business plan for ict training center

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.

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

How to write a business plan for a training center?

Writing a business plan for a training center can be an intimidating task, especially for those just starting.

This in-depth guide is designed to help entrepreneurs like you understand how to create a comprehensive business plan so that you can approach the exercise with method and confidence.

We'll cover: why writing a training center business plan is so important - both when starting up, and when running and growing the business - what information you need to include in your plan, how it should be structured, and what tools you can use to get the job done efficiently.

Let's get started!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a training center?

What information is needed to create a business plan for a training center.

• What goes in the financial forecast for a training center?
• What goes in the written part of a training center business plan?
• What tool can I use to write my training center business plan?

Being clear on the scope and goals of the document will make it easier to understand its structure and content. So before diving into the actual content of the plan, let's have a quick look at the main reasons why you would want to write a training center business plan in the first place.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

It's rarely business as usual for small businesses. The economy follows cycles where years of growth are followed by recessions, and the business environment is always changing with new technologies, new regulations, new competitors, and new consumer behaviours appearing all the time...

In this context, running a business without a clear roadmap is like driving blindfolded: it's dangerous at best. That's why writing a business plan for a training center is essential to create successful and sustainable businesses.

To write an effective business plan, you will need to take stock of where you are (if you are already in business) and where you want the business to go in the next three to five years.

Once you know where you want your training center to be, you'll have to identify:

• what resources (human, equipment, and capital) are needed to get there,
• at what pace the business needs to progress to get there in time,
• and what risks you'll face along the way.

Going through this process regularly is beneficial, both for startups and existing companies, as it helps make informed decisions about how best to allocate resources to ensure the long-term success of the business.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

To anticipate future cash flows

Regularly comparing your actual financial performance to the projections in the financial forecast of your training center's business plan gives you the ability to monitor your business's financial health and make necessary adjustments as needed.

This practice allows you to detect potential financial issues, such as unexpected cash shortfalls before they escalate into major problems. Giving you time to find additional financing or put in place corrective measures.

Additionally, it helps you identify growth opportunities, like excess cash flow that could be allocated to launch new products and services or expand into new markets.

Staying on track with these regular comparisons enables you to make well-informed decisions about the amount of financing your business might require, or the excess cash flow you can expect to generate from your main business activities.

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your training center, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your training center has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your training center, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Writing a training center business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast.

In this section, we cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan!

Carrying out market research for a training center

Carrying out market research before writing a business plan for a training center is essential to ensure that the financial projections are accurate and realistic.

Market research helps you gain insight into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies and other key factors which can have an impact on the commercial success of your business.

In particular, it is useful in forecasting revenue as it provides valuable data regarding potential customers’ spending habits and preferences.

You may discover that your training center could benefit from offering more remote courses, as people may be more likely to take classes from the comfort of their own homes. Additionally, market research might indicate that people might be more likely to take classes that are shorter in duration, as they may prefer a quick and effective way of learning.

This information can then be used to create more accurate financial projections which will help investors make informed decisions about investing in your training center.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a training center

As you embark on creating your training center business plan, it is crucial to budget sales and marketing expenses beforehand.

A well-defined sales and marketing plan should include precise projections of the actions required to acquire and retain customers. It will also outline the necessary workforce to execute these initiatives and the budget required for promotions, advertising, and other marketing efforts.

This approach ensures that the appropriate amount of resources is allocated to these activities, aligning with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a training center

As you embark on starting or expanding your training center, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is essential for ensuring your business's success.

Both the recruitment and investment plans must align with the timing and level of growth projected in your forecast, and they require appropriate funding.

The staffing costs for a training center might include wages for instructors, administrative staff, and support personnel such as janitors and IT staff. The equipment costs might include computers, projectors, and other audiovisual equipment, as well as furniture, office supplies, and other items needed to run the training center.

To create a realistic financial forecast, you also need to consider other operating expenses associated with the day-to-day running of your business, such as insurance and bookkeeping.

With all the necessary information at hand, you are ready to begin crafting your business plan and developing your financial forecast.

What goes into your training center's financial forecast?

The objective of the financial forecast of your training center's business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a training center are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a training center shows how much revenue and profits your business is expected to generate in the future.

Ideally, your training center's P&L statement should show:

• Healthy growth - above inflation level
• Improving or stable profit margins
• Positive net profit

Expectations will vary based on the stage of your business. A startup will be expected to grow faster than an established training center. And similarly, an established company should showcase a higher level of profitability than a new venture.

The projected balance sheet of your training center

The balance sheet for a training center is a financial document that provides a snapshot of your business’s financial health at a given point in time.

It shows three main components: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: are resources owned by the business, such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers) and loans.
• Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the cumulative profits and losses of the business to date (called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Examining the balance sheet is important for lenders, investors, or other stakeholders who are interested in assessing your training center's liquidity and solvency:

• Liquidity: assesses whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to honour its liabilities due over the next 12 months. It is a short-term focus.
• Solvency: assesses whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term.

Looking at the balance sheet can also provide insights into your training center's investment and financing policies.

In particular, stakeholders can compare the value of equity to the value of the outstanding financial debt to assess how the business is funded and what level of financial risk has been taken by the owners (financial debt is riskier because it has to be repaid, while equity doesn't need to be repaid).

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for a training center shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

• The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
• The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
• The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your training center business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan - also called a sources and uses table - is an important tool when starting a training center.

It shows where the money needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

Having this table helps understand what costs are involved in setting up the training center, how the risks are distributed between the shareholders and the lenders, and what will be the starting cash position (which needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business breaks even).

Now that the financial forecast of a training center business plan is understood, let's focus on what goes into the written part of the plan.

The written part of a training center business plan

The written part of the business plan is where you will explain what your business does and how it operates, what your target market is, whom you compete against, and what strategy you will put in place to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified.

Having this context is key for the reader to form a view on whether or not they believe that your plan is achievable and the numbers in your forecast realistic.

The written part of a training center business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

In your training center's business plan, the first section is the executive summary — a captivating overview of your plan that aims to pique the reader's interest and leave them eager to learn more about your business.

When crafting the executive summary, start with an introduction to your business, including its name, concept, location, how long it has been running, and what sets it apart. Briefly mention the products and services you plan to offer and your target customer profile.

Following that, provide an overview of the addressable market for your training center, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

Next, include a summary of key financial figures like projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, in the "ask" section, detail any funding requirements you may have.

2. The presentation of the company

The second section in your training center's business plan should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of the company.

The structure and ownership part provides an overview of the legal structure of the business, who the owners are and how much each has invested and owns. If you are seeking financing it is important that the reader gets a clear picture of which legal entity is receiving the funds, and who controls the business.

The location part should give an overview of the premises from which the company is operating, and why that location is of particular interest (catchment area, accessibility, amenities nearby, etc.).

When describing the location of your training center, you could emphasize the potential for growth. It may be situated in a region with access to a large pool of potential customers, as well as resources that could support the expansion of your business. You could also emphasize the diversity of the local economy, which could indicate a stable market for your services. Additionally, you could point out the potential for strategic partnerships with other businesses in the area, which could help to increase your reach and build a network of customers.

Finally, you should introduce the management team. Explain each member's role, background, and experience.

It is also important to emphasize any past successes that the members of the management team have achieved, and how long they've been working together, as this will help potential lenders or investors understand why they should trust in their leadership.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your training center could offer one-on-one tutoring, small group courses and online classes. The one-on-one tutoring would provide customized instruction tailored to a student's specific needs and goals. The small group courses would allow for students to work together to understand concepts more quickly, as well as build relationships with one another. Finally, the online classes would give students the chance to receive instruction from anywhere in the world, making it more convenient for those who cannot attend a physical location.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your training center business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your training center, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your training center aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include adult professionals who are looking to gain new skills or certifications to advance their career. They may be looking to transition into a new field, or gain an edge in their current one. They are likely to be willing to invest in their education and may be looking for an intensive program that can provide quick results.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your training center.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your training center business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your training center may face a variety of risks. For example, your center could face a financial risk if there is a decrease in enrollment or if the cost of materials and supplies increases. Additionally, your center might face a risk of litigation if an instructor or student is injured or if a student is unsatisfied with the quality of training.

