Re: The State of the CCIE Training Industry

I was referring to what our VP has done - taken his previos company -
"Intense School" to 11 Million in sales.

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 9:40 AM, Gary Duncanson <gary.duncanson_at_googlemail.com
> wrote:

> 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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>>>
>>> _______________________________________________________________________
 

>>
>>
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>> _______________________________________________________________________
 

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Received on Sat Jul 11 2009 - 09:52:15 ART