Business Leaders Program (BLP)

NIB’s award-winning Business Leaders Program (BLP) was launched in 2003 to prepare individuals who are blind for careers in business by providing educational and employment opportunities through professional development.

NSITE has re-imagined the Business Leaders Program and its components for 2023 and beyond. It is designed to meet the needs of leaders at all levels in today’s rapidly changing workplace environments.
Currently offering: Business Basics, Business Essentials and Effective Supervision

BUSINESS BASICS: Foundational Business Skills

NSITE’s Business Basics Series of Online Coursework
The NSITE Business Basics series consists of four self-paced online training programs that expose individuals to different facets of business targeting specific professional career skills. Each course contains knowledge checks and a final quiz.

Program Start Date: On-Demand
Tuition:

  • Individual Course Purchase: $69.00
  • Bundle all 4 and Save 25%: $207.00

Tuition Assistance

  1. If you are a blind or visually impaired employee of an NIB associated Nonprofit Agency, you may qualify for an NIB Training and Professional Development grant. NSITE will be able to provide additional guidance to qualified applicants.
  2. If you have an open case with a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, we may be able to assist you in requesting tuition funding for this program through your VR Counselor.

What is included in the tuition?

  • On-demand access to self-paced e-learning courses
  • Knowledge checks and additional resources
  • Certificates upon successful completion of coursework and exams.

What are the Learning Outcomes?

Business Basics provides an introduction to key business skills in the areas of:

  1. Business Operations
  2. Marketing and Sales
  3. Finance and Budgeting Essentials
  4. Improving Decision-Making

Who should enroll?
All who are interested in improving their business skills may enroll. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners.
Application Requirements: Good computer navigation skills and the ability to navigate websites using a variety of browsers; your own computer or laptop since this course cannot be completed through the use of publicly accessible (e.g., library) computers or mobile devices such as mobile phones or tablets.

Click here to sign up and purchase

Business Essentials Program

The NSITE Business Essentials virtual training program is offered in partnership with PowerSim Solutions. It provides participants with a comprehensive view of organizational operations and helps them understand how decisions impact their business in a competitive environment. The program allows participants to implement business decisions and experience the outcomes in the safe environment of a simulation.

Program Start Date: July 2023

Tuition: $2,250.00

What is included in the tuition?

  • Two self-paced online courses: Finance and Budgeting Essentials; Improving Decision-Making
  • Eight weeks of hands-on experience managing a business via a simulation
  • 8 hours of instructor-led coursework and multiple team meetings
  • Digital credential NSITE Business Essentials Career Skills Certificate at successful program completion

Tuition Assistance

  1. If you are a blind or visually impaired employee of an NIB associated Nonprofit Agency, you may qualify for an NIB Training and Professional Development grant. NSITE will be able to provide additional guidance to qualified applicants.
  2. If you have an open case with a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, we may be able to assist you in requesting tuition funding for this program through your VR Counselor

Who should enroll?

All who are interested in improving their strategic business and decision-making skills may apply.

What are the learning outcomes?

Business Essentials will prepare participants to:

  • Develop strategic plans and manage operations to plan goals.
  • Improve their decision-making skills in competitive business environments.
  • Analyze market dynamics that can either propel or stall business success.
  • Handle business functions at the fundamental level.
  • Glean business critical information from a variety of sources. 

Application Requirements: Good computer navigation skills and the ability to navigate websites using a variety of browsers; your own computer or laptop since this course cannot be completed through the use of publicly accessible (e.g., library) computers or mobile devices such as mobile phones or tablets.

All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners.
All may apply. However, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference.

Program Start Date: July 2023

Click here to access the application

Inquiries: info@nsite.org

Effective Supervision: Making an Impact

Effective Supervision is designed for high-potential employees who have career goals aligned with supervision and management. Participants will be applying enhanced leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills back on the job, while earning a Certificate of Achievement (digital badge) from NSITE.
No need to travel or be away from your office for extended periods of time – we bring the learning to you!
Program Start Date: May 2023
Tuition: $1950.00
What is included in the tuition?

  • 12 weeks of virtual learning and instruction
  • Three self-paced online courses on Effective Staff Supervision
  • Six 2-hour-long highly participatory bi-weekly virtual instructor-led meetings
  • Continuous engagement via NSITE-U that brings learning from workshop to work
  • Blanchard’s SLII® Self-Assessment and Concepts workshop for situational leaders
  • The digital credential NSITE Effective Supervision Certificate after successful program completion

Tuition Assistance

  • If you are a blind or visually impaired employee of an NIB associated Nonprofit Agency, you may qualify for an NIB Training and Professional Development grant. NSITE will be able to provide additional guidance to qualified applicants.

Who Should Enroll

NSITE’s new Effective Supervision is the essential professional development opportunity for experienced and aspiring managers.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

What Topics are Covered?

This fully virtual 12-week program addresses key supervisory responsibilities while participants explore and co-create solutions for managerial challenges, including the following:

  • Adapting to the changed role of the supervisor during disruptive times
  • Viewing and applying Effective Supervision in the larger organizational context
  • Distinguishing between Supervision, Management, and Leadership and applying each appropriately to emerging situations
  • Building awareness of preferred supervisory styles and expanding style registers for optimal management outcomes
  • Conducting crucial conversations with confidence for positive impact
  • Sustaining both yourselves and your teams during difficult times

What are the learning and leadership outcomes?

Effective Supervision develops participants’ abilities to perform supervisory jobs with greater productivity, effectiveness and responsibility, keep business operations running smoothly, and increase team morale and productivity.

All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners.
All may apply. However, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference.

For questions or to discuss any of the Business Leaders Program tracks, please contact Marianne Haegeli at mhaegeli@nsite.org.