computer training business plan

How to Start a Computer Training Business

A computer training business helps clients improve their computer skills. Classes are offered at different skill levels, from basics all the way up to advanced applications. Their clients range from corporations to private individuals, each sharing one common goal — to be more computer literate.

Learn how to start your own Computer Training Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a computer training business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Computer Training Business
• Form your Computer Training Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Computer Training Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Computer Training Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Computer Training Business
• Get Computer Training Business Insurance
• Define your Computer Training Business Brand
• Create your Computer Training Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your computer training business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your business . We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.

Want some help naming your computer training business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a computer training business.

Startup costs to launch this type of business vary depending on the business model. Many computer educators work from home, traveling to their clients or teaching classes online. Others go big from the start, opening an educational facility complete with state-of-the-art equipment.

Launching a home-based computer education program requires little more than computers, software, training materials, insurance, and an advertising budget. This can be done for $2,000 or less.

Opening a training facility, however, requires a significantly higher startup budget. An 850 square foot facility, equipped with multiple computers, furniture, fixtures, and staff, costs $55,000 to $80,000. Exact costs vary based on your region, the number of team members you employ, and how much equipment you plan to start with.

If you have the necessary computer knowledge but aren’t sure where to start, consider one of the many franchise opportunities. While most franchises have specific rules regarding how much startup capital you must have, many new business owners find that they save money in the long run. Aligning yourself with the right franchise gives you access to a proven business model, marketing support, and brand recognition.3

What are the ongoing expenses for a computer training business?

A home-based computer training business faces few ongoing expenses. Your budget should include office supplies, equipment maintenance, travel expenses, marketing, business insurance, payroll, and printing costs for educational materials.

If you elect to open a training facility, you will need to budget for additional expenses. These include rent, utilities, building maintenance, and additional business insurance.

Whichever route you take, your annual budget should also include ongoing education and certification for you and your staff. Consider this an investment in your business’s future growth and stability.

Who is the target market?

When creating your detailed business plan, spend ample time researching what computer skills are in high demand. Identify what parts of the market are oversaturated and avoid those. Focus on niches that lack quality training. This will help you clearly identify your target market and develop a targeted marketing plan.

Examples of target niches include:

• Individuals who have just purchased their first computer
• Fortune 500 companies who require Microsoft training for their workforce
• Real estate agents who lack desktop publishing skills
• Human resources software training
• Patient management software training for physicians and medical staff

How does a computer training business make money?

Your computer training business will make money by charging a fee for your educational services. Most computer trainers charge a flat hourly rate or a flat fee per class session.

Pricing will vary depending on the course and educational setting. A basic online computer class might cost $49, while more advanced training might cost $175 per person. The average cost for a private training course is $40-$60, depending on the material taught.

How much profit can a computer training business make?

The estimated profit for the 850 square foot facility we mentioned earlier is almost $49,000 in the first year. The second and third year’s estimated profits are just over $77,000.

Now, let’s look at a home-based training business that teaches three hour-long classes six days/week at $175/person. If each class has seven students in it, this comes to $3,675 per week. While the revenue looks significantly lower, your overhead expenses are minimal. If you have $1,000 in monthly overhead expenses, your annual profits will reach almost $165,000.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Diversity is key in this profession. Offer a wide range of classes and attendance options. Offering access to your training materials for a small fee is a great way to boost your business’s annual profits.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your computer training business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a computer training business

Once you’ve identified your target niches, you can develop a marketing strategy that reaches them. For example, patient management software training includes doctors and medical staff. Approach doctors offices, medical facilities, and hospitals to let them know how you can help them. Place ads in medical journals, online publications, and forums. Create targeted social media ads for the medical community. Be particular about how you go about targeting a niche audience.

In this competitive industry, it’s important that you establish your business as an industry authority. This means crafting quality content that addresses your target niche’s pain points. Your website should add value and showcase client success stories.

How to keep customers coming back

While this is a competitive industry, it’s also recession-proof and is in no danger of becoming obsolete. In fact, business owners who are committed to expanding their own knowledge and keeping up with emerging technology trends can find themselves busier than their business plan predicted. Your commitment to your clients and their pain points will create a dependency that ensures your clients keep coming back for more.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Do you have a firm understanding of computers and software? Are computers your passion, and do you enjoy passing your knowledge on to others? Are you ready to be your own boss and take charge of your own future? If so, launching a computer training business could be the ideal business venture.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a computer training business?

As a computer trainer, you will spend your days educating clients on all things related to computers. From computer basics to advanced software applications, it’s your job to ensure every student leaves with newfound computer confidence.

When you aren’t teaching, you will spend your time honing your own skills and learning about new and emerging industry trends. Your clients will look to you as an authority figure on the subject. Gaining and maintaining their trust means you should know about technological advancements and changes as soon as they’re announced.

While your computer knowledge is what will generate revenue, this knowledge is wasted if you don’t have any customers. Therefore, it’s important that you dedicate part of your time to a marketing strategy and other business-related tasks.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful computer training business?

Success in computer training requires advanced computer knowledge and the ability to effectively share that knowledge with others. You must be able to communicate with students from all backgrounds and skill levels.

Depending on your business model, you may work in a group setting or provide one-on-one training. Education sessions should be organized and detailed. It’s also important that you remain flexible and patient. Keep in mind, most of your students are intimidated by the very idea of learning about computers. Therefore, it’s important that your passion for computers shines through and that you create a safe and engaging learning environment.

While not a requirement, having computer certifications is strongly recommended. Your certifications will show customers that you possess the skills you claim to have and that you value your own education. Since there are a number of specialized certifications, this will also help in targeting specific niches.

What is the growth potential for a computer training business?

While the computer training sector is competitive, there is significant room for growth. Business owners with long-term growth goals are encouraged to write a well thought out business plan with defined goals and a growth strategy.

The annual average companies spend on general staff training is $3,000, with $8,200 spent on information systems training. Before launching your business, conduct research on where the greatest opportunities lie and focus your energies there. Play on your strengths and offer training programs that set you apart from the competition.

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Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a computer training business?

Having extensive computer knowledge doesn’t automatically make you a great teacher. Successful computer trainers recommend practicing over and over before putting yourself in front of a class. In addition to practicing, they also recommend attending a few courses for yourself. Pay attention to how the instructor communicates and interacts, which subjects are difficult for students to grasp, and what teaching methods work best.

When determining what classes you’ll offer, consider what computer and software knowledge is in high demand. If a professional stands to land a better job with certain skills, they are more apt to pay for your training course. Examples of software skills that are in high demand are Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Visual Basics.

Consider joining one of the many industry-related associations . This will serve as a networking tool and help with your business’s professional development.

How and when to build a team

When you build your team depends on your business model. If you open a facility, you’ll need staff to manage the day-to-day operations and educators to teach the classes you offer.

Everyone, from the front office employee to your teachers, should have a firm understanding of computer basics. When selecting teachers, consider your strengths and weaknesses. Hire educators that play on your strengths and fill in the gaps where your skills are lacking. This ensures a well-rounded educational center and positions you for future growth.

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How to Start a Profitable Computer Training Institute

The demand for a professional computer training center is on the rise. If you are looking to start a computer training institute, you are in the right place. Here in this article, find a stepwise business plan guide for beginners to start a computer training school.

The computer is now part and parcel of our daily life. One can’t imagine a day without sitting in front of a computer. However, surprisingly it seems to hear, still, there are millions who are not aware of computers and their utilities. Also, there are people who are always looking for getting trained in various new computer skills and languages.

As a result, the scope of making money from a computer training center is big. If you are looking forward to starting a business in the education industry , starting a computer training center is worth considering.

10 Steps to Start a Computer Training Institute

1. understand the local market.

As with any other business, the first step before starting a computer training institute is to collect information regarding the demand, trends, and competition in the local population. Conduct detailed market research and find out the scope and gaps. Check what kind of courses people are looking for. Is any existing computer training institute offering those and at what price? Are the customers satisfied with the education provided?

As you collect more information, it would be easier for you to plan out in the best possible manner in imparting the best training for candidates.

2. Choose the Type of Computer Training Center

The second most important thing to consider is to decide on what kind of training institute you are going to establish. It can be basic computer skills, programming, graphic design, or software applications.

You can start your own from scratch or can buy a franchise from a reputed computer training brand.

If you are starting your own, based on your resources and expertise, you can for an online, home-based, or computer training school in a retail location.

3. Create a Business Plan

A business plan is a critical document if you are seriously planning to start a profitable and sustainable computer training center. Write in brief about business aspects like objectives, operational plans, financials, and a marketing strategy plan.

If you are looking for funding, it is advised to take help from professional business plan writers as it becomes the most important tool to convince investors about the viability of your business. Some of the basic topics that must be included in your computer institute business plan document are the following:

• Fixed and recurring costs
• Target customers
• Pricing strategy
• How do you plan to get students for your computer institute?

4. Name Your Computer Training School

Select a business name that correctly manifests your computer training institute. The name should be relatable and catchy so that students can easily relate to the courses and certification programs you are offering. Check this guide to know more about naming a business.

5. Register Your Business

Registering your computer training center is a must if you want to run a hassle-free business. Every state and country offers different company structures for company registration. Talk to an attorney and choose the best-suited business structure as per your scale of the training center.

In addition, check with competent authorities about the need for licenses and permits to run a training institute at the chosen location. Business insurance is another aspect you must opt for in case of any unfortunate incidents that happen while running the business.

6. Choose a Location

The location will play a very important role in making your computer training institute successful. Choose a location where students can see your institute from a considerable distance. The Signage of your computer training center must be visible from the roadside.

7. Buy Equipment

To run a computer training center, there is not much money you need to invest other than computers. Since computers are the most critical equipment to buy, it is wise to procure the latest and updated computers. Apart from computers, you will need an internet connection, chairs, tables, computer desks, relevant software needed to run selected courses, etc.

8. Hire Manpower

To run a computer training institute, there will be a requirement of broadly two kinds of staff. One is the teaching staff and the other is the non-teaching staff. Based on the courses offered, hire expert teachers in that field. Initially, you can hire on a class basis and when students start coming in large numbers, think of having permanent teachers.

In addition, you need to hire student counselors, accountants, and salespeople for day to day operation of running a training center.

Suggested Read:   How To Hire The Right Employee

9. Fix the Curriculum

Depending on the courses offered, schedule, and fix the course curriculum. For example, the duration can be a one-month crash course, a 3-month certificate course, a 1-year diploma course, etc. Ensure, that your institute is eligible to provide certificates after successfully finishing a specified course. It is extremely difficult nowadays to build a successful computer training school without providing certificates.

10. Market Your Computer Center

All said and done unless you craft an effective marketing strategy of pulling students to your training center, the business will never get a lift. Prepare a grand launch informing potential students before starting your computer training center.

Distribute brochures, pamphlets, and business cards, as much as possible so as to reach as many people as you can in your locality. Advertise in local newspapers, and magazines if you can afford it. Create a website and explore social media platforms to reach your target audience.

About the Author: 99businessideas.com led by Rupak Chakrabarty is committed to helping beginners, entrepreneurs, and small business owners in starting, managing, and growing their businesses.

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How to Start a Computer Training Institute – Complete Guide

In the last few years, the demand for computer education has been on the rise, making the establishment of a computer institute a promising venture in India. This SEO-optimized article provides a step-by-step guide on how to start and successfully run a computer institute, catering to the growing need for digital literacy.

You can start your computer training institute or you can buy a franchise of a reputed brand. An experienced computer training franchise brand can help you with setup, operation, certification, and marketing.

Table of Contents

14 Steps to Start a Computer Institute Business

Step 1. analyze the market and identify niche.

Before diving into the venture, you must conduct thorough market research to identify the specific niche or focus of your computer institute. While selecting a niche, consider factors such as target audience, location, and the type of courses you plan to offer.

Step 2. Create a Business Plan

Before getting into the venture create a detailed business plan . Write your business objective and mission statement. Fix your business ownership pattern.

Calculate the total startup capital investment required. It may include establishment costs, resources, and marketing expenses.

What are the training and value-added services you will be going to offer? Design a curriculum professionally for your computer training institute.

Fix the pricing. Plan for your staffing requirements. Create a marketing plan for advertising and marketing policy. Identify your business demographics and target niche.

Step 3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

If you are looking forward to starting and running a legally compliant computer training institute, registering your business is a must. There are various business structures available as per your resources and scale of operation. You can go for proprietorship, or partnership, or form a private limited entity.

Ensure legal compliance by registering your computer institute and obtaining the necessary licenses. Familiarize yourself with the educational regulations and standards set by relevant authorities in the region.

Step 4. Select the Location for the Computer Training Center

As an educational institute, business location is an important factor to be successful in this business. You can select a location in a high-traffic area and near other education institutes like schools, colleges, and universities.

Step 5. Infrastructure and Facilities

Create a conducive learning environment by investing in adequate infrastructure. Set up well-equipped computer labs with the latest hardware and software. Ensure comfortable seating arrangements and a positive ambience for effective learning.

Step 6. Course Curriculum Development

Develop a comprehensive course curriculum that aligns with industry standards and addresses the needs of your target audience. Consider including courses on programming languages, software applications, and emerging technologies.

Step 7. Qualified Instructors and Staff

Recruit experienced and qualified instructors with expertise in the subjects you offer. Ensure that your staff is not only knowledgeable but also skilled in effective teaching methodologies.

Read:   Best Tech Startup Business Ideas

Step 8. Technology Infrastructure

Invest in a robust technology infrastructure, including high-speed internet, multimedia projectors, and other audio-visual aids. Embrace e-learning platforms for a blended learning experience.

Step 9. Student Enrollment Process

Streamline the student enrollment process with an online registration system. Provide clear information about course details, fees, and any prerequisites. Implement an efficient student management system.

Step 10. Financial Planning and Pricing

Develop a financial plan outlining startup costs, operational expenses, and potential revenue streams. Set competitive yet sustainable pricing for your courses, considering the value you provide.

Step 11. Collaborations and Partnerships

Forge collaborations with industry professionals and businesses to enhance the credibility of your institute. Partnering with technology companies can provide access to the latest tools and resources.

Step 12. Government Affiliation for Computer Institute

You can apply for Government affiliation from AICSM ( All India Computer Shaksharta Mission). This Government agency provides affiliation for different certified courses, diploma courses, PGDCA courses, and advanced diploma courses. You can go to the site for more information https://www.aicsm.com/.

Step 13. Arrange Fund

Financial resource is the most important thing in any business. According to the plan, you will need to arrange cash for investment. If you don’t have that capital, you can apply for a loan. and you have several options here too.

First of all, you can buy computers and other equipment from a hire purchase leasing agreement with an NBFC company. These companies offer loans on movable properties.

Also, you can apply for a business loan in any local bank. In that case, you will need to provide collateral there. Also, you must have a proper IT file that ensures your credibility.

Read: Best Business Loans In India

Step 14. Have a Marketing Plan

Concentrate on giving a solution to the students in a friendly manner. Publish advertisements in newspapers that are in the field of education and jobs. Conduct seminars. Conduct free workshops on your offered services detailing the benefits of the courses.

Read: Growth Marketing Hacks For Small Businesses

Try to give some value addition with your courses like job assistance or career assistance. Develop a website and create an effective online presence for your computer training institute. Go for some social media campaign. Regularly update your blog focusing on how computer advancements affect the workplace and how training in new applications can help students advance at work.

Build a relationship with HR professionals, small business owners, and corporate executives. Ask successfully passed out students to give feedback on the site about their experience throughout the session. Arrange an online facility for students to have training at their places

Cost of Starting a Computer Institute in India

Starting a computer institute in India involves various costs, ranging from infrastructure setup to operational expenses. The following breakdown provides an overview of the key expenses you might incur when establishing your computer education venture.

1. Infrastructure Costs:

1.1 physical space:.

• Description: Leasing or purchasing space for classrooms, labs, offices, and common areas.
• Estimated Cost: Varies based on location, size, and facilities.
• Considerations: Choose a location accessible to your target audience with sufficient space for classrooms and labs.

1.2 Classroom Setup:

• Description: Furniture, whiteboards, projectors, and other classroom essentials.
• Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 depending on the size and quality.

1.3 Computer Labs:

• Description: Computers, servers, networking equipment, and necessary software.
• Estimated Cost: ₹5,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 based on the number of computers and specifications.

1.4 Interior Decor and Amenities:

• Description: Decorative elements, lighting, air conditioning, and amenities for a conducive learning environment.
• Estimated Cost: ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 depending on the scale and quality.

2. Educational Resources:

2.1 course materials:.

• Description: Textbooks, reference materials, and educational software.
• Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 depending on the courses offered.

2.2 Licensing Fees:

• Description: Fees for licensing educational software and tools.
• Estimated Cost: Variable, depending on the software used.

3. Technology Infrastructure:

3.1 computers and software:.

• Description: High-quality computers, servers, and licensed software.
• Estimated Cost: ₹5,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 depending on specifications.

3.2 Internet Connectivity:

• Description: High-speed internet for labs, research, and online resources.
• Estimated Cost: ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 per month.

4. Staffing and Salaries:

4.1 instructors:.

• Description: Salaries for qualified instructors and teaching staff.
• Estimated Cost: ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 per instructor per annum.

4.2 Administrative Staffing:

• Description: Salaries for administrative and support staff.
• Estimated Cost: ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 per staff member per annum.

5. Marketing and Promotion:

5.1 digital marketing:.

• Description: Website development, SEO, and online advertising.
• Estimated Cost: ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 for initial setup and ongoing campaigns.

5.2 Printed Materials:

• Description: Brochures, pamphlets, and promotional materials.
• Estimated Cost: ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 for design and printing.

6. Legal and Licensing:

6.1 registration and licensing:.

• Description: Legal fees for registering the institute and obtaining necessary licenses.
• Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000.

7. Miscellaneous Expenses:

7.1 utilities:.

• Description: Electricity, water, and other utility expenses.

7.2 Maintenance and Repairs:

• Description: Routine maintenance and repair costs for equipment and facilities.
• Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000 annually.

The Total Estimated Initial Cost of starting a computer institute in India is in the range of ₹20,00,000 to ₹50,00,000

These estimates are indicative and can vary based on factors such as location, scale, and specific requirements of your computer institute. It’s essential to conduct detailed research and planning to create a more accurate budget for your unique venture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key steps to legally establish a computer institute in india.

To establish a computer institute in India, you need to register your institute, obtain the necessary licenses, and adhere to educational regulations. Consult local authorities and educational boards for specific guidelines.

How can I determine the right niche for my computer institute?

Consider factors such as the demographics of your target audience, the local market demand, and the specific courses you are passionate about or have expertise in. Conduct thorough market research to identify gaps and opportunities.

What infrastructure is essential for a computer institute?

Essential infrastructure includes well-equipped computer labs with up-to-date hardware and software, comfortable seating, high-speed internet, multimedia projectors, and audio-visual aids for effective learning.

How do I recruit qualified instructors for my computer institute?

Recruit instructors with relevant qualifications, industry experience, and effective teaching skills. Conduct interviews and assess their ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and engagingly.

What courses should I include in the curriculum of my computer institute?

Develop a curriculum that aligns with industry standards and includes popular courses such as programming languages, software applications, and emerging technologies. Regularly update the curriculum to stay relevant.

What is the enrollment process for students in a computer institute?

