You MUST be aware of unqualified part time and FULL time instructors. Part timers are usually just less committed as instructors than most full timers and require a more careful look. Especially in volatile economic times, unqualified instructors will pop up programs all over. Many "martial arts instructors" who work regular day jobs decide they want to start teaching again because they think it will be fun and easy plus they want to earn a few extra bucks. Some know they are going to be laid off and figure this is a good time to start up their own school/program. I applaud the instructors who take this decision serious and get educated on what they need to do to make their school successful. They will take their knowledge and start building up their school with a plan. They will carefully create some kind of business plan, get training in both Martial Arts and business, find a great location, build it out, develop a solid training program, market the school with sound marketing techniques, and think about how they are going deliver a quality experience for their future students. They understand they will need signage, marketing materials, a website, permits, training equipment, office equipment, computers, insurance, hire professional services like attorneys, accountants, and payroll, set up utilities, and so much more. For many, is a life long dream to own their own Martial Arts school and some make it happen.
Unfortunately, this is not what usually happens. In many cases, the part time instructor will try to keep their day job and try to open their school/program with no real plans, no support, or know how. This is why most of them will casually open up in churches, basements, or garages. There is nothing wrong with starting small and building up but they should do so with a plan. Casualness leads to casualties! The reality is that many of these types of instructors are just looking for a part time way to make some extra money which would be fine if their programs were solid. Most of these types are not. Most of these types of instructors are not even competent Martial Artists nor Instructors and they are out there teaching YOU and YOUR kids! These are the same instructors who put 8-10 year olds in classes with ADULTS! This is OUTRAGEOUS! There is no licensing or standards so ANYONE could start a Martial Arts program. If they were that competent, they would already have a store front school or plans for a store front school, a solid training program, and would still be training themselves. Many of these "part time instructors" have not trained themselves in years and will attempt to start classes. What kind of example is that for students? There are also those who have had store front schools and closed them because they did not know what they were doing. Others have cheated a lot of people including students, landlords, vendors, etc, and want to start over somewhere else just to eventually do the same thing again. These types just need to GIVE IT UP! They are doing a disservice to the Martial Arts industry and the public.
As far as a marketing plan goes, most of them think if they just charge way below what the "big schools" charge, the word will get around and their school will just fill up. Nothing is further from the truth. The reality is by charging so low not only devalues their program and self worth, it prevents them from ever being able to move into a store front school. By charging less, they attract lower level clients that drain the life out of them. By charging less, they cannot invest in equipment, training for themselves or staff. Most of them get overwhelmed with working a day job and trying to keep up with a part time business. As a result, their service quality is usually really poor. Most of these instructors do not even carry insurance because it is "too expensive". I just hope the church asked for an insurance binder. It might not seem like a big deal to you as a student but that attitude will change when they hurt YOU or YOUR kid. This goes back to getting what you pay for which I have covered extensively in my other blogs.
Don't get me wrong. I know a lot of very capable Martial Arts instructors who chose to teach part time. They have a solid program and it is their choice to keep their enrollment smaller and they charge what they are worth. Most of these guys have store front schools or are in a fitness center with plans to build a store front and will eventually teach full time. I am not saying all part time instructors are bad instructors. I am warning you about unqualified instructors who have no idea what they are doing and they are teaching the public. Remember, it is YOUR safety or the safety of YOUR child we are talking about. One of the main reasons I have a real problem with these kinds of instructors is that they are turning a great deal of potentially wonderful Martial Arts students OFF from training in the Martial Arts just so they can earn a few extra bucks. They have very little interest of advancing their skills as a Martial Artist or as an Instructor. Often people will try the lower cost, lower quality programs to see if they "like it" first then plan to move up to a better school later. This almost makes sense but the problem is that when students have a bad experience in these lower quality programs, they have no interest in moving up to a more solid program. They figure, "they are all the same, I'm glad we did not invest much into it". Even for the 10% or so that will continue, chances are they have been taught poorly and will have some bad habits.
