Blockchain is an emerging technology that’s gaining traction around the world–but many people still don’t understand what blockchain is, what it can do, or what its true implications are for the future. Is Bitcoin the same thing as blockchain? Is blockchain secure and reliable? What is the purpose of blockchain? How will blockchain impact supply chains, healthcare, the government, and more? These are some of the many questions investigated within Skye Learning's new course, A Manager’s Guide to Blockchain. 

Adam Ernest is a subject matter expert for Skye’s blockchain course who brings a wealth of information and visionary leadership to the course. Ernest is the Director of Operations at Vital Digital Group as well as the Founder and CEO of Follow My Vote, an end-to-end verifiable, open-source, blockchain-based voting software development firm.

As corporate social responsibility (CSR) gains widespread currency in the business world, corporate leaders are under increasing pressure to make socially responsible decisions on behalf of their companies. These decisions must adhere to legal requirements while also maximizing profits. 

Enlightened senior management perceives CSR not as a burden but as an opportunity. Yes, social responsibility exacts demands on companies that commit themselves to it, but it also introduces chances for businesses to build social value. Not all corporate good deeds get rewarded by the marketplace. That being said, companies that undertake a thoughtful approach to CSR are more likely to increase their value while creating positive outcomes for society at large.

Nathaniel Ward is a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP), an Adjunct Professor of international business at Cleveland State University, and the Director of Cleveland State University’s Export Assistance Network. Skye is excited to announce that Ward is also a subject matter expert for its Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) Exam Prep course.

Ward has an MBA in international business management and calls himself a “walking Wikipedia” for evaluating new markets, from Japan to Brazil to Scandinavia. Ward is well-versed in trade risk mitigation, export laws and compliance, financial management, and more. With his CGBP certification and significant experience in the field of global business, Ward’s insight will help learners prepare to pass the CGBP exam.

Managers are often called upon to handle change in their organizations. Some changes are small and do not require much of a manager. But many are significant, requiring a strong leader to orchestrate the details. Whether it be handling new products, new technologies, new people, or new departmental missions, managers must be able to deal with change in an efficient and non-disruptive way.

This week, Skye Learning is excited to spotlight Shelley Mitchell, a subject matter expert for Skye’s Certificate in Sustainable Management.

Mitchell has an impressive academic background in natural resources management and strategic management. Dr. Mitchell is a professor of Management & Sustainability at Hult International Business School. She has also taught at the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics and is the former Executive Director of the Seacoast Land Trust. Dr. Mitchell holds a B.A. in Forestry and Natural Resources Management, an M.B.A., and a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies.

New managers should expect a learning-curve when transitioning into a leadership position for the first time. The process of adapting to new responsibilities, goals, and challenges takes persistence and determination, along with support from our peers, mentors, and superiors.

Moving From Peer to Boss

Moving from peer to boss can be challenging because you will need to establish a new relationship with friends who were peers and draw upon the boundaries of that new relationship when making decisions.

Successful grant writing offers nonprofits a way to attract outside funding, and it also helps to support the organization's vision and goals. Strategic grant writing looks to align identified needs of the nonprofit (and its clients) with funding sources, whether foundations, government agencies, corporations, or individuals. Check out our latest infographic for ten best practices to help you while writing your next grant.

Jim Hannon has an extensive background in Agile coaching and project management with diversified experience across the information technology and financial services industries.  He is currently an Agile Coach and Director of the Agile Transformation Office at Fidelity Investments. Hannon is also a subject matter expert for Skye Learning’s Agile Team Challenges and Integrating Agile and Waterfall.

Women are increasingly claiming power in the workplace—but they still aren’t being mentored at the same rate as men. In fact, studies show that women are 54 percent less likely than men to have mentors.

There are two key reasons for this:

In many industries, there are still more senior-level men than senior-level women. Unfortunately, 60 percent of male managers report discomfort over mentoring young women, afraid their motives will be questioned—especially in the age of #MeToo and Time’s Up. In fact, this hesitancy has risen 33 percent in the last year.

With the rapid growth of large-scale businesses during the Industrial Revolution, business owners recognized the need to hire managers to handle employee relations. Thus began the evolution of HR, from Frederick Taylor’s scientific management approach in the late 1800’s to the 20th-century human resources policies that remain in practice today. Check out our latest infographic to learn more about the key moments that shaped HR.