Customer Experiences with Soul: A Catalysing Framework for Designers and Brand Strategists

Simon Robinson
3 min readDec 18, 2023
Photo: Holonomics

In an era where customer experience is paramount to business success, “Customer Experiences with Soul: A New Era in Design” stands as a revolutionary guidebook that transcends conventional wisdom and unveils a new dimension in customer engagement, innovation and transformation.

In this book we offer a paradigm shift in the way we perceive and design customer experiences, underpinned by a visionary concept — the infusion of “soul” into the customer journey. Unlike traditional approaches that focus solely on transactional interactions, our book challenges organisations to go deeper, to infuse their brands with meaning, purpose, and authenticity, thus creating truly transformative customer experiences.

The Holonomic Circle: Simon Robinson and Maria Moraes Robinson (2017)

At the heart of “Customer Experiences with Soul” lies the Holonomic Circle, a powerful framework that serves as both a guide and a catalyst for designers and brand strategists. This model delves deep into the essence of brands, guiding professionals to understand not only the customer’s journey but also the emotional, cultural and psychological factors that shape their perception. The Holonomic Circle provides a comprehensive, 360-degree view that extends beyond the transactional moment, empowering organizations to craft experiences that resonate on a profound level.

One of the book’s major features is its holistic approach. It encourages leadership teams to consider the broader ecosystem surrounding their brand, including employees, partners and stakeholders. This holistic perspective fosters a nuanced understanding of customers’ needs and values, ultimately leading to the creation of more meaningful and authentic experiences.

Photo: Simon Robinson

The book is illustrated throughout with a wealth of research and real-world case studies, illustrating how companies that have embraced the concept of “soulful” customer experiences have achieved remarkable success. These compelling examples serve as a testament to the framework’s effectiveness, making it clear that the principles outlined in the book are not just theoretical but practical and achievable.

“Customer Experiences with Soul” also places a strong emphasis on empathy-driven design, a crucial component in an era of ever-evolving customer expectations. The book provides actionable guidance on nurturing empathy within organizations, empowering readers to cultivate the deep emotional connections that today’s consumers crave.

Despite its pioneering concepts and innovative ideas, the book remains accessible to a wide range of readers, ensuring that the book is not only enlightening but also enjoyable for those new to the world of customer experience design.

The infusion of “soul” through the Holonomic Circle is not just a buzzword but a visionary concept that promises to redefine the future of customer-centric organisations. We wrote it as a compass pointing towards a new era of customer experiences, one that is bound to leave a lasting impact on the world of business.

In conclusion, “Customer Experiences with Soul: A New Era in Design” is a important work that should find a place on the bookshelves of executives, designers, and anyone committed to elevating customer experiences. It challenges conventional thinking and offers a transformative approach that has the potential to reshape the way businesses connect with their customers.

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Simon Robinson

Co-author of Deep Tech and the Amplified Organisation, Customer Experiences with Soul and Holonomics: Business Where People and Planet Matter. CEO of Holonomics