Implement an online registration system to streamline the enrollment process. Provide detailed information about course offerings, fees, and any prerequisites. Ensure transparency and ease of use for prospective students.

What financial considerations should I keep in mind when starting a computer institute?

Develop a comprehensive financial plan that includes startup costs, operational expenses, and potential revenue streams. Set realistic pricing for your courses, considering the quality of education you provide.

Are internship and placement programs necessary for a computer institute?

Yes, internship and placement programs enhance the employability of your students. Establish connections with companies for potential job opportunities and provide a platform for students to gain practical experience.

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The Editorial Staff at NextWhatBusiness is a team of Business Consultants having years of experience in small and medium-scale businesses.

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Coding the Future: Transforming Your Passion into a Computer Training Empire

COMPUTER TRAINING BUSINESS

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How to start a training business: 6 steps to success

Updated on: 10 Dec 2020 by Nikos Andriotis , 9 mins to read

The eLearning market is growing — fast. So fast, that from the $200 billion in 2019, it’s now expected to grow over $375 billion by 2026. And as people are warming up to the idea that eLearning is just as effective as traditional training, there’s never been a better time to think about how to start a training business.

Before you jump headfirst into starting a training business of your own, you’ll want to slow down and make sure you have everything in place. Do you know what will make your business successful?

Here’s our six-step plan on how to start a training company .

How to start a training business in 6 steps (and make it a success)

Starting a training company isn’t much different from setting up any other company. You’ll still need to think about all the essential aspects of business 101: Who’s your client base ? How will you persuade them to choose you? How will you beat the competition ?

Let’s look at how you can set your eLearning business up for success.

• Know your audience
• Use the right technology and tools
• Think about the content
• Partner with the right people
• Run it like a business

Curious to learn more? Let’s dive in!

1. Know your audience

Before starting your own training business, you need to decide who you’ll target with your business.

Enter market research.  The best way is to hire a market research company that can assess the viability of the training business you’re considering. A more affordable option is to talk to people, run an informal survey, or put up a simple “sign up for updates” form on your Facebook or landing page to gauge people’s interest.

Ultimately, the goal is to land on a specific target audience for your services before you start a training business. Who are they? What do they need to learn? What do they want to learn? The next step is to determine how large this audience is . This way you’ll be able to estimate your company’s profitability.

Sustainability and profitability are two elements you should look at before you commit your time and money to start an online training business. Of course, you’ll only be able to tell with real certainty after your business opens doors, but this will definitely help you rule out some impossible markets.

Another factor you need to consider regarding your audience is whether  you’re targeting your local market (which, in countries like the US or China can be more than big enough) or an international one. This will affect a great many things, such as your content (depending on who you want to reach you might need to offer localized courses), the way of delivery (to easily target an international audience you’ll need a full-featured eLearning platform), even your payment methods.

Another consideration is whether you are targeting the general market (that is, J. Random User on the web) or businesses.

Don’t rule out enterprise training. Offering enterprise training as an outside contractor is a wholly viable business option. Not all enterprises have internal enterprise training programs, and even those that do, don’t cover all their training needs with them. That’s where you, as an independent training contractor could come in and offer a complete training program saving them from the hassle of deploying and maintaining it.

2. Use the right technology and tools

To run a successful eLearning business, it’s important to pick the right technology. After all, eLearning is 50% content and 50% delivery. Delivery refers to speed, UI, ease of use, intuitiveness, features ,  and more. And that is all technology.

Modern technology, high-speed internet, and the emergence of turn-key, full-featured LMS platforms like TalentLMS , have leveled the playing field. With the right tools in place, even a small, two-person company can compete with a big, established training provider — if not in breadth of content, then surely in quality and presentation.

Besides, don’t forget that the technology you choose will affect your scalability options further down the road — i.e. how big your business can eventually get.

You probably want your eLearning business to be infinitely scalable from day one, but that’s not easy (or affordable) to achieve, especially if you’re considering building the learning platform yourself. It’s also something that’s not necessary to address when you first start a training business.

In this case, cloud-based LMS is the best solution , as essentially you offload the scalability problem to your cloud provider, and you’re free to increase your plan (and reach) whenever the need arises.

This flexibility will usually come at a small per-user fee, paid to your Cloud vendor. But, unless you’re at Google scale, it’s still better than paying a huge amount upfront for building your own server farm, plus the salaries to maintain your own IT team.

Build your online training courses in minutes with TalentLMS. The learning management system that’s easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to customize.

3. Think about the content

When we’re thinking about how to start a training business, one of the first things that comes up is content. Because content is indeed the core of your business.

Whether you’re offering Arabian flute lessons to all consumers or Economics 101 to enterprise audiences, your content needs to be top-notch, because this is what will make your eLearning business stand out.

Think polished, professional-looking content , with a high enough production value. No sloppy writing, no boring PowerPoints, no boring videos of talking heads.

Take the time to do it right yourself. Or hire a talented writer, and learn about all the trade tricks that can increase the perceived — and actual — quality of your content (e.g., consistent typography).

The most important decision, though, is the kind of content you’ll invest in. While you might be passionate about Latin, it doesn’t mean others are too — especially not a large enough audience to help you sustain an online training business.

You should also be cautious of uber-trendy subjects, as they may be unsustainable for any significant period of time. Cryptocurrency might be trendy now, but not in the next two years, and the last thing you’d want is to have invested loads of money on content that won’t pay off.

4. Partner with the right people

You might be tempted to wear every single hat in your new business. That’s fair. When you’re starting a training business, chances are you can’t afford to hire a dedicated department for marketing or sales. But, doing it all yourself is not a viable option, either.

Instead, find the right freelancers and partner with them. For example, you can outsource plenty of business administration tasks to a virtual assistant. You can hire freelancers to cover your marketing tasks, and even get instructional designers and subject matter experts to design your courses.

Be honest about your weaknesses and your strengths. And then hire the right people who complement those.

5. Market it

If you have your business license at hand, your content polished and loaded, and your LMS ready to welcome your learners, you might think you’re all set.

But that’s just the first part of starting a training business. The really hard part will be to market your training offering so that enough people sign up.

This all depends on your marketing budget and your ingenuity. At the very least, you should give your website and service a professional and memorable look based on your corporate branding .

Your target audience will also determine how you will market your eLearning offerings. For example, if you target a niche industry (e.g., music production courses), then it would be a good idea to advertise in trade magazines and websites. If you’re competing for enterprise training contracts, you should target websites like LinkedIn, talk to enterprise executives directly, etc.

Of course, if your eLearning business idea is unique and your content well thought out, it might market itself through word of mouth and favorable online reviews. But don’t depend on that  — to paraphrase Glengarry Glen Ross, you should “always be marketing”.

6. Run it like a business

This goes without saying, but if you want to start your own online training business, you would need to treat it like a business, too.

First, you’ll need a quick starter course in economics to learn about revenue, taxes, and  pricing . Don’t assume that you know these things and that running a business is intuitive. Some economic concepts are common knowledge. But most will come as a surprise, or maybe a revelation. A lack of understanding of notions like sunk cost, opportunity cost, and price curves has hurt far too many businesses to mention.

Grasping economic concepts is just the start; equally vital is establishing an LLC business bank account to separate personal and business finances, ensuring legal and financial clarity.

You’ll also need to keep up with the bureaucracy (the IRS doesn’t joke around), keep an eye on your competitors, and be on the lookout for new business opportunities and partnerships.

If what you have in mind is the cliche image of a boss who doesn’t do anything but collect profits each month, you better forget it. Running a business is a 24/7 job.

How to start a training company 101: From theory to practice

Now you know how to start a training business. And even though it’s hard work, there’s never been a better time to dive in. The online training industry is booming and will continue to grow.

Are you considering starting your own training and development company? What’s stopping you? Already a proud eLearning business owner? What lessons did you learn when you started your training business?

Let us know in the comments!

Save time, frustration and money with TalentLMS, the most-affordable and user-friendly learning management system on the market. Try it for free for as long as you want and discover why our customers consistently give us 4.5 stars (out of 5!)

Try for free!

Originally published on: 13 Jul 2018

3 responses to “How to start a training business: 6 steps to success”

We started using talentlms a year ago to create an elearning/training product for our Nonprofit Accounting Software product. Our experience has been wonderful. We searched for about 6 months and did several trial versions with other vendors. Talentlms seemed to be the most flexible. We also appreciated the pricing model, allowing us to scale this part of our business, specifically our Acumatica eTraining product for end users . Way to go on creating a top-notch product that is both flexible and dynamic!

Thank you very much Jeremy, I am really glad you are enjoying TalentLMS!

Thanks for giving me your best suggestion …………

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How to Start a Training Business in 2024 (& Succeed at It)

id you know that the global corporate training market is expected to reach $370.3 billion by 2027? It's expected to reach $370.3 billion by 2027 and will even exceed $493.32 billion by 2028! Small businesses are investing big bucks in employee training too, with an average spend of almost $1,400 per learner in 2022. With remote work becoming more prevalent and the need for continuous professional development on the rise, the demand for training services is at an all-time high. 

The United States dominates the corporate training market, accounting for over 30% of the global share in 2020. This presents a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering starting their own training business. For example, a tutor experienced in working with students who have learning disabilities could create a business to meet their specific needs.

You can positively impact people's lives while also making money by starting a training business. A tutor with experience working with students who have learning disabilities, for instance, could start their own training business to meet the specific needs of these students and their families.

But let's be real, starting an online training business can be daunting if you're not an entrepreneur at heart. To do it successfully, you need to take an organized approach, develop an effective marketing strategy, and intimately understand your target audience. This article is for anyone interested in starting their own training company, providing a step-by-step guide on how to start a training company. So keep reading if you want to turn your passion for teaching into a profitable career.

What is a Training Company?

A training company is a company that offers courses and programs for personal and professional growth. Education can range from purely technical to managerial. Organizations providing instruction can be for-profit or non-profit enterprises and need not be exclusively virtual to exist.Businesses in the training industry come in many forms. Still, they all commit to empowering their clients with the knowledge and experience to achieve personal growth and professional success. 

The purpose of any instructor is to positively affect their students, whether they are learning how to use a new piece of software or become better leaders.Training business is a great way to make a difference and a good living at the same time. A training business could be perfect if you enjoy seeing others develop and grow.

Why Start A Training Company?

Successful professionals and businesses rely heavily on training companies to help them develop the necessary expertise. 

Thus, training firms are well-known for tailoring courses to meet the specific needs of their clients to boost employee and business productivity.

Training firms have been shown to boost productivity, efficiency, and morale, all while keeping businesses competitive.

How Much Does it Cost to Launch a Business Program?

It is important to know the cost of starting a business training program and how to start a training business, as this will determine the scope and type of program you can offer. You can get the training in various formats, from virtual classes to in-person seminars. Private coaching services come with an associated time and material cost. Launching a more extensive program with in-person and virtual components will require more funding. The following factors can help you estimate the price of launching your business training program:

• If you have a client or student base, how much time do you anticipate spending with them?
• What kind of materials do you need, and how much of it?
• Does your company already have any necessary infrastructure (like an office, necessary tools, or an online learning management system)?
• Is a minimum amount of advertising and promotion required to bring in customers or enrollees?
• Do you have other operating expenses (such as insurance or permits)? 

You can better understand the initial investment required for your business training program if you answer these questions. If you want your online training business to succeed, you need to put in the necessary resources, but you must also be careful to spend your resources wisely. An effective business training program does not have to break the bank with careful preparation and execution.

Benefits Of Starting An Online Training Business

As reported by the Census Bureau's Business Formation Statistics, the number of businesses formed increased by 55% from January to November of 2021. Launching a training company can bring about a wide variety of positive outcomes. Five of the most notable are listed below.

• You can set your hours and be your boss by starting a training company. You'll have complete control over your work schedule, who you serve, and your company's direction.
• Second, you have the power to make a difference; clients of training companies can benefit from your services in meaningful ways. You can make a difference in people's lives by assisting them in developing their abilities and knowledge.
• The potential for financial success; if your training business is profitable, you can make a comfortable living. The business world can provide a comfortable living for those who are dedicated to their work and skilled at it.
• You get to set your hours if you own a training company. Your working hours can be arranged as needed to accommodate personal or professional obligations.
•  You'll have plenty of business: Training companies are in high demand, particularly in fields that place a premium on lifelong learning. That's great news for anyone hoping to launch a thriving business and find a steady stream of customers. 

Businesses' training needs will increase as the economy transitions to a knowledge-based model.

How to Create Your Own Training Company: 10 Steps to Success

Starting your own training business can be a lucrative and fulfilling profession if you have a knack for teaching and a motivation to see others succeed. Below, we take a look at how to start a training business. You need to take several important steps to ensure your business is successful.

1) Identify your niche

One must first determine their target market to launch a successful training company. Can you name some concrete abilities or areas of expertise you can impart to others? This could refer to any skill set, from writing code to promoting an event to giving speeches. Pick a market segment that interests you and has a lot of potential customers.

Think about your passion and how you like to spend your free time. In what ways can your professional and personal experiences serve as a source of insight for others? There is a high demand for training in some areas, so it's a good idea to look into market trends and employer demands to find those niches.

2) Conduct market research

The success of your training business will depend on your ability to conduct market research after you have settled on a specific niche. It is essential to know your market, your audience, and their wants, needs, and problems. Google Trends, market research, and social media are just some online resources you can use to learn more about your target audience and the market.

To get accurate results from market research, one must be thorough and impartial. Assess the areas where your rivals excel and where you can set yourself apart. Find out what drives your intended trainees and how your training can help them succeed.

3) Develop a business plan

Business plans are like road maps for your training company; they detail the company's intended direction, purpose, and objectives. A market analysis, financial forecasts, and promotional plans should also be incorporated. When starting and expanding your business, having a well-thought-out business plan will help you maintain focus and make educated choices.

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing a business plan:

• A synopsis of your company and its aims, or executive summary.
• Market analysis, which is an examination of your target market and its other players.
• Your products and services should include an explanation of the training programs you offer and how they cater to the specific needs of your customer base.
• Strategy for promoting and selling your training to a specific demographic
• Cost and revenue forecasts for a given time frame are what we call "financial projections."

4) Decide on your pricing model

Determine who you're trying to reach and what kind of training you provide, as these factors will inform your pricing strategy. You can set your hourly rates per session or unit of study. Providing bundles or discounts for multiple purchases or referrals is another option. Establishing reasonable rates that compensate for your education and experience is crucial.

When settling on a pricing strategy, it's important to think about the following:

• How much are they willing to spend for those who will benefit most from your training?
• Where can I find pricing information for similar classes offered by your competitors?
• How much are you investing in the development and presentation of your training?
• What sets you apart as a trainer, and why should someone invest in your course?

5) Create your training materials

The training materials you create should be adapted to the specific demographic and needs of the people using them. This could be in the form of video lectures, readings, assignments, and tests. Tools and platforms like Udemy and Teachable for online courses and video conferencing programs like Zoom are just a few examples of what you can use to design and deliver your training.

Keep these guidelines in mind as you develop your training materials:

• Maintain a minimum level of complexity: Pay attention to the most important ideas and techniques your target audience must grasp.
• Include visuals, audio, and user interaction to pique interest in your content.
• Offer evaluations and suggestions for improvement to aid your audience in learning.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments: Incorporate student feedback and adapt to industry shifts by updating your materials frequently.

6) Build your online presence

In today's digital age, it is essential for any business, including training businesses, to have a robust online presence. Get the word out about your training through various online channels such as social media, your website, and others.

Here are a few suggestions for enhancing your web profile:

• Build a website to advertise your training services and inform potential clients. Sites like Wix and Squarespace make it possible to build a functional website with a polished design and no knowledge of HTML or CSS.
• Use social media to spread the word about your training and connect with potential clients. Sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are perfect for this. 
• Using these channels, you can distribute training materials, engage with your target audience, and gain followers.
• Use email marketing because it's cheap and easy to promote your training and stay in touch with your audience. 
• Mailchimp and Constant Contact are two examples of email marketing platforms that can be used to create and send emails to your subscribers, including newsletters, promotions, and more.

7) Utilize technology

The use of technology in education can improve the quality of training and save time. The following are examples of useful resources:

• Using a learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle or Canvas, you can easily organize and distribute your training materials to your students, monitor their development over time, and offer them constructive criticism.
• Technology like Zoom or Skype video conferencing features make it easy to hold real-time training sessions and engage with students.
• Course, authoring tools like Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate allow instructors to make lessons beyond simple text to engage students in a more active learning experience.
• Tools for evaluating students' knowledge can be found online, and sites like Kahoot and Quizlet are examples of such platforms.

8) Launch your training

You can now begin offering training after creating your training materials, establishing your pricing structure, and establishing your online presence. You can provide initial sessions at no or low cost to get the ball rolling and get people talking. Additionally, you can inquire within your social circle for recommendations and feedback.

As you roll out your training, be flexible and open to change in response to student feedback. This will aid you in maintaining your dedication to offering first-rate instruction tailored to your specific audience's needs.

9) Provide ongoing support and resources

Giving students access to resources and support after they've completed their training is essential. This can keep them interested and enthusiastic about the training and reinforce its value.

Some examples of ongoing assistance and material support are:

• Social media groups, forums, and chat rooms can foster a sense of community among your students, allowing them to connect and share their experiences and knowledge.
• If you want your students to continue learning after your training ends, you can provide additional training materials, reading lists, and other resources.
• To ensure that your students can apply the skills and knowledge they acquire in your training to their unique situations, consider offering coaching or mentoring services on an ongoing basis.

10) Measure and improve your training

Last but not least, ensuring your training is constantly evaluated and enhanced is crucial to the success of your training business. Tools like surveys, feedback forms, and analytics can help you measure the success of your training and make adjustments based on student feedback.

For better training results, you can track and enhance the following areas:

• Happy students: How happy are your trainees with their training? Do you know what you could do to make them happier?
• Is there evidence that your trainees have retained and can use the information and skills you've taught them? What can you do to improve their educational outcomes?
• Are you getting a good return on investment (ROI) from your training for your company and your employees? Is there a way to maximize the return on investment for your training?

4 Core Tools to Help You Start a Training Business

#1 educateme.

EducateMe's straightforward interface is a great resource for anyone considering launching an online training enterprise. 

Whether it's live video instruction, boot camps, or full-fledged courses, this platform has you covered with fully automated features that maximize student potential. 

Educators have simple access to real-time lesson monitoring and rich analytic data in every training session. 

EducateME's email and automated feedback features make exchanging information easy for students and teachers. Users of this platform can also customize and access it on any device, made possible by EducateMe's flexible design.

This platform creates a unique approach to learning called “brain science-backed gamification”.. Axionify is a cloud-based microlearning platform with gamification features. 

This system caters instruction to learners' preferences and strengths through bite-sized learning modules. 

The Axionify platform has many features to increase employee participation, such as leaderboards, badges, and other gamified elements that promote healthy competition and socialization among workers. Companies can monitor employee development and pinpoint areas where they may need additional training, thanks to the analytics features of the platform.

With its innovative approach to education, intuitive interface, and cutting-edge analytics features, Axionify is an invaluable tool for any business that wants to foster a culture of lifelong learning and development.

#3 Path LMS

Path LMS is a product of Blue Sky eLearn, and serves as an online learning management system. Organizations can use it to facilitate online educational content development, distribution, and administration. The Path LMS is an all-encompassing platform for designing and delivering interactive online courses, tracking the development of individual students, and analyzing the results of training initiatives.

