sensei8

Seasons... Sure, especially for kids. Summer and sports!! Some parents don't allow their kids to compete during school; only during the summer. In that, they must earn the right with parents to compete. Have bad school grades...no competitions. Sports are as seasonal as MA competitions. Their chosen sport will cause MA competitions to take the backseat...each and every year. With me, baseball, when I was a kid was paramount. Karate took the backseat. Why? It was baseball season and not Karate season.

You're on vacation... While you're sitting at pool side, soaking up the rays, and downing your favorite beverage, a shadow casts over you...you open your eyes, and who stands right before you... The Sensei's Sensei!! You acknowledge him/her! Then he/she invites you to tomorrow's seminar, that he/she's hosting in your hotel or nearby local dojo. What do you do? If you decide to go, how do you go? How do you tell your spouse/girl boy friend? Or do you lie, so you can go? OR... Same scenario, but this time it's not your Sensei's Sensei, it's... One of your most MA hero...EVER!! Same questions apply.

Learning isn't a mistake, no matter the venue!! Imho!!

Solid post!!

Can you give me an example? Do you drill the ground techniques you learn in the kata and use them in sparring too? And you just hit the nail on the head. It may be in the kata, but it must be drilled with a partner and tried while sparring otherwise you won't get it. As mentioned on other posts, kata is great but only part of your training. If it's ground game you seek it's ground game you must train in my opinion! Imho, Resistive training is the only way to effectively train any Kata, any segment. Why? A cooperative training partner who "allows" techniques to work, is doing a disservice to both training partners. False security needs, imho, to be eliminated across the board; being honest with oneself first, then being honest with your training partner is a very close second.

Great post !!! Yes...solid post!! For any learning venue, effective feedback is essential at every corner. Without effective feedback, effective MA is nothing more than an illusion. Imho!! Totally agree, but what then is your opinion if there is feedback through video testing? I'm fine with that because Master Allen Tackett of the Seido Karate under Toma Sensei has tested up to Kudan via that format; not all ranks, mind you, but his Nanadan to Kudan have been done that way. Toma Sensei's in Okinawa and Master Tackett is in Bakersfield, CA; works for them, and Master Tackett is a very solid MAist, through and through!!

Who else could've done the voice for the Genie in 'Aladdin'? My wife had always wanted to see Robin Williams and Jim Carrey perform together; that would've been hilarious!! RIP Robin!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Yes, there's a training log here... http://www.karateforums.com/the-martial-artists-training-log-vt30246.html

devil dog, What you've posted sounds like your Hombu is slowly getting their act together. Time is what anything needs to grow and to strengthen for their student body to improve across the board. Concerning Soke type's. I HATE them, and this is because of San Dai-Soke...I don't trust them! Hate is such a strong word, but in this regard, it's appropriate. Soke and Dai-Soke were trusted and excellent overseer's that had an unmatched zeal about them for the student body. Because of San Dai-Soke, and his acts of betrayal, Soke types have been exercised out of anything and everything Shindokan across the board, and they've been exercised out of our entire By-Laws, and our Hombu will NEVER have another Soke type, well, I surely hope so!! How Soke's were in our Hombu of yesteryear, Soke's OWNED EVERYTHING concerning Shindokan. They owned the building, the inventory, everything inside of the building, the By-Laws/Scrolls/ETC, the brand, the style...YOU NAME IT, SOKE types OWNED EVERYTHING!! If they own everything concerning Shindokan, then it's to be expected that they can do with what they own anyway they feel like. Want to close the Hombu? Then they can close the Hombu. Want to close Shindokan? Then close Shindokan. What to more the Hombu wherever? Then move the Hombu wherever. However, Soke types can't sell what the student knows already in and out about Shindokan. I spit on San Dai-Soke; on his name and everything about him!! Harsh? Not from what I've seen. What is your Hombu doing concerning the entire student body??

