Web3 and Blockchain Leadership for Transformation from Coursera

For most of the last century, critical advances in technology were happening inside large, well-funded industrial R&D machines that dotted the Western world. Today’s landscape, however, is very different. Even the largest and most sophisticated corporate leaders can no longer dominate their fields or dictate the pace of development. With companies across sectors seeking to harness the transformative potential of blockchain technologies, the blockchain ecosystem is an exemplar of new models of industry collaboration.

In this course you will learn about various stakeholders in the blockchain ecosystem and the leadership roles they need to play in order to steward the blockchain revolution in global commerce. You will discuss various organizational models and best practices for industry consortia and will explore several examples of consortium projects that are at the forefront of the blockchain ecosystem. You will also explore the themes of standardization and interoperability—two major challenge areas concerning the scalability and throughput limitations inhibiting mainstream enterprise adoption of blockchain in global commerce.

Development of this course was made possible thanks to the generous support of FedEx. Dale Chrystie, Business Fellow & Blockchain Strategist at FedEx, delivers three of the course videos, bringing a real-world industry perspective to the course. The scripts for these videos have been written and/or reviewed by the Blockchain Research Institute and approved by INSEAD to ensure that this content is pedagogically sound, unbiased, and academically rigorous.

What's inside

Syllabus

Leadership for the Next Era

Blockchain alone is just a tool. In order for this technology to fulfill its long-term promise, humans must lead. Rather than relying on state-based institutions, blockchain must be primarily self-governed through collaborations of civil society, private sector, government, and stakeholders in non-state networks. In this module, we discuss the idea of blockchain governance networks and explain how they can support blockchain stewardship at three levels: The platform level, the application level, and the ecosystem level. As well, you will learn about the conditions that are necessary for a blockchain-based hub of innovation to succeed.

The Blockchain Ecosystem

Although blockchain technology emerged from the open source community, it quickly attracted many stakeholders, each with different backgrounds, interests, and motives. In this module, you will explore the roles and perspectives of nine categories of stakeholders within the blockchain ecosystem, including industry pioneers, venture capitalists, developers, governments, regulators, leaders, and end users.

The C-Suite

Because blockchain changes the deep structures and architecture of the firm, it will consequently transform our models of management and the roles of the C-Suite. Navigating the balance between blockchain’s hype and its true potential is a key responsibility of an organization’s management team. In this module, you will learn about some of the decisions and changes that business leaders can anticipate when considering how the future of blockchain will unfold within their business.

Consortia, Coalitions, and Coopetition

With companies across sectors seeking to harness the transformative potential of distributed ledger technologies (DLT), the blockchain ecosystem is an exemplar of new models of industry collaboration. Coopetition—the strategy of cooperating with competitors for defined purposes to cultivate a new economic ecosystem that benefits both—has become the new norm. In this module, you will learn what companies are trying to gain from consortia projects, and what industries and competitors need to accomplish to get to a win-win. You will discuss various design options, organizational models, and best practices for consortia projects, and will explore several examples of industry consortia that are at the forefront of the blockchain ecosystem.

Toward Web3 Standards and Interoperability

While most professionals understand the potential of blockchain technology, not all of them understand its mechanics and the requirements for its success. In the last decade, thousands of blockchain projects have sprung up, all intending to become the dominant blockchain protocol. A clear winner has not yet emerged, leading to numerous attempts to communicate and transfer value between different blockchain networks. In this module, you will learn about two major themes concerning the exchange of data and value across blockchain protocols: standardization and interoperability. You will learn how various types of standards—including semantic standardization and technological standardization—can create powerful network effects and economic gains for members of a blockchain ecosystem. You will also learn about various approaches to interoperability among blockchain networks. You will explore a series of recent interoperability projects (e.g. Aion, Chainlink, Cosmos, Polkadot) and will discuss some of the implementation challenges and opportunities concerning blockchain interoperability solutions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Investigates industry trends of technology development, company leadership, and societal organization

Covers a broad range of topics surrounding blockchain's influence on global business

Emphasizes the significance of collaboration, teamwork, and adaptability in leveraging blockchain's potential

Features insights from Dale Chrystie, Business Fellow & Blockchain Strategist at FedEx, who provides a real-world perspective on blockchain's practical applications

Suitable for individuals involved in blockchain technology implementation and governance, including industry leaders, executives, and managers

May require some prior knowledge of blockchain concepts and business strategy to fully grasp all the course content

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Web3 and Blockchain Leadership for Transformation with these activities:

Review cryptography

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Recall basic cryptography concepts to bolster foundational knowledge of blockchain security.

Browse courses on Cryptography

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Read through introductory cryptography materials
Practice solving simple cryptography puzzles and exercises

Read 'Blockchain Revolution'

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology and its potential impact on various industries.

View Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology... on Amazon

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Read each chapter thoroughly
Summarize key concepts and insights

Develop a blockchain use case

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Apply blockchain concepts to a specific industry or business scenario, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Blockchain Applications

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Identify a suitable industry or business challenge
Research existing blockchain solutions
Design a custom blockchain solution
Evaluate the feasibility and impact of the solution

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Participate in a blockchain hackathon

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Test and showcase your blockchain skills in a competitive environment, fostering innovation and collaboration.

Browse courses on Blockchain Development

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Find a suitable blockchain hackathon
Form a team or collaborate with others
Develop a creative and innovative blockchain solution
Present your solution and compete with others

Develop a blockchain project proposal

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Outline a comprehensive plan for a blockchain project, demonstrating your understanding of blockchain principles and applications.

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Identify a problem or opportunity that can be addressed with blockchain
Research the technical and business aspects of the project
Develop a project plan and timeline
Estimate the costs and resources required

Career center

Learners who complete Web3 and Blockchain Leadership for Transformation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Blockchain Engineer

Blockchain Engineers lead the design, development, and implementation of blockchain solutions. This course's focus on leadership for transformation, blockchain ecosystem knowledge, and understanding of consortia, standards, and interoperability will equip you to successfully manage the complexities of blockchain technology. The course's emphasis on the practical application of blockchain, in particular, will provide you with the skills necessary to drive innovation and create value within organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Engineer

Blockchain Consultant

Blockchain Consultants work with organizations to develop and implement blockchain strategies. They must understand the broader business landscape, emerging trends, and the specific challenges and opportunities related to blockchain integration. This course provides a solid foundation in these areas, helping you to effectively guide clients in their blockchain initiatives. The course's focus on the C-Suite, in particular, will give you the insights needed to engage with senior leadership and drive organizational change.

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Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), you will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of technology within the organization. The course's coverage of emerging trends in blockchain technology, leadership in the next era, and the role of the C-Suite will equip you with the strategic vision and practical knowledge to drive innovation and ensure the successful adoption of blockchain solutions.

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Blockchain Product Manager

Blockchain Product Managers oversee the development and delivery of blockchain-based products. They must possess a comprehensive understanding of the technology, the market, and the needs of the users. This course's focus on leadership, the blockchain ecosystem, and consortia will help you build a solid foundation for success in this role.

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Blockchain Architect

A Blockchain Architect designs and builds blockchain solutions. They must have a deep understanding of the technology, as well as the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions. This course's focus on standards, interoperability, and consortia will help you develop the expertise needed to create scalable and efficient blockchain solutions.

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Head of Blockchain

As the Head of Blockchain, you will be responsible for developing and executing the organization's blockchain strategy. This course's in-depth coverage of the blockchain ecosystem, consortia, and leadership will provide you with the knowledge and skills to effectively lead your team and drive the successful adoption of blockchain technology.

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Blockchain Developer

Blockchain Developers build and maintain blockchain applications. They must have a strong understanding of the technology, as well as the ability to work with different programming languages and frameworks. This course's coverage of the blockchain ecosystem, consortia, and technical standards will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed as a Blockchain Developer.

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Chief Information Officer (CIO)

As the Chief Information Officer (CIO), you will be responsible for overseeing the organization's information technology systems and infrastructure. The course's focus on leadership in the next era, the blockchain ecosystem, and emerging trends will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving technology landscape and drive innovation.

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Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage companies with high growth potential. The course's focus on the blockchain ecosystem, emerging trends, and consortia will help you identify promising blockchain startups and make informed investment decisions.

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Blockchain Lawyer

Blockchain Lawyers specialize in the legal aspects of blockchain technology. They must have a strong understanding of the technology, as well as the regulatory landscape. This course's coverage of the blockchain ecosystem, consortia, and interoperability will provide you with the knowledge and skills to successfully navigate the legal complexities of blockchain.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns. They must have a strong understanding of the target market, as well as the ability to create and deliver persuasive messages. This course's focus on the blockchain ecosystem, consortia, and emerging trends will provide you with the knowledge and skills to successfully market blockchain products and services.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts assess the financial health of companies and make investment recommendations. The course's focus on the blockchain ecosystem, emerging trends, and consortia will help you identify opportunities in the blockchain industry and make informed investment decisions.

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Business Analyst

Blockchain Business Analysts help organizations identify and assess the potential benefits of blockchain technology. They must have a strong understanding of business processes, as well as the ability to analyze data and make recommendations. This course's focus on the blockchain ecosystem, consortia, and leadership will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed as a Blockchain Business Analyst.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They must have a strong understanding of data analysis techniques, as well as the ability to interpret data and make recommendations. This course's coverage of the blockchain ecosystem and interoperability will provide you with the knowledge and skills to successfully apply data science techniques to blockchain data.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. They must have a strong understanding of project management methodologies, as well as the ability to manage teams and resources. This course's focus on leadership, consortia, and standards will provide you with the knowledge and skills to successfully manage blockchain projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager