In an automotive technology class at Wisconsin's Beloit Memorial High School, students don't have to go to some greasy garage to learn about the inner workings of carburetors and transmission systems. They can learn while sitting at their computers.

Beloit Memorial High School in Wisconsin purchased computer-based automotive repair courses from Plymouth-based Convenience Learning International (CLI). The courses provide an alternative to paper-heavy classes based on lectures. Designed to teach how to diagnose major automotive ailments, the courses show DVD-quality video footage of real mechanics and instructors.

David Janiszewski founded CLI in 1996 after spending four years as office automation manager and training coordinator at NordicTrack, a fitness equipment manufacturer based in Chaska. CLI specializes in interactive computer training courses for the automotive repair, medical device, electrical, technology and education marketing industries.

"It was one of those classic 'I think I can do it better and faster' deals," he said. The company's competitors include KDG Interactive in Eagan and Healthstream in Nashville, Tenn.

From automotive refinishing to forklift safety, CLI offers over 170 courses that can be used in trade schools and community colleges across the country, as well as in a number of workplaces. Janiszewski said CLI's interactive courses are different from competitive products. Those differences include showing students video footage of techniques the courses are teaching, and using other methods to increase retention.

By watching the actual application of the techniques, he said, learners are able to better understand and retain the information. The courses also repeatedly test students on the information being taught until they answer all questions correctly.

Such techniques differ from many e-learning courses, experts say.

"E-learning companies are not incorporating what we now know about page layout, recall and retention into their materials," said Richard Fisher, a board member and training & education leader at the North Bay Multimedia Association in California.

CLI has had its challenges, however. Revenue has remained flat the past three years at about $1 million. CLI will turn a profit of about $30,000 in 2002, depending on a few pending accounts, Janiszewski said.

CLI is slimming down to improve the bottom line. Until three years ago, the firm also provided clients with network hardware and software as well as technology consulting services. In 1999, Janiszewski chose to discontinue those products.

"I decided we were getting away from our core business, which was creating and streaming video," he said. "So, we made a decision to cut those lines cold turkey."

That restructuring resulted in a loss of $1 million in revenue, but it ultimately saved the company from going belly-up during the dot-com crash.

"I'm 99 percent sure that we would be out of business if we hadn't dumped hardware in 1999," said Janiszewski, who financed the business with personally guaranteed loans. "We remove ourselves from that market before it blew up."

The company has been funded internally up to now. However, the firm is raising $1.5 million to develop a new line of courses targeting direct-care hospital workers.

This article is © Copyrighted 2002 by American Cities Business Journal