| Meeting re opening school Wednesday 25th February PRESENT: Stephanie Gilkes, Brent Cotsworth, Charles Gilkes MINUTES 1. General talk about reasons to open our own school. Interest on money Potential for growth and money making opportunities Lifestyle options 2. Approximate outgoings and incomings of Kobe school We talked about the estimated outgoings, incomings and profits of a school in Kobe where Brent is working part time. Kobe School Wages (teaching staff) \500,000 (Japanese staff) \160,000 Advertising \ ????? Rent \400,000 Electricity \?????? Insurance \?????? Total \1,060,000 All present agreed that the figure is likely to be greater than this. 3. We determined that it is necessary to start small and build student numbers before moving to larger premises. 4. We talked about the estimated initial outlay for a small school Projected outlay Bond \1,000,000 Furniture \100,000 Texts/ stationary/ tools/ tape rec \60,000 All present agreed that on the information available the initial outlay is likely to be between \3-4,000,000. 5. Location/ Premises All present agreed that the following facets are desirable in the location/ premises to be rented for the school 5.1 Ability to advertise outside the school 5.2 Suitability of the premises for a school, including such matters as 5.2.1 pushbike and car parking. On this point there was some doubt whether there need be parking at the premises themselves if parking is available at a nearby train station, supermarket etc. 5.2.2 traffic (whether other tenants in the building are likely to complain about the volume of people that pass through a school). 5.3 As the major market we intend to aim at will be business people, the premises should be in a business district. Was discussion of opening the school during the day for children�fs classes etc and decided that more research was needed on what premises are available and whether premises could be found suitably located for both adult and children�fs school. General consensus that as initially the focus will be on adults that the premises should be located in an appropriate area to attract these people. 5.4 Whether building has climate control as part of rent (ie air con/ heating) and important consideration 5.5 Premises should be accessible from the station. Agreed that close to station increases rent cost, so agreed that initially premises acceptable if on easily navigated route from station. 5.6 Exposure. Should be in location where there is lots of exposure/ passing traffic to attract students. Important to be able to erect signs, advertise in window etc. 5.7 Premises should have reception area/ waiting room. 5.8 Premises should have 2 to 4 rooms, depending on cost of rent. 5.9 Premises should be in a presentable building RESOLUTIONS 1.0 Focus on adults, depending on availability, between 3pm and 10pm, with the option of expanding student groups and times as business develops. 2.0 Investigate location 3.0 Investigate business structure 4.0 Investigate marketing strategies 5.0 Research now with definite aim of giving answer in 6 months as to commitment to undertaking and funding etc. ACTIONS 1.0 Talk to Smiths School of English etc 2.0 Investigate location 3.0 Investigate business structure 4.0 Investigate marketing |