The Path Learning Management System's features and capabilities include the following:

• Course creation using multiple media types like video, audio, text, and images.
• Content management.
• Learner management.
• Reporting and analytics.
• Integrations with a wide range of third-party applications like Zoom.

Docebo is a cloud-based LMS that facilitates the development and distribution of educational content for online users. In addition to tools for making courses, the platform includes a catalog of available courses, a way to enroll students, monitor their progress, generate reports, and connect with third-party programs.

Because of its flexible design and extensive customization options, Docebo can be easily adapted to meet the needs of any business and reflect its brand image. In addition, it supports mobile use so that it can be accessed from anywhere and used for learning..

In conclusion, it can take time to grasp the essentials on how to start a training business. You can start a profitable and satisfying training business if you dedicate time and energy to defining your target audience, researching the market, writing a business plan, settling on a pricing structure, developing training materials, establishing your online presence, and releasing your training.

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How to Start a Computer Business

Last Updated: March 21, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD . Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been viewed 190,003 times.

While your dream may be to start the next Apple or Microsoft out of your garage, it is more likely that your desire to start a computer business involves dealing with existing systems via sales, service, or support. With the rapid changes in technology that have already led some to place us in the “post-PC era,” [1] X Research source the job of a computer repair person , for instance, has changed quite a bit from ten years ago and will surely be quite different ten years from now. Beyond keeping up with changing technology and maintaining your expertise, however, starting a computer business requires many of the same skills required of any other small business field — things like a clear business plan, a smart marketing strategy , and outstanding customer service.

Aligning Your Skills and Goals With the Market

• Have you ever dissected, reassembled, or repaired a computer? Are you familiar with all major operating systems? Have you worked in the computer field before? Honestly assess your readiness to start a computer business, or ask someone else with industry knowledge help you make the assessment.
• Completing a degree in the computer field will certainly help you in starting a business, but it is unlikely that most customers will ask to see your diploma. More important is your ongoing gathering of experience, whether through education, training, or employment.
• Certification is a good way to indicate expertise, though. You may want to seek A+ certification from the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), or the related N+ network certification, or become a Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE). [2] X Research source These can help give your business card an air of legitimacy.

• In this so-called “post-PC era,” you may find demand for traditional computer sales, service, and/or support to be much reduced, especially among a younger, tech-savvy population. However, especially in areas with older populations and/or small-town and rural areas, you may find a greater percentage of people in need of PC repairs and support. Remember, you need to keep up with the latest technology; many of your potential customers do not (and will not). [3] X Research source [4] X Research source

• New technology is meant to make life easier, but many consumers find it to be just another layer of confusion. General set-up and troubleshooting tasks, like setting up printers and wireless networks, data recovery and wiping, and media archiving or editing, may remain a viable component of your business, even if PC repair requests decrease.
• If you can prove yourself to be an expert on computers and related technology, and can build a positive reputation, you should be able to find a niche for your computer business.

Brandon Phipps

Start a business that solves problems for your customers. Your core mission is to offer benefits to your customers for a fair price. By providing such a service, you can earn a significant income while doing something you are skilled at and helping others.

• If you’re looking to keep your computer business as a part-time job, then keeping your focus on repairs and troubleshooting may suffice.
• Building your business into a full-time occupation, however, may require further diversification of the products and services you offer, perhaps by selling parts, accessories, or entire systems. You’ll need to draw in a loyal client base and build a positive reputation in the community.

Succeeding in the Computer Business

• Even if computers are your focus, expect people to seek help and guidance with all sorts of mobile technology, from phones to tablets to watches. You may or may not want to get into the mobile tech sales and/or service business — consider the increased inventory demands, for instance — but being able to provide general troubleshooting, training, and support on the latest devices may prove quite useful. [6] X Research source
• If home service calls are part of your business, the essential toolkit you take with you will continue to shift along with technology. However, you can find a good list of basic equipment you’ll need (for the time being) at https://www.technibble.com/categories/starting-computer-repair-business/ .

• You’ll deal with panicked customers who think they’ve just lost all their important files, irate customers who want immediate help at 10 p.m., and hovering customers who want to supervise (and ask about) every move you make. You need to be able to remain calm , courteous, and patient. As a small business, you’re not likely to be able to match the prices of your larger competitors — the personalized service you offer needs to offset this disadvantage.

• Put some thought to your business name, logos , signage, marketing, etc. Create a professional look that presents your business as legitimate and lasting.
• Referrals will be essential to your business. Always hand out professional-looking business cards to existing customers, and consider offering referral discounts or rewards. Throwing in some free service or equipment is a small price to pay in order to build up your customer base. [8] X Research source
• Especially if you don’t have a storefront, make your business website and/or social media presence appear professional and interconnected to your overall brand.

• Working from home, for instance, offers more flexibility and less overhead costs, but also offers less visibility and possibly more distractions. A well-placed storefront adds to your visibility and helps legitimize your business in the public’s mind, but it comes at a cost and tends to lock you into a more rigid schedule.
• If you focus on computer repairs, working in your own shop may limit distractions and save you time and travel money, but customers may be more comfortable with you working on the equipment in their homes. (Your potential liability is also likely to be reduced when you don’t take the equipment with you.)

Starting a Small Business: Some Basics

• See How to Write a Business Plan for a good primer on the process of creating this important document.

• You may want to save on taxes by having customers pay cash “under the table” and not reporting the income, but this gives your business an air of illegitimacy (as well it should) for your customers. You are better off paying the taxes and appearing (and being) legitimate. [9] X Research source
• How to Open a Small Business offers some nice information on the legal requirements of establishing a business. The U.S. Small Business Administration website is also a great resource; see, for instance, https://www.sba.gov/content/follow-these-steps-starting-business .

• Volunteer some of your time and expertise. Be a supporting sponsor at community events (with the requisite public recognition, of course). Use your advertising and branding to develop a sense of stability and permanence for your business, even in a field that changes as rapidly as computers.
• No matter the nature of your small business, you need to be visible, you need to be reliable, and you need to provide a personalized experience that builds customer loyalty.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.technibble.com/moving-wearable-mobile-repair-post-pc-era/
• ↑ http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001553.htm
• ↑ https://www.technibble.com/categories/starting-computer-repair-business/
• ↑ http://www.mytopbusinessideas.com/computer/
• ↑ http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1813630/starting-computer-repair-setup-consulting-business-tips.html

About This Article

To start up a successful computer business, find a way to match your skills with the needs of your local computer market. Assess the training and experience that you have with computers to determine the type of computer business that is best suited to your talents. For example, if you have experience building personal computers, you can use your background to start up a business selling discounted computers that you assemble from parts that you acquire. In addition to your skills and experience, it’s important that you analyze the market around you to see if you can start a successful business. Consider the demographics in your area and think about what type of computer products or services they’re likely to purchase. For example, if you’re selling discounted computer systems, and your area has a large number of older people looking to buy a simple home computer, you may have a market for your business! For tips about how to build your brand identity when you’re starting a computer business, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Start a Computer Training School

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In today's digital age, computer skills are more critical than ever. That's why it's so important to have a computer training school to teach basic computer training for employees and students. While some schools may offer courses to teach the basics of how to type or effectively search online, there are still tools and skills that most people should be familiar with. If you are passionate about computer skills and take great pride in sharing your knowledge, then starting a computer training school may be a good fit.

Whether you're looking to start a new computer training school or looking for ways to improve an existing one, there are specific steps you can take. You can offer classes for children or basic computer training for employees. Knowing the importance of computer courses can inform the steps necessary to set up a computer training school, and there are free resources that you can use to get started.

What Is Basic Computer Training?

Basic computer training covers a wide range of topics related to computers. This training can include learning to type correctly, using different software programs, and understanding computer hardware. The experts at Unesco define basic computer skills as managing computer files, using word processors, and understanding the ethical implications of internet usage. Many people who are new to computers find it helpful to take a basic computer course to feel confident when using this technology. Still, people who are more seasoned in computer literacy may also find a need to hone their skills further.

While some people might be able to figure out how to use a computer independently, taking a course allows them to learn from an expert and ask any questions they may have. In addition, most computer courses offer hands-on experience so that students can get a feel for using different computer programs. Even if you teach the class virtually, students have the guidance and wisdom of a teacher there to help if they get stuck. A good instructor teaches how to develop computer skills in addition to the programs themselves.

The Importance of Computer Courses

In today's world, computer skills are becoming increasingly important. Most jobs now require at least some basic understanding of computers, and those who don't have these skills may find it challenging to be hired. Having advanced computer knowledge and skills looks great on a resume, so job applicants should include all their relevant computer expertise in the skills section of the resume. Even if a job doesn't require computer skills, having them can still be beneficial.

For example, computer skills can help a person stay organized, manage their finances and stay in touch with friends and family. Even the most basic programs can be taught at computer schools. With so many different ways to use computers, it's essential to have at least a basic understanding of how they work. Otherwise, people miss out on all the benefits they offer.

How to Set Up a Computer Training School

If you're interested in starting a computer training school, there are a few things you need to do. First, decide whether your school will be in person or online. The benefit of instructing in person is that it is easier to teach hands-on skills with your students in front of you. However, the drawback may be that you need to provide students with computers.

Next, write a business plan. This plan is where all your details come together. Cover all aspects of your business, including your expected profits, anticipated student load, and marketing plan. The writers at NerdWallet suggest starting with your business goals and working the plan out from there.

After you have all of this figured out, you are ready to start advertising your computer training school online or in your community. Be sure to let people know what services you offer and why they should choose your school over others.

• Unesco Institute for Statistics: Basic Computer Skills
• NerdWallet: How to Write a Business Plan, Step by Step

Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. She has been writing on business-related topics for nearly 10 years. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing, and she works with a number of small businesses to develop B2B content for their websites, social media accounts, and marketing materials. In addition to this content, she has written business-related articles for sites like Sweet Frivolity, Alliance Worldwide Investigative Group, Bloom Co and Spent.

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Computer Support Business Plan

Start your own computer support business plan

I Tech Solutions

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

I Tech Solutions is a consulting-oriented company, intending to fill in the market need for a professional, customer-focused computer company. The company emphasizes service and support to differentiate itself from more price-oriented computer companies. We are on the brink of penetrating a lucrative market in a rapidly growing industry. The current trend towards an increase in the number of entrepreneurs and competition amongst existing companies presents an opportunity for I Tech Solutions to penetrate this market.

Located at (discussion omitted), we realize that, for us to prosper, we need to be flexible and responsive, to delight clients by providing them with what they want, when they want it, and before the competition can offer it. The company intends to achieve this through a solutions approach that is customer-centric, and in which the customer’s business objectives enjoy top priority.

Once the needs and processes are understood and described, leading edge products and best-of-industry skills will be applied to design and develop a fitting solution to enable the client’s business in the most cost effective way.

Our marketing strategy will be based mainly on ensuring that clients know what need the service(s) is able to fulfill, and making the right service and information available to the right target client. We intend to implement a market penetration strategy that will ensure that our services are well known and respected in our respective industry. Our strategy will convey a sense of quality and satisfaction in every picture, every promotion, and every publication. Our promotional strategy will involve traditional advertising, Internet marketing, personal selling, public relations, and direct marketing, details of which are provided in the marketing section of this plan.

It is important to recognize that make our intangible resources, such as our ability to relate to customers regarding their needs and wants, management style, corporate culture and commitment. These elements will differentiate us from our competitors and contribute towards the development of a sustainable competitive advantage.

In a nutshell, we don’t intend to just market and sell our product and services, but to provide customized services and products that will enable our clients to optimize their output and, assist in the attainment of their goals and objectives. However, for us to attain the above stated we shall need funding from outside investors.

Note : All currency values in the charts and tables are expressed in the Botswana Pula (P).

1.1 Objectives

Our business strategy will revolve around the need to provide quality products and services to our various target customers. This shall be undertaken through the establishment of a professional team and the provision of quality, custom-designed services, catering to the client’s particular needs.

We intend to attain the following objectives:

• Develop a follow-up strategy to gauge performance with all our clients.
• To continuously formalize and measure cross-functional working communication so as to ensure that the various departments work harmoniously towards attainment of company objectives.
• To instill a culture of continuous improvement in beating standards of customer satisfaction and efficiency.
• We are fully committed to supporting growth and development in the economy.

1.2 Keys to Success

The keys to the projects’ success will undoubtedly be effective market segmentation through identification of several niche markets and implementation strategies. The key success factors will include the following:

• Excellence in fulfilling the promise: completely confidential, reliable, trustworthy expertise, and service(s) through the provision of an uncompromising service. This dictates that we have the latest technology, hardware, software, and well-trained personnel so as to deliver this promise.
• Timeous response to clients’ orders: we cannot afford to delay our clients for whatever reason, as this will have a negative bearing on our image, reputation, and future business. We need to be continually communicating with the client, ensuring we provide needs-based solutions.
• Skill and depth of knowledge: Considering the nature of our services and their relative infancy on the market, the skill and depth of knowledge of our personnel is of utmost importance in determining the provision of the service(s) to the end-users.
• Clear product and marketing positioning: Not wanting to be associated with the numerous vendors on the market, we intend to aggressively market our business and the services we provide in order to be at the top of our clients’ minds.
• Leveraging from a large pool of expertise: The company’s various alliances with technological and training partners shall prove invaluable. The skills and intellectual capacity these partners will have in the fields of product support, design and system integration, implementation and execution, lifecycle support and understanding, training, and in the application of new technology are intangible benefits to I Tech Solutions.

1.3 Mission

Company Values

I Tech Solutions is committed to the fair and ethical treatment of employees and stakeholders. This shall be undertaken through implementation of the following company values:

• We intend to be a responsible corporate citizen, fulfilling our obligations as an integral member of society. Our business decisions will give appropriate weight and consideration to social and environmental impacts.
• We intend to provide products and services of uncompromising quality.
• We intend to seek mutually beneficial and enduring relationships in all the commitments that we make, ensuring that they are straightforward and honest. Our communication will be open and accurate, both internally and externally.
• We will intend to uphold all the above company values, promoting our employees to do likewise.

Through implementation of the company values, we believe that we will be able to attain our goals and objectives for the benefit of all concerned, in particular, the communities in which we will operate.

I Tech Solutions is built on the assumption that the management of information technology for business is like legal advice or accounting, in that it is not inherently a do-it-yourself prospect, and requires outside expertise to install and implement it. Smart business people need to find quality vendors of reliable hardware, software, service, and support. They need to use these quality vendors as they use their other professional service suppliers: as trusted allies.

I Tech Solutions intends to be such a solution provider. We will serve our clients as trusted allies, providing them with the loyalty of a business partner and the economics of an outside vendor. We want to make sure that our clients have what they need to run their businesses as well as possible, with maximum efficiency and reliability. Many of our information applications will be mission critical, so we will give our clients the assurance that we will be there when they need us. The above is well summarized in our mission statement which is as follows:

“The company is dedicated to leveraging emerging technologies to provide the highest level of quality products and services, customer service, and security.”

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

I Tech Solutions was founded in November 2000 as a private limited company. For most of its initial existence, the company intends to establish close relationships with its various clients, with the intention of expanding in the near future.

2.1 Company Ownership

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2.2 Start-up Summary

Total start-up capital and expenses covered include legal costs, business cards, stationery, and related expenses. Messrs. T., S., and P. have provided investment covering much of the starting assets, with the rest of required financing coming from a 5-year commercial loan obtained from Bank Z. The start-up table below itemizes the start-up expenses.

Note : All currency values in the charts and tables are expressed in the Botswana Pula (P).

Products and Services

I Tech Solutions will provide computer products and services to small, medium, and large businesses. We will also be focused on providing network systems and services to businesses. The systems include both PC-based Land Area Networks (LAN) systems and minicomputer server-based systems. Our services include design and installation of network systems, training, and support.

3.1 Product and Service Description

I Tech Solutions intends to provide the following services:

• Financial Solutions ( discussion omitted in this sample plan )
• Network Solutions ( discussion omitted )
• Data Backup Solutions and Services ( discussion omitted )
• E-commerce Solutions ( discussion omitted )
• Hardware Supply and Technical Support ( discussion omitted )
• Paperless Office Automation Solutions ( discussion omitted )
• Training ( discussion omitted )

3.2 Technology

I Tech Solutions will strive to maintain the latest hardware and software capabilities so as to ensure we are continuously at the forefront in our market arena. The one certainty in our industry is that technology will continue to evolve and develop, changing what we market, as well as how we market it. Our aim is to be aware of the implications of this new technology, and utilize it in our existing framework where possible. Complete presentation facilities for preparation and delivery of multimedia presentations on Macintosh or Windows machines, in formats that include on-disk presentation or video presentation are also possibilities.

3.3 Macro-environment

Our macro-environment is exciting. We are in the middle of an unprecedented boom in connectivity and communications, as the Internet offers information technology like we never dreamed of. We are concerned with real value, real changes in the way we deal with information.

Meanwhile, all other signs are positive. The current drive by the government towards a more diversified economy presents an opportunity for our business to propel and excel in our intended markets, benefiting from the support of the concerned institutions and trade bodies. In addition to Botswana becoming an increasing economic hub, we foresee the demand for high quality business communication solutions to be on the rise. Through the undertaking of our business activities, we foresee no difficulty, in gaining market acceptance, provided we deliver the final service timeously, of good quality, and  at competitive rates.

3.4 Future Products and Services

We must remain on top of any new technology, because this is our bread and butter. For networking, we need to provide better knowledge of cross platform technologies. Also, we will be under pressure to improve our understanding of direct-connect Internet and related communications.

In putting the company together, we have attempted to offer enough services to allow us to always be in demand by our clients. However, technological developments have provided us with a new era of opportunities for the various organizations in which we can only guess at the needs. For example, current rapid innovations/development of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) technology presents an opportunity to be realized, particularly focusing on WAP-enabled cell phones that allow individuals to access or send email messages on a cell phone. However, the most important factor in developing future services will be market need. Our understanding of the needs of our target market segments will be one of our competitive advantages.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

The current drive and emphasis by the government on diversification of the industrial base away from the minerals sector presents an opportunity for I Tech Solutions to make a valuable contribution towards achieving this goal. This will result in the implementation of modern Information Technology (IT) services and techniques, transfer of knowledge, and availability of quality brands.

4.1 Market Segmentation

We will be focusing on proactive, market seeking organizations that want to ensure an efficient and effective IT system that will assist in the realization of their business objectives.

Our target companies are large enough to require the high-quality IT management we offer, but too small to have a separate computer management staff. However, our most important group of potential customers will be business executives in large, medium, and small corporations. These are marketing managers, general managers, sales managers, and other decision makers who often need to access company data and information in their various business decisions. They will not waste their time or money looking for bargain information, questionable expertise, or cheap computers and accessories. Our potential clients will include: (discussion omitted).

Another intention will be to offer an attractive development alternative to the company that is management constrained and unable to address opportunities in new markets and new market segments, due to technological shortfalls.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Our marketing strategy will be based mainly on making the right service(s) available to the right target customer. We will ensure that our products and services’ prices take customers’ budgets into consideration, and that these people appreciate the product/service and know that it exists, including where to find it. One of our intentions will be to target those innovative or proactive companies contemplating transferring a part of their marketing activities on the Internet, in order to benefit from the advantages offered by this unique system of communication. We realize the need to focus our marketing message and our service offerings.

