Virtual Impax

Turnkey Online Training Business For Sale

business value of being firstOne of my clients contacted me last week and told me she’s selling her turnkey online training business.  If you’re a believer in the value of training – and if you’re willing to devote yourself full time to this business – this may be the opportunity of a lifetime for you.

This is a solid business model and the recent shift in the economic landscape just makes this business even more attractive.

Here’s the “back story” of this business.  Way back – at the “turn of the century” – my client was working as a coach and consultant.  She was working with companies on ways to improve employee performance and that sparked an idea.   She created a business providing leadership and management training.  She  hired a top instructional design consultant to create the courses and a local web development firm (not me) to craft her business “storefront” and a business was born.

In the first quarter of the year 2003 – the business’s web site was launched.  During the first year, my client was out actively “selling” businesses on the concept.  At the time -it was new and it was different.  (This business is the one I had in mind when I wrote “The Business Value in Being First” ) During those sales conversations – my client not only filled a few classes – she also filled her coaching practice.  Her time, her attention – her energy – have been focused upon working with her one on one clients.

In my opinion – the fact that the classes didn’t fill as quickly as her practice skewed her view of this business.  I can see what “really” happened  just from out conversations about the subject.  See, when my client went out to sell her distance learning – she couldn’t help but talking about her passion – coaching.  Listening to the change in her voice as she shifts from talking about one business then the other is like having Billy Mays talking about coaching – while you have Ben Stein talking about the training business.    It’s little wonder her coaching practice is full and thriving while this business is still waiting for a spark to get it launched.

If this were a business broker listing on a web site, I would say that she’s selling the business because she doesn’t have the time to devote to it.    However – it’s not a business broker site so you get my opinion, which is:  this is a great business foundation that needs an infusion of time and passion.

The training courses and materials have already been professionally prepared and constructed.  The courses are obviously the work of a skilled instructional designer.  The web site is developed even though it’s in serious need of some basic SEO services.

There are a lot of things to love about this business model – most notably – the profit potential.   However, unlike many business opportunities – the downturn in the economy is actually a GOOD thing for this business model.  See, business NEED their employees to be more productive –  now more than ever before.   Employees don’t arrive the first day on the job with every skill needed to succeed so they must be trained.  Businesses NEED a cost effective way to teach employees new skills – and this business not only offers a cost effective solution – it also offers a BETTER solution.  Employees don’t have to “leave” work to get trained.  Employees get ongoing support which is not possible when training is delivered in a classroom setting.

It’s not often that you see something where “less expensive” is also “more effective” – but that is the case in this business model.

NOTE:  This blog post generated GREAT highly qualified responses for my client.  She reports that she’s found the perfect match – which is truly exciting.

I’m going to leave this blog post up – because I have several other clients for whom I’ve helped to build similar online training based businesses.   If another client contacts me and wants to sell his/her business as well – I’ll simply make a new blog post and link to it here.

If you’re wanting to build your own, unique online training business – contact me. I absolutely LOVE working with entrepreneurs who have a clear vision and possess the courage and dedication to bring their dream to life on the web.

Comments

One response to “Turnkey Online Training Business For Sale”

  1. Steve Business Broker in Toronto Avatar
    Steve Business Broker in Toronto

    As a business broker, your post really hits home. I come across some truly great business ideas that aren’t at their fullest potential simply because of the wrong fit with the owner. The business does sound interesting. Best of luck.