So, we finally kicked off the iBBN program.
You can learn more about the iBBN program on GYB Nigeria’s website.
It has been an interesting project to execute on a number of levels, I will discuss some of it right now and talk about others in future #TMP issues.
The weird application process
Unlike other programs where you fill a simple form and submit in order to apply, whoever wanted to be a part of iBBN had to send an email to apply. A lot of people did not get it, they message me on Whatsapp and say they are interested, but they never sent in their emails and thus they never got enrolled.
In fact, a man I had some business dealings with called me and mentioned on that call that he would want to join the iBBN train, I directed him to send in his email; he didn’t. It later dawned on me that he, and others felt they could just hop into the class without following the protocol.
I did not subscribe to the idea.
The weird application process was done because I needed to discourage people I do not want from applying to iBBN. If you are too unserious to read the long article that I published on GYB Nigeria and then sit down to compose a simple email, I do not want you in my online class. No exceptions.
Nowadays, people want their information fast-fast, and short. However, I know serious minded people do not mind investing hours into a good information resource. By publishing long content, I was actively looking for serious people. I think it worked.
The next thing I did was to call people that enrolled, I was interviewing them without they even realising it. I have been running businesses online since 2007 and I know that a great chunk of online business deals with phone calls, you would need to convince people over the phone that you are legit and that you are not going to disappear after they send money to your bank account. I called and found out their motivations, what they feel iBBN will do for them and all that.
That was the second filter stage.
At the end of the day, I am left with a small class of around 12 people and I am OK with that.
I would rather start 12 fires than make 1,000 sparks by lowering the bar and allowing everybody to come in.
