Funny lady Linda Smith used to say, “I love Waitrose – it’s that little bit more expensive.�
It seems that until the recent global financial panic, we consumers bought into the view that “Expensive equals quality�, or You get what you pay for�. The marketing boys had it all sewn up – think of the luscious M&S ads, with “This is not ordinary food, this is….� On the other hand, the supermarkets Value or Basic ranges were bought by spendthrifts but barely noticed by you and me.
In IT training, the high end “luxury market� (aren’t they the best - if you have the funds - why else would these companies be market leaders?) acknowledged that colleges exist who’ll train cheaper but beware, you get what you pay for…. .
Then lo and behold, the economy is in tatters, and all at once value is all the rage! Discerning shoppers limit their trips to Waitrose, and instead head towards Aldi and Lidl. Investment bankers and their large bonuses are the curse of the devil, and we all re-evaluate what we buy.
Why were we so impressed by companies charging more? Further investigation into the UK training market, and maybe the big boys with their fancy prices are not all they seem. Just because there’s a great need for more skilled IT professionals, should we really be paying 5k–8k for training, or are we missing something better? It’s a bit rich that many computer training providers are preaching one thing whilst practicing another - supplying students with pen and paper methods. Is it reasonable to read through books when all information can be downloaded onto discs? Is it necessary to drive to training centres, forking out for our accommodation to get teaching we could have online? 24/7 Interactive learning should be available for me just that – at my convenience, but not at my cost.
With newer, user friendly training options available at a fraction of the cost of these prices, shouldn’t we acknowledge the fact that with regard to electronic learning, value is great quality and great price. Things are changing in Computer training – in supermarket terms, it’s “Simply Value� prices, for “Best Ever� products. In this uncertain world we live in, I’d say that’s a step in the right direction.
(C) Scott Edwards - www.learninglolly.com. Scott Edwards has been involved in the IT and Training Industry for 30 years.
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