Great post !!! Yes...solid post!! For any learning venue, effective feedback is essential at every corner. Without effective feedback, effective MA is nothing more than an illusion. Imho!!

Solid post!!

Yes, as Luther unleashed has said...welcome to KF; glad you're here!! Visit your doctor and see what he/she has to say; the advise of a doctor professional is a billion times better than anything I could ever advice you on this. The back is too important for me to offer any advice, except that I believe that it would best serve you best if you visit a doctor ASAP. To many people have had their back worsen by listening to well intended family and friends and those in passing.

Thank you for your kind words; I'm glad you liked the article. That's why I did what I did...supplement my income. I was solid financially in the dojo, and having a lot of students helps that reality. That reality helped me push myself to venture into the retail business. I failed...A LOT...put those many failures helped me to succeed. However, taking business courses helped to. Plus, I've some students that are quite successful with their own businesses, and I learned something along time ago...listen to those who know, and shut-up when you don't!

Your very welcome; I'm glad that you enjoyed the article. That small display is how a lot of schools of the MA have started their MA supply store. I too, didn't think I had much space, but after surveying the possibilities after having discussed my interests and with the space I had available to work with, I finally just dove in, and I'm glad that I did. If the space is just not doable, then that's another thing and can't be ignored. And moving to another location isn't always the answer. Even then, most dojo's and the like want nothing to do with having a retail space, this I respect and this I admire. It's a personal choice, imho.

Solid post!! Thank you for your kind words about my article. I do, shamelessly, treat my dojo as a business because it is, after all, a business. I do like what you've said about the credit card billing companies in general. Setting up every possible payment transaction before the doors are open is pretty important. Can't expect all customers to pay cash, nor can one not accept checks; being a proponent of these mindsets will not increase the bottom line. This is why, setting up checks/credit card verifications, and the means of accepting both credit cards and checks is so important. Giving customers various ways of accepting payments will attract new customers and a way to keep current customers from looking somewhere else!! Many of the big box giants that are closed now are closed because e-commerce is more accessible to the customer...right inside of their homes while sitting on their favorite recliner.

Great article across the board; I thank you for it. Shugyo has a special place in my heart because since day one, almost 50 years ago, I've had Shugyo in my MA life, in and out!! Our Dai-Soke, Takahashi Sensei, defined Shugyo to mean this... "SUCK IT UP!!" Don't complain, don't whine, don't murmur, don't try to short-cut it, and certainly, don't quit!! "...And if you do, I'll make sure that you'll never want to cry about it in the future. Karate-do is SUPPOSE to be hard; so, SUCK IT UP!!" ~ Dai-Soke Again, my eyes welled up while reading it because your article brought many emotions back to the surface. Emotions that I've tried to harness in a positive manner, but, because of your great article, I found myself emotionally challenged. I miss my Sensei, I miss my MA dad, I miss my mentor, I miss his smile, and most of all, I miss my friend!! This is a good thing because his legacy lives on inside of my heart. Thank you for your article; it means the world to me, and these aren't just idle words...I mean them with all of my heart and soul.

