This one caught my eye because I ran a tech project for The World Bank a few years back - sort of an SAP/ERP typer software implementation... Now from a post on CNN.com...

The World Bank is turning to blockchain to help it raise money

The international lender is planning to issue what it says is the world's first global blockchain bond, a notable mainstream endorsement of the emerging technology.

Blockchain is best known as the technology underpinning bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It serves as a digital record of financial transactions.

The World Bank has hired Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBAUF) to manage the bond, which is expected to raise as much as 100 million Australian dollars ($73 million).

Related: Malta wants to become 'Blockchain Island'

They have named it the "Blockchain Offered New Debt Instrument," or "bond-i," a nod to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach.

The World Bank follows German automaker Daimler, which used blockchain technology to issue a type of German bond in a pilot project last year.

Blockchain could hugely streamline the process of issuing bonds, which has been heavily reliant on physical paperwork for the past 200 years, according to James Wall, a senior institutional banking executive at Commonwealth Bank.

Moving the process to the blockchain could cut costs and speed up trading for both bond issuers and investors.

"The potential of this is that it could be a revolution for the capital markets," Wall told CNN on Friday. The bank has been experimenting with the technology for the past few years.

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The definition of soft skills is “personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.”
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So when we look at the soft skills that a business analyst will need in order to have great project impact and success, we are looking at those personal attributes that help the BA individual work effectively with the project manager, project team, project customer, and all stakeholders involved so as to realize the greatest possible project successes on a regular basis. Yes, easier said than analyzed, but let's give it a try. My list is below, but please be thinking of your own list if you are a business analyst, project manager or regular project team member who works with business analysts on an ongoing basis...

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We can try to “fake it till we make it”…which is what I like to do if it’s something new. I like to take on new projects, new challenges and learn along the way. I feel that as long as I’m in the ballpark, I can make it happen. But sometimes we all come up short. If that happens…what do we do? I’m focusing on technical projects here so let’s consider some options…

First off, let me state that I really, really believe that remote project management I is a great solution for most projects. It has worked extremely well for me for the past 10 years or so. But I know it’s not for everyone. Remote project management, while often a sensible and cost-effective approach to managing many standard projects, is definitely not without its challenges. In fact, just in terms of communication, leadership, and relationships it can become very challenging. Add in the rogue developer who is looking to become a one-man team, the business analyst who significant expertise in other technologies but is ‘learning’ a new one while helping lead your implementation, or the documentation specialist who is spread too thin across eight different projects but resides 1,500 miles away from you and you can see how certain logistical issues can really impact your projects if you don’t learn to deal with each one of them methodically and carefully.

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It got me thinking – was it them or is it me?  In the Moving Help app tied into Uhaul, the process is very well defined.  I am moving, I need people to help me pack, load up the truck, unload the truck and I need it done at a very specific time.  They know this process as they help people do it day in and day out all over the US.  But for me, I don’t move that often so it’s a project. They help me do my project with their very well defined process. This industry is used to very short-term gigs.  There are well-defined expectations on both sides of the fence.  You put in the locations for your move and the dates.  You get a list of potential moving helpers who are available and their rates.  Once you’ve made your selection, they take your payment and hold it in escrow until you specify the job is done.  Once the moving help is complete to your satisfaction, you specify the job is done.  Then the moving help gets a code and gets paid. Many of the challenges faced in hiring temporary help have been worked out using their service.  I now use this exclusively for moving and it’s made that part of life significantly easier...