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!!!