Re: The State of the CCIE Training Industry

Wayne,

What does Intense to 11 + MM mean please?
I'm still using IPexpert v 9.0 from time to time. The workbook is very
useful. I should hit some mocks soon.

Thanks
Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne Lawson" <groupstudy_at_ipexpert.com>
To: "Darby Weaver" <ccie.weaver_at_gmail.com>
Cc: "Dark Fiber" <darkfiber08_at_gmail.com>; "Cisco certification"
<ccielab_at_groupstudy.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 2:30 PM
Subject: Re: The State of the CCIE Training Industry

> You guys are crazy if you think Brian Dennis has been "tucked away" for
> the past 8 months working on CCNP material....their (INE) CCIE material
> (like ours) is their "bread and butter" - and their products aren't even
> fully updated yet (as ours aren't). I highly doubt they would have
> someone with his talent NOT answering email, NOT posting on his blog, NOT
> working on their CCIE products but instead - working on a CCNP boot camp
> product...come on people - think logically.
>
> Also, regarding us (IPexpert) - we have been moving forward, fullspeed
> ahead. We've got a great jumpstart with all of our new hardware
> implemented (for CCIE Security and Voice), we've been working on - and
> releasing our Workbooks, VOD / Audio, Course Content, have already
> released a 4.0 R&S product and more...we've invested in, and hired, an
> experienced VP (former Intense School CEO) who has 20+ years in the boot
> camp / IT industry - he took Intense to 11+ MM in sales from startup.
> We've already completed CCNA, CCNA, CISSP, CEH, Forensics and MCITP
> course content - and have the instructors on board to teach the classes
> (new website to launch in 2 weeks). So, the rumors that Cisco 360 is
> hurting us is absolutely absurd. In fact, we'll flourish now that some of
> our competitors are now locked in to selling the same 360 material - and
> we can continue to design ours so it's more thorough, can be taken to
> market quicker and more cost-effective (it will always be more proven and
> cost-effective regardless of how Cisco decides to sell it).
>
> Gesh....this is one thing about the "awesome Groupstudy community" - half
> of the posts are rumors and flat out BS...I guess now that MJ died people
> need a new source of rumors! ;-)
>
> Regards,
>
> Wayne A. Lawson II - CCIE #5244
> Founder, President & CEO:
> - IPexpert, Inc.
> - Proctor Labs, Inc.
> - Platinum Solutions Group, LLC.
> Mailto: wlawson_at_ipexpert.com
> Mobile: +1.810.334.1564
>
> :: Message sent from iPhone.
>
> On Jul 11, 2009, at 9:02 AM, Darby Weaver <ccie.weaver_at_gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> CCNP material?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 8:50 AM, Dark Fiber <darkfiber08_at_gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I think the rumors of Brian Dennis and INE were GREATLY exaggerated...
>>>
>>> It would seem because of his post on their blog yesterday that he just
>>> has
>>> been tucked away working on material...
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 2:59 AM, Darby Weaver
>>> <ccie.weaver_at_gmail.com>wrote:
>>>
>>>> Well here I go again.
>>>>
>>>> I just came back from Cisco Live 2009. Had a great time attended some
>>>> techtorials and breakout technical sessions. Met some awesome people.
>>>> Lots
>>>> of energy.
>>>>
>>>> Here's the State of the CCIE Union.
>>>>
>>>> It appears there is not enough to go around and pools of endless CCIE
>>>> Candidates are drying up (at least of the paying variety).
>>>>
>>>> It seems that the Cisco CCIE 360 Program was designed to retain the
>>>> value
>>>> of
>>>> the program and it has its merits. However a lot of very respected
>>>> trainers
>>>> are joining the program for one or more reasons:
>>>>
>>>> 1. It is better (eye of the beholder).
>>>>
>>>> 2. It allows the trainers to accept Cisco Learning Credits (in a very
>>>> very
>>>> tough market).
>>>>
>>>> 3. It is going to allow for a much improved product.
