From: Darby Weaver (darbyweaver@yahoo.com)
Date: Mon Feb 19 2007 - 21:51:37 ART
All,
Brian Dennis has a valid point, their site does list a
very impressive list of passing CCIE's (the most of
any vendor currently and for a while now) and if an
existing CCIE with a lower CCIE number actually
reported passing using the InternetworkExpert
End-to-End CCIE program of study (for the first time,
perhaps) then, I suspect that lower number would
probably show up close to the top of the list.
And recall that many CCIE's pass and have used one or
more vendor's products - so a given name might show up
on one or more sites.
What the list does not show is which vendors helped
them make it over the edge - this you'll have to read
the success stories here on GS for or simply ask them.
Now, I hate to hurt anyone's feelings but just about
anyone (someone may want to count them and actually
try and correct me here) who has ever used
InternetworkExpert's materials has typically put them
in the "this is why I passed" category. Going a step
further, I have also read some other less flattering
comments about other vendors as well in the same
testimonials, but overall those who pass using more
than one vendor's materials will be cordial to all who
helped them along the way.
So, what I got from this, after reading so many CCIE
success stories over the past 6-7 years is that
InternetworkExpert is burning CCIE's faster than a
"skillet of popcorn"... on a high heat.
What is more it seems is that if all of the people who
are passing using the IE materials were using other
vendor's materials, the other vendors are failing to
keep track of it and posting it as a result (this
might mean a poor repoire - but I do not believe that
at all - so it does mean that IE must be selling like
hotcakes).
I do not want to tell anyone how to run their
business's or pricing model, but $5000.00 for an end
to end program - including workbook, audio, 2 weeks in
class in-person, COD, 1 Week Mock Labs, and another
set of 10 Core Labs, and an ever-increasing technology
library - CAN BE VERY VERY PERSUASIVE, especially
given the quality of the goods. They are typically
rate 5 STARS (*****).
So if you are another vendor and you cost more than
something like this, you might want to re-evaluate
your pricing plans - unless you have enough business
already:
1. 2 Weeks CCIE-Level Foundations - If you cost more
that $3000-5000.00 - you might have some issues
competing.
2. 1 Week Mock Labs - If you cost more than say
$1000.00 or so... You could find it very hard to
compete.
3. If your whole program exceeds say $5,000.00
end-to-end - You got issues.
4. If you do not have an equal or better group of
product offerings - You may have some problems
competing with these guys.
Anyone caring to research each vendor's site can check
and compare.
Excuse me if I made any mistakes.
It has been my humble observance that
InternetworkExpert has set a pretty high standard of
expectations on what exactly "AN END-TO-END CCIE
PROGRAM" actually means.
Mostly everyone else is trying to keep up or tread
water and if I were in the top four, I might feel a
bit threatened.
The program these guys are offering appears to scale
very well.
Hey, if you do not believe me - check each site and
make a spreadsheet and compare apples to apples.
We are all IT people and spreadsheets are common
knowledge these days.
Do homework and take a look around...
Maybe all CCIE Vendors ought to take a step back and
ask themselves "Exactly what is InternetworkExpert
doing right?" and perhaps we all would benefit
greatly.
Back to my racks...
Got some work to knock out...
4 more hours tonight...
And yes my name will likely be on each vendor's list
as well. Since I've used them all at this point in
the game and will use each of them to compare and
contrast my skills.
Basically, as Bruce Caslow from NetMasterClass says
"The best CCIE Lab prep compares your checklist
against anyone's labs".
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