I read a fascinating article recently on the cover of the “Weekend Journal” section of the Wall Street Journal about the band The Black Eyed Peas. The article was so “spot-on” for our industry that I read it a couple of times and thought about the implications. Before I explain let me step back a ...

In the July and August NAPMA Resources Kits, all NAPMA members received parts 1 and 2 of an interview by Rob Colasanti with my instructor Jhoon Rhee. Jeff Smith and I have been associated with Jhoon Rhee for 45 and almost 40 years, respectively. If you are a NAPMA member, then pay close attention to ...

My Ultimate Martial Art Marketing Bootcamp is an intense 30-hour weekend for school owners looking for ways to move their schools to higher levels of growth and profitability. What began as nothing more than a footnote, during my agenda preparation, became of the greatest value to all the participants. In fact, they told me unanimously ...

Everyone knows the rule that you should “grow your own” staff, but don’t forget the lessons that are plainly obvious. This is certainly a rule that can be broken from time to time, but let me remind you what you already know about martial artists. As employees, they tend to be very self-righteous; they shouldn’t ...

In my December 2008 column, I stated that the first way to thrive in a scary economy is to protect yourself and your staff from the influence of media and of the “Mediocre Majority.” This month, I recommend four additional methods. The first is “Raging Thunder lizard Evangelists.” What is that you may ask? Well, ...

“Stephen Oliver is one of those highly competent, hard working, visionary people who can literally make things happen by bringing all the resources he has to a project and by inspiring those around him to work synergistically in the effort. He consistently sees what is possible and works tirelessly for powerful results.” Joe Corley, Pres, ...

First, protect yourself and your staff from the influence of media and of the “Mediocre Majority.” Either filter this crap well or turn off the TV until it’s over. You’ll be told we’re coming into the next great Depression. In reality, it seems like the economy bottomed out almost a year ago, and has been ...

  As a school operator, you will eventually begin to add staff and, as your school grows, that will likely not only involve hiring administrative support, but also adding assistant instructors and possibly even head instructors. As a single school expands beyond 200 active students, or as you branch out into a second, third or ...

In the July and August NAPMA Resources Kits, all NAPMA members received parts 1 and 2 of an interview by Rob Colasanti with my instructor Jhoon Rhee. Jeff Smith and I have been associated with Jhoon Rhee for 45 and coming up on 40 years, respectively. If you are not a NAPMA member, then you ...

This is a brief excerpt of my in-depth Inter-view with Dan Kennedy. You can read the entire interview and participate in a live call, with Dan Kennedy and me, on July 15. Visit NAPMA.com/DanKennedy to register.Stephen Oliver: Let’s start with the so-called elephant in the room: the economy and the dreaded “R” word. Economists recession ...