Mystery donor buys bursaries at Online Business Initiative

Jan. 26, 2009 - PRLog -- With a new focus to combat the economic downturn and boost the ailing job market, Online Business Initiative (OBI) teaches its members how to set up and run an online business.

The new bursaries will pay for the training of an undisclosed number of Internet entrepreneurs on the £8,364 per year course.

As the UK's official unemployment figure reaches 2 million and thousands more job cuts are anticipated, the chance of a free place will be welcomed by computer-literate job seekers, those in retirement and small business owners. OBI says setting up a business on the Internet is now a vital skill, and a very real alternative to getting a job.

The donation will be praised by Lord Carter, Head of Digital Britain, who called last week for a "material step change in how we approach digital education, skills and so-called media and digital literacy... We need to effectively engage an entire generation
growing up with the internet, multimedia and broadband."

Although the donor has chosen to hide their identity, it may be revealed if they use their first-mover option to invest in one of the resulting online businesses created by this opportunity.

"One of the perks for bursary sponsors is that they get first option to invest in the businesses our members set up". Said Tim Brocklehurst, founder of Online Business Initiative.

With an aim to get people earning from their own Internet businesses within 3 months, OBI has brought together the UK's leading Internet experts to provide  practical "Action Learning" style training.

Participants are divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, and then work in teams to share skills such as copywriting, co-ordination, design, programming and marketing. OBI's aim is to guide them step-by-step towards their own web business. The teamwork means no technical experience is necessary, although it can help.

Nicola Cairncross of The Money Gym, and a former student of OBI, said: "I found it a challenge initially to get to grips with the process as I'm not good at following sequential instructions. But I could clearly see the awesome ability to encompass and automate so many elements of internet marketing under one roof, so I was determined to crack it and use it to grow my existing business. Now I have never been more convinced that one product offers a genuinely one-stop-shop answer to both solo-preneurs wanting to grow their business AND aspiring Internet marketers."

Of those who join OBI, Brocklehurst explained, "Some come with an idea for a new business, others with an existing company they want to take online. The remainder, who make up the majority, don't have a clue what their business will be, so we give them a broad choice of ready-made products and websites, like a turnkey system, to get the ball rolling."

Members learn a wide array of skills from Search Engine Optimization and pay-per-click advertising to web page design, e-commerce methods and the online marketing funnel.

With the tiny start up costs required for a web business, OBI's bursary scheme will effectively give succssful applicants an income for nothing.

New members, and unsuccessful bursary applicants, can pay for a year's fees in two six monthly instalments (£4,447), or monthly (£797).

Bursary applicants will need to show they are prepared to learn and apply themselves to the task. They should also be accustomed to working on a computer and show a flair in using the Internet. Previous experience in an Internet business is not required.

Applications for an OBI bursary can be made at http://onlinebusinessinitiative.com

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Online Business Initiative is a UK organization and uses the "Action Learning" method to teach people how to build thriving Internet businesses. With a series of laptop training seminars, members are guided step-by-step towards their own online empire.