Diving Into Our Data Lake (And What We Found)
If you’re an association leader in learning and development or certification, you’re probably sitting on more data than you realize. (Or maybe you realize it…
Continue reading
Give to Gain: Women Leaders on Growth, Mentorship, and the Power of Community
What does it really take to build a thriving career and bring others along with you? International Women’s Day gave us the opportunity to recognize…
Featured Leaders: Give to Gain in Action
International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the leaders who strengthen our organizations, uplift their communities, and pave the way for the next generation…
Knowledge Management, Powered by Content Management
If you’re like most associations, you’ve got content everywhere. Articles, webinars, conference recordings, research reports, certification prep materials, member resources – all built to support…
How APIC Balances Mission, Margin, and “Meeting Members Where They Are”
What does it look like when an association builds three certification prep courses in under a year, earns rave reviews from learners, and keeps pushing…
What 11,600 Learners Taught Us About Customer Support
Associations invest an enormous amount of time and care into building credible certification and learning programs. But when learners get stuck—can’t log in, can’t find…
The Real Barrier to Association Learning Growth Isn’t What You Think
The challenge isn’t finding learners who want professional development. It’s having the resources to serve them. New research from Leading Learning’s Strategic Outlook for Association…
The Essential Role of Professional Associations in the New Educational Ecosystem
In my October article, I outlined five key trends shaping education and training in 2026. One of those trends—the ecosystem approach—highlighted that no single entity…
5 Ways Associations Can Leverage the New 529 Law to Support Member Success
Have you heard? The U.S. Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act just transformed 529 plans from college-only savings accounts into flexible career development tools.…
Five Education and Training Trends for 2026
One of my favorite parts of working in the broader education and training industry is connecting with other impact-focused leaders. There’s a genuine willingness to…
Designing at the Speed of Insight: How User Testing is Shaping Product Strategy
As Holmes Corporation (HC) continues to evolve our digital learning experiences, our goal remains clear: deliver products that exceed the expectations of our learners, instructors,…
What Dunder Mifflin’s Staff Can Teach Associations About Member Retention
For most associations, the annual conference represents the pinnacle of member engagement: a few energizing days packed with networking, education, and inspiration. It’s your association’s…
7 Tips for Building Microcredentials That Deliver a Real Impact
The Holmes Corporation team had the privilege of hosting a discussion at ASAE’s Annual Meeting on the topic of microcredentials. Our panelists were incredible, and…
The Back-to-School Revenue Boom for Associations
Remember that exciting back-to-school feeling? An over-filled backpack with new school supplies, a cool new outfit, and that mix of anxiety and anticipation about what…
Why Should Associations Care About Microcredentials?
The Holmes Corporation team had the privilege of hosting a discussion at ASAE’s Annual Meeting on the topic of microcredentials. Our panelists were incredible, and…
How SHRM’s Skills First Initiative is Revolutionizing Talent Acquisition
I’ve been following the Human Resources (HR) industry closely for more than two decades. I have seen good trends and concerning ones. But right now,…
Holmes Corporation Employees Named to Key Leadership Roles on ASAE’s International Associations Advisory Council
Jim Piechowski Elected Vice Chair; Kelly Quinn Re-elected for Additional Term Holmes Corporation is proud to announce that two team members have been…
Ready, Set, Export: Six Steps to Taking Your Association’s Products Global
For association executives considering international expansion, the question isn’t whether global markets present opportunities (95% of the world’s market potential lies outside the U.S.)—it’s whether…
Why a Pre-Test Should Be the First Step in Your Certification Candidates’ Journey
When preparing for a certification exam, one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to begin. Most learners face an overwhelming amount of material, and…
Star Tribune Names Holmes Corporation a Winner of the Minnesota Top Workplaces 2025 Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Holmes Corporation (HC) has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2025 honor by Minnesota Top Workplaces. This list…
How Certifications Build Capability, Credibility, and Career Mobility
Career success today demands more than knowledge. Professionals are expected to demonstrate mastery, apply complex skills in real-world situations, and continuously evolve as their industries…
