many schools use standard salesmanship-leading the client to the close, overcoming objections, closing the sale, and there are scripts that through research, have been proven tried and true by the top people in the industry. It’s simply teaching someone what to say and what not to say in order to lead them to the close. It’s called, professionalism. (for the most part, when someone has walked into your school, they have already made up their minds to train. You simply have to allow them to sign up without putting your foot in your mouth and leading them out the door instead-which many untrained people do.)
When you own a business, you want the right people answering the phone, handling walk-ins, info calls, introductory lessons, etc in a professional manner.
When my senior student answers the phone, she says,
“Good morning, this is Sue from Ten Tigers Kung-Fu Academy, may I help you?”
or something similar,
not, “yeah?”
There is a difference between being professional and being commercial.
Whether or not you are a McKwoon depends on the quality of your teaching, not what you charge, have contracts, upgrades, etc.
[QUOTE=TenTigers;1004228]
There is a difference between being professional and being commercial.
Whether or not you are a McKwoon depends on the quality of your teaching, not what you charge, have contracts, upgrades, etc.[/QUOTE]
To the Former, that is a good distinction to make. As to the latter, it depends. What you charge should be returned in value. When the contracts are introduced, what options you have, and how long you are required to sign them for, and your ability to get out of them under reasonable circumstances, are factors. Upgrades depend on how often and how much, if you are charging an extra hundred dollars a month every month for testing, you’re a McKwoon not matter what. 
But yes just having those elements does not make you a McKwoon as long as they are judiciously applied.
The Guy in the Video sounds like a conspiracy theorist who’s been watching to many of those video’s.
[QUOTE=SanHeChuan;1004224]
If you charge alot of money you better provide quaility instruction to back it up, otherwise people have a right to complain.[/QUOTE]
It seems like people on the whole in a general sense don’t know really what quality instruction really is. Interestingly, martial arts enthusiasts are not the primary target for a franchise martial arts school.
So there will be those few who join who are, and have a critical eye, but they end up leaving, and really doesn’t affect the business much, because they weren’t really the target in the first place.
And then there are those few schools that strive to appeal to the mainstream who are clueless, but also provide high quality material for advanced martial arts practitioners.
Most adults are looking for fitness and a “sense” of self defense (not necessarily real self defense, because that involves tolerating a lot of pain). And if they break a sweat doing a bunch of kicks, and feel like they can snap away from someone who statically grabs their wrist, they are happy and will keep coming back. To them, that’s quality, because they don’t know any better.
To the martial arts enthusiast, the system is designed to disuade them from continuing in the organization, if they are not “yes men”.
It’s like any organization, really. If you are a weak link to their mission, you will leave, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Quality is merely a matter of perception, it varies from someone who knows nothing to an experienced practitioner. In a sense, if you are not a “yes man”, there’s really no use for you at the organization.
The hard part I’d imagine, is when a school like the one you mentioned, does a complete facelift that once upon a time targeted martial arts enthusiasts, and then shifted its focus to be more mainstream. But it’s an organizational reality, any time an org shifts its mission/focus, there will be people lost along the way. But losing those people is justified by the gaining of many more.
[QUOTE=yutyeesam;1004262]It seems like people on the whole in a general sense don’t know really what quality instruction really is. Interestingly, martial arts enthusiasts are not the primary target for a franchise martial arts school.
[/QUOTE]
That is a shame. I understand that many schools get most of their income from the highest turnover group (beginners). So I understand needing to get plenty of new students through the revolving doors. If this is done to keep the doors open for the dedicated students, I’ve got no problem with that. When it’s done just for profit, enthusiasts be d4mn3d, I have a problem with that.
The hard part I’d imagine, is when a school like the one you mentioned, does a complete facelift that once upon a time targeted martial arts enthusiasts, and then shifted its focus to be more mainstream.
Just to be clear the school I linked is still a good kung fu school. 
They still try to strike that balance between getting the new and keeping the old.
[QUOTE=SanHeChuan;1004266]When it’s done just for profit, enthusiasts be d4mn3d, I have a problem with that. [/QUOTE]
I agree. I guess the hard part is to figure out what is a “reasonable” profit and what isn’t. Obviously, bills have to be paid, which includes the instructor’s salary. But what is too much or too little, and how is that determined? Hard to say, in an industry that has no governing body of standards! lol (not that it should)
Just to be clear the school I linked is still a good kung fu school.
