As you grow as a martial arts school owner, you'll discover new methods, procedures, and processes to implement. How you manage this implementation will significantly affect the success of the change, how well it's received, and your personal stress level.
It's important to remember that your current students and staff like things the way they are. Even if you're losing 80% of your students because your classes are three hours long and you walk on their stomachs during sit-ups, the 20% who remain like it this way.
You envision higher retention, a growing school, and financial rewards. Your students, however, are focused on their next belt, not your future. Here are some strategies to help you implement change without causing a revolt.
1. Start Tuition Increases with Lower-Ranking Students
Begin tuition increases with the lowest-ranking students. This way, the new, higher-paying students will gradually replace the old, lower-paying students.
2. Give Notice for Tuition Increases
If you must raise tuition for everyone, give students at least 30 days' notice and offer them the option to "beat the tuition increase" by purchasing a year in advance at the current rate.
3. Implement Curriculum Changes Gradually
Start curriculum changes with the lowest-ranking students. To them, it won’t be a change. As they advance in the new curriculum, within a year, they will be the largest population in the school, so the majority of the school will be doing the new program.
4. Grandfather Some Students or Ranks
Grandfather some students or ranks into the new program to avoid losing them.
5. Remove Resistant Students or Parents
Fire the students or parents who raise an unreasonable level of resistance to the changes. They will corrupt the other students and compound your problems. "Excuse them" from the school.
6. Use Student Surveys as a Catalyst for Change
If you are going to change class length or curriculum for a majority of your students at once, make them feel as though they were a part of the process by using student surveys.
The questions on the survey can plant the seed of change in the students. The feedback will be helpful, but more importantly, you can refer to the survey as the catalyst for change.
For instance, you could tell the students, “In response to our survey, tuition will be raised $20 per month….” Or “In response to our survey, classes will now be one hour instead of two hours.” This is a truthful statement. You are not saying, “Because most of you indicated on the survey that you would like a $20 increase in tuition.”
All you need is one vote for a $20 increase to truthfully say, “In response to our survey, tuition will be raised $20 per month….”