I spent a few minutes daydreaming and coming up with some of the most fanciful suggestions - not that they would ever be implemented!!!
The single best thing they could do would be to make your Gold Circle points spendable even when you have applicant status.
I realise you're looking for status enhancements (moreso than program enhancements) but this aspect of the program has always struck me as being unfair.
Or at least it was back in the days when the cheapest fares still earned Gold Circle points and I had enough for a UK-Ireland flight that I couldn't book. These days, my flights on EI earn nothing!!!