They still try to strike that balance between getting the new and keeping the old.
With you 100%. They are a GREAT and very well respected Kung Fu school in Austin. That website did throw me for a loop. I was like, When did Lama Pai Sifu move to Austin???
[QUOTE=yutyeesam;1004268]I agree. I guess the hard part is to figure out what is a “reasonable” profit and what isn’t. Obviously, bills have to be paid, which includes the instructor’s salary. But what is too much or too little, and how is that determined? Hard to say, in an industry that has no governing body of standards! lol (not that it should)[/QUOTE]
It isn’t so much about the dollar amount as it is about priorities. When making money becomes more important than the students that’s when it’s too much.
every one wants his school and style to grow.
franchise is one way
family owned meaning closed circles of teachers is another way.
as long as they are consistently teaching the same quality of stuff as the first or original school
–
the rest is the problem of people that using the same name but not delivering the same level of teaching or training
the school name would be “de faced”–
or lowered its value
–
MA school is supposed to be about fighting
teaching somebody to be respectful etc or cultural/personalities cultivation
is it not that the church, the school and the parents are supposed to be instilling in the young one ?
–
Having watched the video now, I’d say the dude has a beef with a local chain school doing dirty business. It got a little dramatic and over the top, trying to emulate pop conspiracy videos.
Yes! I was looking for a discription of the tone of the video. Kinda like “who killed the electric car” or “loose change”. A bit over the top.
As a school owner the hardest thing to do is balance the buisness aspect with the sifu/student personal relationship. We do have to be honest though it is a buisness so at the end of the day the school does need to make money just to survive.
Again why is it ok for doctors to make large somes of money from sick people and it seems unacceptable for a martial artist to make money from his trade? It seems out of wack to me:confused:
[QUOTE=Shaolindynasty;1004280]Again why is it ok for doctors to make large somes of money from sick people and it seems unacceptable for a martial artist to make money from his trade? It seems out of wack to me.[/QUOTE]i think doctors make way too much money for the services they render… i think this is what the video is alluding to - teacher/master/sifu’s who are only about making by playing on peoples ignorance of martial arts, much like people are ignorant of basic health and natural medicines/treatments… being charged 350 dollars to go to the emergency room and quick 5 minutes with a doctor who only tells someone they sprained their ankle is ridiculous… obviously any trade or skill can be used for profit in order to make a living, but it’s when people begin to get greedy and shed quality for quantity that is the root of the problem here. 
[QUOTE=Shaolindynasty;1003481]I found this video interesting. I have some comments but I’ll save it until some of you weight in.
“The truth behind martial arts franchise schools exposed”
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvAiSaBGaj8
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5UE76TcADo[/QUOTE]
HAHAH…That’s USSD’s business model.
[QUOTE=uki;1004316]i think doctors make way too much money for the services they render…[/QUOTE]
Doctors make so much because they go through 8 years of school at minimum and make decisions which have a great effect on the lives of others, even to the point of whether they may have a life or not.
i think this is what the video is alluding to - teacher/master/sifu’s who are only about making by playing on peoples ignorance of martial arts, much like people are ignorant of basic health and natural medicines/treatments… being charged 350 dollars to go to the emergency room and quick 5 minutes with a doctor who only tells someone they sprained their ankle is ridiculous…
Praying on you? How about ask some questions next time. They’re there to educate you as well as treat. You know for someone who is so initiated to inform the masses of your ideology of free thinking, you are showing both with your overall attitude to things such as law enforcement and now apparently medicine, a significant trend in lacking a notion of “personal responsibility.” Its your **** body, maybe you (and everyone) should take some time to actually learn about it. That’s 90% of the problem. People want doctors to “fix” everything that breaks whether it can be or not. Maybe if they lived a healthy life of prevention…
And you know, maybe you wouldn’t be paying $350 for an ankle sprain if you didn’t go to the ER for something any family practice/sports clinic could handle for half that. Oh and ya know, insurance is nice too, you don’t have to go to the ER for everything…Oh yeah but you have that thing against systems and all that. Personal responsibility…
obviously any trade or skill can be used for profit in order to make a living, but it’s when people begin to get greedy and shed quality for quantity that is the root of the problem here.
Agreed, but that will happen in anything. I’m still ****ed about my $4 ice cream. I ASKED FOR EXTRA SPRINKLES!!!