4.2.1 Market Needs

Since our target market is the product and service seeker, the most important market needs are support, service, training, and installation, in that order. One of the key points of our strategy will be the focus on target segments that know and understand these needs and are willing to pay to have them filled. We realize that all personal computer users need support and service. Many of our target customers are going to be those who cannot get good products or services from the major vendors who focus on high volume orders only.

4.2.2 Market Trends

The most obvious trend in the market is the increasing number of IT firms on the market. This has been true for years, but the trend seems to be accelerating. We see the major brand-name manufacturers being established on the market mainly through agents. Secondly, the computer has become a basic necessity in the office environment and business set-up. The vast improvements in computer power and storage, means that owners are mandated to up-grade or buy new and improved systems, with the former often being much cheaper. A third trend is ever-greater connectivity. Everybody wants to be on the Internet, and every office is looking at having a LAN. However, the major stumbling block for the majority of theses companies is the high cost of installing such networks.

4.3 Service Business Analysis

The following sections provided discussions on who participates in the computer industry, what the competition provides, and what the customer has been purchasing.

4.3.1 Business Participants

We are part of the computer reselling business, which includes several kinds of businesses:

• Computer Dealers : Storefront computer resellers usually offer a minimum of software, and very little, if any service and support. They are concerned with moving as much stock as possible. Their prices are usually higher than the larger stores.
• Chain and Computer Stores : They often occupy a large area of space, decent walk-in service, and are often warehouse-like locations where people go to find products in boxes. They often however charge exorbitant prices for their brand products and maintenance service, if they provide any at all.
• Computer Consultants : These include consultancy companies that mainly specialize in the installation of new systems. Their consultant fees are often very high, especially for small- to medium-sized companies.

4.3.2 Competition and Buying Patterns

The vast majority of proactive, market-oriented businesses understand the value of having an efficient computer system, as well as the concept of service and support. They are much more likely to pay for them when the offering and benefits are clearly stated.

There is no doubt that we will compete more against the box pushers than other service providers. We need to effectively compete against the idea that once a computer is out-dated businesses should buy new ones, when with ongoing service and support, they can be upgraded.

The most important element of general competition, by far, is what it takes to keep clients for repeat business. It is worth making huge concessions in any single service to maintain a client relationship that brings the client back for future services.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

I Tech Solutions intends to win and maintain customers by providing products and services that add value, safety, and are supported by a well-trained professional team with commercial expertise. This is important to the successful implementation of our overall strategy and the need to ensure that all divisions and functions in the organization are working harmoniously towards attainment of the goals and objectives.

Our marketing strategy emphasizes focus. The target customers will include key decision-makers in business, who often order or recommend on behalf of the whole organization, the aim being to obtain an initial order and fully satisfy the customer from then on.

• We intend to initially build image and awareness through consistency and distinctiveness in our product and service provision.
• We intend to focus on delivering quality products and services that produce good referrals, which can then generate revenue. We intend to have a heavy personal selling component, supported by regular advertising we will always be active in our personal relationships with clients and strategic allies, keeping abreast of their needs and wants.
• We are focusing advertising on several key media.

We intend to achieve growth by creating a more enthusiastic customer culture than that of our competitors. The strategy is to grow the business by nurturing customers, differentiating the product/service offering through service and staff behavior.

Through the implementation of a fair, effective, and competitive remuneration policy we intend to optimize our human resource output and advancement. We need the right people in the right place at the right time if we are to ensure optimum growth. We intend to develop our team so that our people can grow as the company grows–a mutually beneficial relationship.

5.1 SWOT Analysis

The SWOT Analysis is a necessity to any start-up, it is an in-depth look at your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. We are in a highly lucrative market in a growing economy. We foresee our strengths as the ability to respond to the market and to provide custom designed technological services. Our key personnel will have a wide and thorough knowledge of the technological services we intend to provide, which will go a long way towards penetrating the market. Below is a summary of the SWOT Analysis.

5.1.1 Weaknesses

• The introduction of new organizational practices and personnel who have not previously worked together presents a challenge to the organization.
• A limited financial base compared to the current major players in the IT industry.

5.1.2 Opportunities

• The Internet. The increasing opportunities of the Internet offer us another area of strength in comparison to the box-on-the-shelf major stores. Our potential customers want more help with the Internet, and we intend to be in a better position to give it to them.
• Service. As our target market needs more service, our competitors are less likely than ever to provide it. Their business model doesn’t include service, just selling the computers.
• Emerging Technologies. The rate of new product introduction in IT presents an opportunity to be explored.

5.1.3 Threats

• Innovation shortens life cycles and hence the need to act timeously on the market. This will recoup new service introductions in a shorter time frame.
• Concerns of decision-makers over ease of access and overall security of electronic transactions may need to be addressed. The recent glitch of the Barclays electronic system, which enabled some clients to access other account holders’ accounts while upgrading the system, proves the very realistic security concerns regarding the use of the Internet.
• The slow adoption rate of new technologies and products in these parts of the world does not bode well for our intended products and services.

5.1.4 Strengths

• Knowledge. Our competitors are retailers, pushing boxes. We know systems, networks, connectivity, programming, and data management.
• Relationship selling. We intend to get to know our customers, one by one. Our direct sales efforts will seek to maintain a relationship with our customers.
• Diversified market segments. The diversity of the products and services we intend to provide will ensure the lack of dependency on one particular market.
• Combination of skills in implementation. The management team intends to jointly develop business strategy and long-term plans with its strategic allies, having wide experience in their respective market and product know-how, and strong technical skills and business know-how.

5.2 Competitive Edge

5.3 marketing strategy.

One core element of our marketing strategy will be that of differentiation from our competitors. In terms of promotion, we intend to sell our company as a strategic ally, not just our products. We intend to offer extremely reasonable prices in comparison to competition, and we need to be able to sustain that. Market penetration through lower prices shall be undertaken where need be, while premium pricing in the case of the upper-end of the market.

We have developed two strategy foci, each based on one main fundamental strategy. The first strategy is about ( discussion omitted ).

Our second strategic focus, that of ( discussion omitted ).

5.3.1 Distribution Strategy

Service provision and consulting will be sold and purchased mainly on a word-of-mouth basis, with relationships and previous experience being, by far, the most important factor. In this regard we intend to provide a service that exceeds customer expectations so as to ensure they refer us to potential clients through word-of-mouth. New business shall be developed through industry associations, business associations, and, in some cases, social associations, such as country clubs.

5.3.2 Marketing Programs

Advertising

In view of the fact that we are new on the market, we intend to undertake extensive advertising of our name and products and services we offer. This is to instill awareness and knowledge of our existence in the marketplace, which shall convert into market share. We intend to advertise in business and IT magazines that are read by our target market and will ensure we are adequately exposed on the market. A constant lookout will be made of any special editions in these various publications, which may provide an opportunity for us to advertise our services and ourselves. Advertising will also be conducted through television, radio, newspapers/magazines, and the Internet. Sponsoring a technology discussion/call-in talk show is a possibility.

Personal Selling

Word of mouth is critical in this segment. We will have to make sure that once we gain a customer, we never lose him/her. To help accomplish this, we must work to establish and maintain relationships. Personal selling will be a powerful form of promotion due to the fact that its flexibility will enable us to match the customer’s needs to specific attributes of our services, as well as giving concise details of what we are able to offer.

Public Relations

Recognizing that we are relatively new on the market, there will be a need to organize an event introducing ourselves onto the market. To this we will invite potential customers, senior officials, possibly including a government minister and other stakeholders, so as to penetrate the market. In collaboration with this we, also intend to place news stories and features in magazines and newspapers to keep stakeholders updated on the latest developments and to increase awareness.

The number of IT companies on the market dictates that the organization needs to promote itself through participation in trade shows and expositions. Not only will these increase awareness of our products and services, but if a particular product or service were to gain recognition, for example through being chosen No. 1 in innovativeness, the organization will be able to take advantage of this in all its promotional campaigns, adding leverage to its reputation and corporate image. An example of a trade show we intend to participate at is BITEC. These expositions will also be a good opportunity for us to network with various organizations and individuals.

Internet Marketing

The company will sell its services over the Internet as it is cost effective to reach a large number of potential clients, regionally and internationally. We also realize that customer/client research is needed before building an effective website, something which is rarely done by existing companies, in order to find out how customers will want to access information and journey through the site.

5.3.3 Positioning Statement

I Tech Solutions will position itself as a reliable solutions provider and trusted strategic ally who makes sure systems work, people are comfortable and conversant with the system, and down time is minimal. Unlike the other vendors/retail stores, we intend to know the customer and go to his or her site when needed, offering proactive support, service, training, and installation. In addition, I Tech Solutions is an ally to our clients’ businesses, and offers them a full range of services, from installation to support.

5.3.4 Pricing Strategy

We must charge appropriately for the high-end, high-quality service and support we offer. Our revenue structure has to match our cost structure, so the salaries we pay to assure good service and support must be balanced by the revenue we charge. Therefore, we must make sure that we deliver and charge for service and support. Training, service, installation, and networking support–all of this must be readily available and priced to sell and deliver revenue. We will charge ( discussion omitted ). This will ensure we penetrate the market upon entry.

5.3.5 Promotion Strategy

Our promotion strategy will be based primarily on informing potential customers of our existence and making the right information available to our target customer. I Tech Solutions intends to utilize an aggressive promotional campaign to introduce its products and services to the market. The intention will be to take advantage of several media sources in announcing the products and services and in the process enforcing awareness of our existence.

5.4 Sales Strategy

I Tech Solutions will receive its revenue streams from a combination of licensing agreements, sales commissions, monthly subscriptions, registration fees, network access charges, service fees, transaction charges, training, promotional incentive programs, and sales of hardware and software. The derived value of I Tech Solutions will come from the key partnerships established and developed in order to deliver a product and service provision of transactionally-based activities, providing opportunity to build brand and loyalty, around which relationship marketing will play a key role.

The sales forecast monthly summary is included in the appendix. The annual sales projections are provided in a table below. It should be noted that as we become established and known on the market we project sales to increase at a faster rate than the initial year.

Note : All currency values in the charts and tables are expressed in the Botswana Pula (P).

5.5 Strategic Alliances

I Tech Solutions intends to go into strategic alliances with several organizations. This will also reassure our customers that they are investing in “winning” products, technology, and service that are maintainable, flexible, and scalable enough to meet future demands.

At this writing, strategic alliances with several companies are possibilities, including X, given the content of existing interest and discussions. By going into strategic partnerships with suitable organizations, we will benefit from being able to concentrate on our core activities in the delivery of our products and services to the end-user, while ensuring that we do not have to compromise on quality of execution or the number of products and services we are able to deliver.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

The human resources element shall be an essential component in the delivery of the total service. By having enthusiastic, capable, and empowered people interacting with our clients, we intend to build the competitive advantage of being able to comprehensively meet our clients’ needs. We also intend to give our teams enough leverage in decision-making to ensure that clients are handled promptly and to reduce lead-time in actual delivery of the service. It will be necessary to evaluate jobs and remuneration packages against market benchmarks to employees for their tasks to ensure they are competitive.

6.1 Organizational Structure

Our management philosophy is based on responsibility and mutual respect. We recognize the need to be constantly changing so as to adapt to the prevailing environment. We will have a flexible structure allowing for the above to be undertaken swiftly and smoothly. Please find below the job titles and descriptions we intend to have in place for the key personnel. ( table omitted )

6.2 Management Team

In a highly volatile industry with increasing competition, we recognize the need to be constantly changing to adapt to the prevailing environment. The management team extensive expertise and a broad knowledge of the products/services and markets, which, if well planned, will enable the business to realize its goals and objectives.

( profiles omitted )

The management style will reflect the participation of the shareholders. The company will respect its community and treat all employees well. We will develop and nurture the company as a community. We will not be hierarchical, especially considering the rate of change in our industry, which makes it mandatory for us to be highly flexible. Management’s ongoing initiatives to drive sales, market share and productivity will provide additional impetus.

6.3 Personnel Plan

The detailed monthly personnel plan for the first three years is included in the appendix. The annual personnel estimates are included here. We believe this plan is a fair compromise between fairness and expedience, and meets the commitments of our mission statement. We want the company to stay lean and flexible so that we can respond to our markets’ needs quickly. As we expand and increase in size we do expect to increase our personnel.

We will compensate our personnel well, so as to retain their invaluable expertise and ensure job satisfaction and enrichment through delegation of authority. Our compensation will include health care, generous profit sharing, and a minimum of 3 weeks vacation.

6.4 Training

In-house training shall be continuous with regular external training being undertaken, particularly following any new developments in the market. This is to ensure that we are continuously able to anticipate our markets needs–a proactive approach, which is so essential if we are to gain and maintain a competitive advantage. External training will also be conducted to ensure we are aware of the latest products and technology. This will also ensure that our personnel are able to set high standards, or benchmark, using these organizations standards.

6.5 Feedback and Control

(a) We will encourage our employees to put forward any suggestions they might have regarding the improvement of any of the company’s functions–an open door philosophy. Such a culture will enhance innovativeness and creativity in turn leading to job satisfaction and enrichment.

(b) We undertake to continuously formalize and measure cross-functional working communication so as to ensure that the various departments work harmoniously towards attainment of corporate objectives

(c) Important notices and developments will be continuously communicated to employees so as to keep them abreast of developments and promoting a sense of belonging and oneness in the organization.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

We want to finance growth mainly through cash flow and equity. We recognize that this means we will have to grow more slowly than we might like. The most important factor in our case is collection days. We can’t push our clients hard on collection days, because they are in larger companies and will normally have marketing authority, not financial authority. Therefore we need to develop a permanent system of receivables financing, using one of the established accounting systems. In turn we intend to ensure that our investors are compatible with our growth plan, management style, and vision. Compatibility in this regard means:

• A fundamental respect for giving our customers value, and for maintaining a healthy and congenial workplace
• Respect for realistic forecasts, conservative cash flow, and financial management
• Cash flow as first priority, growth second, profits third
• Willingness to follow the project objectives and contribute valuable input to strategy and implementation decisions.

Of these, only the last 2 are flexible.

7.1 Break-even Analysis

The following table and chart summarizes our Break-even Analysis. We don’t really expect to reach break-even until several months into the business operation, as illustrated in the financials.

7.2 Important Assumptions

The financial plan depends on important assumptions. From the beginning, we recognize that collection days are critical, but not a factor we can influence easily. Interest rates, tax rates, and personnel burden are based on conservative assumptions.

Some of the more important underlying assumptions are:

• We assume a strong economy, without major recession.
• We assume that there are no unforeseen changes in economic policy to make our products and service immediately obsolete.

Others include 30-day average collection days, sales entirely on invoice basis, including a favorable deposit policy, expenses mainly on a net 30-day basis, 30 days on average for payment of invoices, and present-day interest rates.

7.3 Key Financial Indicators

We foresee major growth in sales and operating expenses, and a bump in our collection days as we spread the business during expansion.

Collection days are very important. We do not want to let our average collection days get above 30 under any circumstances. This could cause a serious problem with cash flow, because our working capital situation is chronically tight. However, we recognize that we cannot control this factor easily, because of the relationship with our clients.

7.4 Projected Profit and Loss

Initial marketing and training expenses will be relatively high as we seek to become known on the market and staff get trained in provision of our services. This will be brought about by the development of sales literature, advertising expenses, and function expenses. As our market share increases and capital is generated, further marketing programs and the expansion of those in existence at the time will be undertaken, to ensure market development. However, with time, these programs will start generating revenue for the business, which we shall reinvest.

Our projected Profit and Loss is shown in the appendix, with sales increasing steadily from the first year through the second, and into the third year. We do expect to more than break-even in the first year of operation. Our cost of sales should be much lower, and gross margin higher, than in this projection.

7.5 Projected Cash Flow

The chart and table below present the cash flow projections for I Tech Solutions.

7.6 Projected Balance Sheet

The balance sheet shows healthy growth of net worth, and strong financial position. The three-year estimates are included in the appendix.

7.7 Business Ratios

The following table shows important ratios from the computer related services industry, as determined by the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) Index #7379, Computer Related Services.

Contingency Plan

• Another possibility is the introduction of a company or several companies in our niche. The need to undertake aggressive marketing, networking, and delivering a value-added service in our organization is a fundamental one.

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How to Start a Computer Training Center Business

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Education Industry

Do you want to start a computer training center? If YES, here’s a complete guide to starting a computer training center with NO money and no experience .

A computer training center is a place where individuals come to learn how to access the various benefits of a computer. The lessons offered can range from the very basic to the utterly advanced. We can say that a computer training center is a very lucrative business opportunity.

Starting and operating this business is not a daunting task once you know what to prepare. The requirements for starting a computer training center are not much, but you have to keep in mind that this business thrives on quality control.

After each training session, you should be able to ask students to fill out a survey grading the quality of the course. Always encourage students to give feedback on the structure of the course, the quality of the learning materials and the instructor’s command of the subject.

This is not a business you jump into half baked; it needs a teacher that is able to bridge the gap between technology and its practical applications. By paying attention to the feedback from your students, you can make the necessary changes to your course offering and the structure of your classes to increase the quality of your service.

We all can agree that computers are crucial in our everyday activities. The advent of technology has made things easy as we can now organize our home finances or run our business but only if we know how to use the software. This is why opening and operating a computer training center can be very lucrative.

Steps to Starting a Computer Training Center

1. understand the industry.

You need to understand that majority of the revenue in this industry comes from tuition or program fees. Gross profits tend to range from 60-90% depending on geographical location and subject matter, and net profit averages out to between 2 and 10%.

Also as businesses within the industry have grown, they have realized some benefits to scale – lower fixed costs and greater operational efficiency; but with that growth has often come a difficulty finding qualified instructors.

Industry reports have it that the growing adoption of bring your own device (BYOD) is one of the key factors that will have a positive impact on the growth of this industry in the coming years. Experts believe that increased adoption of BYOD policy by industry businesses across the globe will slowly lead to the acceptance of corporate-owned personally enabled (COPE) policy.

We believe that this will  help businesses avoid the need to manage a wide range of devices while delivering information and will enable computer training centres to cater to a wide customer base by offering advanced mobile-compliant features such as learning management systems (LMS) that induce social learning.

Industry reports have also stated that the growing acceptance of wearable technology will be one of the major trends that will gain traction in this market in the coming years.

But then the application of wearable technology are in its initial stages, businesses in the industry will soon start adopting wearable technology to enhance the quality and outcome of their training programs which will compel e-learning service providers to start offering solutions based on wearable technology to cater to their end-user requirements.

Experts believe that online training resources, programs and even mobile apps have traditionally been a challenge to the industry; but in recent years, successful industry service providers have found ways to make use of this technology to their great advantage.

Not only are these tools helping students learn in new and exciting ways, but they are helping providers manage students, administrative functions and source material distributions more efficiently.

2. Conduct Market Research and Feasibility Studies

• Demographics and Psychographics

Computers and all it has to offer are among the most wonderful tools available, but that’s if you know how to use them effectively. If you don’t, you quickly learn the true meaning of frustration.

Computer training is a hot field and the worldwide market for technical computer training is nearing the $28 billion mark, with an annual average of $8,200 spent for information systems staff training and $3,000 per person spent on general staff training.