Conference Chemistry: The Formula Behind PayrollOrg’s Must-Attend Events
On my flight home from PayrollOrg’s Annual Payroll Congress Convention & Expo (Congress), I was reflecting on the genuine connections the Holmes Corporation team had…
How Exceptional Customer Care Empowers Learner and Association Success
When you think about customer service, you may imagine the sound of phones ringing, technical support instructions (have you tried turning your computer on…
Accelerating Certification Growth Through Multi-Channel Training Partnerships
In a professional landscape where credentials matter more than ever, certification programs are becoming increasingly valuable to both individuals and organizations. For the associations that…
How AI and Machine Learning Are Transforming HC’s Professional Development Programs
Time is probably the most valuable resource for working professionals seeking to advance their careers through certification and credentialing programs. That’s why Holmes Corporation…
Harnessing Data to Understand and Drive Member Engagement
Professional Associations today face a critical challenge: only 20% of members find it easy to locate resources that interest them. This most certainly contributes to…
Celebrating Female Trailblazers in Learning & Development
In recent decades, women have made significant strides towards equality in the workforce, breaking barriers and shattering the glass ceiling in various industries. Many incredible…
CEO Corner with Josh Slayton – Steven Khraiss in the Spotlight
Welcome to the inaugural edition of CEO Corner, a new series that gives me the opportunity to share updates on Holmes Corporation’s business initiatives and…
Six Lessons Learned from Three Decades of Educational Partnership
Dr. Robert D. Stokes served as Director of Continuing Education at Villanova University beginning in 1988 and retired as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs…
A Conversation with Josh Slayton: Holmes Corporation’s New CEO
As Holmes Corporation enters an exciting new chapter, we sat down with our new CEO, Josh Slayton, to discuss his vision for the company, his…
Fresh Data Reveals Learning Business Priorities for 2025
I love podcasts. They’re a great way to catch up on new trends and ideas as I drive, walk, or wait in line. One of…
Reflections on 24 Years at Holmes Corporation
MaryBeth Anderson is the outgoing CEO of Holmes Corporation. She recently announced her pending retirement on December 31, 2024, after 24 years of service, including…
Holmes Corporation Announces Retirement of CEO MaryBeth Anderson and Appointment of Josh Slayton as New Chief Executive
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2024 MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Holmes Corporation (HC), a leader in professional education and certification preparation, announced today that MaryBeth Anderson…
Expert Strategies for International Certification Expansion
At a recent Ask-Me-Anything session hosted by the American Society for Association Executives’ (ASAE) International Associations Advisory Council, I joined an expert panel including Kim…
The Art and Science of Product Accessibility
What’s the key to creating equitable learning experiences for all learners? Accessible materials. However, accessibility goes beyond just science—it’s also an art. It requires a…
Harnessing the Power of Knowledge Management Part 4: Benefits of Knowledge Management
In the previous articles in this series, we discussed the different components of Knowledge Management (and if you didn’t read them yet, go take a…
Harnessing the Power of Knowledge Management Part 3: Knowledge Graphing
In the previous two articles in this series, we talked about the first two pillars of Knowledge Management: Taxonomy Management and Learning Object Management. Learning…
Reimagining Professional Education with ML & AI: SDG Case Study
In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, personalized learning experiences are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity. Recognizing this, HC partnered with Solutions Design Group (SDG)…
Thriving Through Unity: Three Key Takeaways from the ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition
Earlier this month, I attended ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition. This has quickly become one of my favorite conferences, primarily because of the incredible opportunities…
Harnessing the Power of Knowledge Management Part 2: Learning Object Management
We’re back with Part 2 in our series on Harnessing the Power of Knowledge Management. If you missed Part 1 on Taxonomy Management, you can…
Webinar: Growing Certification Programs Through Multi-Channel Training Partnerships
In this one-hour webinar, HC’s Partner Channel VP, Kim Rudrud invites Kathleen Hebbel of the University of Maryland Global Campus, Joni Holeman of Supply Chain…
Harnessing the Power of Knowledge Management Part 1: Taxonomy Management
Professional development and certification teams are always on the lookout for ways to enhance learner experiences, streamline content management, and drive member engagement. One powerful…