Do yourself a favor and see these low quality programs for what they are. A JOKE! If these instructors are so great, why are they teaching out of church space, basement, garage, or some other inadequate space? What kind of experience can they really deliver in these types of facilities? Be careful of the instructors who used to have a store front and now are teaching in these types of facilities. Chances are, they did something very wrong to be in this position. Do not be fooled into thinking you are getting a similar quality experience for a lower cost. That's not how it works with Martial Arts Schools. Go to the best school you can afford and one that fits your needs.
At American Kempo Karate Academy, you are dealing with experienced professionals with a solid reputation. Do not trust some shady program teaching out of a garage or church space because you could EASILY get turned OFF from a lifetime of TREMENDOUS benefits from training in the Martial Arts. For more information on our professional centers, visit http://www.akka.com/ .
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
10 Major Deficiencies of Martial Arts Schools
Every Martial Arts School has its strengths and weaknesses. After years of extensive research, here is a list of what I consider to be major deficiencies in most other schools.
1. Instruction/Training Programs: This is the backbone of ANY Martial Arts school. If the quality of instruction is sub par, nothing else is really going to matter. Make sure the schools are delivering whatever they are promising. Too many schools make false claims about what their training programs really do. They could have the nicest equipment and facility, the nicest staff, the most impressive belt ranking and it would not mean a thing if they are not capable and cannot actually teach effectively on the floor. If classes appear undisciplined and unfocused, there is very little chance the instructor can properly teach. Many schools do not even have a formal instructor training program. Many will use the "monkey see, monkey do" method of instructor training. I often get complaints about older kids instructing at other schools who were never formally trained on how to instruct. It is fine for older kids to help out so long as they are properly trained but they should never be in charge of a kids class without proper supervision. At AKKA, ALL our instructors at every level are required to attend regular training sessions.
2. Business Practices: Many area schools have very poor business practices. For example, most do not even have a service agreement. Having a service agreement sets expectations from both parties which prevents problems down the road. Many have hidden fees and NO service agreement explaining that there are additional fees. Almost all professional services have some sort of service agreement. Most will not even do business with you without one. The list in this category is too extensive for this particular post. Hidden fees are addressed in a another post in this blog.
3. Professionalism: Since most schools have very little staff if any, important things like phone calls get neglected. Many have no formal training on customer service and have the "get to it when I get to it" attitude. A great deal of instructors lack vital people skills and have a hard time dealing with the business challenges of today.
4. Systems: A major problem for most Martial Arts School owners is a lack of systems. One of the most significant examples is collecting tuition. Too many are just collecting payments over the counter each month and spend a foolish amount of time chasing people for payments all month long. It is much better for the owner and the client to be set up with auto payments so the staff can focus its efforts on teaching instead of who owes money. This way the owner does not have to be in a bad position to ask people for money and the bank makes the payment for the client. Easy! Systems is another topic too extensive for this post. I address this in another post in this blog.
5. Training: All too often, the instructors get burnt out and neglect their own training time. This drastically effects the instructor's enthusiasm. Very little time is invested in staff training and instructor training because they are too busy just trying to get through the day. Very few make the time to go to training seminars and trade shows making it almost impossible to keep up with today's fast changing world. Beware of instructors who claim their classes teach things like physcial fitness and perseverence when they do not even perform a proper warm up/work out for their classes or if they do it is very unchallenging.
6. Ego Driven: Too many schools revolve around how "great" the owner/master instructors is at their Martial Arts skills. I certainly agree that the leadership of a successful organization should be capable and credible. There is a fine line between confidence in once ability and arrogance. It is fine for the leadership to tastefully establish credibility so long as it does not translate into poor service to the clients. See the post about Ego Driven vs Student Driven in this blog.
