WOW! Looking forward to an AMAZING New Year! This will be a record breaking
year all the way around with Mile High Karate. don't miss it!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Where is your mindset?
Well... as I'm sitting here in St Petersburg, FL at the NAPMA event listening to Toby Milroy... I look around the room and we have a broad range of school owners and operators. The question though as I look is: what is their mindset in today's economy?
What do I mean by that? Are you in the mindset of Technician - Manager - or Entrprenuer? These are broad titles to our various positions, but truly something to consider in our road to success. The original question comes from Michael Gerber's E-Myth book (note: if you are a business owner and haven't read the book - this is a MUST for EVERY business owner).
The key here is to evaluate yourself - honestly tell yourself "who" you are - and realize and develop your path to the Entrprenuer title. My guess is that most people are in the Technician phase of business. Nothing wrong with that as long as you realize this and also accept that this is a limiting phase. As long as you are in the technician phase, your growth and success is limited.
As we go around the room and listen to introductions... I realize that there is a large split in the phases of business in the room. It seems as though we have 2 major splits in phases - 1/2 of the room are in the technician phase and the other 1/2 are in the entrprenuer phase. The split seems to come at the $400K per year level for their business. Now, this is not to say that the entreprenuers are doing the best they can because they are not. If they would take it to the next level they would double triple or quadruple their ioncome almost overnight.
So, which are you? Here's a determining question: if you leave your business for a month what would your business look like when you returned? If you answered - I can't leave my business - or, it would die! - then you are probably in the technician phase. At best, you may be a manager, but without the necessary systems in place to run without you.
The bottom line is this: to truly succeed at the highest levels, you must be in the entrepreneur phase of business. That doesn't mean that you can't make a good living as a technician or a manager. It does mean that you will always be attached to your business and your business will always be personality driven unless you get to the next level.
Stay tuned for the next Blog.. we'll go over how to transition to the next level and the keys to make it happen fast.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I've chosen the work I want to do. If I find no joy in it, then I'm only condemning myself to sixty years of torture. And I can find the joy only if I do my work in the best possible way to me. But the best is a matter of standards - and I set my own standards. I inherit nothing. I stand at the end of no tradition. I may, perhaps, stand at the beginning of one. - Howard Roark
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
WOW. another amazing Black Belt Retreat and testing. The more I think about
this "process" with Mile High Karate, the more proud I am of our level of
instruction and quality. I visit and see A LOT of schools around the country
(and world). There is simply no other school that requires this process!
Congratulations again to all of those who participated this past weekend!!!
this "process" with Mile High Karate, the more proud I am of our level of
instruction and quality. I visit and see A LOT of schools around the country
(and world). There is simply no other school that requires this process!
Congratulations again to all of those who participated this past weekend!!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
HOME!!! Whew.. what a great trip to ESA in San Antonio. If you were not
there you missed a phenomenal opportunity to grow your school and thrive in
this economy. One school was there for the 1st time last year with a monthly
gross of between $17-20K. they IMPLEMENTED what they learned. last month
they broke $110K!!! Can't wait to hear the stories from this year!
there you missed a phenomenal opportunity to grow your school and thrive in
this economy. One school was there for the 1st time last year with a monthly
gross of between $17-20K. they IMPLEMENTED what they learned. last month
they broke $110K!!! Can't wait to hear the stories from this year!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
WOW! Extreme Success Academy in San Antonio is going to be awesome. Steve
LaVallee, Tim & Dave Kovar, Bill Clark, Keith Hafner, Jeff Smith and Stephen
Oliver all at this event teaching their systems for success! Never before
and possibly never again opportunity to learn from these gentlemen at one
event. www.ExtremeSuccessAcademy.com
LaVallee, Tim & Dave Kovar, Bill Clark, Keith Hafner, Jeff Smith and Stephen
Oliver all at this event teaching their systems for success! Never before
and possibly never again opportunity to learn from these gentlemen at one
event. www.ExtremeSuccessAcademy.com
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wow, what a display of...
exactly what martial arts is not and exactly what I don't want my kids to grow up with as an example. Read more: http://ping.fm/uYh8K
exactly what martial arts is not and exactly what I don't want my kids to grow up with as an example. Read more: http://ping.fm/uYh8K
Wow, what a display of...
