Business Idea of the Day... Interesting concept & of course “Twistable”...

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Gordon,

I was in Seattle recently and came across this organization that has a pretty cool business model:

http://www.discoveru.net/

As you can see they offer a little bit of everything in terms of class content.

They also provide the classroom facilities and support, distribute something like 70,000 course catalogs a month in the Seattle area, and operate on a membership dues structure.

Interesting, eh?

Cheers,

Rod

YES it is, Thanks Rod.

There are a lot of these type of things...here's how SQ1 will be different.

I want to learn MS Excel for a job I saw in the paper that requires it. Although I have some experience with it, basic stuff, I need to take a class to have a good foundation.

Here are my options around the country...to make my point on the SQ1.

From the Boston Center of Adult Education (Similar to University of Akron and other Adult Education centers)
http://www.bcae.org/ecat?open&sub=Co...SortBy=subject

See, I have to WAIT for when it is scheduled.

Here is a catalog (PDF file) that I love. GREAT stuff here. But note on the MS Excel {last page of listings) that I have TO WAIT.

http://www.knowledgenetwork.org/cata...t-Oct%2007.pdf

From the Colorado Free University, who uses CompuSkills

http://www.compuskills.com/EXCEL.html

For a one day intensive on MS Excel, I'd expect to pay 149 to 199 so far, and I have to WAIT for when it's scheduled.

Here's a 99 buck ONLINE class:

http://www.takeaclass.org/store/inde...yword=MS+Excel

Another ONLINE course for 125 or less for members:

http://www.learnconnect.com/index.cf...=111&catalogid=

And the DiscoverU catalog, another nifty presentation.
http://www.discoveru.net/contact/cat.../DiscoverU.pdf

The basic concept for the SQ1 Training Center IS:

IF you need to learn MS Excel this week...WE can do that.

WE can arrange it at your schedule, and on your demand...as we could do with almost 80% of the classes listed at all of the above. The exceptions would be a "personality based" type of program, like if Howard Berg HIMSELF were teaching his speed reading method (although I could find plenty of "Speed Reading and Speed Learning" experts in any area of the country...and again, I'd have enough of them that ONE would be available within days or even hours of inquiry.

WE could do scheduled classes, and give DEEP Discounts. I'd charge 69-79 dollars for an intensive DAY long session for MS Excel for example...and only need 3 students to be profitable.

SEE those buildings and COSTS? The existing Continuing Education or Adult Ed programs are "housed" somewhere, like at a University or the company has committed a substantial investment in a place.

With the SQ1 "franchise"...an investment of less that 50k gets the CENTER, the computers, everything needed to LAUNCH and the HOW TO do it also...and we get the space as we need it, OR let our providers use their facilites (under certain restrictions/qualifications like liability insurance...background checks where need be, etc.)

We can compete (let me use local references here) DIRECTLY WITH The U. of Akron, Kent State U., Cleveland State, Youngstown State...private providers, state, county and non profits...

BECAUSE we are Mini--Mobile--Efficient--and better organized and mostly because we can deliver the goods faster, easier, cheaper and provide a ton of income to the Independent Contractors we use to do the actual teaching.

Thanks Rod, that is a great "concept" that is being implemented by many Adult Ed Centers around the conuntry...and it offers a contrast to what the SQ1 will do.

Gordon Jay Alexander

That's an interesting 32 page catalog of Hotsheets...

With Stealable ideas for Anyone who has a particular Expertise...
http://www.discoveru.net/contact/cat.../DiscoverU.pdf

Some Excellent marketing and if you Google around you'll see that People of like interests Keep on taking Course after Course for years as a Network for their Social Life of meeting people...

So in Actual Fact... http://www.discoveru.net/
Has built up a Great concept using Social Church type marketing into their business model...

Here's just one of their Creative and Targeted Ads...
This Old Spouse
http://seattle.craigslist.org/cls/376135010.html

Gordon,

Keep in mind there are many Good "Free" Excel courses,tutorials & Tips online But unfortunately the Ladies aren't included...

Phil

Gordon,

Thank you for clarifying the SQ1 Mobile Mini University/Training Center FRANCHISE plan.

Yes, your description of SQ1 is of a much more cost-effective and efficient approach then DiscoverU and all of the other business models presented.

However, the biggest difference between SQ1 and others that I see can be summed up in one simple, yet oh so powerful word…SYNERGY!

The SYNERGY of a bustling CLEARINGHOUSE of information.

The SYNERGY associated with the type of information people come a seeking to change their lives.

The SYNERGY of a business model that offers job seekers, employers, contractors, and others the ability to spin-and-move-forward on the even tiniest dime of information.

The SYNERGY of RESULTS!

It took a while for the little grey cells to begin to grasp your concept, but I think SQ1 REALLY nails it!

One of these little centers is something EVERY business community should and could support.

This is powerful stuff!

If I may, allow me to toss a few more ideas into the barrel:

1. Developing some sort JV/Partnership with professional information brokers (see http://www.aiip.org/index.html). It is an emerging field and science that could bring added clearinghouse value.

2. Offering new products and services that people buy directly before, directly after, and to go with RESUME, JOB SEARCH, TEMP work, etc. For example, offering more extensive and progressive resume services for job/contract seekers such as web audio and video resumes. In addition to creating and mailing print resumes to prospective employers. And, offering more advanced tools and services for employers such as web audio/video job candidate screening. Thinking within the physical space requirements of something like the Kinko's passport photo corner, to operating an in-house SQ1 web video center in its place for all parties to use to their advantage and derive additional efficiencies.

3. Adding a mini retail supply center like a smaller version of Kinko's, but with the ability to produce and sell (even wholesale) more client specific hotsheets (see example - http://barcharts.com)

4. Generating additional revenue and free advertising with shared advertising Premium/Incentives. For example, distributing a free memo board with SQ1 & SQ1 Sponsors to every prospective employer who tours a center. Or, promoting a mini coupon booklet (purchase premium) with anything from clothing to dental discounts to new students. For example, sign up now to receive over $250 in Career Kit Savings. (Don, what do you think?)

5. Finally, if for no other reason then I like aspects of this branding/image, take a look at this page - http://www.geekposse.com/index.html. The Geek Posse theme has been used successfully over and over again (WAY too much if you ask my brother the computer technician!). Whatever, maybe it’s just the stampeding horses, but I thought there may be some value in presenting it.

CONGRATS on brilliant plan!

Rod