You've been laid off and need to stay up-to-date with industry trends. How can you do it without a job?

Being away from work FMLA to care for a sick parent for me didn't mean falling behind in the GRC field. You can stay current by leveraging free online resources like webinars, industry blogs, and white papers from leading GRC organizations. Join professional groups on LinkedIn or local meetups to network and share insights. Participate in online forums and discussion groups focused on GRC topics. Many universities and professional bodies offer free or low-cost online courses to enhance your skills. Also, consider volunteering for projects that allow you to apply GRC principles, keeping your skills sharp while contributing to meaningful work. This proactive approach not only keeps you informed but also enhances your employability.

First, you need to identify a professional area that interests you, whether new or not. Next, you need to get involved in different groups of experts and/or aspiring experts in the area in question. Even if you are unemployed, it is necessary to interact daily with subjects or professionals in that area of interest, so that you can develop professionally in it.

Although I have been laid off, I am committed to staying updated with industry trends. I plan to leverage online resources such as free courses, webinars, and specialized articles. Additionally, I intend to expand my professional network by attending industry events and connecting with industry professionals through online platforms. I am determined to continue learning and developing myself, regardless of my current employment situation.

Fortunately, nowadays there are many platforms that offer online specialization courses in certain areas. Regarding CX, for example, a lot of material has been developed and disseminated in the form of courses, webinars, articles, etc. LinkedIn, for example, is a very strong platform for disseminating training and information about CX, and for those who have little mobile data (which could also result from being unemployed) this platform does not involve many costs.

The importance of keeping customer experience (CX) skills up-to-date through online courses is essential for professionals who wish to remain competitive and relevant in the market. Platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udemy, and Skillshare offer a wide range of courses covering the latest trends, tools, and techniques in CX, many of which are accessible or even free. Additionally, seeking out specific CX courses offered by reputable organizations such as CXPA, Forrester, and HubSpot can provide more specialized and industry-recognized knowledge. This approach to continuous learning not only expands knowledge but can also lead to obtaining certifications that demonstrate the professional's commitment to enhancing their CX skills and expertise.

É fundamental estar atualizado sobre as tendências e práticas mais recentes em experiência do cliente (CX). Uma maneira simples e eficaz de fazer isso é através da leitura de blogs e boletins informativos especializados. Blogs como CX Journey, Customer Bliss, Experience Matters e Heart of the Customer oferecem insights valiosos e dicas práticas para aprimorar a experiência do cliente. Além disso, assinar boletins informativos como CX Weekly, Customer Experience Update e CX Insight permite que você receba regularmente o melhor conteúdo de CX de várias fontes confiáveis. Esses recursos são uma fonte rica de novas ideias, tendências emergentes e práticas recomendadas que podem ajudar a impulsionar sua estratégia de experiência do cliente.

Maintaining knowledge currency can and should include all of: 1️⃣ Online communities 2️⃣ Online courses 3️⃣ Blogs & newsletters 4️⃣ Podcasts & webinars 5️⃣ Project & consulting work 🗝️ But beyond that, there are two real keys: 6️⃣ Consider the sources of the above. Avoid the echo chamber effect by engaging with multiple perspectives. Don't take at face value what you hear from pundits or thought leaders... especially when their viewpoint is sponsored. 7️⃣ Maintain a network of trusted people in your field whom you both follow and connect with regularly. Have frequent interactions to stimulate thought and challenge norms. 👉🏼 In short: You keep current by remaining engaged in the community through continuous learning.