...exactly what martial arts is not and exactly what I don't want my kids to grow up with as an example. I'm talking about UFC 100 and Brock Lesnar, the heavyweight "champion."
On Saturday night the billing for UFC 100 was to be the ultimate UFC experience of mixed martial arts. What it turned out to be was phenomenal displays of martial arts ability up until the heavyweight championship match. That turned out to be a disgrace for the UFC and potentially ruin almost everyone's image of the UFC thanks to one individual: Brock Lesnar.
I don't know about you, but when I started the martial arts we were always taught respect and character. We are taught to bow when entering the training hall. We are taught to bow to our training partners and opponents. We're taught to always have respect for our training partners, our opponents, our teachers and instructors, our parents, friends and our art. We're taught to say thank you, yes sir and yes ma'am, please and all of those other positive actions.
What I saw on Saturday night was the opposite of all of those teachings.
Mixed martial arts has been around since the beginning of martial arts itself. It's nothing new. We've been doing it in our curriculum since 1983. Myself since I started martial arts, which was in 1972. The only reason that it come into its own is thanks to the UFC and finding a way to monetize mixed martial arts. Don't get me wrong. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I find the problem in the type of person that the new "mixed martial arts" has drawn to martial arts.
The typical draw for mixed martial arts events is an 18 to 34 year old male, tattoos all over their body, and a grasp of the English language on par with a 7 year old. WOW, that sounds exactly like the WWE. And, isn't that where Brock Lesnar came from?
Now let's put all of this into perspective for a professional martial arts school owner. Who do you want coming into your school? Is it that same UFC or MMA diehard fan? Or is it the professional who is truly looking to gain the same things out of the martial arts that you and I did: respect, Confidence, athleticism and character development for their children?
The truth of the matter is that we're seeing both types of schools in the martial arts community now. We're seeing the MMA school that has that exact clientele and we're also seeing the character development focused martial arts school that has the professionals, the families and the children. The question comes down to what you want to do with your life and what success and impact you want to have on your community.
I am watching MMA school's go out of business every day and struggle to keep the doors open. At the same time I'm watching professional martial arts schools, who's concentration is on character development and respect thrive and grow and have positive impacts on their community.
Those of you who know me have always heard me say, "you are the average of the five people who you spend the most time with." Oh how true that is.
Let me clarify, I think Brock Lesnar is terrific athlete. But so are Terrell Owens and Michael Vick... and I don't ever want my children looking up to them as role models either. Unfortunately it's what you get when you take good athletes and turn them into professional athletes without a quality background and upbringing. I just can't see Dana White and the UFC wanting to turn into the WWE - which is exactly what happened on Saturday night.
The UFC (and MMA) has very positive role models in Georges St Pierre (who also fought and won on Saturday), Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva (and others). What's the common thread between those fighters? They came up with traditional martial arts backgrounds and were taught respect. I am also impressed with how Frank Mir handled himself after the fight - we acted with dignity and respect - even after Lesnar's WWE antics. How did he start - traditional martial arts!
I just hope that Dana White and the UFC came down hard on Lesnar - becuase what they've done is cause me (and I would guess so many others) to really look at the fight cards prior to buying or watching a UFC event ever again. If Lesnar is on the card, I will never again watch it(from those I've had this conversation with, they are in agreement). If it's GSP or Machida or Silva - we're there. It would be interesting to see how much money Lesnar will cost them in the end...
On Saturday night the billing for UFC 100 was to be the ultimate UFC experience of mixed martial arts. What it turned out to be was phenomenal displays of martial arts ability up until the heavyweight championship match. That turned out to be a disgrace for the UFC and potentially ruin almost everyone's image of the UFC thanks to one individual: Brock Lesnar.