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. Not every school of the martial arts provides retail sales for both their students as well as the general public. I see nothing wrong with having or not having one. It is often dependent on financial costs and/or personal preference. However, adding a retail store to one's own school requires a lot of planning and tweaking, as well as some luck and paying attention to the smallest details. At first, I had nothing to offer my students in the form of martial arts supplies. My dojo was there, in my humble opinion, to provide Shindokan and nothing more. Then, in 1982, I started to offer my students martial arts supplies exclusively from Century Martial Arts Supply. However, they had to select what they wanted out of the most current Century Martial Arts Supply catalog that I kept right next to the class sign-in sheet, pay for the item(s) in full before said item(s) were ordered, and when their order arrived, I'd give them those items whenever I saw them at their next class. In 1985, I turned the lobby into a full blown retail store, but I added the retail space in such a way so that neither "spaces" dominated over another. Firstly, one space was for students and/or parents and/or visitors to gather before and after each class. Secondly, another space was for the retail store. Finally, another space was for the dojo. I had to do some minor remodeling in order to accommodate all three spaces without one dominating, but I had to achieve all of that within the same given area. The tricky part was maintaining that same consistent atmosphere in spaces that are so proximate to one another. In time, I had martial arts supplies in abundance for every martial arts enthusiast, both students and/or the general public alike. My inventory was full to the max. If it was martial arts related, I tried my best to carry it within my inventory. However, it took me just over a year to fine tune into a working on-demand inventory that drove the bottom line respectfully and positively. I had to consider the demographics within my immediate area, however, seeing that I was smack in the middle of Southern California's San Fernando Valley, my dojo was located at the corner of Sherman Way and White Oak, so in that my demographics really reached into every compass point of the valley. In this article, I want to talk about the small things that I believe most dojo based retail stores overlook for one reason or another, not just of the martial arts genre, but things in general. These small things aren't only forgotten in the small box retailers, but they are also forgotten in the big box retailers. Things that shouldn't be overlooked, and, if ignored all together, those things will start affecting ones bottom line, whereas in business, red and black are the only colors that matter. You've only one chance to make that lasting impression, so make it a good one!! Pricing Everything must have a price. EVERYTHING. Each item must be priced either on that item or in a planogrammed area that plainly denotes a price. Nothing frustrates the consumer more than not knowing the price up front. Don't let your customer ask you and, if they do ask you, be nice. Police your out-front inventory to spot where a price tag has been forgotten or has fallen off. Price changes must be addressed immediately. If an item has a price increase, and the signage denotes the old price, by law, that price must be honored. When receiving inventory, adjust your on-hand figures, put price labels upon them, and then get them out onto the sales floor immediately. Discounts If there's a discounted item, then mark the discount on that item. Whether it's been discounted by a percentage or if it's been discounted by its new low price, you want to attract consumers to it. I never used a discounted bin or shelf because I didn't want them to miss the other related item(s) found in their normal places. Don't let your imagination get away from you when doing discounts because if you discount a great deal of your inventory, then you've only a minimum of an idea as to what you're doing concerning inventory replenishing/ordering procedure(s). If items are not moving, discount them reasonably so that you receive some sort of profit, if at all possible. Breaking even is a far sight better than losing the house. Discounts will be generated by your customers whenever they start to lose and/or have already lost valued interest in any said item(s). In order to minimize discounts as well as to maximize profits across the board, watch your P&L (profit and loss) statements closely. Signage Brand management is everything here. Put your brand everywhere, but don't drown an area to the point that the consumers can't see the trees because of the forest. Your name on the most minuscule item(s) will help in getting your name out in the public eye. Place your brand on as many of your "freebies" as you can, like pencils, small calendars, business cards and soda can holders, to name just a few. Walk around a major big box one day to see just how they do their brand management; their logo is tastefully everywhere. As far as an outside sign is concerned, you don't need a gigantic outside sign, just one that's an attention getter, yet easy for the public to remember. Also, your outside sign needs to meet city ordinances while at the same time making it easy for the public to find amongst the sea of signs. Security For high priced items, one needs to keep these display types under lock and key so they don't walk away. In general, your entire inventory should be locked up as well. If you can afford it, get security tags for everything in your inventory, or at least for your high priced items. Shoplifting will happen, and you need to be proactive in keeping the thieves away. The biggest thing you can do to deter shoplifting is to not stay behind the counter. Offer assistance, but don't be intrusive while they're shopping. Eliminate all blind spots by using big spot mirrors in key places or, at least, don't put any tempting inventory in harder to monitor areas. Instead, put a plant, a decorative vase or a dressed up mannequin in those trouble spots. Lighting A well lit store, in and out, is attractive to everyone; staff/you and the general public, and not so attractive to a thief, because they don't like to be noticed. When a light bulb goes out, replace it immediately. Don't blind them with lights so bright that their retinas are burned out. Experiment with different light hues throughout the sales floor to attract customers to any given area. However, the main overhead lights probably need to remain white florescent bulbs. Appearance Everything in a place, and a place for everything. Dust. Tidy up shelves. Re-merchandise. Sweep it, vacuum it, mop it and/or wipe it up. Clean