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# SKO Homework
## Shark Tank Pitch
Shark Tank Pitches
## Why Customer Education?
### Instructions
@ -15,35 +17,54 @@ Develop a 3-5 minute “Shark Tank Style” elevator pitch for Northpass. Your p
### Response
Sharks, I am seeking from you a $300,000 investment and a 2% in our next generation customer education SaaS company.
Sharks, I am offering you a once-in-an-episode opportunity to invest in a customer strategy that will become the
cornerstone of your entire brand experience ecosystem.
Y ou're probably rolling your eyes right now, knowing there's no money in education. If people want information, they
will just google it, right? Sure, they could, but then you'd be relying on Marketing to do the heavy lifting of
SEO - basically, a glorified word search game for kids .
If y ou're anything like me, the word education doesn't bring up visions of the joy of learning or getting a good score
on a test. Instead, the word education often bubbles up academic baggage; the fear of failing, nervously scribbling
answers, or wondering if you circled the scan-tron answers well enough for it to be counted .
You may also be thinking back to days in college classrooms with horrible scan-trons and final exams. All these types of
educational environments are conducive to only one thing: secrecy and neg ative competition. Unless you're the NSO and
selling Pegasus 2.01, why would you want your clients to be secretive and combative with their learning?
This is the education of the past. The education of the future is forward-thinking, engaging, and most importantly -
revenue ge ner ating.
Northpass is so much more than learning. It is an invaluable tool to deepen brand loyalty, increase market share, and
strengthen the bonds between your internal and external stakeholders.
Here's the thing: you're already doing customer education! When your company sends an email about a product release, or
when a new feature gets added and your CSMs tell your customers about it; that's customer education. When you host a
webinar or your power-user tells a friend or co-worker about your product; that's customer education. Every blog post,
marketing campaign, response to support tickets.. I could go on. These are all forms of education. You're already doing
it without knowing or - most important - without giving it a centralizing or north start to guide the practice.
Take a look at your own companies, Sharks. Where does "learning" fall in your tech stack? If you run your companies
anything like my clients, where over 60% have admitted to having lukewarm executive buy-in, you have placed an integral
part of your customer experience at the bottom of the stack. But you know what? That's okay if Customer Education is
s itting at the bottom of the stack. That's because it is my firm believe that customer education is the cornerstone of
any well-adjusted growing tech company .
As business owners, what if your leadership team was decentralized and unguided? How well would your product team
develop your product without a clear roadmap or refined set of goals? These are the basics, ladies and gentlemen. You
can't run a company without a nor th star. Why do we continue to leave our customer experience departments in the same
p itfalls? You are losing money, burning relationships, and ultimately, doing a disservice to your culture and brand
recognition .
As tech-entrepreneurs we have put all the value on educating ourselves on how to run companies and grow teams, but
except our clients to just understand our app and technology.
Customer education is not just a simple business practice, it's a transformative force that has the power to change the
world. By empowering customers with knowledge, they become equipped to tackle their challenges, achieve their goals, and
make a positive impact at all levels of the organization.
From the most technical of companies, like Recast Software, educating their clients on Microsoft Endpoint Solutions and
Server Management, or Skuid, a code-less solution for data connecting workflows, to Big Ideas Learning, a Saas solution
for the-always-busy public school teacher, customer education is the current that flows underneath all your o ther
systems.
Think about it - when you committed to taking a course or learning something new, how gratifying did it feel to complete
what you set out to do? Your product helps the customer feel committed; now bring the education to give your customers
some goals. When your customer understands how to use a product or service to its fullest potential, not only can they
maximize its benefits; they *will* . They *will* become more efficient, more productive, more effective and more
influential with the people around them. With a commitment to customer education, your customers will improve their
own well being and the well being of those around them.
The value is simple. Give your customers right-on-time experiences with your brand and product in an asynchronous
format so that when
But it's not just about the individual customer. When a company invests in customer education, they show their
commitment across the board. They show commitment and passion for their product. Commitment to their internal teams and
SMEs who have so much knowledge that often never escapes their heads. Most importantly, when a company is committed to
customer education they demonstrate their dedication to their customers' success and their belief in the power of
*knowledge* to drive positive change. They lead by example, inspiring others to follow suit and create a ripple effect
of positivity, progress, and passion.
Let's, with gusto and intention, centralize customer education. Folks, I am asking for more than just an investment
today. I am asking for a shift in thinking. I know that with this change, this is where you can really make an impact
that moves beyond this room.
So what do you say, Sharks? Are you ready to move your customer's education beyond the confines of emails and webinars?
Let's embrace customer education as a transformative force for good. Let's empower customers with the knowledge they
need to achieve their dreams and make a positive impact in the world. With Customer Education, we can change the
world... one customer at a time!
## Why Now?
@ -59,32 +80,110 @@ Your pitch should:
### Response
Sharks, you've learned a lot about Customer Education and the learning
management system ecosystem today. There are a ton of competitors in the market
Sharks, you've learned a lot about Customer Education and the learning management system ecosystem today. There are a
ton of competitors in the market with many different niches and specialties. This makes the decision difficult when
trying to best understand what your customers need. Well, I'm here to help you invest in the right company: Northpass.