I don't know about you, but when I started the martial arts we were always taught respect and character. We are taught to bow when entering the training hall. We are taught to bow to our training partners and opponents. We're taught to always have respect for our training partners, our opponents, our teachers and instructors, our parents, friends and our art. We're taught to say thank you, yes sir and yes ma'am, please and all of those other positive actions.
What I saw on Saturday night was the opposite of all of those teachings.
Mixed martial arts has been around since the beginning of martial arts itself. It's nothing new. We've been doing it in our curriculum since 1983. Myself since I started martial arts, which was in 1972. The only reason that it come into its own is thanks to the UFC and finding a way to monetize mixed martial arts. Don't get me wrong. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I find the problem in the type of person that the new "mixed martial arts" has drawn to martial arts.
The typical draw for mixed martial arts events is an 18 to 34 year old male, tattoos all over their body, and a grasp of the English language on par with a 7 year old. WOW, that sounds exactly like the WWE. And, isn't that where Brock Lesnar came from?
Now let's put all of this into perspective for a professional martial arts school owner. Who do you want coming into your school? Is it that same UFC or MMA diehard fan? Or is it the professional who is truly looking to gain the same things out of the martial arts that you and I did: respect, Confidence, athleticism and character development for their children?
The truth of the matter is that we're seeing both types of schools in the martial arts community now. We're seeing the MMA school that has that exact clientele and we're also seeing the character development focused martial arts school that has the professionals, the families and the children. The question comes down to what you want to do with your life and what success and impact you want to have on your community.
I am watching MMA school's go out of business every day and struggle to keep the doors open. At the same time I'm watching professional martial arts schools, who's concentration is on character development and respect thrive and grow and have positive impacts on their community.
Those of you who know me have always heard me say, "you are the average of the five people who you spend the most time with." Oh how true that is.
Let me clarify, I think Brock Lesnar is terrific athlete. But so are Terrell Owens and Michael Vick... and I don't ever want my children looking up to them as role models either. Unfortunately it's what you get when you take good athletes and turn them into professional athletes without a quality background and upbringing. I just can't see Dana White and the UFC wanting to turn into the WWE - which is exactly what happened on Saturday night.
The UFC (and MMA) has very positive role models in Georges St Pierre (who also fought and won on Saturday), Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva (and others). What's the common thread between those fighters? They came up with traditional martial arts backgrounds and were taught respect. I am also impressed with how Frank Mir handled himself after the fight - we acted with dignity and respect - even after Lesnar's WWE antics. How did he start - traditional martial arts!
I just hope that Dana White and the UFC came down hard on Lesnar - becuase what they've done is cause me (and I would guess so many others) to really look at the fight cards prior to buying or watching a UFC event ever again. If Lesnar is on the card, I will never again watch it(from those I've had this conversation with, they are in agreement). If it's GSP or Machida or Silva - we're there. It would be interesting to see how much money Lesnar will cost them in the end...
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Franchise Bill for Vets
As seen on http://www.franchisedirect.com/blog/a-franchising-bill-goes-before-congress/ by Donald Cranford
June 10, 2009
A Franchising Bill Goes Before Congress
We’ve always considered military veterans and franchises to be a perfect match. Veterans bring the discipline and know-how to get a small-business off the ground, while franchising offers a veteran returning to civilian life a simple start into a working business.
It turns out there’s a few people up on Capital Hill who agree with us. People like Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., and Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, who are have introduced the clearly-titled Help Veterans Own Franchises Act.
Congressman Boswell, a 20 year veteran of the US Army, explained why he co-introduced the bi-partisan bill.
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to spur economic growth, create jobs and give life to the entrepreneurial spirit. This thoughtful legislation will help veterans in Iowa and across the nation become business owners. As a new generation of veterans returns home from Iraq and Afghanistan, I hope others in Congress will join me and my Republican colleague from Illinois in supporting this legislation putting Americans to work and making the dream of owning a business a reality for these brave young Americans.”