This is why you can specialize in the software program or programs you know best; in a field you’re familiar with like law or medicine; or, if you’ve got a broad base of software smarts, you can be a computer G.P., training clients in a wide variety of programs and packages.

Also if you have the relevant knowledge, you can also work one-on-one with individual clients or train a roomful of employees at a time for corporations.

One of the key benefits of this business is that you will be working with lots of different people, helping people overcome computer-phobia and because you have to keep up with the ever-changing technology and software updates, you’ve got the best excuse in the world for buying new computer goodies on regular basis.

Note that you ideal clients can be private individuals or corporate types who want to make their employees computer-literate.

But then to get the business from private parties, know that you will have to create relationships with computer retailers and ask them to refer customers to you. Individual students, job seekers and also employees of businesses who want development can be your potential consumers

3. Decide What Niche to Concentrate On

This business is indeed an ideal business for a computer-savvy entrepreneur. Starting and running a computer training centre with some other value added services can be a profitable and self-rewarding business, but the only criteria needed is that you have to be knowledgeable enough about computers and internet.

You need to know that the demand is growing for computer literate professionals. Before you start getting documents or analyzing strategies, you have to create a detailed business plan.

In your business plan you have to reason out your business ownership pattern, calculate total startup capital needed including establishment, resources and marketing expenses. What are the training and value added services you are going to offer?

Design curriculum professionally for your computer training centre, fix the pricing, plan about your staffing, create a marketing plan with advertising and marketing policy, identify your business demographic and target niche. The niches you might consider in this business will depend on how you intend to train individuals or people.

• You can train clients in their homes, through local classes, or virtually via the Internet.
• You can target personal computer users, home-based business owners and even larger companies.
• You can work one-on-one with clients, or teach computer classes to groups.
• Your business can provide a broad range of training services or focus on specific software.
• You can sell training materials to bolster your services and increase your income.
• You get to use all of the latest computer equipment and software every day in your business.

Level of Competition in the Industry

Reports have it that due to the presence of several international and regional corporate training companies, the market appears to be highly fragmented. We believe that the market is complex and dynamic and is not dominated by any major vendor.

In addition to existing vendors, the market’s growth potential will also attract several new players which would intensify the level of competition in the already competitive market. This is why to stay ahead of the competition, industry businesses who offer traditional computer training solutions have started providing online blended and virtual training sessions.

They also have the need to offer customized solutions that address the unique business training needs of their target customers. This industry is segmented into two, Technical and Non-technical. Reports have it that the technical segment accounted for the major market shares and dominated the industry during 2015.

The increase in number of organizations across the globe that strongly emphasize on the development of technical skills related to productivity and operations will drive the market’s growth prospects in the coming years.

Reports also had it that North America will be the major revenue contributor to the market throughout the next four years. The presence of several MNCs and large organizations in countries such as the US that increasingly invest in adopting online training methods, will ginger up the demand for computer training in this region.

4. Know the Major Competitors in the Industry

• City & Guilds Kineo
• GP Strategies
• Computer Generated Solutions
• Desire2Learn
• Global Training Solutions
• Interaction Associates
• New Horizons Computer training centres
• Tata Interactive Systems
• Wilson Learning Worldwide

Economic Analysis

The need to own and use a computer has experienced good growth over the last five years and is expected to continue its growth momentum to reach approximately US $282 billion in 2019 with a CAGR of 3.3% over the next five years.

Experts believe that increasing technological innovations such as the introduction of new ultraportable thin laptops and all-in-one PCs that save space and enable users to manage their workloads and information more efficiently are expected to drive the industry over the same period.

Reports have it that the key factors that will drive the need to own and use computers are growing Internet usage, rising incomes, growing computer education, and increasing urbanization with the evolution of consumers’ lifestyles.

The use of applications such as e-mail, social networking sites, and Internet access are increasingly happening through media tablets and smartphones, which form key industry challenges.

The business model for a computer training centre business is very straightforward: you typically charge clients a fixed hourly fee. Note that this fee should accurately represent both your education and experience in the field and should also account for the average price of your competition in the area.

Also to an extent, the size of a computer training centre business is limited by its nature. It’s very much possible for a successful tutor to eventually run this business with multiple tutors as employees, but that needs large amounts of additional time, funds, and licenses, and a lot of computer training centre owners enjoy their business specifically because it has a low overhead and they maintain schedule flexibility and business autonomy.

Also note that the success of your computer training centre is in a large proportion dependent on your hourly rate and the number of students you have at any given time.

5. Decide Whether to Buy a Franchise or Start from Scratch

Starting a computer training centre from the scratch can be very risky. But then there are several advantages of buying into an existing computer training franchise. A franchise computer training company will be able to give you important advice on what kind of location to look for, how to market to clients and what kind of teachers to hire.

A franchise company can also help you get the certifications you need to offer specified trainings. Also have it in mind that the years of marketing exposure and experience a franchise computer training company brings to the table can also help your company to be more recognizable to potential clients.

A franchise computer training company will help you keep your costs under control while offering you a proven name in the training industry. Other benefits or reasons to consider buying a computer training centre franchise are…

• Working with a proven business model
• Building for the Future with Fulfilling Work
• Brand recognition and marketing support
• Support for yourself while you support others

6. Know the Possible Threats and Challenges You Will Face

Computer training centres are always in demand. They are needed to bring people up to speed with the various functions of the computer. But as you plan to venture into this business, you need adequate planning to be able to survive.

Indeed you can typically start out on a budget and gradually expand your business over time. Here are the few challenges of starting a computer training centre;

• Renting space
• Writing a business plan
• Choosing a suitable marketing strategy
• Choosing a niche for yourself
• Developing your curriculum
• Registering your computer training centre as a company

7. Choose the Most Suitable Legal Entity 

You should take this part of starting a computer training centre very seriously, because the legal entity you choose will go a long way to determine how big you want the business to grow. Indeed choosing a legal entity for your business can be a tiring and challenging.

But since you will be working with individual students and probably huge computer training centres, we strongly suggest that you incorporate your business as a legal body because it may be difficult for you to get their attention if they know you are running the business as a private individual, not a corporate firm. Advantages incorporating your business includes…

• Growing Your Business’ Credibility
• Perpetual Existence
• Gain anonymity
• Protecting your personal assets
• Have Easier Access to Capital

8. Choose a Catchy Business Name from the ideas Below

• Future legends
• Precision Academy
• Computer Prep
• Tertiary Education
• Simple minds
• Lecture Point
• Friday computer Group
• Detroit Learning
• Premium centre
• The Study Shack
• Learning Company
• Academic Doctor
• Education And More
• Success Approach
• Red Apple Teaching
• Lively computer training centre
• Brilliant Minds
• Click Studies
• Club Z! Centre

9. Discuss With an Agent to Know the Best Insurance Policies for You

By right before you buy insurance, you must first have a solid business plan that states your risks as a business owner and how you plan to cover those risks. You need to understand that not all of your risks as a business owner can be covered simply by purchasing a basic insurance policy.

The risks for a computer training centre business can be very huge because of the exposures involved with your business activities. But then there are a number of risk management controls you can put in place:

• Standard Agreements for Vendors
• Recall Plan
• Vendor Certification Process
• Quality Control Program
• Obtaining Customer signatures on each phase of the project
• Privacy Statement
• Information Security Policy (you can find some great templates for Information Security policies on SANS website)
• Customer Contract Revision Provisions
• Standard Customer Contracts

Insurance you will need may include;

• General Liability Insurance
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Workers compensation insurance
• Commercial Auto Liability Insurance

10. Protect your Intellectual Property With Trademark, Copyrights, Patents

Filing for intellectual property protection for your computer training centre is not just about protecting your company’s logo and other documents, but also protecting your investments, patents and of course the name of your company.

If you want to file for intellectual property protection and also register your trademark in the United States , then you are expected to begin the process by filing an application with the USPTO. The final approval of your trademark is subjected to the review of attorneys as required by USPTO.

11. Get the Necessary Professional Certification

Having a computer certification gives concrete proof to your skill level with a product, platform or methodology. In this age, the more you know the more valuable you are. If you are employed, you can increase your job security by achieving professional certification.

If you are unemployed, there’s no better time to invest in yourself by updating your technical computer skills. Proving your knowledge by means of a current certification can help set you apart from the competition.

• A+ Certification
• MCITP: Server Administrator (MCSA)
• MCITP: Enterprise Administrator (MCSE)
• IT Administrator Program
• IT Engineer Program
• SAP Certification – Financial Accounting
• SAP Certification – Management Accounting
• SAP Certification – HR Management etc.

12. Get the Necessary Legal Documents You Need to Operate

It’s very necessary that you register your business with the IRS. Note that all businesses are advised to apply for an EIN (employee identification number) on the IRS website. The process is free, and you can submit the application online.

Your EIN is needed for filing for a business license. We believe that the exact process and requirements for applying for a business license differ from state to state, which is why we suggest you contact your local business authority for details on how to register your computer training business with your state.

Note that some states may need you to have special certifications or permits; however, other states such as South Carolina, do not. These are some of the basic legal documents that you are expected to have in place if you want to legally run your own computer training centre business in the United States of America;

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Business License and Certification
• Business Plan
• Employment Agreement (offer letters)
• Insurance Policy
• Online Terms of Use
• Online Privacy Policy Document

13. Raise the Needed Startup Capital

It’s you duty to get funding for your computer training centre, which is why we suggest that you pursue funding from investors or by getting a loan from a commercial lender. Have it in mind when working with a lender that the money must be paid back at some point. If you bring on investors, your future profits must be shared.

Note that both investors and lenders need a copy of your business plan before they will think about giving you the money you need. Ways to finance your computer training centre may include…

• Applying for loan from your bank/banks
• Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from donor organizations and angel investors
• Debt Financing
• Personal savings
• Raising money from investors and business partners

14. Choose a Suitable Location for your Business

You need to understand that the size, layout, location and appearance of your business should boost your centre’s operations while respecting zoning and environmental regulations.

Indeed business locations and facilities come in a large variety of shapes, locations and prices, which is why you need to know what your needs are and how much you can afford to pay. But then if you’ve worked on a business plan, you should then know the amount you can spend on rent or a mortgage, utilities and taxes.

A cash-flow analysis should be able to help you know whether you can afford to purchase a commercial property or if renting is your only viable option. Things to consider when choosing a suitable location for your computer training centre include;

• If it’s the right location
• Does it require modification?
• Tax and infrastructure
• Allowing for future growth
• Separate your needs from your wants

15. Hire Employees for your Technical and Manpower Needs

You need to understand that employing appropriately qualified individuals can be a significant challenge for your business, but you should know that quality staff is key to your centre’s success.

For you to help learners succeed and take responsibility for their learning, computer training centre staff must be able to encourage students, to provide a safe environment in which students are treated with respect, and to offer reasonable and ethical support that is mindful of students’ privacy.

The ideal staff for this business must be intrinsically motivated to help others. Indeed it can be difficult to find individuals with the necessary people and technical skills to staff computer training centres. Preference should be given to selecting staff who display above-average people skills; technical skills such as handling software and hardware may often be taught more easily.

Note that you would need at least 10 personal computer units to start a computer training centre. The number of computers actually differs according to the space you have available, as well as your budget.

Apart from computers, you need to have the necessary software to train students with. The computers should also be up to date, with the latest processors and operating systems. To stay clear of legal troubles and to protect your reputation as a businessman, ensure to use genuine and licensed software only. It would do you no good to use pirated programs even if they may be cheaper and easier to procure.

Teaching is a talent, not a skill that is learned in school. Teachers can only be called such if they get their points across to their audience, and if the students learn enough to acquire a new skill. In a computer training centre, the knowledge level of your students range from the ignorant to those with some background but wish to learn more.

Because of this, you need good teachers that have the skill to deal with different kinds of students. Anyone can become a teacher in a computer training centre, just as long as they have the necessary knowledge in what they will be teaching.

We also advice that you gain proficiency in various computer programs that are useful in the business world. Some such programs such as word processing, presentation, database and spreadsheet programs, are ubiquitous across most industries, so learning to use them in every aspect may prove beneficial to you.

We agree that such programs’ ubiquity means that a lot of professionals can use them to some degree, but most professionals do not have a deep understanding of them. But you can make yourself useful by providing training on their more advanced aspects.

The Service Delivery process of the Business

In every lucrative business, the vision drives the details, and the details shape the vision. Therefore, a good outcome depends on a good design. It requires knowledge of how people learn, and it deserves a lot of time and care. Identifying the process of learning in your computer training centre might be a very challenging task but it’s one that will become the life of your centre.

Set your sights

Understand the solution in terms of optimizing learning, the users’ expectations, the client’s business requirements, and your own constraints. This includes the following:

• Time and money constraints on design, development, testing, and dissemination
• Life expectancy of the document and maintenance requirements
• Distribution channel(s)
• Level of multimedia
• Level of interactivity
• Business goals and learning objectives
• The minimal computer configuration for target users
• Available authoring tools and multimedia editing tools

Organise the users’ experience

We suggest that you eschew the old-fashioned model of the user as an empty vessel to be filled with knowledge. Determine the following:

• Appropriate mood to support the purpose and appeal to the users (mood can be reflected in tone, graphics, colours, and fonts)
• Prerequisite knowledge you can expect from your users
• Big-picture learning goals of the project
• Specific and observable learning objectives the users must reach
• Measurements your client will use to consider whether the training is successful
• Size of the average learning module
• Whether users should go through the modules in a predetermined sequence or access individual modules as needed
• How users will navigate from one module to the next

Design and test

Don’t make the mistake of assuming to know your users’ preferences. A lot of computer learning is complex, cognitive and psychological. It’s different for everyone. A sampling of users will help to guide your decisions. The purpose of a good design is to prevent frustrating and wasteful rewrites.

• Create a storyboard for one module, proposing a “look-and-feel” for the CBT.
• Get feedback from target users and buy-in from all stakeholders.
• Make a paper or computer-generated prototype of each section, representing the navigation elements.
• Test the prototype with target users and get feedback from them as well as buy-in from stakeholders.
• Make a prototype of each section.
• Once again, get feedback from users and buy-in from stakeholders.

16. Write a Marketing Plan Packed With ideas & Strategies

Have it in mind that the presence of a computer training centre in a particular location does not mean that it will be used. That is because computer training centres, institutions, and programs must be marketed and the benefits of the centre proactively sold.

You need to understand that marketing strategies could emphasize the need for, and advantages of life-long learning or the potential impact the centre could have on members of the public once they become aware of new ideas and developments beyond their location.

We suggest you publish advertisement on newspapers and conduct free workshops on your offered services detailing the benefits of the courses. Also try to give some value addition with your courses like job assistance or career assistance. Don’t forget to establish an effective online presence for your computer training centre.

Go for some social media campaign. Regularly update your blog focusing on how computer advancement affects the workplace and how training in new applications can help students advance at work. Other things that might help you achieve marketing success include…

• Determine conditions for success
• Ascertain the amount people are willing to pay
• Establish partnerships
• Find managers
• Differentiate service

17. Develop Iron-clad Competitive Strategies to Help You Win

A computer training centre can be advertised via more traditional means such as a professional website, advertisements in local newspapers and on television, etc. But know that your ideal clients or students will likely favour online browsing and interaction, and you are likely to make just as much of an impact by creating a social media presence and allowing word of mouth to help you advertise.

We believe the word of mouth is especially important especially if your trying to reach private clients or students. You can also…

• Conduct Free Value-Driven Webinars
• Create branded pdf reports
• Refer Service to Get Services In Return
• Give 100% Commission on a Front End service

18. Brainstorm Possible Ways to Retain Clients & Customers

Note that attracting initial customers is primarily a matter of the aforementioned marketing techniques. You need to understand that your business is providing potential solutions to to the growing need of this age. So for you to retain customers, you must demonstrate that you can offer the value they are hoping for.

• Let students know what your doing for them
• Focus on becoming a dependency
• Listen to them
• Keep your eyes open for external environment changes
• Know your weakness
• Set and meet students expectations
• Nail the first impression
• Always be adding value
• Improve competitive advantage
• Build ‘sticky’ customer loyalty

19. Develop Strategies to Boost Brand Awareness and Create a Corporate Identity

The key to becoming lucrative in this business is in your students, and the only way to gain more students is more advertising. In addition to the previously-mentioned advertising via print, television, social media, and networking with local schools and community centres, you might consider offering free workshops or seminars at local schools and colleges.

It will go a long way in helping you advertise your services and demonstrate your value to potential customers. We also suggest that you think of guest-publishing on educational blogs or blogs related to your field, it will indeed help you become more of an established name when someone is looking for more specialized instruction. Other things to bear in mind may include;

• Motivate your students
• Employ two-stage implementation process
• Develop entrepreneurial skills
• Use open educational resources

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Computer Training Service Business

BUSINESS PLAN       ENHANCED OCCUPATIONS CENTER

1211 Bailey Drive Seattle, Washington 98121

Computer training services have an excellent profitability level and growth rate. Our competitive edge along with new training techniques puts EOC at the forefront of training services. We are living in an age where computer knowledge is a must and the market for computer training services is booming.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Company history, market analysis summary, business strategy & implementation, management summary, financial plan.

Enhanced Occupations Center is a computer training service business located at 1505 N. Fifth Street, Seattle, Washington. This business plan was developed for the purpose of a business loan in the amount of $71,500. Our projected sales for 2000 alone are $122,448 and our projected profits are over $30,000.

Computer training services, as shown in our plan, have an excellent profitability level and growth rate. Our competitive edge along with new training techniques puts EOC at the forefront of training services. We are living in an age where computer knowledge is a must and the market for computer training services is booming. Our training center will differ from the traditional computer training services (usually offered by colleges and universities) because of our added personal touch.

The Enhanced Occupations Center (EOC) knows firsthand that computer training has to meet all of its customers' needs in order to have a tangible lasting impact. When you measure across multiple customer segments—each of which has its own priorities—you see how much more training must do to consistently and simultaneously satisfy participants, managers, and executives. Training then can move to close those gaps and deliver more real value. Closing those gaps between employer skill needs and employee skills development is the main objective of EOC.

EOC's other objectives are:

• To meet the computer training needs of computer users and area businesses by the way of Skill Assessment and Goal-Based Training.
• Retain new and current students through Step-Level Based computer training.
• Re-assess students upon completion of computer training to record skill level improvements.
• Monitor outcomes of student completions after a 30-day period to track new employment or computer-related improvements.
• Adjust the computer training program as needed and according to outcomes.
• Continue to assess our own staff's computer training skill level and effectiveness.
• Sales of $122,448 in 2000 and $200,192 by 2002.

EOC's mission is to understand what our students and businesses hope to achieve and dedicate our computer training and development to the fulfillment of those goals. The computer training we provide is contributing visibly and substantially to the fulfillment of our area business's strategies.

EOC will maintain financial balance, charge a high value for our services, and deliver an even higher value to our clients. EOC will make computer user techniques accessible to hundreds of computer users who would otherwise not have the updated knowledge to use them. EOC will make a profit and generate cash. We will provide a rewarding work environment and fair compensation to our employees, ultimately provide excellent value to our customers and a fair return to our owners.

Keys to Success

EOC's keys to success include: implementing an effective cash flow plan, achieving efficiency, running our training like a business, and maintaining a serious business discipline to everything in our training.