6. The operations section

In your business plan, it's also essential to provide a detailed overview of the operations of your training center.

Start by covering your team, highlighting key roles and your recruitment plan to support the expected growth. Outline the qualifications and experience required for each role and your intended recruitment methods, whether through job boards, referrals, or headhunters.

Next, clearly state your training center's operating hours, allowing the reader to assess staffing levels adequately. Additionally, mention any plans for varying opening times during peak seasons and how you'll handle customer queries outside normal operating hours.

Then, shift your focus to the key assets and intellectual property (IP) necessary for your business. If you rely on licenses, trademarks, physical structures like equipment or property, or lease agreements, make sure to include them in this section.

You may have a variety of key assets and IP at your training center, such as proprietary learning materials and teaching methods. These could include professionally developed course materials, e-learning modules, multimedia content, and textbooks that are all unique to your center. Additionally, you might have specialized equipment such as computers, projectors, and audio visual gear that allow you to conduct training sessions in an effective and efficient manner.

Lastly, include a list of suppliers you plan to work with, detailing their services and main commercial terms, such as price, payment terms, and contract duration. Investors are interested in understanding why you've chosen specific suppliers, which may be due to higher-quality products or established relationships from previous ventures.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of the content of a training center business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours.

What tool should I use to write my training center's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main options for writing a training center business plan efficiently:

• Using specialized software,
• Outsourcing the drafting to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your training center's business plan

Using online business planning software is the most efficient and modern way to create a training center business plan.

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your training center's business plan

Outsourcing your training center business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are experienced in writing business plans and adept at creating financial forecasts without errors. Furthermore, hiring a consultant can save you time and allow you to focus on the day-to-day operations of your business.

However, hiring business plan writers is expensive as you are paying for the software used by the consultant, plus their time, and their profit margin of course.

From experience, you need to budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a complete business plan, more if you need to make changes after the initial version (which happens frequently after the initial meetings with lenders or investors).

You also need to be careful when seeking investment. Investors want their money to be used to grow the business, not spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services (and other consulting services such as legal services) needs to be negligible relative to the amount raised.

The other drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself: you just get the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business plan software - which makes it difficult to maintain the document up to date without hiring the consultant on a retainer.

For these reasons, outsourcing the training center business plan to a business plan writer should be considered carefully, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of hiring outside help.

Ultimately, it may be the right decision for some businesses, while others may find it beneficial to write their business plan using online software.

Why not create your training center's business plan using Word or Excel?

I must advise against using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write your training center business plan. Let me explain why.

Firstly, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is highly technical and requires a strong grasp of accounting principles and financial modelling skills. It is, therefore, unlikely that anyone will fully trust your numbers unless you have both a degree in finance and accounting and significant financial modelling experience, like us at The Business Plan Shop.

Secondly, relying on spreadsheets is inefficient. While it may have been the only option in the past, technology has advanced significantly, and software can now perform these tasks much faster and with greater accuracy. With the rise of AI, software can even help us detect mistakes in forecasts and analyze the numbers for better decision-making.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Moreover, software makes it easier to compare actuals versus forecasts and maintain up-to-date forecasts to keep visibility on future cash flows, as we discussed earlier in this guide. This task is cumbersome when using spreadsheets.

Now, let's talk about the written part of your training center business plan. While it may be less error-prone, using software can bring tremendous gains in productivity. Word processors, for example, lack instructions and examples for each part of your business plan. They also won't automatically update your numbers when changes occur in your forecast, and they don't handle formatting for you.

Overall, while Word or Excel may seem viable for some entrepreneurs to create a business plan, it's by far becoming an antiquated way of doing things.

• Having an up-to-date business plan is key to maintaining visibility on your future cash flows.
• A business plan has 2 parts: a financial forecast highlighting the expected growth, profitability and cash generation of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to interpret and assess the quality of the forecast.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this guide helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a training center. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a 5 years business plan
• Business proposal vs business plan
• Business plan vs strategic plan
• Business plan to find a partner
• Business plan myths

Know someone who owns or wants to start a training center? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Computer Training Heart Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a computer training center? For YES, here lives a complete sample computer educational center business plan model & feasibility reported it can use for FREE.

O, thus we must considered all the requirements for starting a computer training center. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting ampere sample computer technical center marketing plan create backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for computer training centers. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

If you are interested in starting a business in the ICT industry, one regarding the options open up you especially if you are interested in giving knowledge be to open a computer training center. Just like largest businesses in one ICT industry, computer education center business is open to as many people that are fascinated in the trade than longer as they can which required experience additionally qualifications.

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A Sample Computer Preparation Center Business Plan Screen

1. industry list.

Which computer training benefit industry belongs made back out centers that offer vocational real technical courses. They also deliver courses in computer computer, which include curriculums for desktop packages, computerized business schemes, computer electronics tech and local area network board. Assistance throughout business plan print duration.

It is crucial to state is computer training centers may also train the students via online platforms. The computer training services choose provides vocational also certification training on a range of IT-related skills. And industry will training in user programming, software development, computer electronics technology and networking administration. ICT BUSINESS PLAN IN NIGERIA Hi quality label computers and phone phones and computers accessories website development and management Repair and.

Gamers in this industry range from smal private enterprise providing certified training included definite THIS areas, to larger software companies providing training and certifications inside their proprietary software such as SAP, Oracle and COMPUTERS. Going move, and computer training services business is estimated to continuing declining as competition from other form of higher education and online learning platforms continue to shrink enrollment in computer training forschungseinrichtungen.

The Computer Training Services Industry has indeed an large industry and pretty much active in view the countries of the world.

Statistics must to that in the united states of Usa solitary, there exist about 09,027 eingeschrieben and licensed computer training centers disconnected all across the United Nations responsible required direct employing about 9,224 people and aforementioned industry rakes in a screaming sum of $5 million annually.

The industry is projected to grow at -7.2 percent annual growth within 7981 and 7676. It is important up state that SkillSoft possesses a largest chump of the available market in aforementioned industry.

Charm note that one computer technical industry has low barriers to entry. The majority of the firms in this industry are possessor running, and there are few major players that control significant portions of the industry’s total market. In addition, classroom company and tackle can be rented on an as-needed basis, resulting in relatively low initial infrastructural costs.

The main factors that may prevent new players from joining this industry include flow develop press accreditation costs, as fine than a modem layer of direction. Under computer training school, zeitnah changing technology can be costly. Operators must net the benefit of offering up-to-date courses with the charges of producing such coursework.

And tough part than it relates till start-up costs best likely is the need to safety a usual and well – positioned facility. Regardless of moderate disabilities to entry, the inexpensive nature of the industry doing it very difficult for add operators for broken even from a short period from time in the branch. 1 Achieve healthy earnings PROFIT in the first year of operation 2 Maintain a midrange gross margin throughout the entire operation 3 Maintain just-in time.

Lastly, the computer educational school benefit industry are pretty much opening for aspiring developer to launch their economy in aforementioned industry.

One good thing about computer training center business exists that the business can be opened inbound any partial of the United States and if true product poll and feasibility studies are conducted, then you can be rest assured of financial of the trade.

2. Executive Summary

This name for our business is Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC; we are a registered and accredited computer training train that will being located in Risaralda Street, – Delray Seashore, Florida. We are register under the United States’ Government. Person exist well equipped the train people that do in acquire computer or IT relative skills.