7. Facility/Location: Martial Arts schools are unfortunately notorious for moving into undesirable facilities and locations. Many are filthy, ill equipped, have little or no parking, inadequate signage, or are simply tough to get to. Some are even on 2nd floors, basements, garages, etc. Others like to operate out of fitness centers, community centers, or church basements which I believe takes a great deal away from a quality Martial Arts Experience. These are usually part time instructors who are too afraid to open up a store front to give their students a home. So much for self confidence!
8. Pricing: Most Martial Arts schools undercharge for their services. If the school is going to properly take care of its students, it is going to need resources. It costs money for rent, insurance, staff, equipment, training, computers, professional services like attorneys and accountants, maintenance, cleaning, etc. Undercharging leads to lower quality all around and in most cases, a lot of corner cutting. The school needs to stay open, deliver service, and make enough for it to be worth while. You WILL get what you pay for! See the special post on pricing in this blog.
9. Character Education: Most Martial Arts schools claim to teach character development yet very few have a system to do so. Their training is hap hazzard at best. Learning about qualities like self control are very important when learning Martial Arts. If lessons like these are neglected, students could get the wrong message about how they are supposed to use their potentially dangerous skills. We at AKKA have a monthly Power Word program that involves discussions and application of positive messages. This way the students constantly get positive reinforcement of empowering messages. It is another way we build more value into our training programs at American Kempo Karate Academy. It is like getting 2 world class programs in one!
10. Leadership: Most of the area schools have weak leadership. Some of the "grand masters", or founders have fraudulent credentials or claims to fame. Some have major character flaws and bad habits. We are all human but an instructor that goes outside to smoke cigarettes with parents during a class is probably not the kind you want influencing your child. Some love to brag about how long they have been training and what great instructors they are but they have very few, if any, talented students/instructors under them. Even worse they are still teaching in some low quality facility. Some are grossly out of shape. Others love to brag about how great they were back in the day. I heard a great saying, "the older you get, the better you were." This could not be more true for old Martial Arts Instructors. The leadership should practice what they preach and lead by example. All the talk in the world will not replace the walk that needs to be made.
Some schools will only have one or 2 of these deficiencies. Some have them all. You just have to be aware of these and decide for yourself what you are willing to deal with. No one runs the DIVINE DOJOS but we at American Kempo Karate Academy are working constantly to make sure we are improving at delivering the best Martial Arts Experience possible for both kids and adults. Visit us at http://www.akka.com/
1. Instruction/Training Programs: This is the backbone of ANY Martial Arts school. If the quality of instruction is sub par, nothing else is really going to matter. Make sure the schools are delivering whatever they are promising. Too many schools make false claims about what their training programs really do. They could have the nicest equipment and facility, the nicest staff, the most impressive belt ranking and it would not mean a thing if they are not capable and cannot actually teach effectively on the floor. If classes appear undisciplined and unfocused, there is very little chance the instructor can properly teach. Many schools do not even have a formal instructor training program. Many will use the "monkey see, monkey do" method of instructor training. I often get complaints about older kids instructing at other schools who were never formally trained on how to instruct. It is fine for older kids to help out so long as they are properly trained but they should never be in charge of a kids class without proper supervision. At AKKA, ALL our instructors at every level are required to attend regular training sessions.
2. Business Practices: Many area schools have very poor business practices. For example, most do not even have a service agreement. Having a service agreement sets expectations from both parties which prevents problems down the road. Many have hidden fees and NO service agreement explaining that there are additional fees. Almost all professional services have some sort of service agreement. Most will not even do business with you without one. The list in this category is too extensive for this particular post. Hidden fees are addressed in a another post in this blog.
3. Professionalism: Since most schools have very little staff if any, important things like phone calls get neglected. Many have no formal training on customer service and have the "get to it when I get to it" attitude. A great deal of instructors lack vital people skills and have a hard time dealing with the business challenges of today.