EOC's cash flow plan is to:

• Maintain enough money on hand each month to pay the cash obligations the following month.
• Identify and eliminate deficiencies or surpluses in cash.
• Alter business financial plans to provide more cash if deficiencies are found.
• Invest any revealed excess cash in an accessible, interest bearing, low-risk account, such as a savings account or short-term CD or T-bill.
• Eliminate credit and terms to customers.
• Clearly understand the computer training market, distributions costs and competition, and continually adjusting accordingly.
• Keep enough cash, as an added cushion for security, on hand to cover expenses.
• Reduce accountant expenses by producing our own summary statistics and projections.

To achieve effectiveness EOC will:

• Link our training and development to business strategy by understanding what our customers hope to achieve and dedicating training and development to the fulfillment of those goals.
• Focus on business issues rather than training content by working tirelessly to offer training that matches new and emerging demands.
• Let our customer demand shape our training and development offerings by providing a core curriculum designed to train individuals in basic skills and core competencies. We will also conduct ongoing needs assessments across the organization aimed at making training more strategic and providing training that has more business impact.
• Clarify our training and development business mission by avoiding trying to be all things to all people. EOC will offer more than training to develop employee skills. The training EOC will provide will also contribute—visible and substantially—to fulfillment of our customers' business strategies.
• See training and development as an enterprise, not as a function by:
• 1. Maintaining intense focus on our customers, their issues, and their needs.
• 2. Being systematic in our efforts to meet those needs efficiently, consistently, and reliably.
• 3. Daring to pursue missions that are linked to the business strategy and focused on business issues; willingly tackling big challenges, even those that are difficult and risky; being ambitious, alert, confident, and pragmatic.

To achieve cost efficiency EOC will:

• Expose hidden costs for businesses by allowing them to see their "true" training costs such as lost productivity, wasted training investments, or lost opportunity. Teaching these businesses how to measure training costs, and what they are getting back from their training.
• Aggressively reduce costs by eliminating duplication.• Build and maintain reliable systems and processes by putting reliable training and development systems and processes in place.
• Operate as a variable cost, not a fixed expense, by understanding that customers spend only at their own initiative. Making training a variable cost makes especially good sense now that the pace of change in business—and the resulting demands for learning—are accelerating so dramatically. We found that there's no better stimulus to innovate, improve, and become more efficient than having to earn the right to serve customers, each and every day.
• Be flexible and opportunistic in sourcing by strategically linking and focusing on business issues, allowing customers to consistently define the value derived from the training. Clarify precisely what our customers expect from the training; negotiate a results contract; guarantee customer satisfaction.

To maintain a serious business discipline EOC will:

• Continually adapt to ongoing change in the business environment.
• Promote learning not as an ideal but as a way to fulfill specific business-driven objectives.
• Be entrepreneurial—live with risk.
• Structure training to provide exactly what is needed.
• Divide customers into segments and provide each segment appropriate forms of value.
• Document customers' expectations.
• Write results contracts specifying value to be delivered, at what price, customers' role in achieving targeted results.
• Offer service guarantees.

The Enhanced Occupations Center (EOC) is a product of a similar computer training program developed and implemented by Serena Bolton, for the University of Washington Office of Community and Business Partnerships. The program was developed for the University of Washington to provide basic computer training to the North Seattle Community area residents and Peters school's Leadership Academy.

The training was provided for four parents per session, two sessions per week for 15-20 sessions. Upon completion of the program the students will received a certificate. The sessions were made up of four core areas of Microsoft Office® training and those core areas were:

• Word Processing
• Access Database
• Publisher 98

Serena learned from the project and the community that there is a growing need for computer training that is based on the student or employer's goals and skills assessment needs. After the four-month project ended, and for a year after the program, Serena analyzed, researched, and redeveloped the program based on those needs.

The Enhanced Occupations Center differs from the University of Washington project to the following:

• Training is based on skill assessment and goals
• Outcome of the training is monitored
• Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) Testing is offered
• Students are retained through Step-Level program
• Training is re-evaluated continuously
• Other occupational programs will be implemented in conjunction with the computer training, such as the Secretarial Program

During her year of research and studies, Serena developed her knowledge base of curriculum development and delivery, return on investment for Technology-Based Training (TBT), training management systems, development teams for creating TBTs, ensuring transfer of learning to the job, leveraging technology for human performance improvement and computer training statistics.

Now Serena was ready to bring all of the above components together, along with the communities' needs, and package them into a plan for the birth of her vision. Basing the program on the same centralized idea, Microsoft Office® Training, Serena created the Enhanced Occupations Center.

The computer training project developed for the Leadership Academy and AECC21, by Serena Bolton, has been maintained by the University of Washington Office of Community and Business Partnerships, and is taking place at the Maple Business Center in Seattle. After speaking with Martin Rawlins, Director of the Office, there is still a growing need for basic and advanced computer training. Martin has offered technical assistance and support to EOC and the assistance has been welcomed and accepted.

EOC has also been approved by the Microsoft Office User Specialist Program to operate as an Authorized Test Center. This approval gives EOC full authorization to use the Microsoft Office® logo on our printed and televised materials. Microsoft will also provide the security of having MicroShare, a technical support team, available to EOC 24-hours a day.

Company Ownership

EOC is a sole proprietorship and operated by Serena Bolton, a Certified Microsoft Office User Specialist. Serena has eleven years of hands-on computer use and training experience, and is also a Microsoft Certified Testing Administrator.

Start-up Summary

Total start-up expense (including professional fees, website, and related expenses) come to $79,454. Required start-up assets include $22,880 in short-term assets (office furniture, etc.) and $15,000 in initial cash to handle the first three months of training operations as sales play through the cash flow. The details are included in the following chart.

Company Location and Facilities

The Enhanced Occupations Center will be located at 1505 N. Fifth Street, Seattle, Washington. The suite is approximately 850 square feet and encompasses two offices, a receptionist area, and a 700-foot open training area. The suite is housed inside a secure building. There are restroom facilities and a drinking fountain located in the foyer area. The doors on the building automatically lock at 4:55 P.M. Anyone entering after that time must use a personal code.

The building is located between Marshall and Stanton roads and is near one of the state's largest employers, General Hospital. Other businesses located in the building are: Private Management, Temporary Placement Services, Pager Company, and a Credit Counselor business. The building is surrounded by restaurants, stores, etc.

EOC will offer the following training and assessment services. Each element of service will be implemented in overlapping phases.

Microsoft Office®-based computer training including the following:

• Word Processing Software
• PowerPoint Presentation Software
• Access Database/Customer Records Software
• Excel Spreadsheet/Invoicing Software
• Publisher Desktop Publishing/Graphics Software
• Outlook E-Mail/Calendar/Scheduling Software
• FrontPage Web Page Development (coming soon)
• Internet Online Technology

The Occupational Skills Assessments are for the following areas:

Office Skills Testing

• Receptionist
• Secretarial
• Customer Service

Call Center Testing

• Telemarketing
• Data Analysis

Office Management Testing

Computer literacy testing.

Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) Certification Testing

Payment Methods

Class tuition payments must be paid to EOC in full, before the student can take a class. EOC will offer several payment options to the student such as: Visa, MasterCard, money orders, and personal checks.

Service Description

We will provide core curriculum designed to train individuals from basic computer skills to certification competencies. Students will be retained through Step-Level Based Training indicated below:

• Basic/Level 1 —consists of students who have had little or no computer training.
• Advanced/Level 2 —consists of students who have had at-home or on-the-job experience with the majority of software packages.
• Intermediate/Level 3 —consists of certification training of students in preparation for the Microsoft Office User Specialist Certification Test.
• Microsoft Office User Specialist Program—EOC is part of the MicroShare family of Authorized Test Centers (ATCs) that administer and offer assessment tests for the Microsoft Office® User Specialist (MOUS) program. About 90 percent of the Fortune 500 companies use Microsoft Office products. An ever-increasing number of individuals in these companies are looking for ways to give themselves a competitive edge to move up the career ladder.
• As an ATC, we have the opportunity to give our customers this competitive edge by helping them prove their expertise and skill in using Microsoft Office products. When passing or failing the test the student will receive a printout stating the results of the exam to take with them. If the student has passed the test, they will receive a Certification certificate in the mail 2-4 weeks later.

Microsoft Office User Specialist Certification Test

The test consists of actually taking the exam to be come a Microsoft Office User Specialist. This certification will give the student the credentials needed to prove that the student knows how to use Microsoft Office Applications efficiently and productively.

EOC believes that assessing a customer before and after a class will give us the real value of our training. EOC also will follow up 30 days after the training to see if the student actually retained what was learned and if the student was able to apply the skills in their current environment.

EOC also believes in assessing our own staff. We will conduct ongoing Skill Level Needs Assessments of our own employees across the Center, aimed at making computer training more strategic and providing computer training that has more of a business impact. We will continually seek to be effective for future student and business needs. Our key focus is to utilize our program outcomes to improve and increase our computer training effectiveness in the workplace.

EOC Company Assessment Program

EOC will provide an assessment service to local businesses as their pre-interviewing process. There will be a fee attached to this service. The assessment appointment will be by the company and they will give instructions as to our location, etc. EOC will only do business transactions with the company.

Training Schedule

The typical computer training class will run 2 hours, twice a week, for four weeks or a total of 16 hours of training. Our capacity for weekly classes, for one month, would be a total of 72 students.

Our workshops are one day, eight-hour classes. These classes are geared towards the individual wanting to brush up or learn a skill quickly without the long-term commitment.

The computer training classes will be scheduled as listed below. The specific subject of the class won't be established until we receive customer response to advertising and promotions.

Tentative Class Schedule

Competitive Comparison

EOC differs from the traditional learning environments where the classes are large and sometimes overwhelming to new students. EOC believes that by having smaller classes (no more than 8 students) the trainer can be more attentive to the majority of the students' needs. We focus on quality training, not quantity. Our fees are justified by the specialization of our personalized services.

Sales Literature

Once we learn the immediate needs of our typical customer, we can create our marketing literature to address these problems and our solutions to them, such as:

Are you being turned down for jobs because you don't know Windows, Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint? If so, call the Enhanced Occupations Center at 643-1000 for personalized hands-on training in the most popular software packages.

EOC will capitalize on the 80-20 rule and target low-maintenance customers that bring us the most revenues for the least effort. According to W.E.B. Business Consultants, 80 percent of computer training revenues come from 20 percent of our customers. We will use a program for tracking customers, sales, and our time. And then we will focus our efforts on the best 20 percent of our customers. We will target these people first and give them preferred status. EOC will then market our services to everyone else. We will "weed out" the customers that want to nickel and dime EOC, and make us rework a project over and over while they keep changing their minds about what they want.

EOC's sales literature includes:

• Business Cards
• Newsletters
• Introductory Letters
• Promotional tote bags, etc.
• CompuFax Sheet
• Web Presence

Enhanced Occupations Center will maintain the latest Windows® capabilities including:

• Complete e-mail facilities on the Internet, for working with students directly through e-mail delivery of schedules and information.
• Complete presentation facilities for preparation and delivery of multimedia presentations on Windows machines, in formats that include on-disk presentation, live presentation, or video presentation.
• Complete desktop publishing facilities for delivery of regular advertising and promotional materials.

Future Services

We will be adding these products and services in the near future:

Secretarial Training Classes —The student will learn about daily routines, telephone usage, mail services and shipping, travel arrangements, keeping accurate records, office machines, telecommunications equipment, computer systems, database management systems, computer communications, computerized spreadsheets software, data security, keyboarding skills, word processing, computer terms, writing business letters, and other written communications, forms of address, legal documents and terms, correct English usage, spelling, pronunciation, punctuation, numerals, bookkeeping and accounting, business and personal taxes, banking, special business and financial information for the small business secretary, and career advancement. Retail Self-paced Learning manuals —The student will be able to order or purchase outright, computer workbooks to use as added supplements. Senior Citizens Classes —Seniors will be picked up at their location and brought to the center for two hours to learn the basics of using a computer. These students will not be able to keep materials. This service will be at a senior discounted rate. Web Page Design Classes —The student will learn the basics of how to design a web page. This class will be a 2-8 hour class and will have a fee of $135 tuition and $20 for the book. Computer Question/Help desk —This service will only be available to current students who have computer questions related or not related to the subject they are currently studying.

The U.S. Census Bureau County Population report from 1998 states that the 14 most common purposes of the computer being used at home are word processing, calendar/scheduling, e-mail, bookkeeping, customer records, inventory control, invoicing, sales/marketing, desktop publishing, graphics and design, analysis, programming, spreadsheets and databases. The number one main purpose for computer use is word processing. The number one software used for these applications is Microsoft Word.

EOC will be focusing on new computer users and employed computer users that need to gain skills or update current skills. Our most important group of potential customers are those employed with high-technology businesses. These are entry-level employees or managers. We realize businesses do not want to waste their time or risk their money with training organizations that are fast paced with low skills retention outcomes.

Market Segmentation

The U.S. Census Bureau County Population report from 1998 states that there are approximately 436,084 people living in King County. As of the fall of 1989, nearly 1 in 3 persons age 3 and above will have used a computer. Overall about 1 in 6 adults has a home computer. More than 1 in 3 adults uses a computer at work. Women use computers 43 percent more than men. Persons in managerial and professional positions (56 percent) and technical and administrative positions (55 percent) were most likely to use computers.

Target Market Strategy

EOC will focus on the following segments. These segments are more interesting than other groups because they have the specific computer training needs EOC intends to meet.

• Microsoft Training for Fortune 500 company employees.
• Training real estate agents on realty software and basic Windows and Microsoft Office software.
• Training real estate agents on basic desktop publishing skills—scanning color photos, creating flyers for property, etc.
• Training physicians in specific specialties to use their patient management software.
• Training people on how to get the most from the Internet.
• raining business people on how to keep up with their websites, from e-mail management to web page creation.
• Training office personnel on how to use Microsoft Office or other office packages.
• Training the first-time computer owner on how to use their home PC.
• Setting up newsletter templates and teaching businesses how to keep up with the in- house or company newsletter.
• Training sales managers on how to use database software to track their sales and marketing functions.
• Training individuals who are looking for better employment on how to use the latest software packages.

These strategies are most effective when put into a formula in the following order:

• Identifying the symptoms
• Diagnosis of the problem
• Follow-up/Outcome Management

Additional Target Marketing Strategies

Our slogan "Training with a personal touch" emphasizes one of our major benefits and we will use this slogan throughout our literature, advertising, and graphics.

The following functions will be assigned to our marketing tools:

• Get name recognition
• Obtain leads
• Turn qualified prospect into a customer
• Ensure customer loyalty
• Stimulate training Center traffic
• Sell service directly
• Introduce new service
• Sell a special service package

The following are low cost/no cost marketing methods:

• Form relationships with noncompeting businesses.
• Get to know other computer professionals.
• Combine services in virtual corporations to provide turnkey solutions to clients.
• Do cooperative mailings with other noncompeting professionals.
• Volunteer to speak in clubs, associations, workshops, or seminars on our specialty.
• Periodically ask customers for referrals.
• Join a barter exchange.
• Produce a periodic newsletter.
• Write articles for local newspapers or upload them to Internet bulletin boards.
• Join Internet newsgroups and mail lists.
• Submit press releases.

The following are for fee marketing methods:

• Join associations
• Conduct seminars
• Conduct contests
• Offer freebees

EOC has two marketing formulas in place and they are:

• Get a list of companies together that we think may need our services (such as new businesses from the County Clerk's office or the Seattle Journal ).
• Call these people and find out the contact person and if they need our services.
• Mail a letter, brochure, and card to the interested companies.
• Follow-up with another call to the contact person.
• Continue to call these people periodically.
• Keep good records of companies and contact logs.
• Ask them if they would like a FREE subscription to our computer newsletter that we will fax them periodically.
• Fax the newsletter to those who are interested, and include mail enrollment information as well. Mail information to those people who don't want newsletters but are still interested in our services.
• Follow-up in a week to see what they thought and if we can help them with anything.
• Continue to send our fax newsletter regularly.
• Keep good records of contacts and logs.

Other Strategies:

• Join America's Learning Exchange resource database that will promote our training to employers, workers, and life-long learners via the Internet.
• Create alliances with grassroots organizations and staffing organizations.
• Assist in job placement upon completion of Certification testing.
• Create website for schedule information, applications, and book purchasing.
• Register with government programs for SBA certification and other government procurement opportunities.
• Network amongst family and friends for "word of mouth" opportunities to gather referrals.
• Contact students from previous classes.

Market Needs

Our target market is very dependent on reliable information technology. They use the computers for a complete range of functions, beginning with core administration information such as accounting, shipping, and inventory. They also use computers for communications within the business and outside the business, and for personal productivity. The businesses are not, however, large enough to have dedicated computer training personnel such as the MIS departments in large businesses. Ideally, they come to us for a long-term alliance, looking for reliable training service and support to substitute for the lack of their in-house trainer. These are not businesses that want to shop for rock-bottom prices. They want to have reliable providers of training expertise.

Market Trends

One important trend is that we live in an age where one-stop shopping is the preferred purchasing method. All you need to do is head down to your local Wal-Mart Supercenter for a 31-inch television, diapers, and a gallon of milk, while you simultaneously let them rotate your tires and have your hair done.

Now the technical professional has a similar resource. With the growing popularity of the Microsoft Office User Specialist Certification and use of Microsoft Office products, EOC is offering students the "one-stop-shop computer training and certification" approach. A student will no longer have to go from one seminar to another, or from one instructor's methods to another. At EOC students can begin at the basic level of instruction and follow through all the way to certification, without going through the added stress of familiarizing themselves all over again.

Market Growth and Industry

According to the America's Career Infonet Report, the top three fastest growing occupations in Washington are:

• Computer Engineers—102 percent increase forecast between 1994 and 2005.
• Systems analysts, electronic data processing—98 percent increase between 1994 and 2005.
• Electronic pagination system operators—80 percent increase between 1994 and 2005.

Listed below are the occupations with the largest number of projected openings in Washington during the 1994-2005 time period.

• General Office Clerks
• Clerical and administrative support workers
• Receptionists and information clerks
• Systems analysts, electronic data processing

All of the above occupations will require computer knowledge or computer training from their candidates.

By the year 2002, almost every household will have a computer and almost all businesses will be utilizing a computer for one reason or another. Computer training will no longer be a choice—it will be a requirement. EOC will be in place and established, already serving the training needs of employment candidates and businesses.

Among industries, computer use was most common in finance, insurance, and real estate, where 2 in 3 workers used them. According to Training Magazine 's 1999 Industry Report in 1999, training budgets crept up to $62.5 billion. Of that sum, $15 billion will go to outside providers of training products and services. Of all formal training 33 percent will be devoted to teaching computer skills. Of all computer-skills training, 74 percent of the training will be delivered in a classroom by a live instructor.

Competition and Buying Patterns

EOC's main competitors could be considered local colleges, universities, and continuing education providers, but in reality they are not.

In a sense, these "competitors" actually welcome computer training companies who cater to the smaller class sizes and novice computer users. It gives them the opportunity to cut back on waiting lists and also expedite their schedules, increasing the quantity and decreasing the quality. Computer Training companies rank second in selected training sources organizations choose to utilize.