Dina Dwyer-Evans, whose father helped launch VetFran, supports the measure and calls for its introduction into law.
“Over 900,000 franchise businesses in the U.S. are responsible for 21 million jobs and generating $2.3 trillion in economic output. By helping veterans purchase franchise small businesses, this bill will help stimulate the economy and put the country on the road to economic recovery. We thank Congressmen Schock and Boswell for leading this important effort.”
This is a very important piece of legislation. If passed, it will provide military veterans with tax incentives for starting franchises. It’s also nice to see bloggers like the Peoria Pundit in support of it as well.
Write your congressman or congresswoman today to assure this bill becomes law.
June 10, 2009
A Franchising Bill Goes Before Congress
We’ve always considered military veterans and franchises to be a perfect match. Veterans bring the discipline and know-how to get a small-business off the ground, while franchising offers a veteran returning to civilian life a simple start into a working business.
It turns out there’s a few people up on Capital Hill who agree with us. People like Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., and Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, who are have introduced the clearly-titled Help Veterans Own Franchises Act.
Congressman Boswell, a 20 year veteran of the US Army, explained why he co-introduced the bi-partisan bill.
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to spur economic growth, create jobs and give life to the entrepreneurial spirit. This thoughtful legislation will help veterans in Iowa and across the nation become business owners. As a new generation of veterans returns home from Iraq and Afghanistan, I hope others in Congress will join me and my Republican colleague from Illinois in supporting this legislation putting Americans to work and making the dream of owning a business a reality for these brave young Americans.”
Dina Dwyer-Evans, whose father helped launch VetFran, supports the measure and calls for its introduction into law.
“Over 900,000 franchise businesses in the U.S. are responsible for 21 million jobs and generating $2.3 trillion in economic output. By helping veterans purchase franchise small businesses, this bill will help stimulate the economy and put the country on the road to economic recovery. We thank Congressmen Schock and Boswell for leading this important effort.”
This is a very important piece of legislation. If passed, it will provide military veterans with tax incentives for starting franchises. It’s also nice to see bloggers like the Peoria Pundit in support of it as well.
Write your congressman or congresswoman today to assure this bill becomes law.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Take a look at my new blog post: "You can't have mules selling to thoroughbreds!" http://ping.fm/jeW78
You can't have mules...
You can't have mules selling to thoroughbreds!
I heard Master Ranulfo Gonzalez make that statement last week in our wrap up conference on Friday... what a true statement. What's funny (or sad depending upon how you look at it) is that this a challenge with 90% of the martial arts schools in operation.
Here's the issue: there are so many martial arts school owners who simply refuse to hire quality staff. Why? Actually I'm not really sure but I do have some theories -- imagine that :-). Here's theory #1: they just don't know how to hire quality staff; theory #2: they are not willing to pay the correct compensation structure to attract quality staff; theory #3: they don't know how to train quality staff; and theory #4(which is my favorite): they are scared to actually hire someone better than they are at certain functions!
So, let's just stay on my favorite theory - the scared part... I'm serious about this one (although I do think it's really a combination of all 4 in some part or another). Most martial arts school owners have too big of an ego to get out of their own way. They don't want to feel threatened by someone who is smarter, faster, stronger, "better" than they are in some aspect. Do you think Google or Microsoft have an issue with this? Nope - that's why they are among the most successful companies in the world - they look for talent - find the smartest and brightest person possible - pay them VERY well - train them well - and "poof" they make a significant return on that person! It's really that simple... notice I didn't say easy - just simple.
You really need multiple systems in place to hire quality people: a marketing system to attract talent, an pre-hiring system to make sure you hire the correct person, a compensation system that rewards success, an evaluation system to ensure success, a training system to establish and train on standards and even a termination system to get rid of those who do not live up to the standards. Without these systems in place, you will not succeed either!
