This week, I enjoyed a trip to Minnesota to visit what will be my new home starting later this year. It was my first travel beyond my immediate family circle since the onset of the pandemic, and it was a trip full of mixed emotions – trepidation, caution, excitement, and optimism to name just a few. As I reflect on the trip, it is a microcosm of my pandemic experience – planning for the future amidst tremendous uncertainty; starts and stops as the process of finding a home experienced the realities of a competitive real estate market; using technology and personal connections to locate, inspect and purchase a house in which I had never stepped foot; fitting all of this alongside my daily activities and carpal tunnel surgery; and the cautious, socially-distanced joy of seeing old friends and new places.
This week, my heart is also heavy hearing that our CXPA community in India is experiencing devastating impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. One member relayed that every day she hears of a death in her personal network due to the virus. She is keeping windows closed because of the high rate of infection amongst her neighbors who live in close proximity to her home. Headlines relay that the pandemic is still an overwhelming crisis in so many parts of the world, with some even asking that the Summer Olympics not be held.
But hope, confidence and a return to pre-pandemic activities is also growing. The scientific evidence for the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines is strong, and the percentage of vaccinated individuals is rising as the vaccine becomes more available. However, the vaccine is not available to everyone in all countries, which makes it complicated in a profession where our colleagues, partners and customers are located throughout the world. Businesses and governments are responding, revisiting policies and restrictions to begin the slow march to a future day when such cautionary rules are no longer needed. A fellow CXPA member shared that based on her company and local rules, her office has reopened, and individuals can gather at restaurants – though the office capacity is limited to 15% and restaurant gatherings restricted to four unrelated individuals.
Out of an abundance of respect for the countries and individuals still deeply impacted by the pandemic, CXPA’s commitment to being a virtual-only organization through the end of 2021 remains in effect. However, like other organizations, we are monitoring circumstances and reflecting deeply on the experience of the past 18 months. During the pandemic, CXPA has been able to add new content channels including the CXPA Engine e-newsletter and “Live with CXPA” LinkedIn series; expand our international community through regional Networks and partnerships; deliver high-quality CX education and connections through Zoom meetings; and administer the CCXP exam through proctored secure in-home online testing. We have adopted a new mission and vision, which are being brought to life by the work of dedicated volunteer workgroups.
As we determine next steps for CXPA, we want to ensure that we build upon CXPA’s past practices as well as these new success and capabilities. This is an amazing opportunity for us to work collectively to create the next chapter in CXPA’s history. Earlier this year we asked what topics you would most like to see addressed in Network virtual programs, and we are thrilled that more than 50 speaking proposals responding directly to your needs have been shared with your Network leaders. In the coming weeks, we will be seeking additional feedback that will enrich and guide conversations for CXPA’s plans moving forward, including timelines and guidance for returning to in-person events.
In the meantime, it is still critical for us to encourage one another as COVID-19 continues to impact our communities in varying degrees around the world. We have made it to this point by supporting one another, and so please consider reaching out to a CXPA friend or colleague to let them know you care and that the CXPA community is here for them. As CX professionals, we know that the one constant in life is change – and that a brighter future is ahead if we collaborate together.