[QUOTE=Shaolindynasty;1004280]Yes! I was looking for a discription of the tone of the video. Kinda like “who killed the electric car” or “loose change”. A bit over the top.
As a school owner the hardest thing to do is balance the buisness aspect with the sifu/student personal relationship. We do have to be honest though it is a buisness so at the end of the day the school does need to make money just to survive.
Again why is it ok for doctors to make large somes of money from sick people and it seems unacceptable for a martial artist to make money from his trade? It seems out of wack to me:confused:[/QUOTE]
I’m sure that most of the people who expect MA teachers to teach free of charge simply want to get something of value for nothing, period. In most cases, it takes every bit as long as any other higher education to be qualified to teach MA. Yet free lessons guarantee nothing. One of my teachers in Taiwan told me he began teaching by offering classes for free. He was a very good and very meticulous young teacher. Yet no one showed up for long. Eventually he wised up and began charging (not overly expensive, but not cheap, either). It was only then that his classes grew and lots of people stayed with him.
I’m sure that there are some good teachers who teach for free and have good students, but in many or most cases, when you don’t place a monetary value on what you are offering, that sends a signal to people that you don’t value your own product. Therefore, they won’t value or respect you as a teacher or your product, either.
Though it’s true that when money becomes the be-all and end-all, then it becomes a scam.
[QUOTE=Jimbo;1004466]I’m sure that most of the people who expect MA teachers to teach free of charge simply want to get something of value for nothing, period. In most cases, it takes every bit as long as any other higher education to be qualified to teach MA. Yet free lessons guarantee nothing. One of my teachers in Taiwan told me he began teaching by offering classes for free. He was a very good and very meticulous young teacher. Yet no one showed up for long. Eventually he wised up and began charging (not overly expensive, but not cheap, either). It was only then that his classes grew and lots of people stayed with him.
I’m sure that there are some good teachers who teach for free and have good students, but in many or most cases, when you don’t place a monetary value on what you are offering, that sends a signal to people that you don’t value your own product. Therefore, they won’t value or respect you as a teacher or your product, either.
Though it’s true that when money becomes the be-all and end-all, then it becomes a scam.[/QUOTE]
hi
i think large number of students doesnt neeccesarily mean succuess. that guy when he taught for free didnt have a lot of students but i think theres nothing wrong with that.
i think a teacher with 1 really good student would be happy if he only wants to teach for teaching and not to make a living.
[QUOTE=bawang;1004484]hi
i think large number of students doesnt neeccesarily mean succuess. that guy when he taught for free didnt have a lot of students but i think theres nothing wrong with that.[/QUOTE]
Hi, bawang.
I agree that large numbers of students, in itself, doesn’t always mean success. According to him, his plan was to find some students to teach for free, and help them develop into good practitioners. At some point, he would be charging new students fees but allow any of those original students to continue free of charge. His goal was to become a professional MA teacher. But as mentioned, not one of the students he taught for free stayed long. After a while (a year?) when he began charging, he found students who would stay, and some eventually became quite good.
The teacher’s teaching method hadn’t really changed, but people’s perceptions changed when he began charging monthly fees.
Oddly enough, one of the persons who quit when he charged nothing returned. When told he was now going to have to pay the fee like everybody else, the student was quite happy to do so, became one of the better practitioners, and remained with him for many years.
Of course, he needed the money to live, as this became his occupation. But to him, money was never a big obsession.
not one of the students he taught for free stayed long. After a while (a year?) when he began charging, he found students who would stay, and some eventually became quite good.
This is my experince exactly
in the old china
there is this private tutoring
you hire a boxer or quan si or boxing teacher
you provide room and board.
he specifically teaches your kids or relatives.
in the old China, people live in a big mansion, there are many rooms and courtyard
and of course a salary is paid to the teacher, too.
[QUOTE=SPJ;1004724]in the old china
there is this private tutoring
you hire a boxer or quan si or boxing teacher
you provide room and board.
he specifically teaches your kids or relatives.
in the old China, people live in a big mansion, there are many rooms and courtyard
and of course a salary is paid to the teacher, too.
[/QUOTE]
in that sense, it is not a commercial school or franchise.
private teaching to a few students for many years
while the teacher’s living is completely provided for.
–
[QUOTE=SPJ;1004725]in that sense, it is not a commercial school or franchise.
private teaching to a few students for many years
while the teacher’s living is completely provided for.[/QUOTE]in mycology, this concept is known as a symbiotic relationship.