EOC has heard time and time again, from students who have withdrawn from educational institutions because the classes are "too large and move too quickly through the materials." These students want and need computer training classes that are small and Skill Level Based oriented. The students also want improved teaching methods outside the traditional lecture learning style. They seek retention of skills learned. They want hands-on learning and they want to be able to go home or to work and begin using their new skills right away. Here are some other reasons that people will want to come to EOC for training:

• They have specific projects they want to create and their training will be learning- specific.
• They only need to learn a few things about a program and do not need a full course.
• Their schedule varies and they need a flexible training schedule.
• They are in a hurry. They do not have time to fit in a class at the local university or college. They want to be trained now!
• They are nervous in large groups or formal education facilities and want a more relaxed learning environment such as our Center.
• They feel like they are slow learners and would be more comfortable in a Center environment.

According to the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), "leading edge companies are responding to the need of skilled employees by providing more training (usually outsourced) because it makes sense from both a business standpoint and from a recruitment standpoint," said Laurie Bassi, ASTD Vice President of Research.

The huge need for skilled employees is being driven by technology and companies are scrambling to meet the technological requirements of their business.

The 1999 State of Industry report found that most firms increased the amount of money they spent on employees by about $150 per employee from 1996 to 1997, but that the leading edge firms surveyed doubled that with an average increase of $300 per employee. Typical total expenditures for training grew from $1.4 million in 1996 to $2 million in 1997 for average firms, and leading edge firms increased spending from $3.4 million to $4.1 million in the same period. Projected expenditures for 1998 show that the gap between the average firm and leading edge firms will continue to widen, with industry average increasing to $2.1 million while leading edge firms are projected to spend $4.7 million on training.

ASTD has found that companies that invest the most in workplace learning find higher net sales per employee, higher gross profits per employee, and a higher ratio in market-to-book values, compared with companies who invest less in workplace learning.

The information technology and transportation/public utility sectors spent the most on training ($3.9 million and $3.8 million respectively) and these sectors also led in terms of money spent per employee on training ($1,004 per employee and $943 per employee respectively).

Outsourcing of training grew by 20 percent, from $461,000 per firm in 1996 to $513,000 in 1997, and was predicted to grow to $522,000 in 1998.

In 1998 job-specific technical skills (including the use of technology) were the most frequent kinds of training delivered (17%), followed by management and supervisor training (12%), computer literacy and applications training (12%). Bringing up the rear was executive development (4%) and basic skills (2%), all which were up from 1996.

The use of learning technologies in training was on the rise—with an increase of 50 percent— but was still relatively low overall.

After carefully researching the computer training market, it has been discovered that some students are more concerned with how you train than with what you are training, even though the two concepts are equally important. EOC focuses on customer care.

The nearest Microsoft Office User Specialist testing center is in Redmond. EOC will be the first in MOUS Training Center to make its presence in Seattle. This groundbreaking opportunity gives EOC time to establish and maintain ongoing relationships with area businesses and students to gain their loyalty should another center open in Seattle. The key element in purchase decisions made at the EOC client level is trust in the professional reputation and reliability of the training center.

We develop marketing materials based on the symptoms of our customers and then we coordinate those materials to focus on solving the typical customer's symptoms. We will then obtain lists of people that fit our typical customer's characteristics.

Our business strategy is to develop a list of people that would most likely exhibit the "symptoms" we have determined our typical customer would have. Once we have our list we will consistently approach them about our services.

One way of approaching our prospects would be the Letter-Series Method. The Letter-Series Method consists of sending our prospects a series of four different professionally written letters (1 per week) before we ever call them. The letters would be personal, meaning the letter would state "Dear Mr. Smith" instead of "Dear Prospective Customer." By sending customers four letters we will establish EOC in their minds as a professional, persistent business entity.

The letters will be written in advance. They will cover a different topic each time. They will contain computer hints or a copy of our newsletter. We won't try to push or sell in these letters. By the fourth letter, they will know that we intend to call them. We will make sure we do call them when we say we will.

Here is the possible structure for our four letters:

Introduce ourselves and our philosophy. Build trust. Don't try to sell in this letter. Go over our attitudes, specialty, history, qualifications, and philosophy. It will be like a resume to introduce EOC.

Introduce our company.

Letter three

Cover a topic we feel may interest the prospect based on our knowledge of their "symptoms" and characteristics.

Letter four

Cover another topic we feel may interest them and let them know we will be calling on a specific day/time.

We will then create reminder and follow-up letters as well. These letters will include:

• Appointment reminder
• Thank you for the appointment
• Broken appointment/no show—will call back later
• Thank you for your business
• Thank you for your referral

EOC will make it a point to sign and hand-address our envelopes. We believe this will significantly increase the probability of our letters being opened. And an individually signed letter is much more personal.

On the fifth week, we will call to make an appointment to come in and talk with the prospect. We will have a written telephone script before we start calling.

A Harvard Business School study indicates that it "takes five contacts from an unknown company to an individual before he or she will feel comfortable enough to do business with the company." We will start with 350 or more prospects. We won't mail them all at once. We will stagger the mailing so that we will be able to contact them personally after they have received their fourth letter. This will be our initial implementation of the business, along with our current waiting list of students.

That list includes:

Once our students respond to our advertisements or referrals, they will enter into our pre- registration process. Once they have submitted their registration form/agreement letter and payment, they will be invited to the orientation and skill assessment. After they have been assessed they will be placed in a basic beginner's, advanced, or intermediate class— whichever meets their training needs.

After students complete their level they will be assessed and an outcome report will be written. Each student will be evaluated after each level they pass. The student will then again be placed. Once the student has completed all of the levels, or does not want to go any further, they will have a closing assessment. Each student will receive technical support for 30 days after which they will be contacted and a follow-up report will be done on the skills they have learned and the skills they use.

Competitive Edge

We will start with a critical competitive edge: there is no local competitor we know of that offers the MOUS Certification testing, small retention based classes, or individual student attention. Most of the local training facilities are not flexible to students' needs. Our positioning on this point is very hard to match, but only if we maintain this focus in our strategy, marketing, business development, and fulfillment. We should be aware that the tendency to dilute this personal touch, with larger classes that require longer student commitment, could weaken the importance of our competitive edge.

Marketing Strategy

Marketing in a high-end computer training business depends on recognition for expertise. It starts with our known contacts in positions to recommend us, and continues with long-term efforts to develop recognition in professional forums.

We will develop and maintain a database of people in the right positions. It starts with contacts we bring in as we start the business. From there we add enquiries and participants in forums and seminars, and newsletter subscribers. We use the database to make regular contact with mailings for additional forums and seminars.

Pricing Strategy

Seattle Community College's Continuing Education offers similar courses to EOC. Seattle prices its computer classes at $119 for 5-8 hours of training and $20 for the book. We will follow suit but market our classes at $125 for the class and $20 for the book. We can ask for more because our classes are smaller and we are able to give more individualized attention to our students. We also are able to give discounts on some of our manuals because we manufacture them ourselves.

The going rate for private training is between $25-$60 per hour depending on what is being taught. For businesses the rate is between $40-45 per hour for on-site training of 1-2 students, with a minimum of a two-hour visit. If people are going to have a large group trained at their location, we would charge a per person rate instead of an hourly one. For an 8-hour course, we would charge $300 for the first two students, and $110 for each additional student. Our fees will be set to cover a reference book, training, and 60 days of follow-up phone support.

For the periodic Computer Upgrading workshops, a two-hour class, the fee will be $49 per person, and includes a copy of "How to buy the right computer."

For the periodic Basic Four workshops, a one-day or eight-hour class, the fee will be $179 per person, and includes a workbook, copies of "How to buy the right computer" and "The Beginner's Inspirational Guide to Computer Tips and Shortcuts," and a light lunch.

Promotion Strategy

The biggest mistake that computer-based business owners make is using a shotgun versus a laser beam approach to their business. Most of us in the computer industry have a tendency to be good at many different computer tasks. We might be good at desktop publishing, recommending software, customizing software, and doing basic PC repair. We might think that because we are good at all of these things we should do them all. We will have a broader customer base. We can service more people and thus should make more money.

This seems like the logical conclusion, but in reality it does not work. We spread ourselves to thin. At EOC we believe the more specific you get about what you do and who you do it for, the easier our service is to sell. We are working with a laser beam approach when we focus in this way. A laser beam is concentrated and works in a powerful way. We believe in focusing on one aspect of the computer industry for a specific type of client. In doing this we become three things: 1) a specialist, 2) known as an expert in our field, 3) all our marketing efforts fall into place, 4) we minimize, if not eliminate, much of our competition.

Because we do not want to grow too fast, our main form of promotional strategy in the beginning will be word of mouth and referrals.

Distribution Strategy

EOC's delivery method will have a large bearing on how we develop our program, so we have given this process up-front consideration. We have chosen to use the learning center method to deliver our training.

The training distribution will begin with first completing a needs assessment on the customer. Once the customer has been assessed they will be placed in a class that meets their assessment needs. Once the customer completes the class, they will again be assessed and go through an outcome procedure. The customer then has the choice of going up to the next level. If a customer chooses to dropout, they can return and be tested and placed again.

The following distribution tools will be used to aid in our classroom delivery:

• Printed material
• Instructor-led classroom presentation
• Professional Speakers
• Tours/Field Trips

Our goal, in the near future, is to implement a Distributed Learning Framework (DLF). A webenabled DLF can be accessed by users in a consistent and convenient manner from any location on the Internet. The DLF would manage other application data such as:

• Registration
• Learners Profiles
• Progress and Performance data
• Discussion Forums

The benefits of this approach would be:

• Accessibility
• Flexibility
• Extensibility
• Reusability
• Interoperability

In the future, learning frameworks will evolve to embrace new technologies such as electronic commerce and knowledge management best practices to solve business issues such as skill gaps, corporate virtual campuses, career development, and help desks. Distributed learning frameworks also will link to enterprise resource planning, human resources, and financial systems.

Training Strategy

EOC will use the accelerated-learning theory called the multiple intelligences theory. This theory was developed by the Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner and his team of researchers at the Graduate School of Education. What Gardner and his team put forth is the fact that there is no single way in which everyone thinks and learns. Instead, there are many forms of intelligence, many ways by which people learn, understand, think, problem-solve, and relate to the world. Gardner proposed a system of eight distinct intelligences. EOC will incorporate activities into our computer training program that exercises all eight of these intelligences.

In brief, here are Gardner's eight multiple intelligences:

• Verbal-linguistic—(speaking, reading, writing). This intelligence shows up in writers, storytellers, lawyers, politicians, and television talk-show hosts. EOC training incorporation will include: group discussions.
• Logical-mathematical—(scientific reasoning). Obvious possessors are scientists, statisticians, and computer programmers. EOC training incorporation will include: calculations and other math operations.
• Visual-spatial—(visualizing through lines, shape, volume, etc.). Think of architects, graphic designers, painters, decorators, film directors, chess players, engineers, and sculptors are examples of this type of brilliance. EOC training incorporation will include: charts, graphs, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Bodily-kinesthetic—(control and interpretation of muscular or physical sensations). Geniuses here may be actors, athletes, dancers, physical therapists, mechanics, carpenters, jewelers, and craftspeople. EOC training incorporation will include: Hands-on learning and stretching breaks.
• Musical-rhythmic—(recognize and use rhythmic and tonal patterns). Musicians, disc jockeys, and studio engineers and those who learn best when music is playing. EOC training incorporation will include: Using soft music in the background.
• Interpersonal—(ability to work cooperatively with others). This form of intelligence is highly developed in teachers, therapists, managers, salespeople, public relations, and religious leaders. EOC training incorporation will include: paired sharing, interactive games and exercises, group and peer teaching.
• Intrapersonal—(self-smart). This intelligence shows up in theologians, entrepreneurs, philosophers, and therapists. EOC training incorporation will include: self-esteem activities, self-paced learning, and individualized instruction.
• Naturalistic—(nature-smart). This intelligence likes animals and organic systems better than people. EOC training incorporation will include: Field trips and time outdoors.

Instruction Method

All training programs have four major ingredients: information, performance outcomes, instructional methods, and instructional media. EOC will carefully account for and include each of these ingredients in our instructional methods.

All courses will include information to be trained. Course information can be classified as one of five types: facts, concepts, processes, procedures, and principles. The information will be decided by both looking at the knowledge and skill requirements of the job and the knowledge and skill level of the intended audience. Subtracting the knowledge and skills of the intended audience from those of the job, EOC will be able to derive final course content.

EOC's performance outcome will be a clearly defined statement of what the learners will be doing when they have achieved the purpose of the course or lesson. The performance outcomes will be mirrored with what must be done on the job. They are then written in the form of learning objectives. For each of our lessons we have at least one major learning objective and many will include supporting objectives as well.

Instructional methods are two types: informational displays and practice exercises with feedback. EOC will mainly use the practice exercise with feedback method.

Our instructional methods will be delivered through a mix of media that include: instructor, computer, workbook, overhead transparencies, flipchart, and perhaps a video.

EOC is obliged to offer training that works in today's society. While the modern employees are the best-educated in history, they are still required to absorb tremendous amounts of information and apply vast amounts of knowledge. EOC will use every theory, tool, and technique that will help employees learn while unleashing every available type of intelligence, gift, and aspect of humanity at their disposal.

Marketing Programs

The letters, brochures, business cards, flyers, and other literature will act as our representative. Here are some of our marketing programs and strategies:

Using sales letter strategies such as:

• Knowing our target audience—Know our objective or specific purpose of our letter.
• Being objective—Thinking like the reader.
• Using catchy salutation—Like "Here's some timely information for Ms. Wilson."
• Get to the point—Try and keep the letter short. One or two paragraphs.
• Vary the length of our paragraphs—A couple of 3-4 line paragraphs followed by a oneliner ads impact.
• Tell the reader what we want them to do next—Such as "I will call you on Thursday morning to iron out the details."
• Provide the facts—Give enough facts to our customer for them to make a decision.
• Address the reader's primary concern—"What is in it for me?"
• Add a P.S.—This is the second most read part of the letter. The first is the first paragraph or headline.
• Keep it short—No longer than one page.
• Talk to them friendly one-on-one—Use the word "you."
• Avoid jargon—Be clear and concise.
• Hand sign all of our letters.

Designing good ad copy to reach our customers:

• Choose the proper publication
• Have a goal for our advertisement
• Involve the audience
• Inform the buyer
• Headline and illustrations grab attention
• Give them something
• Always be specific
• Make our offer a good one
• Be creative in our media choices such as unusual avenues like fax newsletters, mall kiosks, fax-on-demand, publicity stunts, online marketing, anything unusual to reach our target market
• Small, classified ads
• Track our results
• Keep all our customers/prospects in a database and stay in touch with them regularly
• Gradually increase the size of our ad and track the results
• Advertise regularly and consistently
• Evaluate our efforts

Customer loyalty is much more important to EOC than customer satisfaction. We will serve our customers so well they will brag about EOC to others. This will keep them loyal and also provides a continual flow of customers.

Self-Evaluation Program

We will maintain our customers' happiness by utilizing our Self-Evaluation Program in which we will continually ask ourselves these following questions:

• Is EOC's service the best it can be?
• Is the appearance of our trainers, business surroundings, and product packaging professional?
• Can we clearly describe our business in 25 words or less? Can our customers describe our business in 25 words or less?
• Do our customers know about all of our products and services?
• Do we have a well-developed marketing plan that we follow on a consistent basis?
• What if our marketing plans work? Will we be able to handle the increased volume of sales without harming our customers or the quality of our work product?
• Do we treat others with honesty and respect at all times?

EOC will continue to listen to ours customers and stay in regular contact with our customers by offering:

• Workshops and seminars.
• Private sales or classes.
• Giving them informative newsletters, articles, or tip sheets that can help them in their businesses, such as a computer tips and tricks newsletter.

EOC also will have a program in place for dropping customers who meet the following criteria:

• They complain about our prices and are always trying to get us to cut our rates.
• They complain about our competitors.
• Clients who miss appointments.
• Clients who can't make up their mind.
• Clients who hover over us while we work.
• Clients who owe us money or keep saying they'll pay us "when their funding comes in."

Sales Strategy

EOC's sales strategy is to get people to talk about themselves—their wants, desires, needs, and fears. Then use the information to help make a sale. Our sales goal is to remember why people buy.

The majority of people buy on emotion and justify their decision with facts and reason. They may buy for power, prestige, security, happiness, or freedom. EOC's service will appeal to these basic emotional needs first. After the prospect decides to buy our service for an emotional reason, they will be given facts by EOC to back up their decision.

EOC will establish trust and rapport with all of our prospective customers. We also will be prepared or anticipate objections. With those objections, we will make a list, learn from them and then come up with the answers to them. EOC will review the list of objections and possible solutions frequently.

EOC will have quantitative, reasonable sales goals by asking ourselves the following questions:

• What is our net profits per sale?
• What was our business activity over the last 12 months?
• How did last year's activity compare to the year before? Did you show an increase or decrease in sales? By what percent?
• What is the lifetime value of a customer? How much will our average customer buy over the months or years that they stay with us?
• How much of this is profit? What is the net profit/customer over the life of the customer?

We will also research our past and decide what is working and what is not. Based on our past performance we will decide on a goal that is attainable. We will then work backwards from our goal to decide what we will have to do to reach it.

EOC sales concentration will also be focused on reversing the risk from our customers to our Center by offering guaranteed learning. If at the end of a course students don't feel like they have learned what was covered in class, we will work with them at no additional charge until they are comfortable with the material.

EOC believes that being in the right place at the right time is 50 percent of obtaining a successful sale. Product knowledge is 25 percent and the last 25 percent is our human relations skills. Being very knowledgeable and extremely helpful are the ingredients to a successful sale.

Listed are some valuable secrets we have learned:

• Be out there—Be in as many places as possible. Look as big as we possibly can.
• Be free with our knowledge—Give prospects a "taste" of what we know without expectations of reimbursement.
• Look for long-term alliances in every situation—Don't be satisfied with just one sale. Learn from experiences and successes of others. Continually look for ways we can ride the coattails of others' successes.
• Be helpful and friendly—Being free with our knowledge, without an invoice, gets people "hooked" on our organization.
• People do business with people, not with companies.
• Ask customers why they choose EOC—Learn what we did right and repeat it.

Sometimes having too many customers can be bad for business. Raising rates through a letter can serve three purposes:

• It helps to get rid of deadwood customers. They don't call anymore because they can't afford the rates.
• The trainer can work less and earn more.
• It is a great opportunity to reiterate all of our services.

Finally, it is our goal to deliver more than what we promise and never build up hopes.

Sales Forecast

The peaks and valleys for this business in the U.S. are from about September 6 through November 22. For some reason people think "school" in the fall, and they take more classes. Two of our worst times are from November 22 through January 7 and the month of March. Obviously, the holidays are getting in the way from November 22 through January 7. People are too busy with taxes in March, but it will pick up in April and May as people file their tax returns.

It's during our "valley" periods that we will concentrate on a saturation of workshops and seminars, where no long-term commitment is required of the customer. We will also do holiday specials. For everyone who has inquired about our classes during the year, we will do a mailing around November 5 and offer them a really good deal on training during our "valley" period.

