Systems Computer Training offers an array of both technical and desktop application classes. They are the only Certified Microsoft Learning Solutions Partner in North County. Their technical classes include the full range of Microsoft network solutions as well as Cisco, Linux, Sun and Citrix. They also offer highly specialized network security classes as well as a CISSP workshop. Desktop productivity courses include the full range of Microsoft Office classes, Web Design, ASP, SharePoint and InfoPath. All of their courses are led by highly capable professionals with over 40 years of combined teaching experience.
Executive's name: Larry W. Cooke
Title: President-Owner
Company name: Systems Computer Training
Address: 5938 Priestly Drive Suite 103
Phone: (760) 579-0050
Web site: www.syscomputertraining.com
Founded: July 2003
Prior experience: I worked in the financial services industry for 12 years. In 1979, with a close friend, I started a San Diego based consulting firm that focused on providing marketing and technical support to implementing state of the art financial products. Our clients included Bank of America, Security Pacific, Well Fargo and IBM. Within a few years we created two other companies, one which provided off site ATM servicing and another that provided software quality assurance services. In 1992, I formed a company called Testmasters, Inc., a software testing and quality assurance company which provided both products and services. One of these products, Quality Testing Methodology, QTM, was a computer based training tool to assist companies in providing an organization wide approach to maintaining quality practices.
Source of starting capital: Personal Stock
Fiscal (July 2003, June 2004) revenues: $1,379,000
Fiscal (July 2004, June 2005) revenues: $2,281,000
(Revenue figures reflect both training and consulting activities)
Average hours worked weekly: 40
Number of teammates: 14
Residence: Oceanside
Family: Wife, Pat Cooke; daughters, Leslie Ann Ellorin (35 years) and Andree Webb (25 years); grandchildren, Jordyn Rose Ellorin (10 years) and Kyle Cooke Ellorin (2 years).
Hobbies: Golf
What got you into this business? Early in my career I had the opportunity of working with leading edge technology and product ideas. Over the years I came to appreciate the value in educating users and technical staff to effectively benefit from their technological investments. In my earlier businesses I experimented with CBT tools but concluded that this process was effective for only a small portion of the population. I have found that when done properly, instructor led training provides a more meaningful and longer lasting impact on the student. It was also clear that the dynamic of the workforce was changing wherein computers are now found in almost every business. Systems Computer Training provides the vehicle to addressing the market opportunities afforded by this dynamic.
What makes your business a standout? We have a highly qualified staff of professionals who love what they do. They bring this enthusiasm to their work making it a more enriching experience for our students. We provide a friendly atmosphere in world class facilities. Our goal is to provide a rewarding learning experience. I did an analysis recently and found that 85% of our business is from customers who have already taken classes from us. Our corporate clients have experienced the benefits derived from their employees taking classes at our facilities.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Training can often be perceived by some companies as an expense only to be incurred during "good" times. As such, this business can be affected by economic slowdowns.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? Carlsbad is a hub of small to large-sized companies that see the value in keeping their employees current on the latest advances in technology. At the current time, Systems Computer Training is the only Microsoft Certified Learning Solutions partner in North County.
How do you plan to grow? In addition to continuing to expand on our current offerings as demands from our customers dictate, we are planning to broaden our network security classes next year. We feel our new program will provide the best security training in the country, not just California. We are also in the process of applying for our BPPVE Certification so that we can begin offering night classes to non-commercial customers.
Toughest career decision: I can't think of any specific act but I would state that the most difficult decisions are those involving people. Always being fair is extremely important to me. People are complicated and it sometimes makes for difficult situations.
Ongoing challenges: Software computing is a rapidly changing industry that requires continuous monitoring of product changes that are critical to our customers. We are committed to providing our instructors the opportunities to continue their education so that they are better prepared to meet our customers' demands.
Best way to stay competitive: By providing the very finest training solutions to our customers each and every day. We allow our highly qualified instructors to continue to do what they do best. That means we allow them to combine their "real-world" technical expertise with their unique ability to transfer that knowledge in an enriching and enjoyable manner, doing it all in the comfort of an environment conducive to learning. We will also continue to expand our marketing and sales functions. After all, no matter how good the product, people have to be aware of what you're offering in order to use it.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? Of course we would like to see continued profitable growth and increases in our customer base. We would like to add some additional locations to make it easier for our customers to attend classes. We would like to see our security offerings receive national recognition. But equally important is that, in five years, I hope to see our employees continue to receive satisfaction from their employment here and our customers satisfied with the training they receive.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? From a business perspective, we provide local access to high quality computer training. We are regular participants in Chamber events. We sponsored a Little League team last year and donate our replaced computers to military families.
What are your guiding principles? High quality customer service and resulting customer satisfaction are the essential ingredients to any service business. In this regard it is imperative that you have skilled personnel that are treated well so that their interaction with the customer is positive. The bottom line is that Systems Computer Training has been successful because of the people that work here.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? I guess the most significant change is I should have bought this building in 2004. Purchasing the building would have more readily facilitated expansion and controlled costs.
Choice for a second career: Professional golfer.
People you look up to and why: Every day people who overcome adversity, whether it is a handicap, an accident or any life changing event that some may see as overwhelming. I have immense respect for those people who deal positively with the cards they're dealt.
Favorite movie: It's A Wonderful Life, Lord of the Rings and Return of the King.
Favorite quote: "In the long run, you only hit what you aim at."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Invest in something you love, something that you can take pride in. Starting out, one often spends a significant amount of time at a new business so, you should do something that brings you satisfaction. Of course there are a few other items you might find useful:
Planning:
Develop meaningful and realistic plans. Create an operational plan that tells the story then develop a financial plan that supports it. Make sure you monitor progress and adjust these plans as you progress.
