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Author Archives: Stephen Oliver

Stephen Oliver, MBA and 8th-Degree Black Belt, is the developer of the Maximum Impact Program, the director of the one of the industry's leading coaching programs for school owners and the Founder of Mile High Karate. He can be contacted through his Web site at MileHighKarate.com.

The Father of the Modern Martial Arts School Business Model

At last year’s Extreme Success Academy, Pat Burleson was presented with the 2009 NAPMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering contributions to the martial arts professional school instruction industry. Grand Master Burleson created many of the business systems that are now standard in the model used by most schools. He studied under Grand Master Jhoon ...

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The Pulse of a School

I can pretty much judge the success of a school within about five minutes during “prime time” by observing its pulse. What do I mean by the pulse of a school? Well, let me share a story to illustrate. In the mid 1980’s I traveled to New York to visit a school run by a ...

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The 10 “Secrets” of Leadership

There are many effective styles of leadership, but there are several “secrets” to leadership in any organization. Vision: You must have a clear and compelling vision of the future of your organization. It’s the big picture of how your business should look, in as much sensory rich detail as possible. Leadership starts from within. If ...

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Wealth vs. Lifestyle

It’s interesting to listen to a group of school owners brag about their schools, according to three measurements: number of students, school size and gross revenue. Let the lying begin.Active student count is the most exaggerated number of them all. For example, I asked an acquaintance that owns a very small school his active student ...

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Using E-mail to Generate New Students

There are several types of e-mail you can use to market your school to prospective students. Among the most common are e-zines, flyers, school newsletters and promotional pieces. An e-zine, or “electronic magazine,” is delivered to subscribers via a Web site or an e-mail newsletter. E-zines are sometimes referred to as “opt-in” lists because everyone ...

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What's your USP?

In a recent column, I introduced an important concept that deserves additional thought. If you operate your school in a very competitive market, then you must develop a unique selling proposition (USP). Your USP describes what you offer your customers above and beyond your competitors, and will enhance prospects’ experience. How does that concept apply ...

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