4. Systems: A major problem for most Martial Arts School owners is a lack of systems. One of the most significant examples is collecting tuition. Too many are just collecting payments over the counter each month and spend a foolish amount of time chasing people for payments all month long. It is much better for the owner and the client to be set up with auto payments so the staff can focus its efforts on teaching instead of who owes money. This way the owner does not have to be in a bad position to ask people for money and the bank makes the payment for the client. Easy! Systems is another topic too extensive for this post. I address this in another post in this blog.
5. Training: All too often, the instructors get burnt out and neglect their own training time. This drastically effects the instructor's enthusiasm. Very little time is invested in staff training and instructor training because they are too busy just trying to get through the day. Very few make the time to go to training seminars and trade shows making it almost impossible to keep up with today's fast changing world. Beware of instructors who claim their classes teach things like physcial fitness and perseverence when they do not even perform a proper warm up/work out for their classes or if they do it is very unchallenging.
6. Ego Driven: Too many schools revolve around how "great" the owner/master instructors is at their Martial Arts skills. I certainly agree that the leadership of a successful organization should be capable and credible. There is a fine line between confidence in once ability and arrogance. It is fine for the leadership to tastefully establish credibility so long as it does not translate into poor service to the clients. See the post about Ego Driven vs Student Driven in this blog.
7. Facility/Location: Martial Arts schools are unfortunately notorious for moving into undesirable facilities and locations. Many are filthy, ill equipped, have little or no parking, inadequate signage, or are simply tough to get to. Some are even on 2nd floors, basements, garages, etc. Others like to operate out of fitness centers, community centers, or church basements which I believe takes a great deal away from a quality Martial Arts Experience. These are usually part time instructors who are too afraid to open up a store front to give their students a home. So much for self confidence!
8. Pricing: Most Martial Arts schools undercharge for their services. If the school is going to properly take care of its students, it is going to need resources. It costs money for rent, insurance, staff, equipment, training, computers, professional services like attorneys and accountants, maintenance, cleaning, etc. Undercharging leads to lower quality all around and in most cases, a lot of corner cutting. The school needs to stay open, deliver service, and make enough for it to be worth while. You WILL get what you pay for! See the special post on pricing in this blog.
9. Character Education: Most Martial Arts schools claim to teach character development yet very few have a system to do so. Their training is hap hazzard at best. Learning about qualities like self control are very important when learning Martial Arts. If lessons like these are neglected, students could get the wrong message about how they are supposed to use their potentially dangerous skills. We at AKKA have a monthly Power Word program that involves discussions and application of positive messages. This way the students constantly get positive reinforcement of empowering messages. It is another way we build more value into our training programs at American Kempo Karate Academy. It is like getting 2 world class programs in one!
10. Leadership: Most of the area schools have weak leadership. Some of the "grand masters", or founders have fraudulent credentials or claims to fame. Some have major character flaws and bad habits. We are all human but an instructor that goes outside to smoke cigarettes with parents during a class is probably not the kind you want influencing your child. Some love to brag about how long they have been training and what great instructors they are but they have very few, if any, talented students/instructors under them. Even worse they are still teaching in some low quality facility. Some are grossly out of shape. Others love to brag about how great they were back in the day. I heard a great saying, "the older you get, the better you were." This could not be more true for old Martial Arts Instructors. The leadership should practice what they preach and lead by example. All the talk in the world will not replace the walk that needs to be made.
Some schools will only have one or 2 of these deficiencies. Some have them all. You just have to be aware of these and decide for yourself what you are willing to deal with. No one runs the DIVINE DOJOS but we at American Kempo Karate Academy are working constantly to make sure we are improving at delivering the best Martial Arts Experience possible for both kids and adults. Visit us at http://www.akka.com/
Casualness Leads to Casualties
If you really expect to reap the great benefits from training in the Martial Arts, you have to decide if a school can DELIVER on its claims and promises. Not every school is for everyone. Schools that have systems in place to run their classes and their business have a much better chance of long term success. System driven schools have taken the time to think everything they do through to help students have the best experience possible. This includes training and administrative work. Having systems creates expectations from both the client and the staff which helps minimize problems.