the bathroom(s), besides, thieves/burglars/rapists have been known to hide in the bathroom(s). Clean the windows. Clean glass counter tops/sides. Pick up any and all trash immediately. Empty all trash containers. Place all purchases into shopping bags as the sale is rung up on your cash register. Clean window glass fronts as well as the front door. Sweep outside. Straighten up behind the counter. Everything I have mentioned in this paragraph should be done frequently. Keeping your store neat and in order takes a lot of elbow grease, but the reward will shine through. If one doesn't tend to the store's appearance, then the dojo will suffer. A dirty and disgusting retail store will give the overall impression that areas beyond the store are more than likely just as awful. Impulse Buying Impulse buying helps to drive the bottom line. Children aren't the only ones that are drawn to these impulse areas; adults are impulse buyers as well. Anything that's small and will fit comfortably on the counter, place it there and rotate what's going to be there often. Don't bury the counter for many obvious reasons. Your customers will buy things a lot of the time on impulse, not just what's on the counter. Try putting impulse item(s) on the sales floor. Remove empty impulse strip(s) immediately until you're able to replenish them, in fact, as the impulse strip(s) starts to thin out, consolidate them onto other strips or place them on the counter. Employees Training A trained employee is an educated employee. Not all of your staff has to know anything about the martial arts, but they need to know about everything within your store. Not every customer that enters your door is a martial artist because many times, items are purchased for gifts to someone they know that is a martial artist. Those same types of customers that might only have a minimum idea of what they want, and that'll be time to suggest items to them for their consideration. They might only be able to describe what it is that they have seen on TV or a magazine advertisement. Give your staff thorough training when they're hired and when new item(s) arrive. Of course, customer service is vital. So much so, that it deserves its own section. Customer Service This simple idea is sorely missing across the U.S.A. This concept is missing from the small box all the way to the big box. Rudeness is worn like a badge of honor, all the way from the boss to the lowest level of employee. The customer doesn't need the business, but every business needs customers. When a business treats a customer ungratefully, it is appalling. Answer the Phone This means answer the phone in three rings. Don't let the phone customer wait on hold long, and don't let the customer that's shopping wait on you while you're on the phone; it's a delicate balance. Be proactive when working the phone because the goal of the phone call is to get the customer from their home to your store, and this starts with great customer service. Don't Make Promises You Can't/Won't Keep Don't lie to any customer; there's no reason to. Credibility is paramount in customer service; therefore, it shouldn't be taken lightly at anytime. If there's a problem that's beyond your control, like with a shipper, simply explain that to your customer, and then reassure that customer that their desired item(s) will be available to them and on what date/time. Follow up by calling them when the item(s) arrive. Listen to Your Customers Don't pretend that you're listening, either; that'll backfire quickly. Keep sincere eye contact with the customer. Listen, and then summarize what you've been told so that the customer knows that you're listening, and then resolve their need. I'm not saying to give the customer whatever they want because the customer isn't always right; this too is a difficult thing to balance. Deal with Complaints in the Speediest Manner Don't fall into one of the biggest traps laid out by the shrewdest of customers; arguing. Arguing to the point where the artery in the side of your neck is bulging isn't helpful and/or healthy for all concerned. Once you understand the customers' complaint, solve it as quickly as possible. It shouldn't take more than a few days at the most to resolve the complaint(s) depending on the severity of the situation. Be Helpful Even if There's No Profit Once, I replaced the connecting cords of a nunchaku. The customer asked me what he owed, and I informed him that he didn't owe me anything. He was pleasantly surprised and thankful all at the same time. Did the cord cost me? Sure it did, but with that simple gesture, I earned him as a loyal customer and then some; he recommended me to his fellow martial artists, which led to more business. Train Staff to Be Nice Across the Board Being nice doesn't cost anything and it's required of your staff if they want to still be employed. It's required of you if you still want to have a viable business. Your customers' leading complaint will be your staff not being nice and you'll have to deal with that complaint immediately once all of the facts are available. Blatant rudeness might require immediate firing of said employee(s). Constantly observe your employee's interactions with customers and the like, and then reward them, and that might just be you acknowledging their great customer service. However, you might observe an employee not being nice with a customer, and that might require counseling/retraining or showing them the door Take the Extra Step It drives me absolutely crazy when I go into a store and I ask for some assistance to find something only to be told, "it's over there somewhere" while pointing here and there. Get off the chair, and actively show the customer exactly where the item can be found. Then offer any help needed, and then thank the customer. "That isn't my department" is bad customer service. So is, "Well, do you see that thing over there by the stuffed animal display - well, that's not it - but turn right there and go about half way down, and then look down around your knees, well, that's where they are." Give Something Away Give coupons, give advice on how to put something together, open the door for the customer, help carry their purchases to their car for them, greet them and thank them genuinely, and/or just give them something. It doesn't have to be a large something, but at least show your appreciation for them shopping at your store. I know of an auto parts store that gives away a free tube of hand cleaner with every purchase. In closing, whether you are thinking about opening a martial arts retail store or not or you've already started one; I hope that I've been of some small help in pointing out some of the things that are needlessly overlooked. After all, it's the little things that can make or break any business. Good luck!

