It appears that the kuk sool won schools are going to become franchised schools or they will be out of the association when their license expires. Any thoughts out there? Good, bad idea?
I agree. My first impression is that it will backfire and they will lose a significant portion of the association base.
When did all this come out? Its the first I've heard of it. Whether its bad or good, remains to be seen until everyone knows what exactly is happening.
All school owners should be hearing about it very soon if not already. For a typical student, it means nothing. However, for a school owner it is a significant change because it will involve monetary changes.
While somewhat true, there's a lot of new fees that smaller schools probably can't afford. They clearly says in the documentation that when the current association membership is up, you franchise or your out. I really hope all that changes to something more acceptable that ALL schools can accept...new or established. I don't think they are going publicly traded, or at least I don't recall seeing that. Don't think it would work at all.
The franchise requirement is required for ALL schools. I fear that if this goes through it may be the end of Kuk Sool Won as we know it. Sadly, the financial requirements may be too tough on many school owners.
If the school owner leaves Kuk Sool Won because of the requirement the student will very much be affected. If owner stays with Kuk Sool Won will the tuition need to be increased to be able to afford the franchise fees?
As a simple student of a School, I am not in a position to know whether the franchsing is good, bad or indifferent, especially as I have no idea what the current regulatiosn and rules etc are for setting up a school. However, as Tatar eays, if a school has to leave KSW because the school owner cannot franchise or meet the financial burden or for whatever reason beacause of the franchising agreement, then this is very bad for the Students of that school. They will not be able to progress in KSW at all, and learn the martial art that they have chosen. It is not like there is another KSW organisation that the students can affiliate to and continue as before, advancing up the grades. Even if they went to Hapkido or another "similar" Korean MA, they would have to start at the bottom as a white belt again. So the idea that school could be out of the KSW "frnachise" is not good. However, is this really going to be a huge burden on schools such that they do close due to finanical or whatever reasons? When does this all come about and what are the current financial burdens on schools now?
For new schools an up front payment of around 50K is needed to secure the franchise. For existing schools the main highlights are it adds a % off of the gross revenue. KSW HQ can audit your school for compliance any time they want and you have to pay all expenses for them to travel. One of the bigger things all sales of merchandise has to go through HQ. You cannot sell items from your own suppliers. Just some of the highlights. Most schools were already running on expired licenses anyway, so most will have to make the choice by Dec 30 2008. Not sure how many are going to convert to the new system but for a new school owner you have to come up with 50K+ to even get started that seems like too much. Usually when you sell a franchise you are paying for a business model that is proven like Mcdonald's. Where is the proven business model for running a KSW school. Do we use the HQ school as the model? There is no solid business model provided in this deal. Where is the model school with 300+ that is being run by the people selling the franchise.
I suspect that alot of schools will be running to some of these other organizations like the World Kido Federation, Han Min Jok Hapkido, NKMAA, or UMSF. I really think this is a bad Idea on the part of the WKSA. I agree with MMACBlackBelt. I do not see how they have a full proof business model that people will know that the 50k investment will be worth it, and even if they did how will the school owner know that this model would work in their demographic. Beside they are cutting into the profit margine of all the school owners. I think this plan will cause all small schools and clubs to either close up or jump ship. I suspect most will jump ship! Suddenly all of the rumors about the association being money hungry are proven to be true by the association itself.
so what do you get for the 50K?? Nobody in their right mind is going to pay 50k to open a school I don't understand how this will work?