People:
Hire people who share your enthusiasm and have the skills or ability to attain the skills you need. Share the wealth with your team. Provide incentives based upon results.
Executive's name: Larry W. Cooke
Title: President-Owner
Company name: Systems Computer Training
Address: 5938 Priestly Drive Suite 103
Phone: (760) 579-0050
Web site: www.syscomputertraining.com
Founded: July 2003
Prior experience: I worked in the financial services industry for 12 years. In 1979, with a close friend, I started a San Diego based consulting firm that focused on providing marketing and technical support to implementing state of the art financial products. Our clients included Bank of America, Security Pacific, Well Fargo and IBM. Within a few years we created two other companies, one which provided off site ATM servicing and another that provided software quality assurance services. In 1992, I formed a company called Testmasters, Inc., a software testing and quality assurance company which provided both products and services. One of these products, Quality Testing Methodology, QTM, was a computer based training tool to assist companies in providing an organization wide approach to maintaining quality practices.
Source of starting capital: Personal Stock
Fiscal (July 2003, June 2004) revenues: $1,379,000
Fiscal (July 2004, June 2005) revenues: $2,281,000
(Revenue figures reflect both training and consulting activities)
Average hours worked weekly: 40
Number of teammates: 14
Residence: Oceanside
Family: Wife, Pat Cooke; daughters, Leslie Ann Ellorin (35 years) and Andree Webb (25 years); grandchildren, Jordyn Rose Ellorin (10 years) and Kyle Cooke Ellorin (2 years).
Hobbies: Golf
What got you into this business? Early in my career I had the opportunity of working with leading edge technology and product ideas. Over the years I came to appreciate the value in educating users and technical staff to effectively benefit from their technological investments. In my earlier businesses I experimented with CBT tools but concluded that this process was effective for only a small portion of the population. I have found that when done properly, instructor led training provides a more meaningful and longer lasting impact on the student. It was also clear that the dynamic of the workforce was changing wherein computers are now found in almost every business. Systems Computer Training provides the vehicle to addressing the market opportunities afforded by this dynamic.
What makes your business a standout? We have a highly qualified staff of professionals who love what they do. They bring this enthusiasm to their work making it a more enriching experience for our students. We provide a friendly atmosphere in world class facilities. Our goal is to provide a rewarding learning experience. I did an analysis recently and found that 85% of our business is from customers who have already taken classes from us. Our corporate clients have experienced the benefits derived from their employees taking classes at our facilities.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Training can often be perceived by some companies as an expense only to be incurred during "good" times. As such, this business can be affected by economic slowdowns.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? Carlsbad is a hub of small to large-sized companies that see the value in keeping their employees current on the latest advances in technology. At the current time, Systems Computer Training is the only Microsoft Certified Learning Solutions partner in North County.
How do you plan to grow? In addition to continuing to expand on our current offerings as demands from our customers dictate, we are planning to broaden our network security classes next year. We feel our new program will provide the best security training in the country, not just California. We are also in the process of applying for our BPPVE Certification so that we can begin offering night classes to non-commercial customers.
Toughest career decision: I can't think of any specific act but I would state that the most difficult decisions are those involving people. Always being fair is extremely important to me. People are complicated and it sometimes makes for difficult situations.
Ongoing challenges: Software computing is a rapidly changing industry that requires continuous monitoring of product changes that are critical to our customers. We are committed to providing our instructors the opportunities to continue their education so that they are better prepared to meet our customers' demands.
Best way to stay competitive: By providing the very finest training solutions to our customers each and every day. We allow our highly qualified instructors to continue to do what they do best. That means we allow them to combine their "real-world" technical expertise with their unique ability to transfer that knowledge in an enriching and enjoyable manner, doing it all in the comfort of an environment conducive to learning. We will also continue to expand our marketing and sales functions. After all, no matter how good the product, people have to be aware of what you're offering in order to use it.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? Of course we would like to see continued profitable growth and increases in our customer base. We would like to add some additional locations to make it easier for our customers to attend classes. We would like to see our security offerings receive national recognition. But equally important is that, in five years, I hope to see our employees continue to receive satisfaction from their employment here and our customers satisfied with the training they receive.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? From a business perspective, we provide local access to high quality computer training. We are regular participants in Chamber events. We sponsored a Little League team last year and donate our replaced computers to military families.
What are your guiding principles? High quality customer service and resulting customer satisfaction are the essential ingredients to any service business. In this regard it is imperative that you have skilled personnel that are treated well so that their interaction with the customer is positive. The bottom line is that Systems Computer Training has been successful because of the people that work here.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? I guess the most significant change is I should have bought this building in 2004. Purchasing the building would have more readily facilitated expansion and controlled costs.
Choice for a second career: Professional golfer.
People you look up to and why: Every day people who overcome adversity, whether it is a handicap, an accident or any life changing event that some may see as overwhelming. I have immense respect for those people who deal positively with the cards they're dealt.
Favorite movie: It's A Wonderful Life, Lord of the Rings and Return of the King.
Favorite quote: "In the long run, you only hit what you aim at."
Advice for new entrepreneurs: Invest in something you love, something that you can take pride in. Starting out, one often spends a significant amount of time at a new business so, you should do something that brings you satisfaction. Of course there are a few other items you might find useful:
Planning:
Develop meaningful and realistic plans. Create an operational plan that tells the story then develop a financial plan that supports it. Make sure you monitor progress and adjust these plans as you progress.
People:
Hire people who share your enthusiasm and have the skills or ability to attain the skills you need. Share the wealth with your team. Provide incentives based upon results.