Martial Arts schools who just try to get through the day are simply working in a house of cards. It is only a matter of time before they implode with problems and unhappy clients. Too often owners of these types of schools just try to focus on one or two components of their operation and grossly neglect all the others. This makes it very difficult to set goals and grow. For example, if a school does not have a functional website to provide existing clients information, this means there is a major problem with their communications system within their school. Lack of proper communication can lead to all kinds of problems. In today's day and age, you have to seriously question any business that does not have some kind of website.
At American Kempo Karate Academy, we have spent years and years of time and effort systematizing our operation so that we can focus our efforts on providing top quality instruction and less energy on administrative duties. This also allows us to set goals to move forward into the future. Visit www.akka.com for more information.
Martial Arts schools who just try to get through the day are simply working in a house of cards. It is only a matter of time before they implode with problems and unhappy clients. Too often owners of these types of schools just try to focus on one or two components of their operation and grossly neglect all the others. This makes it very difficult to set goals and grow. For example, if a school does not have a functional website to provide existing clients information, this means there is a major problem with their communications system within their school. Lack of proper communication can lead to all kinds of problems. In today's day and age, you have to seriously question any business that does not have some kind of website.
At American Kempo Karate Academy, we have spent years and years of time and effort systematizing our operation so that we can focus our efforts on providing top quality instruction and less energy on administrative duties. This also allows us to set goals to move forward into the future. Visit www.akka.com for more information.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Beware the Hidden Fees
More than ever, we are receiving more and more complaints about Martial Arts school's belt test fees which in most cases are hidden fees. I touched on this in my last post. For the most part, it is just a deceptive business tactic to fool the public to think they are paying a cheaper tuition but then get "nickle dimed" after they enroll. The people I talk to get furious about these fees just on the principle of it. The school gets people to enroll thinking they are getting a deal on tuition, gets them to like what they are doing(mostly out of ignorance), then hits them with these fees thinking people will just pay it because they will not know better. Schools that charge them will try to justify the fees by saying that their tests are done separately from class time which may or may not be true. With people's schedules stretched more and more, do you really want to attend a special session every time a student advances every month or so? Then what do the instructors do when the student cannot make this "special test" because of a soccer game, ccd, cub scouts, hockey, baseball, basketball, school play, family vacation, dance, girl scouts, etc. Maybe they will offer a "private" test that costs even more.
I agree with a ceremony of some sort but why can't this be done in class when the students are supposed to be there anyway. I also agree with having a separate test time for the higher levels like brown and black belt. Even these can be a real challenge to schedule. When we have these tests, we give as much as 6 months of notice.
They will also try to justify the fees by stating that they may not test every single month which will cost you less. It does not matter if they test every month or not. Simply add up how many tests they will take in a given year then factor how much each fee will be for each higher level (the fees almost always go up as the student advances), then add this to your annual tuition cost. Then you will have the real cost of training at a school with deceptive business practices and in most cases, questionable integrity. There are few more "justifications" they use that are weak and I will not get into in this post.
Think about it, do college students get charged extra to take an exam? Final exams are outside of class.
There are more hidden costs you need to be aware of. One school in our area requires students to buy a different uniform for each belt promotion. This means they not only charge for the belt test, they require a new type of uniform for that new belt level. It is fine to offer the option to wear a different uniform for a different level program but to require it at each belt level is just another excessive hidden fee. You will be looking at 3-6 new uniforms per year at $60-$100 each. Add that into the "cheap" tuition.
Another popular hidden fee is annual membership dues. This is a special fee that allows you to belong to an "Association" of some sort. For the record, this is a complete rip off. This fee goes to nothing except a pin, patch, or certificate of some sort.
