In this impactful episode of the CX Goalkeeper Podcast, Tom DeWitt shares invaluable insights about the current state of customer experience (CX) leadership, the skills gap, and the future of CX education. He discusses how CX leaders need to communicate in the language of the C-suite, the value of formal education, and why companies must invest in developing their CX teams. This episode offers a must-hear perspective for anyone looking to elevate CX initiatives and grow their leadership impact.

About the Guest

Dr. Tom DeWitt is the founder and Director of CXM@MSU, an industry-facing entity designed to advance the field of customer experience management through initiatives such as monthly online roundtable discussions and industry conferences. He's also the architect and Academic Program Director of North America's first master of science degree in customer experience management (MS-CXM). Arguably the highest credential globally in customer experience management, the MS-CXM degree is the first academic degree in customer experience management at an accredited university in the United States.

Relevant Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-dewitt-ph-d-5076093

The Top 3 Key Learnings

1. Speak the Language of the C-suite: CX leaders must align their goals with business KPIs such as revenue, cost, and market share. It’s not enough to focus on NPS and CSAT; CX leaders need to demonstrate how CX impacts the company’s bottom line.
2. Invest in Formal CX Education: The lack of structured, formal education in CX has left many leaders unprepared. Organizations must move beyond short-term certifications and invest in programs with the depth and breadth of skills required to drive sustainable CX transformations.
3. Embrace Global Perspectives: Living and working abroad offers unique insights into customer behaviors across cultures. CX practitioners who engage internationally can broaden their understanding of universal customer needs and how organizations globally address them.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation

00:29 Background of Tom DeWitt

02:47 Identifying the Skill Gap in CX Leadership

06:11 Challenges with Current CX Education and the Need for Academic Programs

09:41 Details of the Master's Program at Michigan State University

12:20 The Importance of Employee Experience and Engagement

14:51 Corporate Support for CX Education

16:32 Future of CX Skills Development

23:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

24:18 Contact Information and Closing Remarks

Keywords

CX leadership, customer experience management, C-suite communication, CX education, customer experience skills gap, Michigan State University CX program, Tom DeWitt CX, CX goals, CX transformation, CX strategy, customer-centric organizations, CX KPIs, ROI of CX, AI in customer experience, global CX perspectives, employee engagement in CX.

Feedback Request Thank you for reading! I’d love your feedback on this blog post and how we can continue to bring you more valuable content. Be sure to follow and subscribe to the CX Goalkeeper Podcast on your favorite platform never to miss an episode!

YouTube

Podcast Page

Apple Podcast

Spotify