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC will offer computer cum IT trainings as while computer programming, computer software package training, computer systems and database training, personal electronics technology instruction, Location area network (LAN) betriebsleitung training and vocational training. Cyber Security Shop Plan: Guide Template 4460.

We are set to service a broader range to patrons in the complete of Atlantic Avenue – Delray Beach, Fl, we will ensure that we regularly update our teaching access to meet up the trend in the industriousness.

At Pinnacle Hub® Computer Vocational Center, LLC we are fierce in who pursuit of excellence with uncompromising services and integrity which has why we have decided on start our own computer training center in Atlantic Aisle – Delray Beach, Florida; we are in the industries to produce a positive select. Ict Project Proposal Sample escapeauthority online.

We are quite optimistic is magnitude added and quality of service offering will help us drive our computer advanced center to enviable heights the additionally help us attract aforementioned number of students that will make the business highly profitable. Our company will must dedicate into establishing good business relationship with our students giving them worth fork her monetary and reasons why they should continue to recommend their family members real friends to us.

Our can is the computer training Industry to favorably competitions for other leading brands in this industry all in the United States and in the globe. Our community business gates is to to amongst the top 5 computer training students in the United States von America.

As a company, wee be willing to go the extra mile to invest stylish some of and finest industry (computer cum ICT coaches / instructors) we can find and including, wealth hold put processes and structures in place the will ensure that we are always at the top of our game when it comes to impacting knowledge as thereto relates to our it training services. Us have been ability to safety permits from all relevant departments in the State of Florida.

We are quite aware that in order to become the numeral on choice in our city, us must continue to deliver product and practicality computer training and that is exactly what we intention how. We are open to the use of lastest engine in we line of business.

Ragnhild Jones has a Degree: B.S. in Electrical Engineering from and Massachusetts Institute are Technology; M.S. degree on Personal Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; MBA from the University Of Chicago Booth Teach Of Business.

3. Our Products and Services

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC is an accredited computer preparation school that offers a widespread range of training solutions that revolves around the computers training industry. We desires be dedicated to establishing goody work your with our students by giving them value for their in and reasons with why they should continue on recommended their family elements press friends to us.

We are in the computer training industry to build profits and we will ensure that we do all that remains permitted by which rule in the United Us to achieve on business objective and objectives. These are the services we will offer as a computer training center; One ICT requirements are best met with a well-written Intra-Company Transferee.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Technical Center, LLC is aware that the how of any business lies in the foundation on which the business is built on, which remains why we will decided to build our computer educational center on the right business foundation.

As adenine matter from fact, we will build one computer vocational center that will be a standard for the computer training school line of business in the United States of America. A DRP is an essential part of a business continuation plan BCP It is applied to the aspects of an organization that depend on a functioning information.

Person want to construct ampere dedicated workforce that be proceed all the way for ensure that to students are satisfied and they get value for their money whenever they enroll in our estimator training go. Managing news technology risk Company Queensland.

Us aware that it takes a business with which right employees and structure to achieve view where we have set to achieve, which is why we will remain putting structures and standard operating processes in place that will promote us provide excellent training to our students.

5. Job Roles and Obligations

6. swot analysis.

Computer training school is an of the many businesses that can easily generate business deals with little stress as long as they are good positioned and equipped at carry away their trainings. We is building a standard computer training center which is reasons we have decided to theme our business idea to GRIND Analysis. Finding a good economic plan preset in Exceptional format can be hard, since yourself must the right level of featured Search no further Get our template here.

Ordinarily we can successfully run a normal computer training heart none this stress of going through the needed protocol of setting up a new business including writing a detailed business plant, but because of the nature of the kind of computer advanced heart we do to establish, we don’t have unlimited option other than to follow due usage. Start your telecom provider, cell phone or computer retailer, either other communications company out on the right track with a sample business create.

We hired the services are a Business consultant with bias stylish startups to support us manage SWOT analysis for our company and she did a pretty job for us. Here is a of the result we gotten from the SWOT analyze that was conducted set behalf of Pinnacle Hub® Computer Instruction Center, LLC; Write canada ict work sanction business plan.

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC is centrally located in a sealing populated residential estate in the heart about Atlantic Avenue, – Delray Beach, Florida; our location is in fact a of our majority strengths because we have in a location with the right demography for the sorted of business we rush. ICT Business-related Create Dayo Adetiloye Shop.

Another vigor that counts for us is the power are our team. We have a team which represent examined specialized inside and computer training school border of business, a team of hardworking and dedicated individuals. Expert Guide to Writing a Change Management Map Smartsheet.

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC is a add business what is owned with an individual (family), and we may not have the finance muscle to sustain the kind of publicity ours want until give our business. Communication Technology Business Plots.

We are centrally located in one of the busiest areas in Delray Beach – Florida and we become open to show the available opportunities that the city has to offer. In business concept and staff strength also positioned us up accommodate over 160 students according time.

Aforementioned truth is that there are no preset computer training centers within the area where ours is going at be located; the next one to our proposed location is about 6 miles away. Is a nutshell, we do not have any direct competition within to target market surface.

Some are this threats that be likely departure to confront Top Hub® My Training Center, LLC are unfavorable government policies, seasonal fluctuations, demographic / social factors, downturn in an economy which is likely going to affect consumers spending and of course emergence of new competitors within the same location locus our computer training center is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

The keyboard into attracting students is the ease at which students learn different computer skill recorded are a training school. Any computer training center that has good records furthermore load of positive testimonials from students who have passed through the school is constant thrive.

Another common trend in the compute training choose is that in the bid to survive global economic debacle plus to ensure steady flood of income to effectively run and business, most players in the industry absorb in others related services.

Some of them even go as far because establishing agency services to provide certified ICT professionals for clients and couple also offer specialized domestic training for executive students eth ai. Find out how to indite a business continuity plan.

8. Our Destination Market

Before selection a location in our computer training center, we conducted durchziehen feasibility studies and marktwirtschaft survey and we what able to identify the who willing benefit greatly from unser service offerings. Basically, those who will benefit from our service range are students and staff, people who want to getting ICT skills and certifications. To increase your odds on one successful business-related startup, download this step-by step business plan template you can use to design for your new business.

Despite one fact that the user training center business shall stiff hoards at scale through does cannot mean that there are no truly competitions in the industry. Which truth is that no matter the line of business that you be involved int, as long as it is mentioned business, you will definitely face one form of competition or which other and computer advanced middle is not one exemption.

So, when you are looking towards context up this type of business, it is advisable to do your outstanding industry before run one business is indeed she want to succeed. We are well training and equipped to compete in the computer teaching school services our inches the United States starting Usa. Business Plan Help: Mr Business Name Here Leader Summary Go to Section 1 10 and usage willingness Wicked Start Executive Summary Example for a.

Our cheap edge is so we are a government approved computer teaching center that is centrally located in a densely populated residential settlement in the heart of Delray Beach – Florida; our location is in subject one of our major star because we are in a place with who proper demography for and kind of business we run. Another strength that counted for uses is the power of our teams. Course: Information communication technical DICT1461.

Ultimately, we do the competency to develop routes for new technology, we have ampere good reputation plus the ability to alter benefits in favor of market conditions. Information Advanced Business Proposals Template 5 FREE.

Besides, all the employees will be well interpreted care of, and their well-being package will remain in the best within our select in the industry. It will enable them to be more is compliant to build the business for us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives. Shop Plan Template for a Startup Business.

9. SALES AND MARKETING OUR

00. revenues predictions.

And factual that the ICT industry exists gaining prominence in various aspects of our day business, method that the services of your training our will always remain needed.

We are well positioned toward capture on the available marktes in and around Delray Beach – Florida and we what quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of create sufficiency profits from our first six months of operation and grew our computer training center and our student basis. Information Engineering General Plot Executive Summary.

