On this page you will find many helpful forms to assist you with your retention.

Here's a tip that will improve your service and earn you money!

Ever get a call when you're in the middle of a class, an info presentation, on the other line, or just shorthanded? Did you write the number on your calendar or a little scrap of paper and the just forget about it? Us too!!

Our student Drew Swaine designed a simple battery powered lighted clipboard for just those occasions. When a call comes in, we take the number, put it in the clipboard, and turn on the light. As soon as possible, the light reminds us to return the call.

This simple clipboard has reminded us to return DOZENS of calls, to Goshin Retention Products customers and Goshin Karate & Judo Academy prospectsor students.

Info Call Scripts

We make pads of these scripts and place them by our phones.

To make pads, make copies of the sheets (two scripts per page) and cut them in half. Place the sheets into a strong clamp (we use a Black & Decker Workmate) and clamp it up VERY TIGHT! Then apply a white glue such as Elmer's Glue to the top and smooth it over the surface with your finger.

Let it dry, then repeat the process. Presto - you have a pad of forms!!

I discovered this process some years back when I went to Kinko's to have a pad made. I asked the clerk what they used to make the pads and he replied "I don't know - it smells like Elmer's glue."

We use this process for a whole range of other projects, too, from "Fill this out and deposit it for a months free lessons" slips, to scratchpaper.

How to use our Courtesy Stickers

How often do you have kids come in, particularly the very young ones, and when you greet them (Hi Johnny) they just walk on by?

We start out by teaching kids in class how to look us in the eye and give a polite greeting ("Hi Mr Anderson. How are you today sir?")

Then, at the end of class, we call give them forward and give them a "Courtesy" sticker

As instructors and studio owners, we all tell prospects that we teach self confidence, courtesy, etc. This is a concrete way you can demonstrate how you teach those martial arts attributes that parents can see for themselves.

Getting an adults attention

How to teach children to get an adult's attention.

Here's a sure-fire way for kids to get their parent's attention. Parents will LOVE this and thank you for sharing it.!!

When Mom or Dad are on the phone or talking to another person, and the child wishes to get their attention, the child comes up and puts his hand on the parent's arm, or shoulder, etc. without speaking, tugging, jumping up and down, etc. (See picture) Now the parent is aware that the child needs something, but she can finish his or her thought and then turn and acknowledge the child -"Yes Johnny, now what can I do for you?"

This was taught to us by a parent years ago, and we've taught it ever since.

How to use our Self Control stickers

We've found a great way to use our very own "Self Control" stickers, from our "Five Tenets of Martial Arts" sticker series. At the end of class, we ask the parents present if they'd like to recommend their children for a "Self Control" sticker. Invariably, several parents will raise their hand: "Johnny didn't hit his sister when she took his toy"....."Cindy isn't interrupting me on the phone anymore", etc.

We call the child forward, and present them with a sticker.

For the child that gets one, it's an opportunity to be rewarded for good behavior.

For the parent, it's an opportunity to brag about their child.

For the parent who DIDN'T mention their child, it's an opportunity to motivate their child to improve so he or she can get a sticker NEXT time.

For the Studio owner, it's an opportunity for parents to reinforce the benefits of martial arts training for themselves and the other parents present.

Everybody wins!!

Click the image to see the Warrior Spirit stickers

How To Use "Warrior Spirit" Stickers

Ever have a kid in class come up to you and say "I can't kick with this leg today because the dog stepped on my foot," or "He kicked me too hard" or some similar calamity? Sure you have. We all have. Usually every day.

What can we say? "Kick anyway!; Go sit down till you feel better; Kick with the other leg!", etc.

Now there's another option. Say - "You know, Johnny, that's what I admire about you. Most kids would have stayed home today if the dog stepped on their foot, but not you. You've got so much Warrior Spirit that you came anyway!" and slap a "Warrior Spirit" sticker onto their uniform.

"Wow!", your student will think, "Sensei says I've got 'Warrior Spirit!" And he or she will suck it up, stand a little taller, and carry on. Crisis resolved.

How to use our Full Splits Club patches

The Full Splits Club patch will help your students to look forward to their warmups with enthusiasm. Here's how we use our Full Splits Club patches - when they can demonstrate their splits, we take their picture with a Polaroid. Then we put it up on our "Full Splits Club" board, and last we give them the patch.

Cost of patch - $1.00 Cost of Polaroid picture - $1.00 Initial cost of cork - backed bulletin board - 19.95 box of push pins - .59 Effect on retention and motivation of students - priceless!!

Click the image to see all our great retention-building cards.

How To Use Good Job Notes

Good Job Notes can be some of the most effective tools in your retention toolbox. How can you make sure that they get out CONSISTENTLY?

Here's what we do: We require each instructor (including ourselves) to write one GJN for every two classes taught. They then mark it on the back of the child's attendance card - "GJN 7/15/06". This makes sure that the same kids aren't getting the cards every class. The instructors also write the name and date of their GJN on their time card. To get paid, they need to get the cards out consistently. They then put the cards in our box, and we get them stamped and into the mail the next day.

What's the format for a GJN? Same as the formula for a One Minute Praising, as seen in our article "The Sixty Second Sabumnim," as seen on the articles section.

1. Tell the person what they did. Specifically.

2. Tell them how it makes you feel.

3. Tell them how great they are, and encourage them to go and do more of the same.

You'll be amazed at the POWERFUL effect these will have on students and their families. Remember, the key is CONSISTENCY!