Bottom line - most martial arts school owners will continue to live in mediocrity as they won't get out of their own way. Those who keep blaming the economy - the industry - etc - are really only using excuses for their own failures and inadequacies. I heard Grand Master Stephen Oliver use this quote on numerous occasion: "Most people are happy with a good excuse instead of good results."
The choice is completely up to you - succeed or fail - get out of your own way or not - hire mules or thoroughbreds! Regardless of your choices, the blame or credit is on one person alone: YOU!!!
I heard Master Ranulfo Gonzalez make that statement last week in our wrap up conference on Friday... what a true statement. What's funny (or sad depending upon how you look at it) is that this a challenge with 90% of the martial arts schools in operation.
Here's the issue: there are so many martial arts school owners who simply refuse to hire quality staff. Why? Actually I'm not really sure but I do have some theories -- imagine that :-). Here's theory #1: they just don't know how to hire quality staff; theory #2: they are not willing to pay the correct compensation structure to attract quality staff; theory #3: they don't know how to train quality staff; and theory #4(which is my favorite): they are scared to actually hire someone better than they are at certain functions!
So, let's just stay on my favorite theory - the scared part... I'm serious about this one (although I do think it's really a combination of all 4 in some part or another). Most martial arts school owners have too big of an ego to get out of their own way. They don't want to feel threatened by someone who is smarter, faster, stronger, "better" than they are in some aspect. Do you think Google or Microsoft have an issue with this? Nope - that's why they are among the most successful companies in the world - they look for talent - find the smartest and brightest person possible - pay them VERY well - train them well - and "poof" they make a significant return on that person! It's really that simple... notice I didn't say easy - just simple.
You really need multiple systems in place to hire quality people: a marketing system to attract talent, an pre-hiring system to make sure you hire the correct person, a compensation system that rewards success, an evaluation system to ensure success, a training system to establish and train on standards and even a termination system to get rid of those who do not live up to the standards. Without these systems in place, you will not succeed either!
Bottom line - most martial arts school owners will continue to live in mediocrity as they won't get out of their own way. Those who keep blaming the economy - the industry - etc - are really only using excuses for their own failures and inadequacies. I heard Grand Master Stephen Oliver use this quote on numerous occasion: "Most people are happy with a good excuse instead of good results."
The choice is completely up to you - succeed or fail - get out of your own way or not - hire mules or thoroughbreds! Regardless of your choices, the blame or credit is on one person alone: YOU!!!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks...
Quite frankly I'm not sure if it is or is not possible! Seriously, I have been sitting with martial arts school owners from around the country for the past 5 days... it's been interesting enough to write about the observations from the time spent.
Here's why the jury is out on the possibilities of teaching someone to change. When you have been running a martial arts school for a number of years you get into certain habits that you go through on a daily basis - in some cases that habit is sitting in your school for hours a day hoping that students will walk through the door and sign up for classes! Do you really think that osmosis or "hoping" is going to work for generating new students? Probably not, but so many school owners have this exact habit.
The interesting piece is this: I have found that the least successful martial arts school owners are the least likely to change anything they do to have better success. I just don't get that mind set. We talk to and teach many levels of school owners, from those in the $5000 per month gross range to those in the $50,000 per month + gross range. Both of them "want" to succeed, but both are not willing to do what it takes to succeed.
So, the question becomes this: what does it take to succeed? It's simple (notice that I didn't say easy... I said simple). You model success and work hard to implement those systems of success and you will have the same, or at least similar, results.
This means that you have to get out of your comfort zone and actually WORK to succeed. The models of success are out there - either with a program like NAPMA (www.NAPMA.com) or on a bigger scale with Mile High Karate (www.MileHighFranchise.com). Now, if you are not willing to listen and implement - do NOT do any program because you are wasting your money. You have to make a commitment to success to actually succeed! Hmmm, that's an interesting thought isn't it.
I've heard school owners give lip service to becoming successful, but are not willing to make the changes to do it. They just won't get out of there own way!