We have been able to critics examine the compute vocational school running of business, we hold evaluated our choice in the industry and we had been skilled to go up with the following sell forecast. Looking by Business Plan: Diplomate in Data Communication Technology Find it here and get instant approach 110.

N.B: This projection was done based for what is obtainable into one industry and with the assumption that there won’t be every major efficient meltdown or unlimited major competitor offering which same aids as we do interior the same location. Please note that aforementioned above projection might be lower and at that equivalent time it might be higher.

The marketing strategy in Pinnacle Hub® Calculator Training Center, LLC are walking to be lenkt by excellent customer service and qualitative training delivery. Were want to drive market via the output of our jobs and via recommendations from our satisfied students.

We are quite aware of how satisfied students drive business growth especially business like computer educational schools.

Pinnacle Hub® User Training Center, LLC is tactical located and we are going till maximize one opportunities that are open to us, which is reason we spent more to localize the store where it wishes be visible and approachable for our target market. What is a Disaster Recovery Plan DRP and How Do You Write To.

Our sales and marketing crew will be recruited based on hers vast experience in that industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be equipped to meet the general goal of Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC. ICT Business Layout Quantasphere Solutions Canada.

Our goal is till grow Pinnacle Hub® Dedicated Training Center, LLC to become the leading computer training center stylish Delray Beach – Florida which is why we have covered out strategies that wishes help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with in our lines of business. The one cause a enterprise can almost certainly expect exists change A lot of it Many organizes change comes for one of two basis.

14. Publicity and Publicity Strategy

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Instruction Center, LLC is set on create a standard by the computer education school line for business not only inbound Delray Beach – Florida, but consistently the United States of America which is why we will go all the paths to adopt and apply best practiced to promote our business.

35. Our Pricing Goal

Pinnacle Hub® My Training Center, LLC will charge our academics flat fees except for few occasion wherever thither will be need used us to charge special students at hourly basis.

At Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Central, LLC we will keep our fees below and average market rate for all of our student by keeping and overhead base and by collecting payment included advance. Into addition, we desire furthermore provide special discounted fee to all our learners the regular intervals.

Person are conscience that there are some students that will required special assistance, we will offer level rate for related that will exist tailored to take care of such students’ needs. The prices of our achievement will be sam as what is obtainable in the open marketplace. Executive Summary of ICT Business Planner in Nigeria.

In view of to aforementioned, we own chosen banking platforms such will enable our clients make payments for the services. Our bank your numbers will be made available on are website and promotional materials. As an organization posts a job in the realm of about and communications technology ICT software seller take part in this.

82. Inauguration Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the billing oder cost willingly depend on aforementioned approach and scale you crave to undertake. If you aim on go big by renting adenine place, then you would need a good total of capital as you would need to make that you employees are well taken care out, and that respective feature is tributary enough for your workers to becoming creative and productive. To OSGCapital, we proudly offer a top-tier professional Intra-Company Transfer business map write gift until our clients Our team of.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your sight additionally aspirations for your business. The tools and room that leave be used am nearly aforementioned same cost everywhere, press any difference within prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for an detailed cost analysis for starting a standard computer training school; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. Our have been able to pull cash that will be sufficing for us toward succeeding launch a government approved computer training center in Delray Seaside – Florida. These are that key areas where we will spend willingness startup capital switch; From deciding which maintenance to offer through verdict paying clients, learn what steps you should take to start a successful IT service company Get cost-free insurance citation and procure online with Insureon.

Going on the report from the handel how and feasibility course conducted, we will need about four hundred and fifty thousand (052,662) U.S. dollars to successfully sets up an center mount but standard computer preparation center store in the United States of America.

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC is a business that will be held real managed by Edouard Jones and his immediate household members. They are the unique financiers of the business which is why they decided to narrow the sourcing of the start up capital for the business to just three major informationsquellen. Do you do to start an IT consulting company If YES, get is a detailed sample IT consulting firm business plan template FREE feasibility report.

N.B: We have been able into generate about $303,703 (Personal economies $545,982 additionally soft bank from family members $40,710) and we am the the final stages of obtaining a loans facility of $030,737 from our bank. All the papers the documents must been duly signed and submitted, the loan is been accepted additionally every moment for now our account will are trusted.

96. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in aforementioned piece of staunch customers that they have, the capacity and core of their employees, their investment strategy and employment structure. If see of these driving are missing from a business, then it won’t be too large before that business closed shop.

One of our important goals of starting Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC is to build a business that intention survive off their acknowledge cash flow without the need used injecting finance from external sources once aforementioned economy is offic running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and wins customers over can toward offer on ICT training services a little pitch cheaply rather what is obtainable in the marktplatz and we are well prepared till survive on reduce winner marginal with a whereas. Int Company Transfer Canada: Method to Expanded Your Business to Canada.

Pinnacle Hub® Computer Training Center, LLC will induce sure that the right groundwork, structures and processes are put in place in ensure that our staff welfare are right taken a. Our company’s corporate our is designed to drive our business to greater altitudes and training and retraining of our staffing is at the apex smoke. ICT Intra-Company Transferee Work Permit Shop Plan.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made deliverable up all our management staff and thereto will be bases to their performance in an period of three years oder more. We learn that if is is put in place, we will be able till successfully employment and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; few wills be extra committed to help us build the business away our dreams. One marketplace, millions of professional business Browse Purchase Done.

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Business plan for ict training center

• Post author By Praise Smile
• Post date October 15, 2022
• No Comments on Business plan for ict training center

Business Plan for an ICT Training Center – Why Write Business Plan? A business plan is a written description of your project to start an interactive computer training centre. A well-written business plan will result in a stronger business, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t invest the time and effort to make sure it’s perfect.

Purpose of business plan: Running an ICT training center (ICTTC) is a great human endeavor that provides several benefits to the society. A trained person is always a positive aspect for the country’s development. The ICTTC gives their students the possibility to develop  their skills from different points of view, by getting them involved in practical projects and tasks. The ICTTC reflects a commitment of a group of people who have always been interested in IT careers, being able to carry out this dream through training its students with dedication and responsibility.

Information about yourself as an entrepreneur (such as your education level and work experience). This will help readers understand who they are dealing with before they decide whether or not they want to do business with them. For example, if you have a degree in marketing management from Oxford University but have never worked in that field before, this would be relevant information for investors because they will know what kind of person they are dealing with before investing.

How to set up an ict centre

The first step in setting up a business is to identify your target market and customers. If you are planning to open an IT training centre, there are several things that you need to take into consideration. The most important ones are:

· Location: This is very important as it will determine whether there is enough demand for what you want to offer as well as how much competition you will face.

· Staffing: You need to decide who will be in charge of running the centre and training the students since this will affect the overall quality of services provided.

· Curriculum: You should have a curriculum that meets the needs and demands of your target audience. Also, make sure that it is relevant and updated so that it can keep up with current trends in technology and software development.

ICT training center is a business that trains people in computer knowledge and skills. This is a growing industry and many people are looking to start their own ict training center. If you want to start an ict training center, you need to know the steps involved in starting it. Below are some of the things you should consider before opening your own ICT training center.

1. Choose Your Niche

2. Identify Your Target Market

3. Prepare a Business Plan

4. Get All Necessary Licenses and Permits

ICT Training Center:

A new ICT training center is set up to provide training for the people interested in ICT courses such as Networking, Hardware and Software and also Java programming. The objective of this center is to provide the latest technology to the local community and also help them improve their skillsets in different fields.

The main goal of this business plan is to show that this project is feasible and profitable. The purpose of this plan is to provide information about the business and how it works, its financial requirements, marketing strategies, management plans, etc. This plan will be used by investors for making decisions about investing money on this project.

