Introduction
The IT industry is a fast-paced, constantly evolving market place, which is dominated by international giants. There are many opportunities for smaller firms but the crowded and competitive environment makes it a survival of the fittest.

When 2b.Net Limited was established three years ago to provide Microsoft CRM solutions to businesses, the IT consultancy knew it had to be one step ahead of competitors, up to speed on latest software developments and providing a proficient service.

The IT consultancy assists businesses looking to increase sales through improved customer relationship management. Set up on the Isle of Wight, the company has already grown from a one-man start up to a ten-strong team of certified IT consultants.

The challenge
From its inception, 2b.Net Limited had to raise its credibility and position itself as a key player in the IT consultancy sector. Company growth would come with a strong client base but most importantly with a strong team of consultants.

Alistair Dickinson, founder of 2b.Net, needed to attract a pool of consultants that would compete with the corporate software houses and could add value to the business. With certified expertise, the company would be in a stronger position to win contracts.

Once a team was in place to consult its clients across the country, 2b.Net now had to raise its game to ensure it was expanding its client base and growing into a successful and competitive business.

The solution
The directors reviewed strategies to attract the best consultants and ensure their expertise matched the fast pace of software development. 2b.Net decided investment in training would instil confidence and provide the team with qualifications enabling them to compete with Microsoft’s own consultants.

When choosing an appropriate training option, 2b.Net had to consider the length of time the consultants would be away from work. As a small operation, time is valuable and so The Training Camp was selected for its Accelerated Learning method.

The Training Camp’s courses are taught using an Accelerated Learning method. Students spend up to 14 days on a residential training site and receive an average of 170 hours of intense tuition. The Training Camp has an above average pass rate of 85 per cent.

The IT Training Company of the Year is a Microsoft Gold Partner for Learning Solutions (MCPLS) and over 6,000 students have been trained in the UK to date.

2b.Net’s team enrolled on The Training Camp’s Microsoft Dynamics CRM course. It spent six full days and nights at the training site where teaching began at 8am and finished between 8pm and 9pm each day. Over the six days, they were taught and examined on service and sales management of Microsoft’s CRM solutions, installation and configuration of the software and customisation of its services.

One of the consultants at 2b.Net described the Microsoft CRM course: “It was so interesting and the whole team left the camp with a feeling of selfsatisfaction. The training techniques used ensured the entire class was immersed in the subject - it was like the Kylie Minogue of software courses.”

The results
2b.Net now has a team of ten certified Microsoft CRM consultants – a clear advantage over its competitors, which tend to have only one or two qualified experts. In November 2006, 2bNet received its Gold Partner certification, a goal Alistair set at the end of 2005.

The company has been able to tender for more business on the basis that it has the resources to accommodate clients of all sizes, across the country. Together with its Microsoft partner accreditation, 2b.Net has positioned itself as a credible, proficient company.

Furthermore, 2b.Net minimised staff absence with The Training Camp’s Accelerated Learning courses, saving time and money. Small companies cannot afford more than one member of staff to be away from work at one time yet the whole team at 2b.Net was able to go on the training together because it meant being away from the office for less than a week as opposed to a fragmented three month stint.

2b.Net believes the Accelerated Learning method of training has helped staff retention. The unbroken period of immersed, off-site training allows students to build relationships with peers.

Moving forward
2b.Net Limited already has further plans for steady growth in terms of its client base and number of employees. The firm is taking on two new consultants, one of whom is based in Scotland, which will enable it to expand into the region and become involved in its large projects.

The consultancy has a rolling training approach, putting its team forward for further training and pushing the company to the forefront of its sector and ahead of competitors’ knowledge of products.

AX technology is the latest addition to the Microsoft suite and 2b.Net is already keen for its consultants to be the first to advise on its implementation and services. It is confident The Training Camp will be the first to offer Accelerated Learning courses and its team will be the first to enrol.

Click for information on 2B.net Limited

Click for information on The Training Camp