brand Un-motivated users: 38% of customers Finds trains stressful Negative toward brand Impact on segment Enhanced brand perception Feeling of being appreciated and valued Improved trust and acceptance of delay Feeling of respect Aligning customers perception with DSB's real performance reduces perceived performance gap Frequency of trains Punctuality sharing Travel experience service appreciation 1 2 3 4 5 perception DSB's actual performance Gap between customer perception and DSB's actual performance
3. Relation DSB Loyalty program By leveraging the public s many opinions towards DSB in combination with a comprehensive loyalty program, DSB is able to establish a better relationship with its customers and enhance their experience and perceptions of DSB s brand DSB is yours, mine and ours DSB Loyalty program Points converted to rides Impact Leverage everybody s opinions with DSB Society Establishing a consumercentred platform: DSB Society as a part of My DSB Allowing customers to discuss current problems, share their opinions and suggest new initiatives Track and collect feedback as a step towards establishing a more comprehensive CRMsystem for future leverage Getting closer with the customers Percep tions Loyalty loop DSB Loyalty Encourage loyalty with digital loyalty program Make customers feel valued and encourage continuous loyalty by introducing a digital loyalty program Encourage customers to use train as preferred mean of transportation by granting seasonal discounts on tickets Offer special treatment to loyal members in case of conductor fees, etc. Enhancing brand & reputation Purc hase Award frequent customers with complimentary rides Initiate a point system allowing customer s to track and earn points per kilometres travelled as a part of DSB Loyalty Program Automatically convert points to free rides when customers check in on their Rejsekort May be integrated with other sorts of tickets long-term (i.e. system to track youth card) Increasing # of passenger km Consumer experience A feeling of a higher degree of common ownership A feeling of being heard and included A feeling of being rewarded and valued as a frequent customer Consumer perceptions Enhanced perception of DSB s customer service Increased trust in DSB s overall business model Increased tolerance in case of delays and other complications Aligning customers perception with DSB's real performance reduces perceived performance gap Frequency of trains Punctuality sharing Travel experience service appreciation 1 2 3 4 5 perception DSB's actual performance Gap between customer perception and DSB's actual performance Reference: Source: Source: Accenture, 2013 Reference: http://www.bang-olufsen.com/da/investors/~/media/dcc1388928914215a07d196da5f001e0.ashx
Implementation Sequential implementation plan will allow for DSB to leverage on progress from the earlier step to enhance impact Strategic initiative 1. MY Departments Management Interaction design IT Marketing Web-design Work streams Planning My DSB Development My DSB Market My DSB Constant optimization based on customer feedback Implementation 2015 2016 2017 Performance indicators On-time delivery Marketing ROI Increased information sharing Increased satisfaction Product, Price, Service 2. Acceleration Management IT Marketing Operations Collaboration vendors Implement QR initiative Make marketing for Reputation team Buy & implement tables Marketing new initiatives 2015 2016 2017 Collaboration vendor of choice Frequency use of shopping & book lending Increased satisfaction on comfort Marketing ROI 3. Relation Management IT Sales Marketing Develop DSB Society Develop DSB Loyal Monitor and build relations based on Loyalty program 2015 2016 2017 Increase service satisfaction Increase engagement Increase loyalty Successful implementation of the From A to Z with DSB will enable DSB to reach their objectives within the next three years
The financial strategy behind "From A to Z with DSB" Our strategy makes it possible for DSB to enhance their customer reputation over a three year period while growing their passenger kilometres by more than the target of 7,5% DSB will generate revenue (in millions) 2017 2016 2015 in a long-term profitable strategy 2015 10 20 30 0.8 4.3 2016 2017 Accelerate Relations while retaining the profit margin 35% and increasing the number of km travelled (in millions) 111 29 468 80 6% 306 29% Accelerate Relations 14% Total Current by increasing customer satisfaction (scale 0-100) 49 70 2014 2017 DSB is heading towards 2030 with increased customer satisfaction and a head start in reaching the imposed government km targets -23.8 Accelerate Relations Target Excess Low Probability High Small IT-systems issues Opposition towards marketing campaign Lack of supplier for E-library Impact Big Risk scenario Vandalism on stations Lack of supplier for E-grocery Users of My DSB are better at updating than DSB Non-adoption of IT-systems Strategic impact Mitigation Build strong E-grocery wall Utilize video-surveliance Offer station-space for free Communicate to and incentivise employees Continue to develop and communicate about the IT-system Reference: http://www.dsb.dk/global/pdf/om%20dsb%20-%20tal/vestt%c3%a6lling%202013%20hovedrapport%20ver2.pdf Reference: http://www.dsb.dk/global/kommunikation/dsb%20hovedtal%20rejser%202009-2013%20(2).pdf
Wrapping up A holistic and practical approach to make customers win confidence in DSB and drive growth from existing customer segments