>>>>
>>>> Umm... That's a multiple choice question.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So if a lot of trainers are being "corraled" by Cisco into joining the
>>>> program as at least some have suggested (as in join us or die... well
>>>> more
>>>> like join us or decertify) isn't this a little odd way to bring some
>>>> of
>>>> the
>>>> best trainers in the industry into the Cisco CCIE 360 Program?
>>>>
>>>> I think so, but hey I'm not a trainer nor a CCIE as of yet and so it's
>>>> not
>>>> really my concern.
>>>>
>>>> My concern is innovative and quality products.
>>>>
>>>> From what I gather I'm not sure this is going to happen from the Cisco
>>>> CCIE
>>>> 360 Program immediately or possibly anytime soon despite having some
>>>> 30
>>>> highly experienced CCIE Trainers (some of whom are content
>>>> developers).
>>>>
>>>> Let's see....
>>>>
>>>> There's a mean rumor going around that are only two main games left in
>>>> town: Cisco CCIE 360 Program and IPExpert. And IPExpert is
>>>> diversifying
>>>> into other certifications...
>>>>
>>>> What? Only 2!!! What about InternetworkExpert?
>>>>
>>>> Apparently some think InternetworkExpert may be in dire straights
>>>> (Truth
>>>> or
>>>> Dare) and since Brian Dennis may no longer be at the head of the table
>>>> (another rumor from an informed source) then InternetworkExpert as we
>>>> know
>>>> it may not exist much longer and may not hold a top spot either for
>>>> long.
>>>>
>>>> In any event the CCIE Training is venue is bleeding badly. Very
>>>> badly.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I saw a lot of stuff while in San Franscisco. I saw a little hustle
>>>> and
>>>> jive. I saw fear. I saw anger. I saw despair. And out of it all I
>>>> might
>>>> have seen a glint of opportunity but you'll have to shake me to see
>>>> where
>>>> I
>>>> saw that aspect of the game.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Here's the problem as I see it:
>>>>
>>>> 1. The economy. Well not quite true since in times likes these
>>>> trainers
>>>> and education in general are safe bets... unless...
>>>>
>>>> 2. Every trainer sells and makes all their "intellectual property"
>>>> full
>>>> available "electronically.
>>>>
>>>> 3. Ouch! I said it. Piracy and Sharing is about to be the death of
>>>> the
>>>> program. Classes are still a go, but electronic revenues are getting
>>>> hit
>>>> hard apparently and the biggest retailers are getting hit the hardest
>>>> (like
>>>> say... InternetworkExpert for example).
>>>>
>>>> 4. One CCIE Vendor/Trainer shared with me a very sad fact... Exactly
>>>> 4
>>>> sales of a product in exactly 4 months. That's it guys. It is now
>>>> that
>>>> bad
>>>> and LockLizard is not good enough to protect the family jewels.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> But... but... Darby... I'm from a poor country and I cannot afford a
>>>> workbook a video on demand, or anything else... Yep I hear these all
>>>> the
>>>> time. Ouch! Apparently you won't have to worry as soon there won't
>>>> be
>>>> anyone left producing them and you will have to rely on Cisco Press
>>>> and
>>>> the
>>>> Cisco CCO for your training. The CCIE Vendors/Trainers may soon be
>>>> extinct.
>>>>
>>>> The Golden Age of CCIE Training is almost waning entirely and may soon
>>>> be
>>>> gone in the advent of several things:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Mass media - electronic media.
>>>>
>>>> 2. High download speeds - 30GB is downloadable quite quickly.
>>>>
>>>> 3. Rapidshare and others are the death of this industry - sorry it is
>>>> true.
>>>>
>>>> 4. Sell once and a team get together for a "Group-Buy" and Share
>>>> many -
>>>> Unless they are waiting to get it for F-R-E-E... (see an example
>>>> below).
>>>>
>>>> 5. Since everything "intellectually valuable" has been shared and
>>>> re-shared,
>>>> that leaves only classroom revenues and these dry up since many people
>>>> either cheat the exam itself or refuse to buy or take classes when
>>>> this
>>>> stuff is readily available via video and instant download.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So the guys who started the thing with Video on Demand may be among
>>>> the
>>>> first victims of their own success.