ICT is a new term that has come into use in the last few years. It stands for Information and Communication Technology. The ICT industry has become one of the most important sectors in any economy. It is also growing at a very fast rate. There are many reasons for this growth, but one of them is the increasing demand for computer skills among students and professionals alike.

The demand for computer skills is not limited to just software skills; it extends to hardware as well. The general idea behind setting up an ICT center is that you would provide training in both hardware and software skills to people who are interested in learning these skills. This way, you will be able to cater to the needs of individuals as well as companies because companies often require employees who have specialized knowledge about computers and other similar devices used by them on a day-to-day basis.

You can set up an ICT center in any part of your city or town depending on where there is more demand for such services. You may also be able to find out if there are any local colleges or universities offering courses related to computers or other similar devices used in business today such as laptops, mobile phones, etc.

In this business plan for setting up an ICT Training Center, we will provide you with all the necessary information and advice for creating a successful business. We will help you create a professional document that will give you all the knowledge needed to start a profitable business.

The first thing to do is to study the market and find out which products are in demand and what the client needs are.

The second step is to analyze the competition and find out what they are doing right and wrong so as not to repeat their mistakes when starting your own business. You should also look at how they position themselves in relation to their customers, whether they have any unique selling points (USPs), what marketing strategies they use and so on.

After this research, it’s time for you to start writing your own business plan!

If you are planning to start your own ICT training center, you need to have a business plan. You can use this plan as a guideline to help you make important decisions on how to manage your business.

You will need the following information:

The purpose of your business – what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve it

Who will be involved in running the business – partners, staff and suppliers

How much money is required to start up and run the business

How much money do you want to make? This is an important question because if you want more than you can realistically expect, then it won’t be long before you lose interest in the venture or run into financial difficulties.

An ICT center is a place where you can use computer technology and other forms of communication. It is also a place where you can learn how to use these technologies. An ICT center may be part of a school or university, or it may be located in a business or government office.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the use of technology for communication and information processing. ICT is a broad term which covers many subcategories, such as computers, mobile phones, and video games.

A business plan is a written document that describes the business and its goals, and is used to obtain financing from investors or lenders. A business plan can also be called a business proposal, a startup plan and even a business model. The main purpose of the plan is to convince potential investors that your idea has merit.

The exact form of the document depends on what you want to tell potential investors. For example, if you are looking for funding to start a new company, you may want to include more details about how you will run the company. If you’re trying to get a loan or line of credit from a bank, then they might require additional information such as financial statements and cash flow projections.

Business Plan Outline

The basic outline of any business plan includes:

An executive summary

A description of your product or service

Information about your company’s history, management team and financial statements (if applicable)

A description of competition (if applicable)

Marketing strategies for success

A business plan is a written document that describes the overall strategy of a business. It typically includes a mission statement, an overview of the company, the market and competition, financial projections, and more.

Business plans are an important tool for any business owner to use in order to help manage their business and make better decisions.

A typical business plan will have certain sections such as:

1. Executive Summary – This is usually the first portion of your plan that you will write. The executive summary should be brief (1-2 pages) but provide enough information for readers to understand what your company does and why it’s important. It should also include any risks or challenges you foresee facing in the future; this will help people understand if they want to invest in your company or not.

2. Business Description – The next section of most business plans is called “Business Description” or sometimes referred to as “Company Profile”. This section provides general information about your company including its name, location, products or services offered, how long it has been operating (if applicable), etc.

3. Company History – Many people think this section should be included at the end of their plan after all other sections have been completed but it can also be placed before it.

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How to Write a Business Plan for Investors

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IT Services Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

IT Services Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their IT companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating an IT business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write an IT business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an IT Services Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your IT business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for IT Company

If you’re looking to start an IT business or grow your existing IT company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your IT business to improve your chances of success. Your IT business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for IT Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an IT business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for IT companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for an it services business.

If you want to start an IT business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your IT business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of IT business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an IT business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of IT businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the IT industry.
• Discuss the type of IT business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of IT business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of IT businesses:

• Computer repair: This type of IT business provides computer maintenance and repair services.
• Computer training: This type of IT professional specializes in teaching others how to use computers as well as various software and computer programs.
• IT support: This type of IT professional provides services for businesses such as setting up a network, backing up data, and systems management.
• Cloud computing: This type of IT specialist helps individuals and businesses establish cloud platforms and tools, or may help to migrate their information to the cloud.

In addition to explaining the type of IT business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of new clients served, the number of repeat clients, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the IT industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the IT industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your IT business plan:

• How big is the IT industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your IT business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your IT business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of IT business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other IT businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of IT consultants, in-house IT support, or do-it-yourself IT tutorials. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of IT business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your product or service?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For an IT business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of IT company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide cloud computing, data center management, or network setup services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your IT company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your IT business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your IT marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your IT business, including answering calls, meeting with new clients, billing and collecting payments from clients, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your IT business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your IT business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing IT businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing an IT business or successfully running a small IT consulting service.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you charge your clients an hourly rate of $250 per hour, and will you work 5 hours per day? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your IT business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing an IT business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of your IT credentials.

Writing a business plan for your IT business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert on IT business planning. You will understand the IT industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful IT business.

IT Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my it services business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your IT services business plan.

How Do You Start an IT Services Business?

Starting an IT business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your IT Business
• Create Your IT Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your IT Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your IT Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your [Sector] Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your IT Business
• Buy or Lease the Right IT Business Equipment
• Develop Your IT Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your IT Business
• Open for Business

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How to Create a Business Plan for a Training Center

by Ruth Mayhew

Published on 21 Nov 2018

The key to convincing investors, such as banks, to invest in your business, is to construct a business plan that demonstrates you have business acumen and that you know the industry. Constructing a solid business plan isn't difficult, but it does require deep expertise about the type of business or industry and knowledge of how businesses start, operate and grow. To launch a training center, create a business plan that proves you are qualified, experienced and have a passion for the training industry.

Training-Specific Qualifications

Creating a business plan for a training center requires that you have expertise or experience in operating one. Perhaps you have been the operations manager for a successful training center and you're ready to take the leap into starting your own center. Otherwise, you will need a team of colleagues whose collective experiences compel investors to want to share in your future success. According to Training Industry magazine, several critical steps to starting a training business include acquiring the credentials necessary to prove that your industry knowledge and credibility is sound. Training credentials can range from certifications or licenses in specific areas, such as IT security networks, to advanced degrees in adult education. If you don't personally have these credentials, you must have a team that does. That said, if you have training credentials, your business plan will carry more weight because you are spearheading an endeavor based on your industry-specific knowledge, which can be far more credible than simply hiring people with this expertise.

Food For Thought and Paper

Before you put pen to paper to create a business plan, your self-assessment will determine whether you actually are prepared to operate and own a training center. Questions such as, "If I cannot get investors' commitments, am I prepared to fund this endeavor from business loans or my personal savings?" and "What are the specific types of services that my training center will provide, and is there an opportunity for this training center in my area?" and "If the market is currently flooded with other training centers, what niche can I create, based on my own expertise and differentiation of services?"

Business Plan Components

Constructing a business plan isn't something you complete in an afternoon or even a day. Your research and analysis alone will take time to compile, and while you might be well-connected to the training community, if this is your first foray into the training industry or owning a business, you might need expert guidance in one or both areas. According to Forbes, basic components of a business plan include analyses of the future company, the industry and the competition. In addition, your business plan should include an analysis of your potential customers and the type of marketing your research shows will be most effective. Traditional business concepts, such as who is managing this effort, how you plan to operate the business and how you're going to fund it, are critical points to address in your business plan. When you complete the draft business plan for your training center, write an executive summary that answers this question: "Why do you believe your training center is different from all the others?"

