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. So what does this mean for you? This change means your U.S.-based members can now use their 529 funds for professional certifications, licenses, and credentialing programs. Quick refresher: What’s a…
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 share ideas, collaborate on solutions, and ultimately drive improved outcomes. Because at the core, most leaders are working at companies like Holmes Corporation (HC) that are focused on the double…
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, and association partners. A vital part of this dedication to product excellence centers around understanding the needs and motivations of our users and validating assumptions as we innovate. We can’t…
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 Dundies awards ceremony—exciting, memorable, and full of energy. But what happens in the 360+ days between conferences? For too many organizations, member engagement flatlines faster than Michael Scott’s attention span…
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 their expertise was so well-received that we decided to write a two-part article on why and how associations should develop microcredentials. Part one was published in September: Why Should 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 the school year would bring. Well, guess what? That ready-to-learn energy doesn’t disappear when we become working professionals, and that’s great news for professional associations! At Holmes Corporation, we’ve been…
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 their expertise was so well-received that we decided to write a two-part article on why and how associations should develop microcredentials. Here’s part one. Watch for part two in September.…
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, I’m so optimistic about the future of hiring because forward-thinking organizations are discovering a wealth of untapped talent by focusing on what really matters: skills, competencies, and the ability to…
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 your organization is truly ready to capitalize on them. As a member of a very small group that has received the President’s “E Star” Award for Exports multiple times in…
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 without a strategy, it’s easy to waste time reviewing topics they already know—or worse, skipping over ones they don’t. That’s where a pre-test comes in. Rather than jumping straight into…