I'm saddened by his loss; he'll be missed greatly. My prayers go out to his family and friends!! I too, admired him in ways that I'll never truly understand, but appreciate!! His humor will be missed and will be hard to replace!!

It sounds like I'm going into politics the way you describe it. I don't mind saying I was pretty excited until reading this post. Something I should know about sitting on the board? From the way it has always been set up in the past 8 instructors are appointed/voted in every two years and the Kaiso (Soshi now that Sensei is retiring) and the Chairman of the board make 10 total. I am told it is very non-political and is structured towards the betterment of the association. I was also told that it takes a full unanimous vote of instructors to replace you before your two year term is up. I did not think about this as a cover myself type of situation but rather a chance to make a difference and participate in the betterment of the association for all of our schools, instructors and students. Sort of a meeting of the minds type of thing. Mix ideas and go back to the instructors and schools you represent and talk it over with them to get a common consensus and then put it to a vote. What do you know that I don't know? Should I reconcider my acceptance? I definitely do not want to get caught up into dirty politics and arguing with everyone over things that do not benifit the group as a whole, but I've been assured that everyone is in this for the common good of the whole association. I know from reading your posts you've been in the upper side of management so what can you tell me that I don't know? Well, I can, of course, only speak about what I've experienced within the Shindokan circle for well over 20 years as part of being in the hierarchy. Not every governing body has endured the drama that we've endured since Soke and Dai-Soke passed away. Hopefully, your experiences will be more tolerable than ours has been from time to time. Having said that... You're told "non- political"! There WILL be politics; hard to not have politics when fallible humans are involved because of the differences that make the individual whom they are. That's the intent, but something rears its ugly head from time to time to ruin all planned intentions. How yours is geared to the betterment of the entire student body, is commendable to say the least, and that's the one and only thing that we all see eye to eye. However, in trying to increase the betterment, sometimes the dumb shows that we can mess up the whole thing by wanting something way to much; it's a fine line to walk, but can be done, with integrity, when the student body is thought of first over the Hombu and the hierarchy!! How your board is set up is quite similar to how we use to be before San Dai-Soke kicked us all in both shins while smiling. That's why we've downsized certain key departments/boards, and they're backed up in our newly amended By-Laws, to what they are now. For example, our Board of Regents, which use to be called the Counsel of Regents, use to be 12, but now, it's 5, and all must possess nothing lower than Nanadan, when before, all had to be nothing lower than Godan. What I do know is this...cover yourself in ways that you think are going overboard, because, in my mind, you can't be to careful and trustful towards your fellow MAists and your fellow members of the hierarchy. Let your memory be MUCH better than theirs. Note down EVERYTHING, and include dates, times, etc. NO! The student body deserves your dedication and you being on their side in every single issue. Be involved right from the start, and in that, don't sit there waiting until you're called upon. Be professional, but, in the hierarchy, rank means nothing once the gavel sounds. Fight for the student body and for yourself; don't let those of the hierarchy that have been there longer bully you into silence and/or into voting a way that you don't agree with. Hopefully, your Hombu will use Roberts Rules of Order in your meetings because order has to be up front across the board. Study Roberts Rules of Order...memorize it because it will save the student body and yourself. Especially if the you know what hits the fan!! There will be no arguing if Roberts Rules of Order is taken serious, and it must be taken serious...otherwise, don't buy it or at least, throw it in the trash...then tell them that they've all lost their minds. Yeah, the buck stops with me! But, sometimes, not even I have the sole power to stop certain petitions, amendments, and the like. Read, if you have one, your By-Laws and memorize it as well...you'll be glad that you did! Listen intently and not naively for the good for the student body and yourself...PROTECT THE STUDENT BODY!! At the same time, protect the Hombu at all times; the brand can't defend itself unless members of integrity don't shallow themselves up. Having said everything that I just did, I've had more of the good than the bad, and the bad is to be expected from time to time. I know that the student body's betterment is improving and it is because we put them first, even above the Hombu/brand. Relax and enjoy the position that you've been selected, but, just don't drop your guard in the meantime!! I'm here whenever you need me!!

