Hi everyone, Kevin from mechanicaladvantage.com
If you have followed any of my videos on YouTube, you can probably predict how the video is going to start. The hope of that line in the videos is for those that might be curious, they will head out to my website and poke around a bit. However, I don’t think this strategy is working. You can expect to see a bit more self-promotion in future videos, but I won’t go over the top.
Do You?……
It’s pretty rare that a week goes by where I don’t receive an email asking if I provide training classes, one-on-one help, or would consider coming on-site to do training. Of course, the answer to all three of those questions is yes. There are a couple of reasons I make the YouTube videos. I like to share some of the things I’ve learned in my roughly 20 years of using 3D CAD. Not all of those years were spent using Fusion. Many of the early years were split between Inventor and AutoCAD. Much of what I have learned in Inventor hold true for Fusion. It’s just a different package for some of the same best practices.
The other reason I like to make the videos is so viewers, who may be potential customers, can get a feel for what I know, and how I approach my training. When someone is looking for training, I want them to feel as comfortable as possible with their training purchase from me. I think the videos are a good way for customers to decide to spend money with me to get their training needs addressed.
Make the Purchasing Process Simple
I wanted to make buying training from me as easy as possible. There is no need to send me your contact information so I can provide you a quote. The prices for any training classes I offer are clearly listed next to the class title. You will see how many attendees are permitted in the class as well as how many open spots are available. No games with pricing or add-ons.
Online Training Class Titles
By far, the most training and support sessions I do pertain to Fusion CAM. There are two primary training classes that I offer for Fusion CAM.
Fusion Mill Fundamentals
Fusion Lathe
Fusion Mill Fundamentals is 16 hours of training spread across four days in 4 hour sessions. The class starts by learning how to create mill setups, apply 2D roughing and finishing strategies, drilling, chamfering, creating setup sheets, and posting code. It then evolves into 3D roughing toolpaths followed by getting started with 3D finishing. The rest of the 3 axis finishing strategies are then covered. To round out the class, creating tool libraries, toolpath duplication options, and applying configured machining templates to parts.
Fusion Lathe is 8 hours of training spread across two days in 4 hour sessions. The class starts by learning how to create lathe setups and applying facing, roughing, finishing, grooving, and drill strategies. Followed by creating setup sheets and posting the code. The second day covers creating tool libraries, applying configured machining strategies, advanced toolpath control, and getting started with live tooling.
On-site Training
I will happily come on-site to your facility to conduct training classes. I wanted to make this process simple by offering a flat rate for on-site training. $800 a day for up to 3 attendees and $250 for each additional attendee plus travel cost. There is no charge for travel time and all costs are billed as actual. Typically, these costs are airfare, hotel, food, and transportation. Transportation may come in the form of rideshares or rental car.
What I need from you for on-stie training is a conference room or space large enough to host the training, a projector screen or wall that can be projected on, and an internet connection for all attendees and myself. I have a training center in a box that I can bring to your facility that includes 5 training laptops set up with Fusion, high quality mice, and a projector. Attendees must have a Fusion 360 account. Before the class, I make sure each user has a Fusion 360 account and help them create one for any user that doesn’t have an account.
On-site Training Topics
On-site training differs slightly from online training classes. The training is for a specific company, so we can tailor the training to fit the needs for what your company wants the training to cover. Before on-site training is scheduled, I have a call with the company to discuss the topics they want to cover during the training. I then give a recommendation for how much time I think we will need to complete the training, as well as provide the customer with a planned agenda of events for the training.
One-On-One Support
Over the years, I’ve met a lot of users in training classes. After the training class is completed, I’m often asked if I would work with a user in a one-on-one scenario. Scheduling these sessions proved more difficult than expected. A typical email chain would go something like this: “Do you have a couple of hours on Tuesday morning?” my reply “I’m booked on Tuesday morning, but I have Tuesday afternoon open”. This would go back and forth until I found a time that worked. There had to be a better way so off I went to find it.
Online Scheduling
I found a solution that works quite well. Customers can purchase a block of time and then schedule that time as it works for them. Customers then have 365 days to use that time in increments of 30 minutes from 30 minutes to two hours per session. Customers can also buy time without purchasing a block of time for one time help. Once a customer purchases a block of time, they receive a booking code. When the customer is ready for some help, they go to the website support calendar, choose the duration they think they need for their session, then they pick a date and time. Once the session is booked, an automated calendar invite is sent via email and includes a Zoom web conferencing link. At the time of the session, we both show up in the Zoom session and take care of the things you want to work on.
2024 Training and Support Kickoff
My training schedule for 2024 has been published to the website and you can find those training classes here: www.mechanicaladvantage.com/training. To help get 2024 off to a good start, I want to fill up my training classes and work with more users in one-on-one support sessions.
I’m offering 25% off all training classes and am including two hours of scheduled support with each class purchase through January 31st. Enter code TRAIN25 at checkout. You will receive a separate email to redeem your support time after the training class purchased.
Don’t worry for those of you wanting to get some customized one on one help. I have a deal for you too. Enter SUPPORT25 to get 25% off all subscription support packages.
I’m also offering 25% off my on-site training offerings. The 25% applies to the daily training rate only, not travel costs. If you are interested in bringing me on-site, send me an email and we’ll set up a time for a call to discuss your training needs.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at kevin@mechanicaladvantage.com. If you need a quote so you can submit a PO, just send me an email.