As more employers demand proof of timely skill sets, more job seekers will look for short  certification programs to gain and prove these skills. In this article, we track the state of certification programs and their potential to fill the training gap for your organization, as well as ways that you can create some programs of your own for maximum advantage. Certifications are gaining favor as the pace of business increases fueled by the three-year career and the need to prove that every year of experience has actually made us wiser.  This need for fast identification of the right people to work with is global and vulnerable. It lends both employers and employees alike to resume inflation on a new level.  Cheap and easy certifications, inconsistency, diploma mills, and certifications from questionable organizations all work to take the sine off of more noteworthy credentials. The most solid certifications often originate within large, trusted associations and societies within your industry. Modularity and high standards will become very attractive. When all else fails, you can create your own. As a business, creating internal certifications gives you the opportunity to tailor them to your specific needs. Internal certifications are not very portable, however, and you will need to encourage employees to participate . Cash works nicely.  As an association or industry society, developing your own certification programs gives you an opportunity to establish leadership within your community, and to better serve your members. A great example of this strategy is the Birmingham chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (BSHRM)’s HR Leadership Academy.  To create advantage from the evolution of certification, consider the following. Organizations, associations, societies and universities are evolving by creating more certification options to fill that precise need. At the same time, a shiny basket full of certifications does not excuse you from due diligence. Encourage and support certifications that will yield skills and impress clients. Develop internal certification programs and predictable certification-based promotion to retain key employees. - Keywords: talent, workforce, business, trend, watch, list, 2010, advantage, strategic, competitive

Steve King, Partner at Emergent Research (http://www.smallbizlabs.com), joins us to discuss how small businesses everywhere are taking lessons from Power Curbers Inc on going global, innovation, customer interaction, social media and more. - Keywords: power curbers, spotlight, innovation, global, business, trend, watch, list, 2010, advantage, strategic, competitive