University of Wisconsin - Extension

KAUKAUNA - Susan and Allen Yokers figured they had a better idea. In this quiet community in the heart of the Fox Cities they formed One 2 One Software Training and Consulting. It¿s an idea that is working.

Research ranks personal attention No. 1

¿When we looked at customer roundtables and focus groups on software training, the matter of personal attention consistently came out as most important,¿ says Susan.

The upshot of their research is that the Yokers intentionally have one of the smallest software training laboratories around: It accommodates eight students. Many of their classes have a maximum of six.

UW-Oshkosh SBDC advises

After more than 25 years of corporate experience, Susan cut herself loose from big business to begin tutoring people in her home, one to one. But customer demand grew, so the Yokers poured a lot of ¿sweat equity¿ into some leased space in downtown Kaukauna, and set up a tidy, state-of-the-art facility. One 2 One opened in 1999.

One of the business¿s advisors is Dick Krueger, Small Business Development Center counselor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

¿Dick was very gentle in his suggestions on the business plan,¿ says Susan. ¿I made the changes he recommended and went to the bank.¿

The Yokers got their business financing with the second lender they approached. Allen has this advice for borrowers, ¿When you¿re looking at initial capitalization, do not make the mistake of undercapitalizing your requirements.¿

Classes help customers find solutions

Customers are corporate clients, small businesses and home-based users. The Yokers hire trainers with business and computer experience, and encourage their students to bring their real business problems to class.

Response to economic slowdown

Like many businesses, One 2 One had to make adjustments as the economy contracted in 2001. Says Susan, "We had to be creative, to see what we could provide that people were buying. So we began offering services as well as training. We hired an additional part-time person to help us do Front Page and Access development for customers."

Planning ahead for 2002

One 2 One is planning for 2002. The Yokers will continue with their popular smaller class sizes. They are working to be able to award equivalency hours for training educators in software skills. And, they will be offering more related products and services through their Web site, including media safes for customers to use in storing software backups.

Susan has this reminder for entrepreneurs, ¿When you read and hear it will take three to five years to be profitable, they¿re not kidding!¿

For more information:

http://www.one2onetraining.com">www.one2onetraining.com

One 2 One business impacts

• Created a total of five jobs

• Purchased a competitor's assets in its first year of operation

• Applied focus group research for a distinctive training approach

• Diversified into software development for customers