Announcement: Yellow Saddle Courses in Cape Town

[Johan Bornman]

Cape Town:

I am no longer going to bring the regular Yellow Saddle DIY Repair and Maintenance Course, Wheelbuilding Course or Fork Service Workshop to Cape Town.

A bunch of factors contributed to this decision. I’ll be frank. My Johannesburg business is now a sizeable concern that needs more and more of my time and a course hosted in Cape Town requires a disproportionate amount of time for the same or less profit. For example, a course in Jhb requires 3 days of my time. One for prep and admin and two for the course itself. The same course in Cape Town requires 6 days. Plus travel, plus accommodation.

A second factor is the increasing sophistication of the content. In Jhb, it is presented in a dedicated workshop-studio equipped with vices, compressed air, oil baths, ultrasonic cleaners, individual workstands, tools, machine tools and a backup of stock to cover all eventualities. To pack all of that into a box and ship it to Cape Town is not possible. I have to dumb-down in order to accommodate and I swallow hard on that concept.

Thirdly, I’m changing my business to an IP-based one. In other words, I want to sell my IP instead of selling me, applying it.

A fourth factor is the sales lead time. I find it much longer with Cape Townians. You guys roll each penny around until it’s shiny before spending it. However, you only tell me at the last minute whether you’re going to spend or not. This makes all the travel arrangements precarious.

Where does this leave you? Either you travel to Johannesburg for your education or you play impresario.

Impresario? I’m prepared to work in Cape Town if say a club, organises a course with me as the presenter. The club comes up with a budget and marketing plan, do all sales, book the venue, organise the catering, prints the literature (probably mine with their branding) and hire me as the presenter. The club/individual could and should, turn a profit and everyone’s happy.

If the impresario is ambitious they could squeeze in three revenue streams: 1) Wheelbuilding course. This one is held during the week just before or just after the weekend maintenance course. This one would be aimed at workshop mechanics and freelancers. 2) Following that on say, the Friday afternoon, we squeeze in a Fork Service workshop and 3) the weekend Repair and Maintenance Course during the weekend – open to DIYers.

I’m sad it had to change but I have to be pragmatic. Thanks for all the support.

I’ve planted the seed. Let’s see what happens.

Edited September 6, 2012 by Johan Bornman

[Kranswurm]

Cape Town:

I am no longer going to bring the regular Yellow Saddle DIY Repair and Maintenance Course, Wheelbuilding Course or Fork Service Workshop to Cape Town.

A bunch of factors contributed to this decision. I’ll be frank. My Johannesburg business is now a sizeable concern that needs more and more of my time and a course hosted in Cape Town requires a disproportionate amount of time for the same or less profit. For example, a course in Jhb requires 3 days of my time. One for prep and admin and two for the course itself. The same course in Cape Town requires 6 days. Plus travel, plus accommodation.

A second factor is the increasing sophistication of the content. In Jhb, it is presented in a dedicated workshop-studio equipped with vices, compressed air, oil baths, ultrasonic cleaners, individual workstands, tools, machine tools and a backup of stock to cover all eventualities. To pack all of that into a box and ship it to Cape Town is not possible. I have to dumb-down in order to accommodate and I swallow hard on that concept.

Thirdly, I’m changing my business to an IP-based one. In other words, I want to sell my IP instead of selling me, applying it.

A fourth factor is the sales lead time. I find it much longer with Cape Townians. You guys roll each penny around until it’s shiny before spending it. However, you only tell me at the last minute whether you’re going to spend or not. This makes all the travel arrangements precarious.

Where does this leave you? Either you travel to Johannesburg for your education or you play impresario.

Impresario? I’m prepared to work in Cape Town if say a club, organises a course with me as the presenter. The club comes up with a budget and marketing plan, do all sales, book the venue, organise the catering, prints the literature (probably mine with their branding) and hire me as the presenter. The club/individual could and should, turn a profit and everyone’s happy.

If the impresario is ambitious they could squeeze in three revenue streams: 1) Wheelbuilding course. This one is held during the week just before or just after the weekend maintenance course. This one would be aimed at workshop mechanics and freelancers. 2) Following that on say, the Friday afternoon, we squeeze in a Fork Service workshop and 3) the weekend Repair and Maintenance Course during the weekend – open to DIYers.

I’m sad it had to change but I have to be pragmatic. Thanks for all the support.

I’ve planted the seed. Let’s see what happens.

 

You don't like Slaapstads pizza and beer anymore....sniff

[Louzy]

Does this mean the course that was advertised for the 26 Oct 2012 is not happening?

[Let's Ride]

SO basically, tough **** to all the CPT guys?

[D-Mike]

And I only just found out about the courses, was really stoked, only to find out it doesn't happen in Cape Town anymore. Eish.