These school owners simply don't get it. They are charging these petty fees at the expense of their clients questioning their integrity. I know this for a fact because before I knew better, I charged them. It was the way I came up. It just makes much more sense to make the advancement fees and other fees part of the tuition. The reality is that these schools are usually too set in their ways and keep driving themselves crazy. That is the definition of insanity. At American Kempo Karate Academy, we do not believe in deceiving the public nor do we want the integrity of our staff to be constantly questioned. To my knowledge, we are one of the very few Martial Arts Schools in the area that does not charge for advancement nor any sneaky hidden fees. We are completely up front about all costs involved in training in our programs. For more information visit http://www.akka.com/
I agree with a ceremony of some sort but why can't this be done in class when the students are supposed to be there anyway. I also agree with having a separate test time for the higher levels like brown and black belt. Even these can be a real challenge to schedule. When we have these tests, we give as much as 6 months of notice.
They will also try to justify the fees by stating that they may not test every single month which will cost you less. It does not matter if they test every month or not. Simply add up how many tests they will take in a given year then factor how much each fee will be for each higher level (the fees almost always go up as the student advances), then add this to your annual tuition cost. Then you will have the real cost of training at a school with deceptive business practices and in most cases, questionable integrity. There are few more "justifications" they use that are weak and I will not get into in this post.
Think about it, do college students get charged extra to take an exam? Final exams are outside of class.
There are more hidden costs you need to be aware of. One school in our area requires students to buy a different uniform for each belt promotion. This means they not only charge for the belt test, they require a new type of uniform for that new belt level. It is fine to offer the option to wear a different uniform for a different level program but to require it at each belt level is just another excessive hidden fee. You will be looking at 3-6 new uniforms per year at $60-$100 each. Add that into the "cheap" tuition.
Another popular hidden fee is annual membership dues. This is a special fee that allows you to belong to an "Association" of some sort. For the record, this is a complete rip off. This fee goes to nothing except a pin, patch, or certificate of some sort.
These school owners simply don't get it. They are charging these petty fees at the expense of their clients questioning their integrity. I know this for a fact because before I knew better, I charged them. It was the way I came up. It just makes much more sense to make the advancement fees and other fees part of the tuition. The reality is that these schools are usually too set in their ways and keep driving themselves crazy. That is the definition of insanity. At American Kempo Karate Academy, we do not believe in deceiving the public nor do we want the integrity of our staff to be constantly questioned. To my knowledge, we are one of the very few Martial Arts Schools in the area that does not charge for advancement nor any sneaky hidden fees. We are completely up front about all costs involved in training in our programs. For more information visit http://www.akka.com/
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Getting What YOU Pay For
It is very interesting how Martial Arts schools will promise that students will build confidence, self esteem, focus, self control, discipline, respect for self and others, healthy habits, physical fitness, perseverance, and provide positive role models all for the low price of $60 to $80 per month. As an added bonus, they will provide a state of the art facility that is clean, well equipped, insured, and fully staffed with professionals.
Let's be real! It takes a great deal of resources to PROPERLY provide all the above benefits and services. These types of schools know this as they scrape by each month not delivering on all these promises. They have to try to make up the difference with larger numbers of students which compounds their problems. By having a lower tuition, the school will normally attract a lower level of clients which will ultimately turn off the higher quality clients. It becomes a downward spiral and keeps the schools down. Most owners spend their time trying to figure out how to stay open and have to keep putting in their own money from their day jobs. How long can you expect them to last under these conditions? So what do these schools do to survive? They implement hidden fees such as belt test fees to try and make up the difference. Since most of them do not even use a service agreement, they never formally inform you about these fees until your child is "ready" to move up to the next level. They also don't tell you that these fees go up progressively as the student "progresses". Then YOU have the question in your mind about whether your child really deserves to advance or does the school have to raise money to pay the rent. You do not want to be in the position of having to question the integrity of the staff and instructors.
