Comprehensive business education by long distance

Consulting company Remodelers Advantage is launching a comprehensive business education program that doesn't require participating remodelers to leave home, the truck or the office. Starting in May, Remodelers University will offer six core modules, to be taken in order: accounting, marketing/sales, design/estimating, production, human resources and leadership/company culture.

A faculty that includes remodelers, consultants and other industry professionals will lead each module's two to four classes. Class materials, in-cluding a presentation and relevant templates (contracts, job descriptions, etc.), will be e-mailed well before a scheduled monthly conference call for the training group's 20 members. The recorded calls will be sent to members as CD-ROMs to help them create a library and reference manual.

According to faculty member and unofficial "dean" David Lupberger, the 18-month curriculum is designed for new companies and/or those with volumes less than $1 million. Holding the classes by phone makes them affordable, he says, while online coursework can be difficult for remodelers who often aren't at their desks. The program costs $199 per month, with no long-term commitment necessary.

For more information, visit www.remodelersuniversity.com.