Strategic Alliances

Living and volunteering in the Seattle community for the past 34 years has given computer trainer Serena Bolton an opportunity to build many business alliances within the King County area. Those alliances include:

University of Washington—Office of Business and Community Partnerships Stephens Capital Development Seattle Board of Education Seattle Police Department Employment Opportunities Unlimited Jason's Staffing General Hospital Generation Learning Solutions TechTool Publishers Microsoft /MicroShare Testing Senior Citizens Centers Webber Real Estate Dr. Waylon Nestle, D.S.S. UAW 451

Ballinger Center Career Pathways

Other alliances will be created through public relations programs.

Turning Points

Seattle, Washington is at a business industry turning point. With Boeing being phased out as the number one employer, people are scrambling to adjust their skills. Those employees that have been laid off or bought out are finding the world outside is not what it used to be before they entered Boeing. Those employees are now finding their skills to be outdated or unusable in the workforce today.

They lack the computer skills needed to become employable once again. They are also finding that more and more certifications are now being required criteria for employment.

EOC is strategically positioning itself to be in place for these workers and others that are in need of basic computer training. EOC is also positioning itself to meet the needs of employers who are requesting advanced training and certifications. EOC will be the gap filler between the employer and the employee.

EOC knows that no business is without frustrations and disappointments. Yet, we strive to know what to expect in advance, so we are better prepared to deal with the built-in frustrations of this business. We expect a certain amount of "no shows." This is why we require payment up front as a guarantee of attendance. We know that about 1 out of every 5 people who sign up could possibly back out due to sickness, emergencies, and sometimes people just change their mind. In this case we make sure we do not spend our money before it has cleared.

Personnel Plan

EOC will consist of three employees. Serena Bolton will participate full-time in the business as Director and Computer Instructor. The other three positions are currently vacant and will be filled as needed. Listed below are the job descriptions.

• Director and Computer Instructor, Serena Bolton, will maintain credentials needed to provide the most efficient and thorough computer training statewide. She will also be in charge of upgrading the skills of her staff.
• Receptionist/Secretary, Vacant, will handle all incoming calls and walk-ins, mail, correspondence, data entry, filing, ordering of supplies, scheduling, and play a supportive role to the Director. Candidate will also be required to take EOC classes and become certified.
• Assistant Trainer, Vacant, will be in charge of helping in the computer lab during class sessions, assist with development of computer training manuals, provide training in absence of Director, maintain maintenance of computer equipment, and play a supportive role to the Director. Candidate will be required to become MOUS certified within 60 days.
• Van Driver, Vacant, will be in charge of picking up seniors and dropping them off in a safe and courteous manner. Will be required to take EOC classes.

The projected salaries for each of these positions is hourly at $8.00 with no benefits at this time.

We want to finance growth mainly through cash flow. We recognize that this means we will have to grow more slowly.

The most important factor in our case is sales. We will develop a permanent system with ongoing marketing and sales development.

We are also assuming an initial short-term loan of $71,500 which includes start-up capital of $15,000.

Important Assumptions

Our financial plan depends on important assumptions, most of which are shown in the following table as annual assumptions.

Some of the more important underlying assumptions are:

• We assume a strong economy, without major recession.
• We assume, of course, that there are no unforseen changes in technology to make the use of computers and the need of computer training obsolete.

Break-even Analysis

Our monthly units break-even is 72 students. The monthly sales break-even is $10,403. Our average per-unit revenue is $145 per class and our estimated average fixed cost is $10,396 per month.

Projected Profit and Loss

Our projected profit and loss is shown on the following table, with sales increasing more than 30 percent. We show a break-even profit the first year. We prefer to project conservatively so that we make sure we have enough cash.

The detailed monthly projections are included in appendices.

Projected Cash Flow

The following cash flow projections show the annual amounts only. Cash flow projections are critical to our success. Reflected in this chart are the only remaining months of 2000. The annual cash flow figures are included here and the more important detailed monthly numbers are included in the appendices.

Projected Balance Sheet

The balance sheet in the following table shows sufficient growth of net worth, and a sufficiently healthy financial position. The monthly estimates are included in the appendices.

Business Ratios

The following table shows the projected ratios. We expect to maintain healthy ratios for profitability, risk, and return.

This page left intentionally blank to accommodate tabular matter following.

General Assumptions

Profit and Loss (Income Statement)

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How to Start a Computer Training Business in Kenya

Starting a computer training college is an excellent idea . Computer skills are a necessity for workers, university students, and  college students . This creates an opportunity you can exploit. You can target form four leavers to enroll in your computer training college. High school graduates enroll in such short courses after completing secondary education. The demand for computer courses is high as many companies are moving into the digital world. 

Carry Out a Market Research

To start a computer training college, you need to carry out a feasibility study. It will help you understand the business and the market before venturing into it. When carrying out a feasibility study, you need to identify a good business location and the demand in the market. This way, you will be in a position to open a computer training college in an area where you can get students. 

Write a Computer Training Business Plan

A business plan is an important road map for any business to maneuver in a competitive industry. To start a profitable business, start by writing a business plan.

A business plan should highlight startup costs, target population, sources of business capital, and business strengths and risks in the market. If you have researched the market, it is easy to write a business plan.  

Find a Good Business Location

For a computer training college, the business location is a critical factor to consider. It is advisable to set up your computer training business in a town with or near a residential area. You can also start one next to a tertiary institution, like a college. It should be easily accessible and free from noise. 

If you are targeting high school graduates, then it is best to locate your business in a town. You will realize that high school graduates are excited after finishing secondary education and want to explore urban areas. As such, starting a computer training college in the village or in rural areas may not work. Look for areas with a large influx of people in a town or a market center.

Acquire the Necessary Business Permits and Licenses

First, since you are operating a school, you will need to get authorization from the Ministry of Higher Education to run a computer college. Secondly, you will need to acquire business licenses and permits to operate a legal business.

You also need a single business permit. Its cost varies from one county to the other. On average, it costs Ksh 7,000 per year. You can obtain the permit from the County Government offices or County Council offices. 

Cost of Starting a Computer Training College in Kenya 

The cost of starting a computer college depends on the services you are offering. You can offer computer training services and additional services like typesetting, printing, scanning, photocopying and internet services. The following is the capital breakdown for a computer training center.

• Four computers – Ksh 60,000
• Printer and scanner – Ksh 30,000
• Modem – Ksh 5,000
• Network cables – Ksh 2,000
• Partitioning – Ksh 10,000
• Plastic chairs – Ksh 2,000
• Uninterrupted Power supply – Ksh 5,000
• Business permit – Ksh 8,000
• Electricity – Ksh 1,000

Read also: How to Start a Bookshop in Kenya.  

Challenges You Can Expect in the Computer Training Business

The major challenge you can expect to face is the drop in the number of students around April. Many computer training centers usually target form four-leavers since computer packages are short courses. It takes around two months to complete. After April, many students usually complete the course and start to join colleges and universities.

The other challenge you are likely to face is finding a suitable business location. Students shy away from enrolling in computer centers located in the suburbs. Therefore, start your business in a town center. 

The other challenge you may face is competition from community-based computer training centers. There are many community-based computer centers offering free computer packages. You need to set favorable prices to compete favorably with such centers. 

For business consultancy, strategic planning, organizational development, market research, financial management & accounting, risk management and business plan writing at an affordable fee, please reach out to us through a phone call 0728 621 138, or   WhatsApp , or email: [email protected]

Is Computer Training Business Profitable in Kenya?

Yes. With a good business location and a high influx of students, a computer training center is a profitable business. You can make over Ksh 25,000 per month. Make sure to set up your computer center in a town or a market center where there is high foot traffic. Also, make sure that it is visible to passersby.

A computer training business is a profitable venture to start in Kenya. With many people working from home, there is a need for computer literacy. You can target high school graduates to enroll in your computer school. 

• How to Start a Consultancy Business
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Get in touch

For business consultancy, business plan writing, market research, strategic planning, risk management, financial management & accounting at an affordable fee, please reach out to us through:

• [email protected]
• +254 728 621 138
• 1503 -01000, Thika KIBS Plaza, Thika

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Moscow-City – The Moscow International Business Center

• 3 years ago

Moscow-City is an iconic location for life and work in Russia’s capital. Enormous skyscrapers, business centers, the best restaurants and retail spaces – all this is concentrated in one place. The ultramodern Moscow-City towers are truly striking in their outward appearance, and the layout of the apartments inside and the fantastic views that can be seen from the higher floors are nothing short of impressive.

This skyscraper compound, often referred to as Moskva-City, is the Russian take on Manhattan, where businessmen strike multi-million dollar deals daily while ordinary life goes on next door. Its state of the art spaces offer the ultimate convenience. The infrastructure of this business district is so well-developed that anyone can find something interesting for themselves here: from residential apartments to boutiques, clubs, exhibitions and more.

When the foundations for the Moscow-City skyscrapers were laid, a special kind of concrete was used, the properties of which are amplified by many times compared to standard concrete. Even in the event of a plane crashing into one of the buildings, the structural integrity of the towers will be preserved.

The architects of the Moscow-City Business Center have created a unique locality that has integrated into itself the hub of the capital’s business life and a whole ensemble of historical monuments. Anyone can admire the beauty of these skyscrapers from within or without the compound. There are also a number of apartments for sale or rent available in the MIBC itself. But first, let’s have a look at some more interesting facts about the financial core of Russia’s capital.

• 1 How It All Began
• 2.1 Moscow-City Central Core
• 2.2 Tower 2000
• 2.3 Evolution Tower
• 2.4 Imperia Tower
• 2.5 Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower
• 2.6 Steel Peak Tower
• 2.7 Federation Tower
• 2.8 Mercury City Tower
• 2.9 OKO Tower Complex
• 3.1 Afimall City Shopping Center
• 3.2 Bagration Bridge
• 3.3 Expocentre Fairgrounds
• 4 Renting and Buying Real Estate in Moscow-City

How It All Began

The history of Moscow-City goes all the way back to 1992. The government of Moscow at the time wanted to bring into existence its own skyscrapers like the ones in London or New York. And the idea caught on. In 1992 the project for the construction of the huge “Moscow-City” MIBC compound was enthusiastically approved, kick-starting the painstaking preparatory works. The original intention was that the skyscrapers would only house office space. However, as time went on, the towers began to welcome in ordinary residents who wanted to live on the territory of this business and finance hub.

Moscow-City is undoubtedly a city within a city. Its grandeur is mind-boggling. It is perfect in every way: from location to infrastructure. And today, anyone can get a feel of the atmosphere of the “capital city” of Russia’s business world – many of the apartments in Moscow-City are available for rent. Any citizen of Russia and even nationals of other countries can make use of these offers.

What It’s Like in 2021

Today Moscow-City is not just a magnificent and fascinating sight, but also a real hub for the work, life and leisure of thousands. Its infrastructure is organized in such a way that there is no need to leave the territory of the “city within a city” at all. This business district contains everything one may need for work and recreation. And if one does decide to venture out into the larger metropolis, the MIBC’s three subway stations make this remarkably simple to do.

Moscow-City stands on the Presnenskaya Embankment . Each of the buildings in the district has a name, which simplifies its identification. Some of the buildings form complexes that are united under one name, such as the Neva Towers and the Naberezhnaya Tower complex of two skyscrapers and one high rise. There are a total of 16 towers in the MIBC, of which the most popular are:

• Moscow-City Central Core;
• Tower 2000;
• Evolution Tower;
• Imperia Tower;
• City of Capitals (Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower);
• Steel Peak Tower;
• Federation Tower;
• Mercury City Tower;
• OKO Tower Complex.

Moscow-City Central Core

This is the most complex building within the MIBC compound. Its total floor area is a whopping 1 476 378 sqft (450 000 m²). It consists of two massive parts, each of which boasts a truly impressive infrastructure. The underground part includes 3 Moscow Metro stations, a parking lot for automobiles and a shopping mall. The aboveground part houses a concert hall and a hotel.

Tower 2000 is a skyscraper having 34 stories. Its total floor area is 200 318 sqft (61 057 m²), most of which is office space. The key feature of this skyscraper is its direct connection to the Bagration Bridge, which has its own shopping arcade. The tower has everything one may need while working here, including a large parking lot and several restaurants.

Evolution Tower

This elegant structure is 836 feet (255 m) high – that’s a whole 54 stories! The total floor area here is 554 462 sqft (169 000 m²). The Evolution Tower’s key feature is that it has its own Wedding Hall. This skyscraper houses large office spaces, a parking lot and several restaurants.

Imperia Tower

MIBC’s Imperia Tower is the undeniable focal point of the MIBC’s business life. Its height is 784 feet (239 m), which means one can hold conferences and resolve key business matters on the 59 th floor! And that really is amazing! The tower has everything: offices, hotels, restaurants and parking lots. But if you want a truly unforgettable experience, visit the viewing platform! It is situated on the 58 th floor and a simply astounding view of Moscow can be seen from it.

Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower

The Moscow and St. Petersburg Towers are the chief representatives of the MIBC. The Moscow Tower has 76 stories and is 990 feet (302 m) high, while the St. Petersburg Tower has 65 stories and stands 843 feet (257 m) tall. Both towers offer fantastic views of the capital city.

Most of the floors of these two skyscrapers are taken up by luxurious sky apartments. There are also several recreational and entertainment centers, office spaces, restaurants, etc.

Steel Peak Tower

Also known as the Eurasia Tower of Moscow-City, this supertall skyscraper has a total of 680 912 sqft (207 542 m²) of floor space. Most of this is taken up by offices, and the rest – by residential quarters (around 65 616 sqft or 20 000 m²). The tower also houses a number of the greatest restaurants, studios and shopping centers.

Federation Tower

The Federation Tower is a complex of two skyscrapers, known as Tower East and Tower West. Tower East is the second highest building in Europe (the first is a skyscraper recently erected in the city of St. Petersburg). Its height is a colossal 1 223 feet (373 m) and that makes 95 stories! Tower West, on the other hand, is noticeably shorter at 794 feet (242 m).

The Federation Tower is a multifunctional complex.

Mercury City Tower

The Mercury City Tower skyscraper is widely known as one of the tallest buildings in Europe. Its height is 1 112 feet (339 m) and it has 75 stories. It is multifunctional by concept, holding within its walls shopping centers, offices and all kinds of other spaces. It is also possible to rent apartments here.

OKO Tower Complex

The OKO Tower Complex consists of two towers – the North Tower (49 stories and 803 ft or 245 m in height) and the South Tower (85 stories and 1 155 ft or 352 m in height).

Each of the MIBC’s tower complexes has its own recreational and entertainment areas, restaurants and parking lots. The top floors of most of these buildings contain luxurious fully-furnished apartments. At night, the towers shine with bright lights, while inside them the panoramic windows reveal astounding views of Moscow. This breathtaking view of the capital of Russia is why visiting Moscow-City is a must!

What Not to Miss

There are many interesting landmarks within the Moscow-City compound, but three of them are truly deserving of special attention:

• The Afimall City Shopping Center;
• The Bagration Bridge with two galleries and a shopping arcade;
• The Expocentre Fairgrounds.

Afimall City Shopping Center

The Afimall City Shopping and Entertainment Center is located in Moscow-City’s Central Core. It is divided into 4 zones, each with its own theme – one for every season of the year. The shopping center houses the biggest indoor fountain found worldwide. The height of this watery wonder is 118 feet or 36 meters.

The shopping and entertainment center contains everything one might expect from one of the largest centers of its kind:

• Retail brand stores;
• Exhibitions;
• Game rooms;
• and Restaurants.

The main recreational space is roofed with a giant transparent dome, which is an impressive sight to behold.

Bagration Bridge

Bagration Bridge with its upper and lower galleries has a shopping center all of its own and was the first structure to be built as part of the Moscow-City business district. Its lower gallery is a shopping arcade and its upper gallery is an open-air viewing platform with a spectacular view of the MIBC and the Moskva River. The hall of the bridge houses the 23 foot tall sculpture called “Tree of Life”. Having gone through the bridge via either one of its two galleries, a pedestrian would find themselves standing right on the Kutuzovsky Prospekt.

Expocentre Fairgrounds

The Expocentre Fairgrounds exhibition venue is located at the very heart of the capital. The first exhibition held at the Expocentre happened all the way back in 1959, much earlier than the MIBC was erected. Today it is the venue of many interesting events.

Exhibitions with very diverse themes are regularly held at this complex. An up-to-date schedule can be found on the official webpage of the Expocentre. The events can be free or fixed-price entry, depending on their type.

Renting and Buying Real Estate in Moscow-City

Moscow-City is not only a work and business hub, but also a residential neighborhood. Any citizen of Russia can rent or buy apartments or elite sky lounges here. The variety of residential real estate available inside the skyscrapers is impressive, including options for any pocket. The following buildings in the MIBC contain residential blocks:

This skyscraper has a mirror glass façade which reflects the passing clouds. Just imagine how beautiful that looks! Anyone can buy an apartment in the Federation Tower. Such properties are not only a good investment, but also a mark of prestige. The average price of residential real estate here is 45 million rubles for an apartment with a total floor area of 334 sqft (102 m²). The average price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is in the range of 650 to 700 thousand rubles. There are two- and three-room apartments available in the Federation Tower, each with its own loggia. As for rent, the minimum price of one month’s stay in a three-room apartment in this skyscraper is 300 000 rubles per month.

The Mercury City Tower skyscraper welcomes citizens from all parts of Russia. This building is no less tall than the world-famous Dubai skyscrapers. Living in its apartments is a delight. The minimum cost of an apartment in the Mercury City Tower is 75 million rubles. The average price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is 800 thousand rubles. And for those looking for a lower price point, some of the properties are also available for rent – in this case you will pay a minimum of 250 thousand rubles per month.

The Imperia Tower is a key cluster of interesting offers. The best options for buying and renting apartments within the MIBC can all be found in this skyscraper. The lowest price of a residential apartment here is 40 million rubles. A square meter (3.28 square feet) in a luxurious apartment in the Imperia Tower currently costs 600 thousand rubles, while the price range of the listings available for rent in this skyscraper is from 350 thousand all the way up to 1 million rubles per month.

This complex, standing on a faceted or “crystal” base, is an architectural engineering project boasting spectacular design. Behind its impressive façades is an abundance of penthouses and apartments having floor areas in the range of 262 sqft (80 m²) to 984 sqft (300 m²). The minimum price of an apartment in the OKO Tower Complex is 40 million rubles (the price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is 500 thousand rubles). You can rent an apartment here starting from 400 thousand rubles per month.

City of Capitals

The City of Capitals is an exemplary architectural complex. Its sum appearance gives the impression of a huge city. Inside its walls are spacious apartments available for purchase and rent. This complex is considered to be especially prestigious. The prices of apartments here start from 50 million rubles, while the minimum cost of renting is 400 thousand rubles per month.

Please note! The price of real estate available for purchase or rent depends on: the tower, the floor, the total floor area, the furnishings and/or interior design, and other factors.

The key advantages of buying/purchasing real estate in Moscow-City are:

• Favorable location;
• Convenient transportation links;
• Well-developed infrastructure;
• High safety level;
• Efficient architecture;
• Panoramic windows.

Buying real estate in Moscow-City is very much a rational decision, most appealing to those who value the ultimate level of comfort. The residential apartments here boast impressive interior design solutions executed in the contemporary style.

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Our Rating of the Best Districts of Moscow for Living In

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You Russians have a very Beautiful Rich Culture, I remember a time where the Russian Citizens Broke out in Song Singing the Hymn of Red October and there wasn’t a dry Eye in my House that day. You Spartans Are a Wonderful People to live with.

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