Do NOT fool yourself! You will get what you pay for. A school CANNOT be the BEST and the CHEAPEST for long.
At American Kempo Karate Academy, we DELIVER on our promises and we do NOT deceive the public with hidden fees. All belt promotions are included in our tuition and you will NEVER have to question if your child deserves to advance or not. NEVER go to a Martial Arts school just because it is the cheapest. It is a HUGE mistake and YOU WILL get what you pay for! For more information, visit http://www.akka.com/
Let's be real! It takes a great deal of resources to PROPERLY provide all the above benefits and services. These types of schools know this as they scrape by each month not delivering on all these promises. They have to try to make up the difference with larger numbers of students which compounds their problems. By having a lower tuition, the school will normally attract a lower level of clients which will ultimately turn off the higher quality clients. It becomes a downward spiral and keeps the schools down. Most owners spend their time trying to figure out how to stay open and have to keep putting in their own money from their day jobs. How long can you expect them to last under these conditions? So what do these schools do to survive? They implement hidden fees such as belt test fees to try and make up the difference. Since most of them do not even use a service agreement, they never formally inform you about these fees until your child is "ready" to move up to the next level. They also don't tell you that these fees go up progressively as the student "progresses". Then YOU have the question in your mind about whether your child really deserves to advance or does the school have to raise money to pay the rent. You do not want to be in the position of having to question the integrity of the staff and instructors.
Do NOT fool yourself! You will get what you pay for. A school CANNOT be the BEST and the CHEAPEST for long.
At American Kempo Karate Academy, we DELIVER on our promises and we do NOT deceive the public with hidden fees. All belt promotions are included in our tuition and you will NEVER have to question if your child deserves to advance or not. NEVER go to a Martial Arts school just because it is the cheapest. It is a HUGE mistake and YOU WILL get what you pay for! For more information, visit http://www.akka.com/
Monday, January 5, 2009
Ego Driven or Student Driven
When you determine what you want out of a Martial Arts program, you must then determine what kind of school you want. Most break down into 2 categories. Ego driven and student driven. You can easily see the difference. Ego driven schools are usually shrines to the "head instructor". You can see photos in the lobby of them performing superhuman martial arts feats like breaking blocks that are on fire or jump kicking over something high. Another sign of an ego driven school is an excessive amount of awards or trophies being displayed. Some love to brag about how high rank they are. Be careful of ego driven schools because these types of school care less about the student's enjoyment and progress than they do to build their own egos with "special" accomplishments, many which are false or politically acquired. Most "competition focused" schools are ego driven. Many are so consumed with their egos that it reflects in their poor business practices as well.
Student driven schools are all about providing the best possible experience for the students. You will see the staff being very courteous and professional. You will see a clean, well equipped facility. You will see the classes being run with drills and talks that actually develop the students in a positive and safe way. We at American Kempo Karate Academy are VERY student driven. You will see it in every aspect of our operations. Visit us at http://www.akka.com/ for more information.
Student driven schools are all about providing the best possible experience for the students. You will see the staff being very courteous and professional. You will see a clean, well equipped facility. You will see the classes being run with drills and talks that actually develop the students in a positive and safe way. We at American Kempo Karate Academy are VERY student driven. You will see it in every aspect of our operations. Visit us at http://www.akka.com/ for more information.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Determine What YOU Want
The first step to determine a good martial arts school from a bad one is to determine exactly what you want from a martial arts school. For example, If you are looking to get in shape, make sure the school you chose actually has an appropriate work out that is reasonably challenging. Most schools claim they have work outs but they are usually very unchallenging and lack needed intensity for it to be worth while. You determine this by either taking a trial program or just watching the prospective class in session. This will help you decide if the school can DELIVER what it says it can. At American Kempo Karate Academy, we offer a low cost, no obligation trial program to help YOU determine if our programs are right for you. Visit http://www.akka.com/ for more information. Normally, it is better idea to participate. Often times new activities look harder than they actually are.
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