Understanding Block Chain Technology: Implications for Businesses

In this one-day workshop, participants will be introduced to block chain technology and its components. In the ten years since the cryptocurrency Bitcoin made its debut, over 2,600 cryptocurrencies have been created and are currently trading (as of June 2019). Blockchain is the technology platform that enables these cryptocurrencies to be bought, sold, and recorded between strangers. The beauty of blockchain is its simplicity. It is a distributed and immutable ledger that some refer to as the Web 3.0. This workshop explores why it is the platform of choice for cryptocurrencies, and how it is expanding into non-currency applications. Participants will look at real-life examples of how blockchain is applied to supply chain systems, shared economy solutions, academia, and more. Finally, the workshop will introduce methods to analyze existing business models to see if it is compatible with or could be replaced by blockchain. This workshop is essential for anyone curious about how blockchain will impact their industry, and no prerequisites or information technology experience are required.

No required textbook

Terumi Laskowsky

Terumi is an IT and global business consultant with customers both in Japan and in the US. Her workshops at TUJ include Business Communications, Speak with Confidence, Assertiveness, Information Security and others. She has a BSE in Computer Science from Arizona State University and MBA/MA in International Management from the Wharton School/University of Pennsylvania. She has served in the US Army as a Military Police Officer, a Navy liaison officer for the Mutual Defense Assistance Office in the US Embassy in Japan, and head of consulting businesses at Symantec and RSA in Japan. Her advocation is dog training and handmade soap. Her current professional interest is in Blockchain security.