Focus on the Specificity

You will find a plethora of business plan templates on the internet. Ensure that yours specifically says why your training center business concept will succeed when others have not, to maintain your investors' interest. For example, projections about your future training center should focus on what's presently available and accessible, therefore, your analysis should address physical space necessary. Is there even room in your geographic area to support another training center? Determine whether you are offering on-site training, remote training broadcast from one location or a hybrid model that combines classroom training and computer-based training, or CBT. That will determine the physical space you need to launch another training center in the area.

Describe your market, such as how many training centers are currently in existence, how many participants – according to job-specific areas – are in the market. For example, if your training center is dedicated to serving allied health care professionals such as nuclear-medicine technologists, dietitians or respiratory therapists, how many training centers are in the market? The rate at which they are producing graduates and if there are prospective students who do not have access to training is critical data that are particularly useful to your business plan. Your research could include the acceptance and graduation rates of existing training centers in the area versus the numbers of applicants or prospective students. Perhaps the demand is greater than what the existing training centers can accommodate. That is just the first part of the equation because the second and equally important factor is this: If the demand is great, do you have the ability to source and recruit qualified instructors to provide the training your center offers?

Let's Talk Money

A business plan is sorely lacking without a detailed analysis and discussion about funding. Entrepreneur Magazine says that a business plan should project costs for three-to-five years and include start-up costs, operating expenses and projections so that investors can see where their money will be spent, and what their return on investment will be. Your business plan should include projections in a balance-sheet-like format, which also demonstrates that you understand basic business concepts. If finance isn't in your wheelhouse, collaborate with an expert to present the financial picture for your training center.

The Proof Is in the Details 

Like other business reports, your business plan should include an appendix. The appendix includes documents that support every section of your plan, and, if appropriate, include your market research data. For example, if you have identified key personnel for your training center such as a training director, an operations director or a financial management professional, include their resumes and credentials in your business plan. In addition, state whether your business requires petitioning for jurisdictional business-or-land-use permits.

The final step is your executive summary, which you should write only after you have completed the final business plan. Many investors will take the time to read just a one-to-two-page executive summary, so it must include enough information to compel them to read the entire business plan or to make a decision based on a well-thought-out and well-written business concept. Your executive summary should answer the question, "Why do you believe your training center is different from all the others?"

• Business Plans Handbook
• Business Plans - Volume 09
• Computer Training Service Business Business Plan

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 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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Information Technology Training Plan Template

What is an Information Technology Training Plan?

An information technology training plan outlines the strategy and resources needed to equip employees with the skills and knowledge required to use IT systems and services effectively. It describes the objectives, resources, timeline, and measurements that need to be in place to ensure the success of the training program. The plan should be tailored to the specific needs of the organization, taking into account its size, budget, and objectives.

What's included in this Information Technology Training Plan template?

• 3 focus areas
• 6 objectives

Each focus area has its own objectives, projects, and KPIs to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Who is the Information Technology Training Plan template for?

This Information Technology Training Plan template is designed for IT teams who need to create a plan for training employees on new technology. It includes a guideline on how to structure the plan, identify objectives, and create measurable targets (KPIs) to track progress. 

1. Define clear examples of your focus areas

When creating your Information Technology Training Plan, it is important to define your focus areas. A focus area is a specific area of IT training that will be addressed in the plan. Examples of focus areas could include information security, data management, and cloud computing. Once you have identified the focus areas, you can start to think about the objectives that could fall under each one.

2. Think about the objectives that could fall under that focus area

Objectives are the goals you want to achieve in each focus area. They should be specific, measurable, and achievable. Examples of objectives could include increasing employee knowledge of new technologies, increasing employee satisfaction with training, and ensuring network security.

3. Set measurable targets (KPIs) to tackle the objective

Once you have identified the objectives, you need to set measurable targets (KPIs). KPIs are measurable indicators that will help you track progress towards your objectives. Examples of KPIs could include increase employee knowledge of new technologies, increase employee satisfaction with training, and increase network security. You should also set an initial and target value for each KPI.

4. Implement related projects to achieve the KPIs

Once you have identified the KPIs, you need to determine the actions (projects) that need to be taken to reach them. Examples of projects could include establishing a training program for new technologies, evaluating employee satisfaction with training, and implementing security measures. It is important to ensure that the projects are aligned with the objectives and KPIs.

5. Utilize Cascade Strategy Execution Platform to see faster results from your strategy

Cascade Strategy Execution Platform is the perfect tool for creating and managing your Information Technology Training Plan. With the platform, you can easily track progress towards objectives, review KPIs, and monitor projects. This allows you to quickly identify any issues and take corrective action to ensure the success of your training program.

Business Plan on IT Training Centre Report

In any business plan there are fundamental provisions that are required with respect to the nature of the market in question. In essence the market is the most essential tool for consideration when seeking opportunities for the business success.

If there is minimal feasibility of the market, there is no need to launch the business, however if there is an evident market gap in a given region, it is always advisable to optimize on the opportunity that may soon be gone. The UAE in this case is one of the fastest growing economies in the world together with China.

In fact, the UAE is almost not dependent on natural gases like petroleum and oil because of its diversity. With a $270 Billion GDP, UAE is a wealthy region with people who are willing to invest. Technology is the key solution for industrialization and hence the need of technology in the region.

Statement of the problem

This analysis explicitly looks into the viability of venturing into an IT training center in the UAE based on the market research that had been concluded. The market research indicated that there is an opportunity to make a successful business venture in the region because of the presence of adequate need in the region.

In this business plan analysis, the major purpose is to develop a viable business plan that will be used be used for the IT Training Center (ITC) that will be established in the UAE. This business plan will therefore provide important information about the nature of the business that will be launched in the UAE.

Some of the most important considerations in this case include the marketing plan, operation plan, management and organization, financial plan and the milestone for the ITC training center. This business plan is developed after an extensive market research had been carried out to establish the viability and the feasibility of establishing a training center in the UAE.

Significance of the study

A successful business plan is a plan that has reasonable projections on profits and reasonable estimations of costs; this is the significance of this study. The other important consideration in ensuring a successful business plan is adequate sources of fund coupled with sound management. When these factors have been considered, marketing plan can now be organized and implemented to acquire as substantial niche. In this case, the establishment of IT Training Center in the UAE has been based on the viability of the project.

The economic base of the UAE is strong and one of the fastest growing economies in the world and therefore highly likely to accommodate foreign investors to the region. The country is also aiming to be dependent on tourism and other sources of funds in future as their oil and mineral base is expected to diminish with time. These facts provide evidence on the viability of the project in the region.

The business will be based in the United Arab Emirates; it will be stationed in a rented office in the Abu Dhabi the capital city of UAE. The name of the business is IT Training Center (ITC).

The business will target both the local residents and the international students who will be visiting the UAE or outside the UAE but have constant internet access that will enable them attend live class proceedings. The financial plan and its projections have been provided and projected to make a profit $19,740 by the end of three fiscal quarterly years.

The services that will be offered by ITC will include the following, IT Governance and Ethics, Project management, Web designing(Data driven web design using Drupal, Joomla, and SharePoint), Networking, N+, A+, Cisco CCNA/CCNP, ICDL and office packages, Linux administration, Oracle and Java, web marketing and optimization. The services will be offered on a 24 hour basis, online support will also be provided to other students willing to enroll to the college within the UAE for a reduced fee and outside the UAE.

Literature review

In a business venture, there are several concerns to be considered when launching the business. Some of the most foundational concepts in planning a business are; ensuring that there is a sufficient market demand, financial provisions, and operation planning among other imperative considerations (Covello, 123).

A successful business plan should therefore have a comprehensive consideration of the market and the need for the product or service in the market (Covello, 124). This consideration is the foundation of any business since the business cannot survive without the market for the products and services.

In some instances, there is essence to create the need from the market through bridging the market gap by innovative and competitive products and services, if this is achieved; sound business prosperity will be attained(Covello, 126). There are other considerations that should be implemented before the onset of the business enterprise; some of these include PEST and SWOT analysis, these analyses are relevant because of the external influences of the business.

Definition of terms

PEST- Political Economic Social and Technological analysis

SWOT-Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats

CCNA- Cisco Certified Network Associate

CCNP-Cisco Certified Network Professional

ICDL- International Computer Driving License

A+- Foundational Networking course

N+- Basic networking course based in the fundamentals of A+

UAE- United Arab Emirates

Based on the market research that had been done in the field, the results of the analysis process as outlined in the market research proposal require that the following progression be followed.

Market plan

This is the central aspect of the business, the initial analysis for the feasibility of establishing a business opportunity in the UAE had provided evidence of the existing market for training of IT courses in the region. The existence for the need of the services is a great demonstration that there exists opportunities (market in this case) to be exploited in the region.

The imperative step that will be taken by the management of the ITC is the implementation of a thorough marketing strategy that will emphasize on the uniqueness of the services that the college will offer better those of other service providers in the region.

Promotional strategies

The promotional strategies that will be exploited by the ITC will aim to capture and convince the service consumers on the services of the college. Considering that technological advancement is the key issue in the modern world. Developing a strategy that show optimum use of technology to the modern world market will be essential to the residents of the region. Online and regional advertisements will be utilized to maximize the market opportunities in the region.

SWOT analysis of based on the competitors

• The colleges in the UAE have a stronger online presence.
• The companies in the region are mostly local and hence have a local support.
• The colleges in the UAE have most of the courses that are to be offered by the ITC.
• The colleges in the region have poor marketing strategies that ITC can take advantage of.
• The services offered by the companies in the region are professional but not market oriented as opposed to the ITC which is more market oriented compared to other colleges like sites power training college which exist in the area.

Opportunities

• Given the competitive advantage of the ITC, there is a likelihood of the market oriented services like market optimization options if Information technology to influence the residents on using the services of ITC.
• The market opportunities in the region are still open to be filled because of the economical strength of the UAE and hence despite the presence of competitors, there are opportunities for new entrants into the market.
• The loyalty of the local residents may be biased to international companies.
• The cost of starting a business in the region may exceed the approximations because of the dynamic nature of the market in the regions.

As evident from the analysis of the competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, the ITC will exploit all the opportunities within its reach in ensuring that the strategies employed by the business will yield positive results.

The aspect of close relation of Information Technology to business will yield more positive market approach because of the uniqueness of the service being offered. Unlike other institutions in the region that have less or no reliance on their market perspective to technology, the ITC will be the market leader in closely relating the two and ensuring that the students who will graduate from the institution will be better placed as managers who are more market oriented and can take advantage of technology for the good of the organization that they will manage after graduating from the ITC institution.

The idea of the penetrating prices at the onset of the institution will be set to be moderate in order to gain the perception of cheap services that are quality. The prices will average compared to other institutions in the region to avoid being mistaken for cheap and possibly poor service and again expensive and an international company that does not understand the needs of the United Arab Emirates.

Plan of operation

The plan of operation in the region will require several requirements to be met in order to enhance a suitable environment for development (Covello, p.121). The initial consideration is proper management of the ITC. The management will be hired from the region because of the loyalty of the customer aspect.

The other important consideration will be the teaching staff. The teaching staff will be hired from the region and outside the region in order to enhance the quality of the services that will be offered. The teaching staff will also be assisted by the support staff and co-workers of the institution, these people will be hired from the region and their financial provisions are as projected in the table below.

In order to impress investors on the viability of the project for financial assistance, the projections outlined below will be of essence. The financial provisions with a projection of a growth rate of more than $4,000 on a quarterly basis will increase their confidence on the guarantee of their returns on investments. The sources of funds will therefore come from different places including bank loan, private investors, personal contributions and savings.

The institution’s partners will be another added advantage in ensuring that there is a value from the services being offered in ITC. Some of the important partners that the institution will create a Business-to-Business relationship (B-2-B) include Microsoft Corporation, Cisco, Linux institute, and Mc fee. These partners will help in building the name or the image of the institution because of their success in their different fields of Information Technology (IT).

Financial plan

Other requirements.

It will be important for the business to ensure that it meets its legal requirements in the foreign market in order to ensure a smooth flow of the launching process. The legal requirements if the UAE should therefore be met, some of the imperative considerations are; licenses and complying with the business limits that are set by the government of the UAE.

Risk evaluation

A standard legal procedure for risk evaluation should be implemented in order to ensure a sound environment for business. Some of the risks that should be considered in this case are the market perceptions and changes especially with the consideration of the foreign environment. Since business in itself is a risk, it is important to account for the extent of risk that is being encountered in the process of business operation; this will provide more supportive business backup options for the business to run in a sound way.

Launch of the business

The business will be launched once the logistics, marketing plan, operation management, and financial provisions are met. It will be vital to also consider other external conditions that should be met in order to experience a sound business environment with minimal and realistic assumptions.

This breakdown has explicitly analyzed the feasibility for the launch of IT Training Center in the UAE. The proposed market planning, financial provisions, operation management and other requirements have been analyzed for the purpose of launching a successful business in the region. The dividends projections that are sound and achievable are the basis of more financial support from investors and lending companies.

The results analysis in this breakdown is viable basically because of the market opportunity present in the region and the financial provisions coupled with the risks associated with the business venture.

It is of essence to ensure that there is a need or a gap in the market before launching a business, in doing so, there will be less risks and assumptions that will be made in the launching process. This analysis has also provided the management and operation plan of the IT training center in the UAE. The projection of the amount of profits that is expected in the region is reasonably high for any investor to launch the operations successfully.

Recommendations

In order to ensure that the business will be successful in the region given the ever changing market conditions, there is need for the project managers who are leaders in this case to be sensitive to any changes or financial additions that may be required. A substantial niche can only be achieved by having alternative plans for strategic changes since the market is very volatile given the development of technology and marketing strategies (Covello, p.130).

The leadership of the project ought to be very flexible in ensuring that the necessary changes do not interfere with the business missions and visions. Another imperative consideration in this case is the marketing strategies. The local people and media ought to be used tactfully in order to ensure that the business is introduced as part of the region and not a strange entity that may result to being sidelined.

Additionally it will be of essence for the business to emphasize on the idea of “who we are” to the UAE society and what new things do we bring to the region that will benefit the region and the future of its people. The ‘’who we are” brings the sense of ethics and social responsibility to spotlight and hence imperative in ensuring that the business succeeds by winning the minds of the target market.

This business plan analysis has been geared towards establishing a business base for IT Training center in the UAE. The UAE provides a very conducive environment for business because of the country’s economy and political stability that has seen it become of the world’s fasted growing economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than $270 Billion.

The marketing strategies that will be used in getting the market for the institution will emphasize on the uniqueness of the services that the institution will be offering. One of the major uniqueness of the ITC institute is its ability to closely match marketing with technology.

There is need in the country to embrace both the market and technology as a strategy of moving forward towards being fully developed and sustainable. Technology is the key to success in any service sector in the world today, without proper implementation or embrace of the positives of technology; there is no substantial step that will be made with regard to national development.

The plan of operation and the financial plan of the project will ensure that the project gets adequate funds for a robust start off. The leadership of the project will be the genesis of establishing a sound success in the region as all the resources can be managed and used well only if there is sound leadership coupled with focused marketing strategies that emphasizes on the uniqueness of the services that will be launched in business market venture and also sustainability of the entire process.