When you think about Northpass, what comes to mind? A mountain pass... snowy, rocky crags... isolation in a forbidden
wilderness? You wouldn't be wrong about that because despite the amount of competition, that is the state of the
customer education industry. You are given a backpack with some useless tools and when you ask for direction, your new
"partners" point vaguely in a direction where all you see are those jagged peaks and lost trails.
That's not what you need when embarking on a new journey that, frankly, is too risky for most of the world. That's why
we have so many half-baked solutions giving you tools that are really just one-trick-ponies. What we offer to our
customers is not that of an outfitter. We are a full-fledged, premium guide service that customizes every way point in
your journey to a level of sophistication and satisfaction that would leave most Everest guides gawking in awe. With our
customers as the pioneers into this untamed wilderness, Northpass offers the expertise, professional service, and
multi-use tool set to enable our customers a successful and memorable journey.
It's a fact: after customers see the level of detail and personalization that we put into their experience, they stick
with us for their future journeys into new mountain ranges.
If that wasn't enough, here's Northpass in a nutshell: Northpass is an invaluable tool to deepen brand loyalty, increase
market share, and strengthen the bonds between your internal and external stakeholders.
From the most technical of companies, like Recast Software, educating their clients on Microsoft Endpoint Solutions and
Server Management, or Skuid, a code-less solution for data connecting workflows, to Big Ideas Learning, a Saas solution
for the-always-busy public school teacher, customer education is the current that flows underneath all your other
systems.
The value is simple. Give your customers right-on-time experiences with your brand and product in an asynchronous
format so that when they are seeking an answer, they not only know where to find it, but feel accomplished, proud, and
emboldened to share their new found knowledge.
We know the road will have lots of twists and turns, and the weather might turn bad, but with Northpass as your guide
through these mountain passes, I know that you will have all the tools, expertise, and confidence to get you to the
green pastures of an impactful Customer Education program.
## AI & LI
### Instructions
Use OpenAI’
Then, pick a topic and use ChatGPT to craft your first social-selling Linkedin
post. Make sure that you use the OpenAI output as a basis, but then they truly
make it your own with your words and personality. It needs to be something that,
when you read it out loud, you would feel very natural with and happy about.
Use OpenAI’ Then, pick a topic and use ChatGPT to
craft your first social-selling Linkedin post. Make sure that you use the OpenAI output as a basis, but then they truly
make it your own with your words and personality. It needs to be something that, when you read it out loud, you would
feel very natural with and happy about.
### Response
"Did you know that investing in #CustomerEducation can have a major impact on the success and profitability of a tech
company? Here are 20 reasons why:
1. Enhances understanding of products or services - Imagine finally understanding how to use that app you've been
struggling with!
2. Increases customer satisfaction and loyalty - Happy customers are more likely to stick around and recommend you to
others.
3. Reduces support inquiries - When customers have the knowledge they need, they're less likely to need to reach out for
help.
4. Increases upselling and cross-selling opportunities - Educated customers are more likely to see the value in related
5. products or services. Improves customer retention - Investing in education shows customers that you care about their
success and satisfaction.
6. Builds brand awareness and trust - When customers feel confident in your offerings, they'll remember your brand and
choose you again in the future.
7. Supports customer success - Helping customers reach their goals with your products or services leads to repeat
business.
8. Reduces churn - Happy, successful customers are less likely to cancel or switch to a competitor.
9. Helps customers achieve desired outcomes - Empowering customers with education helps them get the most out of your
offerings.
10. Enhances customer advocacy and referrals - When customers love your products and feel confident using them, they'll
tell others about you.
11. Enables customers to become self-sufficient - Education empowers customers to troubleshoot and find answers on their
own.
12. Improves customer retention and reduces churn - When customers feel confident and successful, they're less likely to
leave.
13. Increases customer lifetime value - Investing in customer education can lead to longer, more successful
relationships with customers.
14. Facilitates customer engagement and feedback - Education provides opportunities for customers to engage with your
company and share their thoughts.
15. Supports customer journey mapping and improvements - Understanding customer needs and goals through education can
inform your product development and customer experience strategies.
16. Promotes customer-led innovation and product development - When customers feel empowered and knowledgeable, they may
suggest new ideas or improvements.
17. Improves customer decision making and purchasing processes - Educated customers are more likely to make informed
decisions and be satisfied with their purchases.
18. Supports customer onboarding and training - A well-designed education program can make the transition to your
product or service smoother for new customers.
19. Enhances customer satisfaction and NPS scores - Investing in customer education leads to happier, more satisfied
customers who are more likely to recommend you.
20. Helps customers maximize the value they receive from your offerings - Education empowers customers to get the most
out of your
## Customer Success Stories
### Instructions
Detail a success story from one of your customers, preferably in SaaS. Consider the following framework:
Detail a success story from one of your customers, preferably in SaaS. Consider the following framework:
* Background of the company.
* Challenges before Northpass.
* Solution Northpass provided them.
* Results Northpass has helped them achieve.
* Background of the company.
* Challenges before Northpass.
* Solution Northpass provided them.
* Results Northpass has helped them achieve.
### Response
Larson Texts/Big Ideas
25% decrease in CSM training calls.
## Take away
### Instructions & Response
Norm Rasmussen