If you are serious about success - commit to success - and make the changes necessary to succeed. It really is that SIMPLE > not easy... SIMPLE.
Are you willing? Most are not!
Here's why the jury is out on the possibilities of teaching someone to change. When you have been running a martial arts school for a number of years you get into certain habits that you go through on a daily basis - in some cases that habit is sitting in your school for hours a day hoping that students will walk through the door and sign up for classes! Do you really think that osmosis or "hoping" is going to work for generating new students? Probably not, but so many school owners have this exact habit.
The interesting piece is this: I have found that the least successful martial arts school owners are the least likely to change anything they do to have better success. I just don't get that mind set. We talk to and teach many levels of school owners, from those in the $5000 per month gross range to those in the $50,000 per month + gross range. Both of them "want" to succeed, but both are not willing to do what it takes to succeed.
So, the question becomes this: what does it take to succeed? It's simple (notice that I didn't say easy... I said simple). You model success and work hard to implement those systems of success and you will have the same, or at least similar, results.
This means that you have to get out of your comfort zone and actually WORK to succeed. The models of success are out there - either with a program like NAPMA (www.NAPMA.com) or on a bigger scale with Mile High Karate (www.MileHighFranchise.com). Now, if you are not willing to listen and implement - do NOT do any program because you are wasting your money. You have to make a commitment to success to actually succeed! Hmmm, that's an interesting thought isn't it.
I've heard school owners give lip service to becoming successful, but are not willing to make the changes to do it. They just won't get out of there own way!
If you are serious about success - commit to success - and make the changes necessary to succeed. It really is that SIMPLE > not easy... SIMPLE.
Are you willing? Most are not!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Congratulations to Lyoto Machida in UFC 98
Wow, what a display of amazing technique and grace by Lyoto Machida... a very traditional martial artist who grew up with a karate master father who taught him traditional values and concepts. Congratulations to the new Light Heavyweight Champion. The real question is what this means to the sport of mixed martial arts or MMA as it's now called?
Machida set a new standard for the MMA community which actually started with Georges St Pierre and Anderson Silva - both traditional martial artists as well. We now have 3 title holders in the US that come from a traditional martial arts background - not a thug who just wants to get in a ring and brawl or take some one's head off. Unfortunately, the UFC and growth of MMA as a whole has given us way too much of that. Not that the concept of "MMA' is bad- it's the attitude that it has seemingly attracted as a whole.
If you look at the typical MMA gym - you see the same inhabitants: 18-34 year old male, lots of tattoos and shaved heads wearing affliction shirts and thinking they are invincible. Not quite the role models for our children! Nor are they the places where I want my children learning martial arts.
With Machida (and St Pierre and Silva) that has now been brought full circle. Those of us who have been training many years know that "MMA" did not start with the UFC- it began with the birth of martial arts in general. If you look far enoiugh back in the history of most martial arts, you will see that almost all of them had every distance covered in the training. It wasn't until the arts branched and various practitioners started teaching in other places that some of them lost one or more of the combative distances.
I know at Mile High Karate (www.MileHighKarate.com) we have been teaching weapons, grappling, wrestling, kali/escrima, BJJ and so many other peices of the "MMA" puzzle since 1983. The piece of the puzzle that we teach even more is the character development aspects of the martial arts and that's what's missing with the new breed of "MMA" practioners... until now!
Congratulations Lyoto, Georges and Anderson... keep it up and continue to be the role models that we are looking for without the attitudes.
Machida set a new standard for the MMA community which actually started with Georges St Pierre and Anderson Silva - both traditional martial artists as well. We now have 3 title holders in the US that come from a traditional martial arts background - not a thug who just wants to get in a ring and brawl or take some one's head off. Unfortunately, the UFC and growth of MMA as a whole has given us way too much of that. Not that the concept of "MMA' is bad- it's the attitude that it has seemingly attracted as a whole.
If you look at the typical MMA gym - you see the same inhabitants: 18-34 year old male, lots of tattoos and shaved heads wearing affliction shirts and thinking they are invincible. Not quite the role models for our children! Nor are they the places where I want my children learning martial arts.
