The budget cycle is the period of time between one budget and the next. It involves a series of steps that form a cycle.

The budget cycle involves the creation of the budget, its validation (by testing current versus expected performance), the examination of variances (actual versus budget performance), the implementation of any corrective actions, and the revision of the budget based on feedback.

Buyers are evolving faster than sellers.

A major factor in the growing gap between buyer and seller is the rise of millennial decision-makers. There are more than 11 million Millennials worldwide on LinkedIn alone. Mobile technology, increased information, more market transparency, and data analytics are some of the elements shaping how Millennials make buying decisions for their organizations. Sellers must adapt to the following shifts in order to win the attention, business, and loyalty of millennial buyers. Check out our latest infographic for five need-to-know characteristics of millennial buyers.

Franky Descoteaux is a speaker, business coach, podcast host, video producer, and consultant for startup, growth, and crisis-stage businesses and nonprofits. She has launched four businesses and two nonprofit programs, coached a number of entrepreneurs, and managed several crisis turnarounds. Skye Learning was thrilled to feature Descoteaux in Introduction to Small Business Management, a course in Skye’s Certificate in Small Business Management.

Dreams of financial independence and career flexibility drive many people to start new businesses, but only half of those enterprises survive after five years. Although the payoffs can indeed be significant, many who hope to start a business underestimate the required upfront and ongoing commitment to maintain the business.

Check out our latest infographic and learn about some of the challenges you might face when starting your own business.

This week, Skye Learning is spotlighting Brock Allen, a strategic marketing and business development consultant with over twenty years of experience in Vice President of Marketing roles. Skye was thrilled to include Allen’s expert commentary in Mobile Marketing, a course within Skye’s online Certificate in Digital Marketing.

As a consultant, Allen has architected viral campaigns, generated substantial qualified leads, and helped clients drive huge acquisitions. He has also served as a digital marketing expert for Boston Online Marketing. Previously, Allen worked at Blue Sky Technology Partners, QSI, and AWI.

Small business, which is defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a company with fewer than 500 employees, is vital to the health of the U.S. economy. Today, more than half of America's workers either own or work for a small business. 

Why do people want to own or manage a small business? They'll tell you that running a small business lets you control your own destiny. You get to pick the people you work with. You establish your own work-life balance. You decide how much risk you want to take. And you enjoy the rewards of success.

Jen Kramer is a front-end web development expert, author, speaker, and instructor. Kramer has designed over 40 video-based web design and development courses for various online learning platforms. Skye Learning was thrilled to include her video commentary in the Certificate in Web Design.

Kramer is a lecturer at Harvard University Extension School, where she teaches at least five courses per year. She was a 2018 recipient of the Shattuck Excellence in Teaching award. She also leads web design and development workshops and speaks at regional, national, and international events.

This week, Skye Learning is spotlighting Ann Gleason, an experienced human resources leader who is featured in Skye’s HR Management courseware.

Gleason is the Region Head of US & PR Benefits and Global Mobility at Iron Mountain in Boston, MA, where she has worked for nearly 22 years. In her career, she has specialized in benefits, compensation, relocation, employee relations, and recruiting. She has a B.S. in Merchandising & Marketing from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

In business, intellectual property can (and often does) represent a major part of a company's value. Entrepreneurs must therefore be alert to preserving and protecting the intellectual property rights of their businesses against infringement. They also need to understand how the principal forms of intellectual property rights (patents, copyrights, and trademarks) operate in the everyday business world.

Building downtime into your schedule can help you recharge your battery, manage stress, and keep perspective. During these moments of downtime, it is important to completely step away from your work obligations (that means silencing your smartphone!) and focus on the activities that bring you personal fulfillment. Making time for these activities is essential for avoiding burnout.