Laptop Learning

Phone scam. Warning

2011-01-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

We have recently had call after call from anxious customers who have been contacted by an overseas company telling them that their computer has a virus.
They are told to switch on their machine.
DO NOT DO THIS.
This is a very upsetting and unsettling scam and it makes people feel vulnerable.
Luckily none of our customers (that we know of) have been taken in by this so we cannot post the effect of following their instructions, but we are very sure anyone doing so would either be charged or have their privacy compromised.
PLEASE BEWARE

Laptop Learning Thames Valley - coming soon

2010-09-24T03:21:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of November we will be launching our new franchise in the Thames Valley Area, which will be owned and run by Paula Matthews, who has had years of experience with in the computer industry. Everyone at Laptop Learning would like to welcome Paula to the team, and watch this space for more details about when and where we will be launching this new franchise.
Photo - Paula Matthews and Cathy Gillard signing the contracts earlier this month in Bristol.

The Winners for the 2nd day of the Newbury Show

2010-09-21T02:36:00.000-07:00

The winners from the second day of the newbury show were:

Mrs S.Lewin from Westbrook
and
Mrs D.Harris from Kingsclere

They will both be receiving a gift voucher for a Free Lesson from Tony Gadd, later this week.

And the Winners Are !!

2010-09-19T02:42:00.000-07:00

The winners on the first day of the newbury show were:

Mr N. Bowden from Overton, Basingstoke
and
Mr D Wernham from Longlove, Hermitage

They will both be receiving a gift voucher for a Free Lesson from Tony Gadd, later this week.

We will be drawing Two more winners later today.

Early start to Newbury Show

2010-09-18T05:33:00.000-07:00

What an early start was needed for this years Newbury show, Franchise Owner Tony Gadd and Sales & Marketing Manager Kelvin Price had to be at the Newbury showground for 7:15am this morning and what a cold morning it was. It's now 1:35pm the sun is out and the visitors are out in force, we have been swamped by the number of people wanting more information on our services. Keep a look out for more updates from us at the Newbury Show.

Meet us at the Newbury Show

2010-09-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Newbury Franchise owner Tony Gadd and Marketing Manager Kelvin Price will be attending the Royal Berkshire County Show in Newbury on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th September.

There are over 65,000 people who attend this event every year, and both Tony and Kelvin are hoping for some sunny weather and lots of new customers. We will be offering a discount to customers who book any training with Tony on these days, but anyone wanting to leave their details with us on the day for more information will be entered in to a prize draw, where they can win a number of discounts or even a free training session with Tony.

The Phoenix of Newbury

2010-09-07T03:45:00.000-07:00

Well what can I say about the Newbury launch - we had it all!!
The night before Tony Gadd’s big launch in the Sainsbury’s car park in Newbury the Laptop Learning car got broken in to at 3:25am that morning in a quiet country village pub (and all they took was a bag containing paperwork, I would have liked to see the thief’s faces when they opened it!), The bag was found and returned to us by a lovely couple on Thursday afternoon.
From then on it was a fantastic launch, the sun was shining, the people of Newbury were smiling and we had one of the best Franchise launches to date!

We had over 55 new customers requesting more information on Tony’s courses during the 3 days at the Sainsbury’s car park, but we handed out 100’s of leaflets around Sainsbury’s and Newbury Town Centre to those interested in what was on offer and Tony has already received enquiries from these leaflets.

So from a rocky start at 3:25am on Wednesday morning the launch of the Newbury franchise became a ‘phoenix’ out of the flames!!

‘Good luck’ Tony at the Newbury Show on the 18th & 19th September and let’s hope you have the weather and success to match your launch.

New Branch Opening up on the 1st September

2010-08-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

GREAT NEWS
Laptop Learning is opening another branch in Newbury on Wednesday 1st September.
Come along to the Sainsbury's car park at Kings Road, Newbury and look for our two cars on Wednesday 1st, 2nd & 3rd at any time between 9am and 5pm, we will also be around Newbury Town Centre handing out information on these days.

ONE TO ONE TRAINING
Our specialist one-to-one training will help you to master your desktop or laptop computer fast. Our professional but gentle and patient trainers will go at your speed and help you learn exactly what you want to learn.

Laptop Learning comes to Newbury

2010-08-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

On September the 1st we will be launching our new Franchisee in Newbury, and everyone at Laptop Learning would like to welcome Tony Gadd in to the Family.

Tony Gadd Started his career just as the Personal Computer age was being born and has worked with many different computers from the lowly ZX Spectrum to huge Cray Supercomputers.

Work as a software programmer at Harwell and Jet eventually led to a job with international oil services giant Schlumberger based in Dubai where many years in Operational Support nurtured a passion for helping people especially through direct client contact.

Tony say’s:-

“It’s a wonderful feeling as a trainer when your students suddenly realise they have grasped what they thought was beyond them”.

This love of training led Tony to join Laptop Learning.

Whether you are an absolute beginner or more advanced Tony will be happy to use his IT and training experience to help you make that next step.

New Office Manager Starts

2010-08-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

We are please to welcome Kelvin Price to Laptop Learning as Office Manager. He has been working for the local newspaper in Sales and Marketing for the last 8 years, Kelvin says "I am pleased to be joining such a successful company and look forward to the new challange this role will bring"

Another new Branch at Yateley, Surrey

2010-05-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

GREAT NEWS
Laptop Learning is opening another branch in Yateley on Saturday 22nd May.
Come along to the car park Sainsbury's at Watchmoor Park (Blackwater Valley Road, CamberleyGU15 3YN) and look for our exhibition van on Saturday 22nd, Monday 24th or Tuesday 25th May 2010 at any time between 9.00 and 5.00.

