Thursday Buzz: LinkedIn’s Big Online Education Buy

Not interested in the potential of online education? LinkedIn has 1.5 billion reasons why you should start caring.

The business social-networking giant has snagged the online education site Lynda.com  (opens in a new tab) in a deal worth that much. The cash-and-stock acquisition  (opens in a new tab), announced Thursday, is expected to be finalized later this year.

“Together, I believe we can make it even easier for professionals around the world to accelerate their careers and realize their potential through the learning and development of new skills,” LinkedIn Head of Content Ryan Roslansky said in a statement  (opens in a new tab).

Lynda.com  (opens in a new tab) offers online educational videos and courses in web development, graphic design, business, and more. Executive Chair Lynda Weinman cofounded the subscriber site with her husband, Bruce Heavin, in 1995.

“This is a moment in history when people can learn anytime, anywhere, and with no boundaries,” Weinman wrote in a LinkedIn blog post  (opens in a new tab). “We are thrilled to be part of something bigger than ourselves and look forward to helping more people learn the skills that are needed in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape.”

This acquisition will help connect  (opens in a new tab) companies and job seekers to skill-building services.

“The combination of LinkedIn and Lynda.com is the kind of fit that benefits everyone,” LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner said in a blog post  (opens in a new tab). “LinkedIn has the members, the jobs, a unique understanding of the skills required to do those jobs, and a publishing platform that can be accessed by roughly 350 million people to share professionally relevant knowledge.”

Resolution Check

Circling Back on 2015 Goals: How’s Your #Association  (opens in a new tab) Doing? – http://t.co/PqHQUOxUJA  (opens in a new tab) #assnchat  (opens in a new tab) #smassn  (opens in a new tab) pic.twitter.com/ALuSuApp3q  (opens in a new tab)

— MemberClicks (@MemberClicks) April 9, 2015  (opens in a new tab)

Now’s a good time to check your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you and your organization need to look back at your January goals and to see how you’re doing so far. It is, after all, more than a week into the second quarter of the year.

Associations should be detailed, enthusiastic, and optimistic in refocusing on the year’s goals, Callie Walker at MemberClicks suggests  (opens in a new tab). She also recommends setting regular reminders and asking for help when needed.

“By looking at your goals daily, you’ll be reminded of where your organization is headed,” Walker said. “And, more importantly, what needs to happen today.”

Good luck! (ht @MemberClicks  (opens in a new tab))

Other Resources to tap

YouTube can be a huge service for nonprofits. But how should they use it for best results? At SocialFish, contributor Matthew Yeoman offers  (opens in a new tab) several subscriber strategies.

Let’s be productive! There’s a way to stop procrastinating  (opens in a new tab)—tell yourself that if you’re lazy now, you’ll also be lazy later. That may be the jump-start you need.

“Risk shouldn’t be snuffed. Instead, it should be navigated.” If your association is lacking innovation, CMSWire contributor Dan McAuliffe suggests  (opens in a new tab) pushing for more optimism and a “culture of ‘yes.’”

(Lynda.com screenshot)