The first step toward making a change or improvement is to set a goal—a target that defines the outcome and provides direction. While setting goals is relatively easy, actually achieving them can be a challenge. Many of us have come across an old list of goals or resolutions—made with the best of intentions—only to find that none of them were ever accomplished.

Employee training refers to activities that seek to expand a worker’s knowledge or skills so that they can perform their job duties successfully. The success of training activities is measured by observing an employee's job performance after they've completed those activities.

There are many different types of training methods, including the use of lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, audio-video recordings, workbooks, and online learning.

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.

Andrea Davenport is Human Resource Director for Avedis Zildjian Company, a musical cymbal company and the oldest family-run business in America. Previously, she was Human Resource Manager for Dunkin’ Brands and Director of Human Resources for Ninety Nine Restaurants.

Skye Learning was thrilled to include Davenport in the PHR^® Exam Prep Course and in Introduction to Supervision. In addition to her professional background, Davenport has an MS in HR and has earned the PHR^® and SHRM-CP certifications.

Keisha O’Marde is Head of Human Resources at Symmons Industries. She has earned her SHRM-CP^® and PHR™ certifications and has an M.A. in workforce development and training. She has also worked domestically and internationally for organizations ranging from small start-ups to mature and global companies.

With her many years of experience in HR and her PHR certification, O’Marde is an excellent contributor to Skye’s aPHR™ Exam Prep Course.

Skye Learning is excited to spotlight Kadesh Simms, a subject matter expert for Skye’s aPHR™ Exam Prep Course. Simms has an MBA in human resource management, the SHRM-SCP credential, and over ten years of experience working in HR, project management, education management, and urban education.

Simms is Associate Vice President of Human Resources at IvyGate International Education Group. Her HR department serves more than 50 employees in over 15 U.S. states. She also collaborates with IvyGate’s global headquarters in Beijing, China.

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.