>>>>
>>>> Hell one copy sold to a country with no intellectual copyright law or
>>>> no
>>>> regard for it, means one copy sold to exactly 1 billion souls (well
>>>> not
>>>> quite - but you get the point - but you lose the buck!).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Here is an example taken this week from an underground forum:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Any one got the NMC BGP kindly share.
>>>>
>>>> 2. Please share it friends.
>>>> 3. yes men share it It is so important
>>>>
>>>> 4. Any update ??
>>>>
>>>> 5. need this, please share if you have or locate! BGP for me!
>>>>
>>>> 6. if many people are interested...we can buy it directly from
>>>> NMC....anyone
>>>> interested.....comes for $349...
>>>>
>>>> 7. JUST wait men , xxx offer them for free now. only contributors can
>>>> get
>>>> them now and they will available for all after 4 weeks. hope one of
>>>> the
>>>> contributors can share them before the month
>>>>
>>>> 8. no problem, we can wait 4 weeks
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> See how that works. NMC will sell 1 copy for those 100 who want this
>>>> particular product and then it will sell no more.
>>>>
>>>> Done!
>>>>
>>>> And NMC/Cisco can protect it to their heart's content and it will
>>>> still
>>>> get
>>>> raped and pillaged within 24 hours or less of the sale. It's like
>>>> that.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So the era of our vendors supplying electronic copies of anything just
>>>> died.
>>>>
>>>> R.I.P. July 11th 2009.
>>>>
>>>> Unless some of them are still making some sort of profit - which is
>>>> dwindling fast.
>>>>
>>>> Even Cisco Press is in trouble since most books are available for free
>>>> mostly anywhere on the net.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The big question on the underground today is: Where's Narbik's 2.0
>>>> Workbook?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Only 1 Trainer's labs/products have survived this: That German guy...
>>>> who
>>>> trains in Denver.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Why?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Easy:
>>>>
>>>> Paper and Watermark. If he used the red paper then he'd be even one
>>>> more
>>>> layer secure from this kind of thing.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> However, he's pretty secure and his stuff is not everywhere. I think
>>>> he
>>>> only takes cash or wire transfer aka cash. But he's not worried about
>>>> his
>>>> stuff being pirated.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Some vendor's stuff is literally everywhere and trying to stop
>>>> 30-40,000
>>>> determined techies is really tough for anyone or um... 20 times those
>>>> numbers.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hey - Don't kill the messenger. I'm just telling you that with all
>>>> the
>>>> E-CCIE available nowadays - class sizes are going to continue to
>>>> shrink
>>>> even
>>>> though demand is growing out of control.
>>>>
>>>> It is exponential.
>>>>
>>>> The lab is changing right... now.
>>>>
>>>> It's the only hope you guys have of maintaining your career - or at
>>>> least
>>>> your salary or profit margins.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hey!!!
>>>>
>>>> 1 lab is worth $1000.00 per student or even $2,000.00 if it is not
>>>> available
>>>> for free.
>>>>
>>>> What can I tell you that I've not already said?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> This may be the last year you really have an opportunity to save the
>>>> full-time career as a CCIE Trainer.
>>>>
>>>> Who knows?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Just letting you know how fast your brains are leaking all over the
>>>> Internet. Pretty fast actually.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> By the time you've read this I can't tell you how many GB or even TB
>>>> have
>>>> been downloaded.... Can you say lost revenues?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Honestly I even heard some producers of materials willing to sell the
>>>> stuff
>>>> for $20.00 a copy - imagine that - now if you pay $500 or $1000.00 for
>>>> a
>>>> copy of a product and a vendor is in that tough a situation... Think
>>>> about
>>>> it. and then there is the CCIE 5x selling his own workbooks for
>>>> $20-30.00
>>>> each on ebay.
>>>>
>>>> Ouch!
>>>>
>>>> It is really getting bad now guys.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> A bright light come October 18th. The troubleshooting section of the
>>>> lab.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> You'd better change your ways and your strategies... use stone
>>>> carvings if
>>>> you have to. It's your work or its not your work anymore - you
>>>> choose.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Blogs and organic groups at http://www.ccie.net
>>>>
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Received on Sat Jul 11 2009 - 14:40:03 ART