Uncovering New Audiences and Supporting the Military
When it comes to discovering new audiences for an association’s certification or professional development, there is a great option that many overlook: current and former…
Avoiding Multiple Choice Mediocrity
At some point in our lives, we’ve all been faced with tackling multiple-choice questions. Whether that’s in a high school math test, a survey following…
Case Study: New Credential Program Drives 351% Revenue Growth
A global association serving the building operations industry was facing slow growth and an aging membership base. The association offered two credentials, serving early-career and…
Overcoming Scalability Roadblocks to Certification Program Growth
Overcoming Scalability Roadblocks in Certification Program Growth Is your certification program growing slower than expected despite positive feedback and interest from industry professionals and employers?…
Apprenticeships: A Solution to the Growing Skills and Experience Gap Across Professions
The U.S. education and career training system is at a crossroads. Current degree programs can be expensive and time-consuming, and may fail to provide the…
How to Teach Applied Skills Through Certification Prep Programs
One of the most difficult tasks for any certification is measuring a candidate’s ability to apply the knowledge that they have to a real-world situation.…
Transforming Self-Study Content into Effective Instructor-Led Materials
Have you considered offering more than one learning format for your certification exam preparation programs? Studies have shown that learning styles vary from person to…
Certification Awareness: Common Roadblocks and Proven Solutions
Your association’s certification program should be one of your strategic pillars of success, elevating your profession while driving training, membership, and revenue. Certifications are valued…
The Power of Content Singularity
We’ve officially made it to the content creation and management section of our How To column, welcome! Today, we’re specifically going to talk about content…
A Conversation with Jeanne Morris, Senior Vice President, Consumer Products at SHRM
As we shared in our Celebrating Female Trailblazers in Learning & Development article, we had the opportunity to interview inspiring female leaders in L&D. We loved…
A Conversation with Lisa Sallstrom, MS, PMP, CAE, Executive Vice President, Products and Services, ASCM
As we shared in our Celebrating Female Trailblazers in Learning & Development article, we had the opportunity to interview inspiring female leaders in L&D. We loved…
A Conversation with Joni Holeman, CPIM-F, CIRM, CSCP, CLTD, CSSC, and Maryanne Ross, CPIM-F, CIRM, CSCP-F, CLTD-F, Supply Chain Mavens
As we shared in our Celebrating Female Trailblazers in Learning & Development article, we had the opportunity to interview inspiring female leaders in L&D. We loved…
A Conversation with Laurel Serra, CPP, Director of Education Services, PayrollOrg
As we shared in our Celebrating Female Trailblazers in Learning & Development article, we had the opportunity to interview inspiring female leaders in L&D. We…
A Conversation with MaryBeth Anderson, President and CEO, Holmes Corporation
As we shared in our Celebrating Female Trailblazers in Learning & Development article, we had the opportunity to interview inspiring female leaders in L&D. We…
Case Study: Connecting Strengths to Achieve Ambitious Goals
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading professional association for infection preventionists with more than 15,000 members. In 2022,…
Why Your Certification Program Isn’t Growing
Your association set up a certification program to establish the standard of knowledge, skills, and abilities required of professionals in your industry. As you envisioned…
Powering Certification Program Growth Through Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships are an important strategy for any business, helping drive revenue, opening new opportunities, and fostering innovation. The same holds true for professional associations and…
Decoding 6 Common Subject Matter Expert (SME) Personas
Ready to take the next step toward a successful certification program? Last month we explored some key strategies to create a body of knowledge (BOK)…
Building Career Pathways Newsletter, Issue 1: Body of Knowledge
In our first Building Career Pathways issue we’re diving into the foundation of all training & certification programs: the body of knowledge.
4 Tips to Help Bring Your Association’s Body of Knowledge to Life
Many professional associations are reaching a crossroads: they’re attempting to keep pace with generational workplace shifts, increasing globalization of both people and organizations, and fast-paced…
Certification Excellence: Steps to Designing a Body of Knowledge
Professional development programs and certifications are important elements of industry associations’ member value. Your members are looking to you for guidance in what they should…