IT mentoring: a win-win situation

Opportunity: Bundle Hardware and Knowledge.

Sara wrote earlier a post regarding IT coaching for seniors and I would like to take that idea a bit further. Besides training seniors, I believe there are more types of people that could take advantage of this type of learning. Most people that do not have a personal computer by now, do not know how to use one; this alone being the prime reason for holding back on the purchase. Yet most of them would like to have one, read things on the internet, stay updated with the family or friends abroad, publish their thoughts, play a game or just watch a movie. So, why not provide classes along with the hardware?

Special offers for courses start at around 300-350 RON/month which is not, by any means, a negligible amount. The price of a new computer system (monitor included) is roughly 1200-2000 RON and spending another 25% of the product’s value on classes may seem rather much. I think that, in order to promote their sales, large computer retailers in our country could bundle a complete package: a low-budget computer and a beginner’s course for operating a PC for some discount on both. If some people are willing to pay a higher fee, the tutors could provide higher education at the client’s place.

A specific segment for this market, besides seniors with children abroad, is little children, teenagers and young adults that are not computer knowledgeable and have nobody around that knows or has time to take care of their computer skills. Students could take advantage of this opportunity in their free time, just as Sara said, and word of mouth goes a long way to providing new clients.


There are some services that are hardware related like setting up a wireless router or installing an operating system, but I was unable to find IT coaching in the real meaning, just courses of 10-20 participants on a specific location without much flexibility. Anyone can take advantage of such a program: from youngsters to seniors. Apple (Macintosh) is a company that has a training program to teach people how to use their computers and they win long-term consumer loyalty. They coach online, at their site or at the client’s site. Bundling it with a computer system seems to be a perfect offer for many people that are new to computers. So what is your opinion?

Written by Dan

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