With Machida (and St Pierre and Silva) that has now been brought full circle. Those of us who have been training many years know that "MMA" did not start with the UFC- it began with the birth of martial arts in general. If you look far enoiugh back in the history of most martial arts, you will see that almost all of them had every distance covered in the training. It wasn't until the arts branched and various practitioners started teaching in other places that some of them lost one or more of the combative distances.
I know at Mile High Karate (www.MileHighKarate.com) we have been teaching weapons, grappling, wrestling, kali/escrima, BJJ and so many other peices of the "MMA" puzzle since 1983. The piece of the puzzle that we teach even more is the character development aspects of the martial arts and that's what's missing with the new breed of "MMA" practioners... until now!
Congratulations Lyoto, Georges and Anderson... keep it up and continue to be the role models that we are looking for without the attitudes.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Get Off Your Plateau!
Here is the link to the April issue of Martial Arts Professional. I have the cover and an article on how to get off your "plateau" as a martial arts school owner.
Click Here now to see the entire issue: http://issuu.com/napma/docs/martial-arts-professional-magazine-042009?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml
Click Here now to see the entire issue: http://issuu.com/napma/docs/martial-arts-professional-magazine-042009?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml
Monday, May 18, 2009
Mile High Karate
WOW! Things at Mile High Karate are really exploding... we have over 35 franchises and 8 Regional Developers out there in the system. Schools are located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Utah, Kansas, Georgia, DC, Maryland, New Hampshire, Washington, Florida, Texas, Delaware and New Zealand.
A recent comment from Dr. Harold Lauber - Bear, DE - was he "came back from Mile High University and immediately enrolled 13 new students in his first week back by implementing the new enrollment procedures" that he learned.
A recent comment from Dr. Harold Lauber - Bear, DE - was he "came back from Mile High University and immediately enrolled 13 new students in his first week back by implementing the new enrollment procedures" that he learned.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
NAPMA Quantum Leap is finishing up here in Golden Colorado. It's been an
amazing 3 days lasting until 1:00 AM both previous nights. This is the
information that will take your school to the highest profitability and
success possible... regardless of the economy! If you weren't here, you
should have been.
amazing 3 days lasting until 1:00 AM both previous nights. This is the
information that will take your school to the highest profitability and
success possible... regardless of the economy! If you weren't here, you
should have been.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Time in NOW!
The economy is the worst it's been since 1983... unemployment is the highest it's been in 20 years... the government is "nationalizing" banks and other businesses...
These are the headlines that you see and hear everyday - the big question though is this: are you chosing to listen to them and participate in a bad economy, or are you making your own path to success?
I see and speak with schools everyday who are taking both paths. Is there a commonality to the schools on either side of the choice? Yes - the instructors and staff of the schools. What do I mean by that? It's simple, the schools that are thriving have owners, instructors and staff that are chosing not to participate in a down economy. The schools that are failing are choosing to participate and blame the economy for their failure. It truly is that simple.
In this economy you must have 2 main focus' to succeed:
1) attracting new students
2) building a high quality program that will keep them and allow you to raise your ROI with each student
So, how do you do this? JUST DO SOME STUFF! (That is a quote that Grandmaster Stephen Oliver and I were talking about a few weeks ago.) Yes, you must return to the basics of marketing/promotions, info call processes, intro to enrollment procedures, renewal/upgrade preparation and follow up - but it really comes down to that simple statement: JUST DO SOME STUFF!
That means that you have to host enough events and marketing promotions to succeed in your new enrollment monthly goal. You have to have the systems and procedures in place to upgrade students with the highest success at your maximum ROI. And you must have the adequate curriculum (both on the floor and off) to allow students, parents and prospects to see your value proposition!
If you haven't become a Maximum Impact member with NAPMA - do it today! Visit: www.NAPMAFreeOffer.com now and learn how to succeed in today's market.
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