WIN A MEMORY STICK
The first visitor each day will win a memory stick - just tell one of our staff that you found this information on the website, and the memory stick will be yours.

ONE TO ONE TRAINING
Our specialist one-to-one training will help you to master your desktop or laptop computer fast. Our professional but gentle and patient trainers will go at your speed and help you learn exactly what you want to learn.

LAPTOP LEARNING RUNCORN - May 2010

2010-05-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to announce that Nigel Corcoran has launched a new Laptop Learning business based in Runcorn and the surrounding areas.

Chester, Warrington, Widnes and all areas in between are covered by this office and we are looking forward to meeting people who would like to, or need to, up-date their computer skills at a time and place to suit them.

Nigel is a highly skilled and qualified trainer with over 20 years of experience and he has a professional team working alongside him.

In his first 3 days course details were requested by over 50 new customers - a fantastic achievement.

To book a one-to-one lesson in the Runcorn/Chester area please call Nigel on 01928 564 878.

British Franchise Association membership

2010-01-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

We are very pleased to be able to announce that we are now provisional members of the British Franchise Association. This means that we have met their requirements and have demonstrated measures to make sure that the business is properly developed and tested for the franchise method.

We are committed to comply with their policies and procedures.

International Franchise Exhibition at the NEC

2009-10-05T04:51:00.000-07:00

October 2009
We have just come back from a fantastic few days exhibiting at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. Laptop Learning's staff were kept extremely busy with people looking at our franchise opportunities and we met several people with whom we would like to take discussions further.

The show was a resounding success and we look forward to meeting anyone who would like to visit our Torquay office, or who would like to talk to our team further.

Totnes Show – July 2009

2009-07-17T03:42:00.001-07:00

Following our huge success at Devon County Show, we exhibited at the annual Totnes Show on Thursday 30 July 2009.

Our mobile exhibition unit was there again in the mud!!!.

The unit was towed in by tractor, and had to be towed out again, however, the day's visitors were happy to 'slide and skid' over to our unit.

We met lots of interesting people and have found several new customers

Thank you very much.

Our first Radio Advertisement

2009-04-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

April 2009

Laptop Learning has just launched their franchise operation with a professional and catchy radio advert.

If you are in the Exeter or East Devon area, you might like to switch to Heart radio on 96.4 and please take a minute to listen and let us know what you think of it.

Laptop Learning wins its first award

2008-12-19T09:33:00.001-08:00

Laptop Learning has won two regional awards – Best New Business and the Award for Innovation. The company that teaches IT skills in people’s own homes on their own computers has certainly got off to a flying start. The title of Best New Business was awarded for the high degree of entrepreneurship and future vision of its founder, Cathy Gillard. Laptop Learning has already established itself amongst people wanting to learn how to get the best use from their computers, whether for work or leisure. Its business to date, projections and profitability were all considered superior by the judges. The Award for Innovation was won by the company’s original thinking and development. The forthcoming franchise option is a creative example of Laptop Learning’s commitment to empowering others. It’s been quite a year for this growing Torbay company, and these awards have made a very fitting end to a busy 2008.

Cathy cashes in on demand for IT knowledge

2008-12-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

CREDIT crunch, what credit crunch? A South Devon businesswoman is bucking the economic downturn, and planning to go national.

Cathy Gillard has found there is an insatiable demand for IT know-how. Her gamble to quit a safe and comfortable job at South Devon College about two years ago to step out on her own has paid off big time. She has launched Laptop Learning, IT teaching at home by experienced tutors for all ages and occupations.

A specialist IT teacher, Cathy began Laptop Learning by giving basic computer lessons from her motorhome in the Sainsburys car park at the Willows, Torquay.

It proved a huge hit, as people flocked in to learn how to get the best from their laptops and PCs. Business is booming and Cathy has now moved into a new office at the Innovation Centre at the Lymington Road coach station, and plans to franchise her concept across the country next year.

"I am in the middle of rolling out a package following our successful system and techniques, with the aim of setting up nationwide franchises. We will provide all the necessary training to people wanting to take up a franchise, and the most important skill they will need is to be a good teacher," she said. She admitted being 'a bit nervous' about leaving South Devon College after so many years, but reckons it was one of the best things she has ever done.

"From day one there has been a big demand from young and old for more computer knowledge. Ages range from 10 to 100, and some customers are complete beginners who have just bought, or been given a computer, but find it a challenge to operate," she said. "Some have tried to learn from books, or attended large classes at schools or colleges, and found it difficult to progress in such environments.

"More and more people are buying computers, and they either want to learn the very basic skills, or progress to more advanced programmes. I think we have done so well because we offer one-to-one tuition, which up-skills even the most anxious learner fast and efficiently.

"Many of our current customers are retired, but we are also seeing an increasing number of young people who are anxious about honing their skills for their jobs, or even schoolwork. Others are worried about being made redundant, and want to improve their IT knowledge to give them a better chance if they have to find another job."

Laptop Learning specialises in teaching e-mail, photo and internet skills, and also offers more advanced training, particularly in mastering Microsoft Office techniques.

This article appeared in the Herald Express 18/12/08 read it here.