Have had a few people puzzled why i am not running demo courses already, and i get why they are saying that, I am as keen as the next man to see what ubuni looks like on a road test. It's like, "we've liked the idea for a few weeks so now we just want to see it!". My reasons for taking it tortoise style are several.
I've started a number of businesses in the past and there is always that same intense feeling to 'launch', that rush to get over that fence. But have also over the years experimented with the cutting corners to start thing, and its either had me on the back foot for weeks after or foiled the business completely. Having some objective benchmarks set from the beginning which describe the key things that need to be in place before launch is a good way to not be distracted off plan by 'feelings'.
The biggest risk as i see it with ubuni is not getting it off the ground but in having the platform grind to a halt with thousands of learners onboard because the sustainable funding was not secure, or insufficient to fund the staged expansions as the numbers escalate.
What i am trying to do here with sustainable funding is novel, on the same scale of novelty as virtual goods were 5 yrs ago, and i am trying to present these novel funding ideas into an already tricky market. Its a jigsaw puzzle which builds and there are already pieces in place. But TIA, things take longer, tying down meetings is even a challenge.
Progress on development is good, the ubuni Social Change Model has taken on good shape and we're now looking for research partner/s to track and analyse impact of this from the start. Social change aspects of our courses are our real USP our Purple Cow; we are accepting we are working with real people with real feelings in challenging circumstances and working towards empowerment rather than information pushing or what has traditionally been called training.
The biggest thing that's changed since starting this journey is using ubuni as a mobile delivery platform - this looks to be turning out to be a core part of the project and an important revenue stream. ubuni platform and delivery methods provide an interesting proposition for NGO's and other organisations looking to reach large numbers of people with critical information which 'has social impact' or requires 'some learning to take place'. ubuni, not only provides the channel but also the expertise to ensure impact.
Next on the agenda - finding a branding partner, to get the site ready for the public, and to start our poling of global research departments for the kind of really useful expertise we want to populate our course content.
Meanwhile I'm back in the UK developing connections on this side. visit our website to sign up for futher updates or information http://www.ubuni.org/
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