Turning Knowledge into Power

EpicLearning.com NetStats:
Employees/computers on network:105/300
Internal communications: 50% electronic
External communications: 90% electronic
Primary apps: E-mail, technical support, Internet fax, Internet telephony, distance learning, hosted applications, Web-based marketing/advertising, links to partners/affiliates, recruiting/job postings

There's nothing unusual about a brick-and-mortar company trying to expand its franchise onto the Web. But few have gone as far as Burr Warne and David Stirling, whose company specializes in training information technology professionals.

The company, founded in 1995 as the Gemini Group, originally offered courses in leased space at a handful of Kinko's copy centers. But the rapid blooming of the Internet made the two founders realize that the new medium offered a much more effective-and cost-efficient-way to reach busy working adults. Although sales had doubled to more than $5 million in the previous five years, they chucked the old business model and abandoned the storefront centers.

Last June, the company reemerged as a totally Web-based enterprise, epiclearning.com. Says Stirling, "We are currently at the cutting edge of developing and implementing the learning methods that industry experts project as the way most people will learn tomorrow."

EpicLearning.com is built around what it calls a "blended" approach to teaching that combines self-paced content, instructor-led synchronous classes, one-on-one support, and technology pre-certification testing.

"Every bit of our interaction with prospective or existing student/members leverages technology," says Stirling. The company's Web site incorporates two-way audio, document sharing, and push technology to mentor and coach students. Chat rooms, threaded discussion groups, and live technical support are designed to create a sense of community. "Our stable of instructors can be anywhere and deliver quality instruction or discussion on relevant topics," notes Stirling.

By moving its business model to the Internet, epiclearning.com has achieved savings in almost every aspect of its business, including labor, communications, and materials. "In the traditional classroom environment, we had the typical burden of overhead costs relative to facilities and supplies, as well as local marketing expenses," says Stirling. "Although the infrastructure required to replace and support those environments is large, the overall consistency in quality of product delivery and support is unsurpassed."

Stirling believes that epiclearning.com's virtual existence gives it a major advantage in recruiting and retaining faculty and support personnel, especially in an era of tight labor. In the days of storefront classrooms, finding and recruiting instructors was a never-ending challenge.

Moreover, Internet and networking technologies create a level of management control that wasn't possible just three or four years ago. The company's 85-person headquarters staff can easily collaborate with far-flung team members on product development, operations, sales, and marketing. "Although our product and delivery methodologies give us an initial competitive edge," says Stirling, "our long-term growth and success will be driven by the superior level of support and sense of community that we provide our students."

So far, the model deserves an A+: sales hit $2 million in 1999 and are expected to top $8 million this year.