I was watching the Today show this morning and was surprised by the unseasonable weather on both coasts in
On a positive note, my son and I went to see Kung Fu Panda last weekend. Unbeknownst to us was that it was also opening weekend for the movie, which was sold out. Instead we ended up seeing Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr. I would not claim this movie to be a cerebral effort, but it was entertaining for the both of us.
Today in my eNewsletter I am going to switch back to talking about the critical strategies needed to start a school that will make a difference in your community and will leave a sustainable legacy. You will note the reference to the adjective, “sustainable.” Most founding groups have what I call the “jump reflex.” They jump in and want to start buying land and developing logos and letterhead before they ever deal with the fundamental building blocks that will allow their school to have a sustainable operation. This includes matching demand with a structured start-up business plan and operational budget that considers how to merge your vision (if you have taken the time to even develop this – which most do not) with reality -- the reality of market demand and the costs to achieve and/or modify your vision. What ends up happening is founders buy their land, hire their Head, develop marketing materials etc. that do not match their vision, and put themselves in financially perilous circumstances. At this point they end up cutting corners, which normally means hiring cheap, rookie teachers, and cut backs in acquiring learning resources. And of course, since it is the teachers that make the difference, not fancy logos or buildings, the quality of education is affected in the sensitive start-up years, which in turn affects the quality of education. And as you should know, since word of mouth is the number marketing strategy, word will get out that your new school does not do what it states it will do, and then you are trapped in the cycle of rebuilding your reputation. As they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Enjoy the eNewsletter,
Doug Halladay
President and Founder
Halladay Education Group Inc.
www.HalladayEducationGroup.com
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In This Issue
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1. In The News
2. Services Your School Needs
3. Laying The Groundwork
4. Products To Invest In To Start And Lead Your School
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1. In The News
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Parents Vote With Their Feet When It Comes to Schooling
RedOrbit -
For a start, the term "public" and "private" is rarely used, largely because of its old-fashioned conetations. Today's independent schools put a big...
Ontario Cuts Funds for Private-School French
Globe and Mail –
New rules leave very few independent schools - and no religious ones - eligible for the funds, say those in the field. The changes, effective in September...
Kids Think Binge-Drinking Normal
The study for the British children's health charity, Life Education, questioned nearly 1500 children aged between nine and 11 about their perceptions of...
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2. Services Your School Needs
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>>> (A) STARTING YOUR OWN SCHOOL
Starting a school can be challenging and you never have a 2nd chance to make a first impression. This is why you need a firm that has experience starting schools in
1. One-Day Comprehensive Overview Session and Report
2. Formal Feasibility Study
3. Detailed Business Plan Development
4.
6. Ongoing Consulting Services and Retainer
7. Ongoing Management and Operations Services
If you would like more information about our services related to starting your school, please call us at 1-604-868-0002, email at info@halladayeducationgroup.com, or click on here to download our brochure outlining services.
>>> (B) STRATEGIC PLANNING
Do you want a practical strategic plan to focus your school? We can develop a comprehensive Plan that will build consensus, motivate donors, and define critical priorities for your Board and Administration to improve your school.
Click here to download our brochure on our Strategic Planning process, or call us at 1-604-868-0002, or email at info@halladayeducationgroup.com
>>> (C) BOARD GOVERNANCE WORKSHOPS
Do you want your school to have better leadership? If so, our full-day governance workshop and interactive online survey can help your trustees to fine-tune their performance and refocus their mandate. Please email us at info@halladayeducationgroup.com , call us at 604-868-0002 to find out more about how we can help you, or click here to download our brochure.
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3. Laying The Groundwork
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You need to lay the groundwork to ensure that your school is built with a solid foundation. Too many founders want to do the exciting, concrete action items, without setting the ‘footings’ to build your school on. These include:
- Developing your vision and mission statements;
- Developing your guiding core values;
- Developing your educational philosophy and pillars of your programs;
- Establishing a committed and diversely talented steering committee who will transition into an effective board who will lead and be solid role models (e.g., fundraising, marketing, facility development, educational programs, governance, human resources);
- Establishing a 501C3 that reduces liability and enhances selectivity;
- Having a step-by-step project management plan together where you’ve laid out tasks, responsibility, costs, start/finish, and success indicators;
- Implementing a feasibility study to gauge community demand for your school;
- Developing a detailed start-up budget and 5-year operational business plan;
- Hiring your school’s CEO based on a detailed profile that comprises your school’s purpose and direction versus that fact that someone on the board knows an unemployed Principal;
- Leasing or buying facilities that match your vision and mission, rather than making a square peg fit into a round hole;
- Having a complete public relations, student enrollment/marketing plan, and admissions system in place before you ever make a public announcement that you’re going to start a school;
- Assembling a curriculum that has a scope and sequence and develops the whole child delivers your mission;
- Have the capacity to develop your infrastructure – policy manuals, timetable, calendar, awards, traditions, reporting system, school record software, teams, etc.
You need to have all your ducks lined up before you leap into the foray of starting a school. But if done right, you will establish a school with the building blocks to stand for generations to come.
Email HEG at info@halladayeducationgroup.com if you would like to make preparations to start a school.
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4. Products To Invest In To Start And Lead Your School
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Here are a set of effective tools to help start and lead your school more effectively.
>> (A). STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOLKIT (#1 BEST SELLER)
Learn how to develop your own Strategic Plan effectively with our step-by-step, Strategic Planning Toolkit and Manual. Click here to get more details.
>> (B). WEBINAR SERIES – DISCOVER FROM EXPERTS HOW TO START A SCHOOL (#2 BEST SELLER)
Are you still struggling with starting your School? My team shares with you how to start a school from the ground up. Click here to get more the details.
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To your success,
Douglas Halladay
President and Founder
Halladay Education Group Inc.
www.HalladayEducationGroup.com
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P.S. Do not forget to check out our secure Online Store for ways to invest in improving or starting your own school or non-profit. Click here for the link.
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