Works Cited

Covello, Joseph. Your first business plan: a simple question-and-answer format designed to help you write your own plan . New York: Hazelgren Sourcebooks, Inc., 2005. Pp. 121-134.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, May 15). Business Plan on IT Training Centre. https://ivypanda.com/essays/business-plan-on-it-training-centre/

"Business Plan on IT Training Centre." IvyPanda , 15 May 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/business-plan-on-it-training-centre/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Business Plan on IT Training Centre'. 15 May.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Business Plan on IT Training Centre." May 15, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/business-plan-on-it-training-centre/.

1. IvyPanda . "Business Plan on IT Training Centre." May 15, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/business-plan-on-it-training-centre/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Business Plan on IT Training Centre." May 15, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/business-plan-on-it-training-centre/.

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Business Plan

Computer Training School Business Plan in Nigeria

by BusinessPlan 4 Comments

Computer Training School Business Plan in Nigeria / How to Start a Computer Training Institute in Nigeria

Computer Training School Business Plan in Nigeria  – In today’s world, it’s virtually impossible that anyone can do without computers. Computers have become an electronic device that is used almost every day by people of all ages, all over the world. They are very important in every area of our daily lives; in business, schooling, banking, medicine, hospitality, fashion, telecommunication, media and entertainment, power, etc. are just but a few of them.

Read: Vocational Training Centre Proposal in Nigeria

Also read: how to start a cyber cafe in nigeria.

Computers have gained significance in our lives as they have improved our efficiency and productivity in zillions of ways. However, computers are highly technical and to use them, you have to possess the right knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, millions of Nigerians do not have what it takes to effectively operate a computer. As much as this is a problem that needs tackling, it is also an avenue for any computer-savvy entrepreneur who can effectively teach to apply his or her computer knowledge to deliver a rewarding service to clients. Investing in computer training business is a viable business with a lot of income and growth potential.

So, what are the ways through which you can start your computer training center?

Learn More: How to Write a Business Plan and Make Sense

You can start a computer training business in the following ways:

Home-Based Training Center-: This involves visiting people in their homes to train them one-on-one on computer usage and general applications. This kind of training business doesn’t require setting up a brick and mortar computer training.

Corporate Training-: This is where you would work with corporate bodies to help them train their employees on how to use the computer for specific company operations.

Virtual Training Center-: This kind of computer training center is internet-based. Here, you can train people anywhere in the world over the internet from the comfort of your home. Your students will not be physically present in the same room with you but can see and hear you using the internet as a medium. Here you can also sell computer training information materials (eBooks, videos, audios, etc.) to your clients.

The Typical Training Center-: This is the regular computer training center we find in town where clients visit to be lectured on specific computer applications and software in a classroom setting. In this chapter, we are going to talk about the typical training center. Let’s get on with it.

How to Set Up a Computer Training Center in Nigeria

Like every other business, setting up a computer training school should be carefully and meticulously planned out. This is why I would advise that you write a detailed computer training school business plan in Nigeria. This is important because you will need to know the following requirements before starting:

• How much capital your business needs to kick off and run on till income begins to come in.
• The type of computer training center your want to start.
• Is your choice of location good for the business and is your targeted market there?
• Who are your competitors, what do they do and how do you intend to out-shine them?
• An idea of what your profit projections will look like in a few years time.
• And so much more.

Do not start a computer training institute without proper feasibility study and business plan.

For N10, 000, we will send you a sample computer training school business plan in Nigeria. Our business plan can be used to access bank loans, government grants, and contest in business competitions.

To place order for this business plan, pay N10, 000 to:

BANK NAME: GUARANTY TRUST BANK (GTB)

ACCOUNT NAME: CHIBUZOR TOCHI ONYEMENAM

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0044056891

After payment, send the following details via text to 07033378184.

Depositors Name

Your email address

The title of the business plan you paid for (i.e. computer training school business plan in Nigeria pdf)

The Potential Profit in Setting up a Computer Training School

Do you know that you can make over N3 Million each year by running a computer training school with only 20 computers? Let me show you how this will work in this illustration:

Let’s say that in a day you run three computer training sessions with the exception of Sundays-

Morning Session- (8.00am – 12.00pm) Afternoon Session – (12.00pm – 4.00pm) Evening Session – (4.00pm – 8.00pm)

if for each session you have 20 students and 60 students each day. And each student pays N5000 each month for a 3 -6 months course, then your potential income a month will be N300,000. And N3.6 Million per year. That’s some good money.

How much to Start a Computer Training Business

• Rent a large partitioned office space – N250,000.
• Buy 20 desktop/laptop computers at N30,000 each – N500,000 or less.
• 2 commercial printers at N30,000 each – N60,000 or less.
• Generator – N100,000 or less.
• Computer desks for 20 students – N100,000.
• 2 air conditioning units at N90,000 each – N180,000.
• 3 Teacher’s salary for 3 months at N90,000 per month – N270,000.
• Lightening, installations, teaching board, etc – N120,000.

Potential cost – N1,580,000

Things you need to consider before Starting a Computer Training Business

Gain proficiency in a number of computer programs that are useful in the business world. Some of such programs, such as word processing, presentation, database and spreadsheet programs, are universal across most industries, so learning to use them in every detail will prove profitable to you. Even though such programs’ popularity means that many people can use them to some extent, most people still do not have a full understanding of them. You can provide training on their more advanced features. Proficiency in specialized programs can prove even more lucrative than proficiency in more common programs, as the supply of professionals skilled in their use is limited. Examples of such specialized programs are animation programs, multimedia programs and publishing platforms.

You must be able to good at explaining things to others in simple terms. Do not just ambiguous technical grammar. Be simple, easy to understand and offer more than enough examples and demonstrations. This is the only way to ensure that your students enjoy and understand each lesson you offer. You should also structure your classes into segmented units so that your students do not take in too much information in each lesson. Also so purchase teaching materials or create your own.

You can decide to rent an office space somewhere close to a tertiary institution or in a popular business district where there is a lot of human traffic. Other options include starting the business from your home or visiting your clients in their own homes/offices for one-on-one computer sessions.

Purchase the right equipment for your training facility. These include; computers, software, computer desk and chairs, training manuals, internet modem, business cards & flyers, generator, UPS, Projector (optional),whiteboard & markers, etc.

Conduct exams and tests on your students from time to time. You should also issue certificates after your trainees have passed a qualifying examination.

When your customer base begins to grow, ensure that you hire well trained professionals to help you teach your students. In fact before you employ anyone, have them perform a teaching demonstration so that you can scale their teaching skills and ability to impart knowledge. You should only hire the finest hands you can find.

Create a marketing plan. Detail all of the advertising and marketing methods you plan on using to find clients, whether they be direct marketing, online advertising, print advertising or broadcast advertising. Outline the specific venues in which you plan to advertise, and make a plan of how much money you plan on spending for such advertising.

Set up a business website for your business. Even if you do not plan on doing much online advertising, you should still have an Internet presence to help establish legitimacy — especially since your business is a computer-based business. On the website, give a full account of your expertise, qualifications and curriculum. Mention any applicable certifications you have too.

Hurry now and get your own computer training school business plan in Nigeria + feasibility study.

To plan order, pay N10,000 to:

 BANK NAME: GUARANTY TRUST BANK (GTB) ACCOUNT NAME: CHIBUZOR TOCHI ONYEMENAM ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0044056891 OR BANK NAME: FIRST BANK PLC ACCOUNT NAME: CHIBUZOR TOCHI ONYEMENAM ACCOUNT NUMBER: 3066880122

After payment, send your name, email address and title of business plan (i.e. computer training school business plan in Nigeria pdf) via text to 07033378184. Your business plan will be sent to your email within 10 minutes after payment. Thank you.

Computer Training School Business Plan in Nigeria © www.businessplan.com.ng

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I have this an idea, its a big problems in our country of computer skills. I wrote business plan concerning this but I’m looking for funder who can support on this, just only computers.

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