Please visit the school MORE THAN ONCE!! Watch how the interaction between students and instructor/CI/assistants, as well as the students themselves. And not just the adults, but the kid classes as well; varying ranks as well. For me, that's a snapshot that can't be found during an interview that one does when ones joining a school of the MA. After that, as DD said, "dive in" and let the training begin...train hard!!

Ditto!!

You don't make it about them, you say it is not working out for you! I've been an instructor for over 20 years now, and to say I've lost count of the number of students that have come and gone is an understatement. I used to take it personally - especially if I had gone out of my way to offer extra help to students, but after a while I realised that training in Martial Arts - particularly a traditional system - isn't for everyone. They might think it is at the start - but after a while, the gloss wears off and they realise that actually, it comes down to a lot of repetition and hard work. There also comes a time when students have to do more of the "mental weightlifting" for themselves - as they progress through their grades - and some folk dont like that. To each their own. K. Solid post!!

Wastelander and Archimoto, Glad that you're both back from your vacations and that you and yours all had fun...except for the flu!! My wife, at times, will put a muzzle on my vacation workouts because it's her/our time to recharge the batteries. I told her, "Honey, that's how I relax and recharge my batteries"...then...I get the look, you all know the look...then I resist with all of my fiber from working out. I can sneak on, but, it would be my head if she caught, especially after she's given that look!! Welcome back you two!!

Yes...Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Some good advice thus far. Where, in the US, do you live? Whichever school you of the MA you do choose, please visit said school as many times as you feel is necessary. The more you visit, and the more different classes you observe, as well as talking with others at the school, the more you'll be able to make your choice. Then, do a free trial lesson...A FULL CLASS not an abbreviated one either, as a suggestion. Look forward to hear how your search is going.

Me too! Possibly, if one passes all of their testing cycles, and don't have to re-test, then yes, I see how money is saved that way. But, that only works for schools that charge testing fees.